Residents in Los Angeles County have watched their drive-in theatre treasures
fall by the wayside in recent years. As the population density increases
and people move further away from the main city, drive-ins that were once
located in the outskirts suddenly find themselves sitting on prime land.
And then there are two... or were...
The L.A. County area now finds itself with just 1 open drive-in...
the Vineland. The most recent one to fall was the Fiesta 4 (formerly the
Whittier) and the Azusa Foothill has been closed for a couple of years
now. Here at Roadside Peek's L.A. County Drive-Ins, see what's
remaining, both open and closed.
Vineland Drive-in Theatre (Closed)
City of Industry, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Vineland Drive-In Theatre in Industry sports some of most pastel
colors in the industry (sic.). This drive-in is open daily for both swap meets
and movies. The area around is all industrial, so the huge lot may be
a sitting duck for a weasel factory one day. You just never know.
Fiesta Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Pico Rivera, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Fiesta 4 was formerly called the Whittier Drive-In. A multiplex
is being built
behind the drive-in lot, leading many to believe that the end of the road
has come for this Pico Rivera treat. However, the drive-in recently celebrated
its 50th anniversary which should count for something.
Sundown Theatre, H.W. Bruen/ Pacific Theatres
1954 - 1999 (Demolished)
Whittier, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Sundown Drive-in Theatre in Whittier sported googie architecture
that would've made even Googie's themselves jealous.
An evening at the movies once came with an open sky at the Sundown Drive-In Theatre in Whittier. Its roadside presence invited motorists to pull in for a picture show, with the family car supplying the seats and a concession-stand visit rounding out the outing.
The Sundown Drive-In was demolished. The photograph preserves a reminder of Whittier’s outdoor moviegoing days. 10-26
Foothill Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Azusa, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
One of the last of the Route 66 drive-ins, the Foothill Azusa in the friendly city of Azusa is a single-screener to boot! The nearby
Azusa Pacific University has taken over ownership of this site with the
interest of extending its campus/parking. Yep, they're about to pave paradise
and put up a parking lot.
Studio Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Culver City, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Studio Drive-in Theater was a roadside eye-catcher for generations. Located
off Sepulveda Blvd. in Culver City, the Studio's immense screen with its
plain, yet appealing block lettering drew in motorists from afar. Alas,
the Studio met it's demise at the end of 1998.
Vermont Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Gardena, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Vermont Drive-In in the South Bay was once the 4th
remaining drive-in in the Los Angeles County. The site was gutted and
new development is all around.
Fiesta Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Foothill Drive-in Theatre (Demolished) 
