Drive-Ins Near San Diego
The South Bay Drive-In in Imperial Beach is San Diego's only remaining drive-in theater, sitting on Coronado Avenue about 15 minutes south of downtown, near the Mexican border.
View Drive-InsSouth Bay has three screens showing double features of first-run movies. It's one of the few drive-ins in the country that operates year-round, thanks to San Diego's mild climate. In summer, movies run nightly. During the off-season, showings shift to weekends. Sound broadcasts on FM radio, and adult admission is around $10.
The site also hosts a swap meet on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so the lot stays active beyond movie nights. The Santee Drive-In in East County closed at the end of 2023, making South Bay the sole drive-in option for the San Diego metro area.
From downtown San Diego, take I-5 south to the Coronado Avenue exit. The drive is about 15 minutes without traffic. From North County areas like Carlsbad or Oceanside, plan for 45 minutes to an hour. Street parking fills up on busy summer weekends, so arriving 30-45 minutes before showtime is a good idea.
San Diego's weather makes drive-in moviegoing comfortable almost year-round, though evening temperatures near the coast can drop into the low 60s even in summer. A light jacket or blanket is worth bringing. The ocean breeze is part of the experience.
Drive-In Theaters Near San Diego
South Bay Drive-In
Imperial Beach
A three-screen drive-in on Coronado Avenue in Imperial Beach, just south of...
View Drive-In