Hi-way Drive-in
3085 Santa Maria Way
Santa Maria, CA 93455Phone :
805-937-3515Hi-way Drive-in WebsiteHi-way Drive-in Facebook PageGet Directions to Hi-way Drive-inStatus: CLOSED
| Opened: | 1961 |
| Closed: | 2022 |
| Screens: | 1 |
| Car Capacity: | 550 |
| Open Year Round: | Yes |
| Outside Food: | Allowed |
| Digital: | Yes |
| Admission Price: | $10 adults, $4 kids |
| Pets Allowed: | ??? |
| Cash Only: | No, CC Accepted |
| Sound: | 92.1 FM |
| Food Permit: | None Needed |
| Alcohol: | ??? |
About Hi-way Drive-in
The Hi-Way Drive-in Theater was a single screen drive-in located in Santa Maria, California that operated from 1961 until permanently closing in January of 2022. Before closing, it was one of only two remaining drive-ins operating in Santa Barbara county. The Hi-Way Drive-in had a large 550 car capacity and the lot facing the screen was on a slant which improved viewing as the cars in front of you do not block your view of the screen. The drive-in used FM broadcasting for the movie's audio but they also still have the traditional movie speakers. They also hosted a 'Super Sunday Flea Market' on the drive-in lot on Sunday mornings. The beginning of the end started in 2019 when the The Hi-Way Drive-in went up for sale for $3.3 million. The listing stated the local government would like to see a shift from business to residential so it never appear appeared the drive-in would remain a drive-in once it went up for sale. In July of 2020, the Hi-Way Drive-in Theater deleted its Facebook page, had its phone disconnected and its website showed no movies. They apparently closed for good. However, in August of 2020 the Hi-Way Drive-in announced they were re-opening. They re-opened on Saturday, August 29th, 2020 to show the Metallica Drive-in concert. The re-opening was spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic which shut down all indoor entertainment venues (including movie theaters) which led to a sharp increase in drive-in attendance all over the country. But as the pandemic subsided and indoor venues re-opened, the Hi-Way Drive-in Theater announced on their Facebook page they were closing with their last day being January 6th, 2022. The local city had recently rezoned the drive-in property for residential development and low income housing is planned for the site.
