Mission Tiki Drive-In
4407 State Street,
Montclair,
CA
91763
4407 State Street,
Montclair,
CA
91763
15 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 31 comments
It was simply a case of the land becoming more valuable than the existing business and a developer coming in with a significant offer. Back in 2019 the drive-in’s owner, De Anza Land & Leisure, were approached with a $34.4 million offer from the Oakmont Industrial Group. As part of the deal, Oakmont allowed the drive-in/swap meet to continue operating rent free until their redevelopment plans were finalized. With the project cleared to move forward in 2023, the drive-in/swap meet was forced to close.
Not sure but the death blow for these places is usually property taxes, which keep getting higher.
Its being replaced with Mission and Ramona Business Park, which will be a mix of industrial buildings and warehouses.
Has anything been planned to built on this site to replace the drive-in theatre?
Unfortunately the site has already been cleared, a May 2023 aerial photo shows ramps bulldozed down to dirt and concession building being dismantled.
This drive-in theatre should be heritage listed!!!!
67 years has to be an L.A. area record. The Orange Drive-In closed in 1994 after 53 years and Hi-Way 39 was the last Orange County drive-in to close in 1997 after 42 years Sorry to see you go Mission Tiki
Thanks for the note, CTCrouch. You can read Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen’s affectionate look back at the Mission Tiki’s final days here.
The Mission Tiki closed on 1/22/23. The final movies screened were “A Man Called Otto”, “Plane”, and “M3GAN”.
Saw Jungle Cruise last night, perfect weather for a drive in movie.
I took the wife to see Croods on Valentines Day. Really enjoyed the drive in and pizza.
Another ad:
Mission Tiki Drive-In opening 29 May 1956, Tue The Pomona Progress Bulletin (Pomona, California) Newspapers.com
Grand opening ad:
Mission Drive-In opening 28 May 1956, Mon The Pomona Progress Bulletin (Pomona, California) Newspapers.com
it is still open and showing movies!
Drive-in and swap meet will remain open through Summer 2020 now.
https://www.sgvtribune.com/2019/11/07/mission-tiki-drive-in-in-montclair-to-stay-open-through-summer-2020/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=fb-sgvtribune&fbclid=IwAR0IWF1YCCufd-goJxFEk9YhONjPANekLGyGgHoyK3HNC4fL3LEuwQeAW6Y
Those doors look like storage containers. Maybe something to do with the flea market or a side business renting storage sheds.
This drive-in should be heritage listed!!
What are those doors under the screen for?
The Island Valley Daily Bulletin ran the story of the sale on Oct. 31, 2019. According to that article, William Oldknow and Jack Anderson opened the Mission Drive-In, which had a capacity of 1350, on May 28, 1956. As was common for large drive-ins of the period, it had a 122x50-foot curved screen designed for CinemaScope. On the first night, the Mission showed the double feature Picnic and Star in the Dust.
I think this drive-in might the one seen on an episode of Car Chasers(season 1, episode 2 – Stacks of cash and a hidden stash) at the swap meet looking at cars!?
Cliffs- You need to do it!! The drive in is so much fun!!
I wish there were still ANY drive-ins in the San Fernando Valley (I was a teen in the 80s growing up with the Winnetka 6 in Chatsworth). I would love to venture out to the Mission Tiki, but it’s an hour drive from our home in Woodland Hills. Maybe someday.
Digital projection installed on all 4 screens. It looks FANTASTIC! I uploaded a pic!
Best drive-in theatre in SoCal. DeAnza has done a fabulous job on this (and its sister drive-ins, too!).
Have visited this great venue in 2008 (to see “Dark Knight” and “Clone Wars”), 2009 (for “Fast & Furious” and “G.I. Joe”), and plan to go back again next summer. It must be said that this is one of the best places to visit during the warmer months of the year. Anyone who enjoyed attending drive-ins during their youth is bound to feel a little nostalgic when visiting this place. A truly great example of keeping the drive-in culture alive!