There comes a time when the late-night trek to one of the two La Jolla Village Square movie theaters gets old. Maybe you’ve popped too many neck veins attempting to maneuver through the Ralphs parking lot. Maybe you’re just sick of forking over $10 every time you’ve got a craving to see 50 luscious feet of Megan Fox. Or maybe the sweaty 20-minute walk from campus is still keeping you from reaching second base — no matter how many painstakingly cheesy Julia Roberts movies you pay for.
When you’ve reached your breaking point, Santee Drive-in is waiting.
Sure, Santee’s dinky old road stop of an establishment may be a good 30-minute drive from our manicured La Jolla paradise, and it’s not exactly the most luxurious movie seat this side of the Pacific (unless you drive an Escalade). But it does operate on one ingenious principle: more for less.
At these grungy drive-in digs, an $8 double-feature ticket will admit you to a concrete playground where the struggle for parking is obsolete, grubbing and boozing need not be conspicuous and your Volkswagen’s tinted back windows can finally reach their full potential.
Even better: No one will judge you for it. Santee’s crowd — though not the most elegant bunch — knows how to watch a movie. You could even take a tip or two from the drive-in regulars: They are pioneers of the open truck bed turned couch, collectors of lawn chairs, connoisseurs of dinner in a bag and authorities on the warm six-pack (and warm blankets).
Santee’s only breach of the more-for-less principle falls under film selection. In this case, a cheap ticket means you only have two double features from which to choose. Until Oct. 15, viewers can opt for “Couples Retreat” paired with “Love Happens” or “The Surrogate” with “The Informant.” They’re packaged by genre, and won’t be obscure enough to score you indie points. But if you happen to find yourself overcome by boredom, try plan B: Recline your seat, take a swig of two-buck Chuck and soak in the darkness. I guarantee you’ll find some way to pass the time.
The Bottom Line:
Santee Drive-in might not have the most bountiful film selection, but if you’re looking to veg out and get some, it’s well worth the 30-minute trip to hick town.
Santee Drive-In
10990 Woodside Ave. N
Santee, California 92071
(619) 448-7447
