Rubidoux Drive-In
Among the best drive-in theater options in Southern California is Rubidoux Drive-In. Riverside’s sister drive-in property is the Rubidoux, which local motion picture impresario Roy C. Hunt opened in 1948. He remodeled the original screen tower (which still stands) to accommodate the widescreen CinemaScope format, which was introduced in the mid-1950s. When Hunt passed away in 1962, the theater’s ownership transferred to the Los Angeles Drive-in Theatre Company.
It’s located in the Rubidoux district of Jurupa Valley, which was named after French-Canadian settler Louis Robidoux (the family changed the spelling of its name in later generations) and also includes the city park and landmark Mount Rubidoux. Though the surrounding area was once dotted with granite quarries and dairy farms, the drive-in now abuts the 60 Freeway and Mission Boulevard. The Rubidoux was triplexed in 1983 and still shows double features, including some nostalgic favorites like “The Goonies” and “The Karate Kid.” While pre-show entertainment once included — as many drive-ins did — a playground, as well as a petting zoo and miniature railroad, insurance liabilities have rendered these “fun zones” nearly obsolete at most drive-ins.
- Address: Rubidoux Drive-In 3770 Opal St, Riverside, Riverside County, California 92509
- Yelp Rating: 4/5
- Contact: (951) 683-4455
- Website: https://www.rubidouxswapmeet.com/theatre/rubidoux-drive-in
- Price: Adults: $10.00 / Kids(5-9): $1.00
