Skyview Drive-In
2260 Soquel Drive,
Santa Cruz,
CA
95065
2260 Soquel Drive,
Santa Cruz,
CA
95065
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Uploaded a 1954 ad as the Encina.
google lists this swap meet as closed weird as it is definetly open! sooooooooooo
The snack bar building is still there(possibly the bio box too?). Possibly also called Starlight Drive-in?
The May 20, 1949 issue of the Santa Cruz Sentinel-News said that the new, 800-car Encina Drive-In would open within a week. The theater was owned by Frank Paone and John Forde, in partnership with Trans-Caliornia Theaters, a regional circuit. Paone and Forde had opened the Starview Drive-In, Santa Cruz County’s first, near Boulder Creek in 1947. Paone would manage the new theater.
Opened with “The untamed breed” and “The swordsman”. 1062 cars. Site is now Santa Cruz Swap Meet.
May 27th, 1949 grand opening as Encina Drive-In as well as the March 15th, 1959 ad for the Skyview Drive-In as well as the April 2nd, 1971 ad for the Skyview Twin Drive-In in the photo section.
For the aesthetic record: For the last twenty-five years or so of its existence, the backside of the main (original) screen tower of the Skyview was painted blue, but before that, it was painted in wide, alternating vertical bands of pink and mint.
Thanks Mike.
Encino/SKYVIEW DRIVE-In parked 440 cars and was owned in 1956 by Calif.Empire Theatre Inc.
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2fxzcpo
So so sad, I went to the Skyview Drive-In child hood into adult hood. I will admit that once in my broke teenage years I did hide in the trunk so I didn’t have to pay. p.s.. I am sorry for that. Skyview was the only drive-in in Santa Cruz and around the area, and now if I want to enjoy the drive-in atmosphere I have to drive to San Jose and it is just not the same. I am hopeful that there will be another drive-in in Santa Cruz, because that would be awesome;) Fare Well Skyview, you are missed on nights that I am bored, which happens a lot. Thanks for the great times and awkward moments.
This May 2007 blog discusses the Skyview:
http://tinyurl.com/lsgfly
www.savetheskyview.org
Look around the site and put some time in to take action.
Call and complain to Don Bussey, contact the Historic Society, …
The screen towers have been torn down.
I can’t tell you how many movies I saw here in my youth. While I can understand the economic reasons why drive-ins are closing, it’s still sad to see another part of my personal history be swept under the rug.
I have sad news for all my Drive In friends. The Skyview has now CLOSED! The last day for the flea market was Nov 25 2007. The big Cinemascope sreens closed Sun Dec 2 2007. No more Drive In in Santa Cruz CA. Please change listing to closed not open. I was in Santa Cruz today and yes it is all closed. When the wreckers come who knows. Go by and take some photos before they do the dirty work. Its locked up but you can take photos from the outside. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter Maternity now owns the old Encina DI (Skyview) To bad the family that owned the Skyview didn’t have a weeklong blow out with old classic movies ect. It closed fast. They got the $$$ from the hospital and shut off the films fast. The popcorn is no longer pop'n in Santa Cruz CA at the Drive IN.
It RAINED on me this past Friday Sept 21. Went to the Skyview to check out the place. First rain in the area in 6 months. It was fun watching a movie thru a wet window with lighting in the sky. They advertise Dolby Radio Stereo Sound but it is in MONO. What a shame. Tuned into 93.1 got a non stereo feed of a stereo movie! The big Cinemascope screen looked great. Visit the place before escrow goes thru. Have a burger they grill them outside on the BBQ! Popcorn fresh and HOT.
Love’s labor lost…
Just learned today The Skyview is being sold to Sutter Health people. They will turn the DI into a new maternity ward. This was a great Santa Cruz DI going strong for 60 years! Owned by the Martins family since 1947. I remember as a kid when they added Cinemascope to the big flat sq screen tower in 1955. It was also the time I got lost going to the rest room in the fog. They had to flash a lost kid sign up on the screen so my parents had to come and get me. I forgot the car location! If you are in the Northern CA Santa Cruz area check the place out before the movies stop playing. The Drive In has two screens now but the main screen in the largest. It will be missed as you drive by on the freeway. I am so glad my parents took me to the old Encina DI in the 50’s and 60’s. The screen tower has big lights on the top that come on during the intermission. I guess to guide you to the refreshment counter. The proj booth is now in a sep building. Goodbye Encina/Skyview DI thanks for the memories!