Rubidoux Drive-In
3770 Opal Street,
Rubidoux,
CA
92509
3770 Opal Street,
Rubidoux,
CA
92509
9 people
favorited this theater
The Rubidoux Drive-In opened in the early-1950’s. Two new screens and a Sunday swap meet were added in the 1980’s and there are plans to add another screen. It is operated by The De Anza Land and Leisure Corp., which also run the Van Buren Drive-In, in nearby Riverside.
These two drive-ins along with the Mission in Montclair and Pacific’s Vineland in the City of Industry are the four remaining Los Angeles-area drive-ins still showing movies. The Rubidoux Drive-In presents first-run double bills with FM sound in a well-maintained environment which includes a recently remodeled snack bar.
The swap meets have been so successful that they have now been extended to four days. The company has drive-ins and swap meets in other states, including the Redwood in Salt Lake City and the Starlight in Atlanta.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
I remember when there was a mini amusemant park in front of the screen at the Rubidoux Drive-In back in the 60’s. A mini train ran through a tunnel underneath the screen. There was also a mini ferris wheel, mini merry go round, and mini boats. I couldnt wait until intermission to get on the rides. I have very fond memories from going to the Rubidoux Drive-In with my parents and siblings.
Does anyone know if there are any pictures of the mini amusemant park at the Rubidoux Drive-In from the 60’s on line?
I saw all the classic beach movies with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello at the Rubidoux. You have to admit those intermission commercials did a good job at bringing patrons to the snack bar. My whole family, Mom, Dad, and 4 kids loaded up with food and snacks for next to nothing back then.
Vintage Drive-In Intermission Videos
View link
From Boxoffice Magazine, November 13, 1948: “Roy Hunt’s new Rubidoux Drive-In in Riverside opened November 3 to a capacity attendance of 780 cars….” This was a special event with a tariff of $4.80 per person, the proceeds going to a local charity. Regular operations began the following night.
Most likely the location was given as Riverside because Rubidoux did not become a census-designated place until 1950.
Updated website address: http://www.rubidouxdrivein.com/
Regardless, I think it’s still in Riverside.
Especially if we’re going to make the “their website says so arguement” that is so often made about the name of theatres elsewhere on the site.
This from Wikipedia: “As of the 2000 Census, Rubidoux is the largest unincorporated community in the Inland Empire and in Riverside County.”
I worked here in the early nineties, Menace to Society era, interesting crowds.
This drive-in is slated to convert to digital projection in 2013.