I rarely watch movie at a theater just because I have kids and leaving them with a sitter is not my idea. So I am glad that I found Santee Drive In Theater, where I can come and watch the latest movies together with the kids.
I believe there are only 2 drive-in theaters in San Diego, one is South Bay and the other one is the Santee Drive-in in San Diego’s East County. It now shows movies in digital format on its two screens. Movies are shown daily, year-round, and only cash is accepted. $8 per adult (13+) $4 for kids age 5-13 and free for under 5.
The line was not bad when we came on Friday night. We arrived around 8 pm and waited for 5 minutes to buy the tickets. Then we went in to Theater 1 because that’s where they had the kids’ movies (Ice Age : Continental Drift and Brave). They have 2 movies per theater and you can watch up to 2 movies if you can stay late, for just $8.
Theater 2 at the time we came, had Amazing Spiderman and Men in Black 3. It’s in the opposite direction from Theater 1. If you face forward you can see Theater 1, if you face backward you can see Theater 2. So actually you can watch 2 movies at the same time, depends on which direction you face.
Here are what you need to bring so you can enjoy the movie: FM radio, chairs, pillows, blanket, snacks, backup batteries for radio, and water. Movies are broadcast on FM radio only so you must bring a working radio to hear the movies. If you have a minivan or suv, you have to park in the Yellow Lines only. The employee there will direct you.
One more thing you need to know from their website: Customers are allowed to sit outside their vehicle in chairs only. Sitting or laying on the ground or on the roof of any vehicle is not allowed.
Before the movie starts, remember to have the kids go potty first. Ladies room’s line can be long so it’s even better to do your business before leaving the house.
Watching movie at Santee Drive In Theater is like having a camp under the star. There are a lot of peoples around you in their cars lining up and doors opened up, sitting or walking. There are many kids roaming around, some are crying some are giggling. But don’t worry, when the movie starts the chit-chat stops and all of a sudden all you can hear is just the sound of the movie amplified through all those radios. Feels like it’s inside a theater.
Actually, I was quite hesitant to come for the first time. My experience watching movie in a theater with kids equals to difficulty in keeping them quite or sit. Also I was not sure how it worked and what should I do. Luckily it turned out to be an enjoyable time I had with the kids, especially because it was a nice and warm evening as well. As soon as we finished Ice Age, it was already 10.30 pm. Since it was very late for the kids, we decided to head home.
I love it. So I would recommend Santee Drive In Theater if you’d like to come with all family or friends. Visit Santee Drive In Theater website for information about the movies schedule, price, policy and address.
Have you ever been to Santee theater? What was your favorite moment there? Share with us.