Sante Fe Springs Swap Meet & Drive-In
13963 Alondra Boulevard,
Santa Fe Springs,
CA
90670
13963 Alondra Boulevard,
Santa Fe Springs,
CA
90670
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Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet & Drive-In (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Pacific Theatres
Functions: Live Performances, Movies, Special Events, Swap Meet
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: La Mirada Drive-In
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
562.921.4359
Nearby Theaters
The La Mirada Drive-In opened November 5, 1953 with “Wings of the Hawk” and “ Golden Blade”. I often went to this theater in the mid-1960’s in my car on dates, and a fun time was always had there. In 1969, I became the assistant manager, and worked there for six months. I ran the snack bar while my boss, the manager, smoked cigars and counted money.
I recall with fondness seeing “Romeo and Juliet” there about six times in a week, and enjoying it every single time.
Since the mid-1960’s, the drive-in (now known as the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet & Drive-In) has been home to a swap meet, and today also hosts special events, including movie screenings twice a year.
Contributed by
Donald John Long
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
Thanks for the update, Ed. There are some photos on this page:
http://www.drive-ins.com/gallery/catsan3
My Folks took us kids to La Mirada Drive-In often in the 50’s & 60’s. I have fond memories of The Swap-O-Rama on the weekends in 1969. I used to help this old Hippie dude sell[anyone remember] The flower power wired plastic flowers or black light posters, Lava Lamps? There was a house that went along side of the entrance. The family that lived there, The daughter was good friends with my older sister, and from time to time we’d get in for free.On Monday or Tuesdays {I can’t remember} it was a Buck a carload. We saw a lot of good flicks back then.When movies were really made to watch, and be entertained= La Mirada still ROCKS!!!!!
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yztojhn
Here is a b&w photo:
http://tinyurl.com/y8469ro
A shot of the neon sign from August 2010:
View link
Reminder: Each year the La Mirada Drive-in (now called the Santa Fe Springs Drive-In) reopens for just two nights a year. This year those nights are Monday, November 8th and Tuesday, November 9th.
Just like last year, I will not be the manager on duty. (Although I still work for the company, I no longer work at the swap meet/drive-in.)
Admission is almost certainly still $5.00 per car.
Bring the kids and enjoy the show!
Santa Fe Springs Drive-In
13963 Alondra Boulevard
Santa Fe Springs, California 90670
(562) 921-4359
Update:
Each year the Santa Fe Springs Drive-In reopens for just two nights a year. This year those nights are this Wednesday and Thursday, December 19th and 20th.
The box office will open at 6:00 pm. The first feature is the delightful 1990 comedy “Home Alone” starring Macaulay Culkin. This movie begins at 6:30 pm.
The second movie is the 1946 classic, “It’s A Wonderful Life” starring Jimmy Stewart. This movie begins at 8:30 pm.
Admission on the day of the event is $15.00 per car. Pre-sale tickets are available right now for $10.00.
The sound will be broadcast over your car’s FM radio.
Come on out and enjoy the show!
Santa Fe Springs Drive-In 13963 Alondra Boulevard Santa Fe Springs, California 90670 (562) 921-4359 (extension 0)
Well… it was both a swap meet AND a drive-in for many, many years. I can recall working at the swap meet in the late 1970s and all of us having to work like crazy to get the place cleaned up in time, after the swap closed, before the drive-in opened. During the summer that wasn’t so bad, since it gets dark much later… we had more time. But during the winter it was a nightmare.
However, if you want to know the name of the last movie shown before the drive-in closed permanently (other than the once-a-year special showing), I don’t know the answer to that. I suspect a careful review of old Los Angeles newspaper movie listing ads would eventually reveal the answer.
Their website features in addition to the swap meet a full calendar of weekend music offerings. Mostly indie and tribute bands. Very eclectic. No movies that I can discern.
No, no movies. Just once a year we show a movie. (Our operating permit says we are an operating drive-in. But the permit doesn’t specify how OFTEN we have to show one.)