Stadium Drive-In
15501 E. 14th Street,
San Leandro,
CA
94578
15501 E. 14th Street,
San Leandro,
CA
94578
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At some point, the Oakland and Stadium drive-ins merged. The 1977 Motion Picture Almanac had the first drive-in list to notice, calling it the “U A Stadium Drive In 3”, capacity 1100. But as early as 1972, the United Artists circuit entry in the MPA included the “Stadium/Oakland D.I.” in San Leandro.
The combined entry’s last appearance in the MPA was the 1979 edition, suggesting it closed in 1978 or earlier.
Looks like petrol bowsers under the sign in the above photo?
This opened on February 12th, 1948. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
Sometime in the 60s one of the concession stands burned down. I can’t remember if it was at the Stadium or the Oakland. Does anyone remember?
What a great triple feature at the Stadium Drive-In the weekend of 9/18/1970, as reported in the Hayward Daily Review. Herschell Gordon Lewis' gore triumvirate, “Blood Feast,” “Two Thousand Maniacs” and “Color Me Blood Red” were featured. Now that’s a drive-in treat!
From 1970-75 I cruised the strip and parked at the Goodyear Tire store and watch the cars and movies at one time
I stand by the address I gave AS I PASSED BY THIS DRIVE-IN ALMOST EVERY DAY AS A CHILD AND A TEEN!
The entrance was closer to 150th Ave. than 159th Ave. unlike the Oakland which was literally on top of the Bayfair Shopping Center.
The entrance for Oakland was across the street from Tito’s @ 15508 E. 14th St. Though the Stadium WAS next door, the entrance was further north. The marquees next to each other would have been a distraction.
Addresses for both Oakland & Stadium Drive-Ins on Driveins.com are incorrect. Approx. address for this drive-in was 15201 E. 14th St. San Leandro, CA 94577.
1958 Aerial photos of the Oakland and Stadium Auto Drive-Ins. Which one is which?
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… and also the Bayfair bowl. How could I forget? I must have been a serious film buff even then, as I don’t remember ever going to the Oakland Drive-in, but lots of visits to the Stadium Drive-in.
The bowling alley was the Midway Bowl and there was also a miniature golf course just south of the mall. It was a madhouse on East 14th!
Yes this area of East 14th was the place to be on Friday and Sat nights. The Stadium had a big screen tower as the Oakland DI was not as big. Went by last week and found the Prings Coffee Shop has changed to a new name and food type served. The Oakland Police tried to stop the cars on the weekend but when both Drive Ins let out it was one big party. If you had a GTO like I did the cruise got HOT. With the Bal Theatre down the street Prings Burgers and a Bowling Alley in the same few blocks it was teen heaven in the 60’s. Drive Ins are coming back around the USA. Can you imagine the Century people bulldozing their new Multiplex nearby at puting in a big Drive In with 5 screens? Bring on the Hot Dogs and Pizza!
The Daily Review of 6/15/64 lists the address as 154th and E. 14th Street. The phone number was EL 1-7030. The features that day were Elvis in “Kissin' Cousins” along with “7 Faces of Dr. Lao. The Oakland Drive-In was listed at 152nd and 14th Street and had the same phone number.
At the Drive-in, I remember after the commercial to go to get pop corn and cardboard pizza. The screen would have “Spotty” and sister “Blotty”. They’d move around the screen and you’d hit them with your spotlights.
At the corner of 150 th Ave and E14th, was the Rainbow Drive In Restaurant where we'ds go after the movies…or go to Prings!
oh, the Stadium drive in, with the Oakland Drive in right next to it! Cruising the strip in the early 70’s was the best. We would turn around in front of the Bal Theatre, then go as far as 157th then turn around again. The Stadium always showed good stuff like Mary Poppins while the Oakland was showing triple bills of old 50’s and 60’s horror films. During the intermission the stadium screen had two light bulbs on top that would light up, and show a timeclock. We would all pile in and before we went, we would go to the pinecone chicken hut. Such fun
In high school we called this one and the one next door…The Passion Pits!