Paramount Drive-In Theatres

A Throwback That Actually Works

Pull up to the box office around sunset and you’ll join a line of cars that stretches down Rosecrans Avenue on busy nights. Gates open at 6:30 PM, and people arrive early for good reason. The best spots fill fast, especially on weekends. Once you’re in, attendants direct traffic to one of two screens. Each parking space sits on a ridge that angles your car upward, giving everyone a clear sightline.

You can watch from inside your vehicle, pop the trunk and set up chairs, or spread blankets in a truck bed. People bring pillows, coolers, and lawn chairs. Dogs are welcome if they’re leashed or in carriers. The atmosphere feels relaxed. You’re not packed into theater seats. You can talk during the movie without bothering anyone.

How It Actually Functions

Audio comes through FM radio. Screen 1 broadcasts on 90.1, Screen 2 on 89.7. Your car radio works fine, but running it for three hours can drain your battery. Many regulars bring portable FM radios instead. The drive-in staff patrols after shows with jumper cables for anyone who needs a boost.

The screens are genuinely large at 75 feet, and the Barco Digital Laser projection looks sharp. Picture quality matches what you’d see in a standard multiplex. Showtimes vary by season since movies start after dark. Check current times before you go.

The Food Situation

A central building houses restrooms, the snack bar, and a small arcade with games from the ’80s. The menu includes hot dogs, nachos, pizza, funnel cake, popcorn, and fountain drinks. Prices run high and portions aren’t generous. Most visitors bring their own food. The drive-in allows outside snacks and drinks, just no alcohol. No one checks your car, so pack whatever you want to eat.

Lines at the snack bar get long before showtime. If you do buy concessions, order early or wait until after the first movie starts.

What Works and What Doesn’t

The facilities stay cleaner than you might expect. Restrooms are well-maintained with staff monitoring capacity. The whole operation feels organized. Staff members are friendly and helpful with directions.

The exit can be chaotic. After late shows, hundreds of cars funnel out through limited lanes. Lighting is minimal and signage isn’t always clear. Give yourself extra time to leave.

Some people forget drive-in etiquette. Cars with headlights on during the movie cast bright bars across the screen. Tall vehicles (especially SUVs and trucks) sometimes park in front of smaller cars, blocking views despite the ridged spaces. Most visitors are considerate, but occasional issues happen.

The Value Calculation

Admission costs $13-14 per person depending on the night (Friday/Saturday slightly more). Kids 5-8 pay around $7, under 5 free. That price gets you two movies, which works out cheaper than seeing them separately at a regular theater. You save more if you bring your own food.

No online tickets exist. You pay cash or card at the entrance when you arrive. The box office opens one hour before the first show.

Worth the Trip

This is the only drive-in left in LA County. That fact alone makes it interesting, but the experience itself holds up. The novelty wears off after the first few minutes, and then you’re just watching movies in a comfortable environment you control. Some people prefer it. Others miss the immersion of a traditional theater.

If you’ve never been to a drive-in, this gives you the chance. If you remember them from decades ago, this one captures that feeling while working with modern technology. Either way, it’s a functional piece of cinema history that’s managed to survive when most others closed.