Park Aire Drive-In
295 East Donovan Road,
Santa Maria,
CA
93454
295 East Donovan Road,
Santa Maria,
CA
93454
1 person
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The Park Aire Drive-In was opened prior to 1953. It was closed around 1997. Not sure when it was demolished or how long it operated, but now it’s condominiums – lots of condominiums.
Contributed by
MagicLantern
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
This drive-in closed in the early 1980’s.
When I visited the address, the only evidence I could find of its existence was a double driveway possibly near the former entrance (much like the old Santa Paula Drive-In’s only possible remains).
I grew up near the Park Aire. Its closing date is closer to the mid-90’s.
Yep, it closed in the `90’s. Now buried under roughly 30 new homes. I took my kids, along with most the kids in our cul-de-sac, to this drive-in several times before it closed. Another sad chapter in the Santa Maria history book.
Single screener.
The car capacity was 500 cars for this Drive-In.
Park Aire opened in 1959, and was up and running until about 1997. During that time, the projector would shut down during the movie, causing horn-honking from disturbed customers. Shortly after that it closed down. By 1998, a few panels had fallen from the screen and weeds began to grow through the lot’s concrete. By June of 1999, an announcement was made in the paper that Park Aire would soon be torn down after 40 years in existence. The Snack shop was torn down as of June 23, 1999. Then on July 21, 1999, the demolishment of the screen began. The entire screen was down as of July 30, 1999. Demolishment continued, and by August, the concrete was being lifted. Soon after, construction began for the new “Via Rubio” neighborhood on the lot. And finally, in 2002, all construction was complete. It was quite a sad, yet nostalgic event when Park Aire came to be no more.
Time will advance and take us farther away from the distant past and people will demolish buildings, break and bury relics but they cannot erase memories. Memories and spirits of the past, remain. I was the little boy in the yellow pinto, eating animal crackers and watching The Buddy Holly Story and Kramer vs. Kramer. Viva Santa Maria and Tri-Tip barbecues! Go Saints!
Movies seen…enter the Dragon, Billy Jack movies, Sean Connery 007, convoy, Smokey and the bandit, the list is long. 1968-77.