Solano 2 Drive-In

I remember going with a buddy who brought a VHS camcorder and set it up to record Batman and Lethal Weapon. He had the whole thing in a box, so that it would pick up the sound better!

Opened on 16/3/1964, also a swap meet on site.

This opened in December 1972 (when SFC listings started)

I used to pass this D-I almost every day in the 90’s. I love how they still use the Solano Way address since the entrance hasn’t been on Solano since the early 70’s!!!

There are plenty of photos at http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/1933.html

I am so excited they reopened this drive-in! I’ve been driving 45-minutes to San Jose to get my drive-in movie fix. See you there this summer. I’ll be double-fisting snacks, sitting on the tailgate, squinting to see all of the dark scenes.

The “new” operator is West Wind Drive-Ins (which is owned by Syufy Enterprises—Syufy was the former owner of the Century Theaters chain prior to it being bought out by Cinemark). West Wind apparently now owns & operates the 6 drive-ins that Century Theaters had (including one in Sacramento & the Capitol Drive-In in San Jose). I guess Cinemark wasn’t interested in drive-ins when Century Theaters was bought by them.

Does this mean that only one screen will be operating? Still this is great news!

This drive-in appeared in the film “American Graffiti”.

I remember reading an article in the newspaper years ago about people who parked across the street in the empty lot next to the freeway offramp and watched the movie from there for free. These people talked freely about what they did, like they thought they were so clever in finding a way to screw the owners rather than supporting them by spending a few bucks. So all of us drive-in fans have these morons to thank for doing their part to hasten the end of an era.

I can’t believe it is coming to this! I too will miss the Solano. Was really looking forward to it’s hopeful re-opening. Does anyone know if it is up for sale? Many happy memories there, and in Daly City. Fell asleep with a date there once. :)

I also remember the flea market. When I saw films at the Solano in the 1970s, it played everything from A-run Hollywood movies to the worst horror dreck imaginable. It operated year-round at that time. Of the latter, a memorable triple bill was Corpse Grinders, Undertaker and His Pals, and The Embalmer. It was easy to watch the 2nd screen if the 1st screen was a bore. Airplanes took off and landed right next door at a regional air field. The concession stand was an enormous circus-tent style arrangement, which was typical of the Syufy driveins of the period.