Smith's Ranch Drive-In
Smith's Ranch Drive-In
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
27 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
5
Average
1
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0
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0
penahill
Hollister, CA617 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is an actual working drive-in. It is open Thursday thru Sunday. The show 2 movies and the admission is $5 per person, for both movies. They have a snack bar and a large popcorn was only $3.75. You tune into fm station 89.1 to get the sound for the movie. We went on a Saturday night and there were a lot of people there. The personal at the snack bar were very happy and friendly.
This drive-in brought back memories. I would highly recommend going to see some movies here.
This drive-in brought back memories. I would highly recommend going to see some movies here.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S. Elmy
Aydlett, NC19 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Good drive in... haven't been to 1 in 40 years. Friendly staff. Good quality screen and sound over 89.1 fm. Appreciate memory of a drive in. Good concession stand.
Written June 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BayouGirl
Houma, LA154 contributions
While visiting our USMC son in California we treated ourselves to a visit to Smith's Ranch Drive In at Twenty-Nine Palms CA. It was a fantastic evening. We live in Louisiana so we lost our drive in YEARS ago - from lack of use AND over-bearing mosquitos. How refreshing to enjoy a movie at a drive-in without having to anchor yourself down to avoid being carried off by the stinging winged beasts! It was a bit strange though to not have the old timey mosquito pics smoking on the window rim. We settled in with HUGE cokes in old time real plastic collectors cups - really large buckets or popcorn, and chocolate bars - (we really did come to see the movie - not just to eat!). Believe it or not, the prices of the goodies seemed like a flash-back to the 60's as well - amazingly low prices! The three of us, all adults, settled in and laughed our way through the animated show "Surf's Up" - Great movie - go see it for the fun and for the underlying lesson. If you find yourself in the area - pay Smith's Ranch Drive In a visit - I PROMISE you will NOT regret it!
Written August 15, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scooter914
25 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
I can't even remember the last time I went to a drive-in movie, so tonight was a real treat! We arrived on Sunday night, paid an insanely inexpensive admission of $5 per person and easily found a tilted parking spot to watch the movie. We took advantage of the concessions, with popcorn and hot dogs (rarely eaten but for the sake of nostalgia, not to mention hungry from hiking at nearby Joshua Tree National Park earlier) to nosh on in the car. To those who recall clunky static-ridden radios hanging from car windows--you will not find those here! Instead we were instructed to tune into an FM radio channel to listen to the movie. It worked great--very clear sound and the surround sound really came through on the car stereo. The film was Sully and as the plane was going into the Hudson, we felt the rumble from the car speakers! How we miss drive-in theatres! You never see them much anymore and here, in Twentynine Palms, they are lucky to have such a special place. This is a great experience for young and old alike.
Written September 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elizabethlascheid
Los Angeles, CA5,240 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
I have not seen an operating drive in movie in years. I don't know how many are left. But right in the middle of Twentynine Palms is a real drive in movie theater. WOW. Go now.
We were there to see Joshua Tree and stayed in Twentynine Palms and came across Smith's Ranch Drive-In. It is family owned. The line to get in with your car starts about 20 minutes before the movies, so get in line.
The movies are not new, maybe you have seen them, the sound is not great. Who cares, it is a drive-in. They have cheap hot dogs and pop corn, you won't pay 10$ for a hot dog.
Each lane has a ramp so you can see the movie/s. When we were there, you used your AM radio station in your car to get sound. If you don't have that, you can open your windows and you will hear, there are speakers on the ground.
It is an old place. Just a big old white screen and part dirt, part pave for the cars. It is safe and fun. Take your now wife or husband and make out, or rap the kids in PJs and go. I can't promise you it will be there next year. Go now.
We were there to see Joshua Tree and stayed in Twentynine Palms and came across Smith's Ranch Drive-In. It is family owned. The line to get in with your car starts about 20 minutes before the movies, so get in line.
The movies are not new, maybe you have seen them, the sound is not great. Who cares, it is a drive-in. They have cheap hot dogs and pop corn, you won't pay 10$ for a hot dog.
Each lane has a ramp so you can see the movie/s. When we were there, you used your AM radio station in your car to get sound. If you don't have that, you can open your windows and you will hear, there are speakers on the ground.
It is an old place. Just a big old white screen and part dirt, part pave for the cars. It is safe and fun. Take your now wife or husband and make out, or rap the kids in PJs and go. I can't promise you it will be there next year. Go now.
Written December 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Docsbob
Bridgeport, WV160 contributions
Feb 2012
I grew up going to drive ins to see all the movies, especially Disney. So, this is definitely a throwback to my childhood. I don't know how Smith's Ranch keeps their prices so low. But, $5 for a double feature, who can beat that?! And, the snacks are reasonable as well. You haven't experienced fun until you've watched a movie outside!
Written May 7, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CrazyWithKids
55 contributions
Mar 2018
So much fun! Love being able to take my kids to see a drive-in movie! Great price for 2 movies! Just remember cash only!! Movie changes on Friday.
Written April 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maddogmcardle
27 contributions
Took kids to see two movies, sat back and chilled in the California sky. Hospitality great in the little popcorn and snackshop.
Beautiful scenery, traditional desert flooring not a sight of Tarmac and clear huge screen. A winner!
Added bonus really really clean restrooms for fussy daughter a real anxiety settler.
Beautiful scenery, traditional desert flooring not a sight of Tarmac and clear huge screen. A winner!
Added bonus really really clean restrooms for fussy daughter a real anxiety settler.
Written August 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jayne-Steve
Blackpool, England75 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
Our first time to a drive-in movie was one of the highlights of our holiday. Arrived in queue and tuned radio to station as advised, paid ($5 each for 2 movies!!!), picked a spot and waited. People arriving with chairs, blow up furniture, blankets, etc etc all prepared for the evening. Popcorn, pizza, hotdogs, sodas, sandwiches, etc etc were all available to buy and very reasonable prices. Films were recent (not what we would have chosen- but we had gone for the experience not the film) and we found it to be excellent value and a really enjoyable experience. We will definatley be doing it again but next time we will take chairs.
Written June 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StraightBlue2
Norwich, CT63 contributions
One of the few last remaining outdoor movie theaters in the US of A. Inexpensive way to see the most current movies in the area. For blockbusters, be sure to get there at least an hour before the show since the car line can be extemely long.
Written December 28, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hi. Will they be open Christmas eve?
Written March 1, 2018
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