"What's this place all about? Drive-in theaters peaked in the late-1940s and early-1950s with the rise of car culture and baby boomer excess. There were over 4,000 drive-ins in the U.S. in 1947 (compare that to a little under 6,000 movie theaters total in America today). But those numbers declined drastically in the 1970s during the real estate boom, making the vast swaths of land required for a drive-in more valuable than showing movies. Today, only a few hundred drive-ins persist, mostly as nostalgic anomalies. One of those anachronisms is the 65-year-old Vineland Drive-In, the only one of its kind remaining in Los Angeles County. Owned and operated by Pacific Theaters (the company behind the iconic ArcLight Theater chain, the Vineland Drive-In shows first-run features at the relatively reasonable price of $10 per person. What kinds of events can we see here? The one type of movie that probably kept even the few drive-ins left chugging for all these years have been horror movies. There's no real science behind why—maybe it's the close quarters that allow for comforting and reassuring cuddles during the gore-tastic slasher scenes—but drive-ins are always playing horror flicks. Vineland Drive-In is no exception; at the time of publication, half of the showings were horror movies or thrillers. How are the seats? Vineland Drive-In has lasted as long as it has partly because it was built right. The concrete in the lot is wavy, allowing for cars to angle themselves right at the screen, and avoiding obstructed views. Good for kids? Vineland often offers some kid-friendly fare, even if it's a revival of an older movie. But remember that drive-in movies cannot begin until after the sun has set, which might make for an evening that goes past bedtime. What—and who—do you think this is best for? Vineland Drive-In is perfect for getting out of the house for a Friday night outing with your partner. It's a safe way to be around people, but also in your own space." - Maxwell Williams
