Lake Drive-In
39515 Big Bear Boulevard,
Big Bear Lake,
CA
92315
39515 Big Bear Boulevard,
Big Bear Lake,
CA
92315
3 people
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One of two drive-in theatres to ever exist in the Big Bear area (the other was the Peter Pan Woodland Drive-In in Big Bear City). The Lake Drive-In was opened on June 7, 1957 with James Stewart in “Strategic Air Command” & Randolph Scott in “7 Men from Now”. It had closed by 1981. This long-closed venue’s screen remained intact (as of summer 2007 but since demolished), along with the projection booth building, on its original plot of land in the area just south (towards the western edge) of Big Bear Lake.
Well within view of the lake itself, this property on the south side of Big Bear Boulevard is currently being used for other forms of (entertainment?) business.
Contributed by
Lavar Burkhart
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
Photos on Drive-Ins.com (see comment 1) are from the BIG BEAR DRIVE-IN that was in Poulsbo, WA. [Dave Lounder Drive-In Theatres]
Might be reopening as Lake Starlight Drive-in, if it can solve city and county issues!?
not a chance the screen was demolished!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYdEK6WInfoilMkDxkSTHmQ
Boxoffice, June 15, 1957: “Jim Boyd, who operates a theatre supply company on (Los Angeles Film) Row, opened his 400-car Lake Drive-In at Big Bear.”
Opened on June 7, 1957 with “Strategic Air Command” and “7 Men from Now” plus a color cartoon. Also had an indoor seating area for walk-ins. Opened by Jim Boyd with space for 600 cars and 140 indoor seats.
One small hint as to a closing date - on July 29, 1981, the San Bernardino County Sun said there would be a carnival “at the old drive-in theater” at Big Bear Lake.
Based on Google Street View archives, the Lake’s screen finally came down between August 2015 and August 2016.
The Grizzly (Big Bear Lake), Nov. 1, 1956: “Lake Drive-In Theater at Metcalf Meadows, construction of which was begun this week under direction of owner J. M. (Jim) Boyd of Los Angeles, will encompass 13.89 acres to include parking facilities for 600 cars and a hold-out area for addition 200 vehicles. Completion of the project is slated for early May 1957. The 30'x60' flat screen will be located in the north corner of the area, near the highway. In addition to snack bar, kitchen and sanitary facilites, the two story structure to be located in the center of the area will house a projection room, office and generator storage. An auditorium to seat 140 will be used for large groups, such as youngsters from summer camps arriving in bus loads, or for audiences in inclement weather. The building will be primarily of redwood siding by George M. Lindsey and Robert Lindsey, AIA, of Los Angeles … Mr. Boyd … was manager of the Embassy Theater in San Francisco when in 1928 the first talking picture was presented.”
It’s official!
The actual address for this drive-in was 39515 Big Bear Boulevard Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. Believe it or not, after more than 40 years most ramps are still visible!
Please update.
It appears that the building was a real estate office given the marquee next to the road and banner on the building that lasted until at least August of 2016.
By December of that year, the marquee sign and banner were gone and a much smaller sign appeared just below the marquee indicating that the land is a “Rare Plant and Meadowland Preserve”.
This may indicate the land belongs to the county, state, or non-profit organization with the desire to keep the property the way it is.