Madera, California is home to the state's oldest, still operating drive in theater, the Madera 2 Drive In. While drive in theaters numbered in the thousands in the late 1950s, the advent of home video (and now streaming services) combined with rising land values and the movie industry's recent switch to digital projection (as opposed to celluloid film) was the death knell for many drive ins in California and across the country. From thousands of theaters around the USA, there are only a few hundred left. Although it is only open during the warmer months of the year now, the Madera 2 Drive In is one of those few that has hung in there. Whether for those looking for a nostalgic experience or those who have never been to a drive in movie, since the pandemic started, the Madera 2 Drive In has become an invaluable outlet for people wanting to get out of the house and do something while safely maintaining a social distance.
The theater originally opened as the El Rio Drive In on Wednesday, October 27, 1948. The first feature to play was the family-friendly tear-jerker, THE YEARLING starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman.
After THE YEARLING's 4-day run, the theater would begin showing double features, starting with RELENTLESS and KEY WITNESS, which showed October 31 and November 1, 1948.
In 1972, the drive in was sold and was rechristened the Park Vu Drive In. At some point in its history, a second screen was added and the name was eventually changed again to the Madera 2 Drive In.
The pandemic has opened the theater up to a new audience. Sure, longtime Maderans still visit, but many people from surrounding areas (Fresno, Clovis, Chowchilla, etc.) are experiencing it for the first time.
Prices are reasonable. General admission is $10. Kids 3 to 11 and seniors (55 and up) are only $4. Babies under 3 are free. The theater -- the box office and the snack bar both -- only take cash. No credit cards are accepted.
Depending on the source, the theater can accommodate 300 to 400 cars usually. During the pandemic, the theater only allows 200 cars full of people to attend. 
The larger screen has a larger capacity for cars.
The second screen has room for fewer vehicles and is smaller, but it still offers an optimal drive in viewing experience. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, all patrons must stay within their car or in the back of their truck bed. No lawn chairs or blankets on the ground are permitted.
While the movie's sound is broadcast in stereo via radio channels, vintage speakers are still available to add a fuller sense of nostalgia.
Vintage intermission ads and trailers for upcoming attractions play before and in between the films.
The building that houses the snack bar and restrooms is the projection building in the center of the complex.
The bathrooms are not so glamorous. Indeed, they look as if they haven't been updated since the place opened in 1948, but they are serviceable if nothing else. (The theater also has a number of Port-O-Potties around the snack bar, but they are not lighted.)
However, the snack bar is always a must visit at any drive in.
The snack bar prices are a bit steep, but most theater snack bars prices are worse. Some of the prices are rather reasonable though. $11.50 for a whole pizza with your choice of toppings? Where else are you going to find that? Corn dogs are $2, but only $1 on Mondays.
After placing an order, you enter the main room of the snack bar. Due to the pandemic, the self-serve section of the snack bar is closed down. But you still need to cross to the other side of the room to pick up your ordered food items.
The Coca Cola Machine is closed as well.
At the far end of the room are gumball machines, napkin dispensers, and a very unusual looking item.
It is one of the old movie projectors on display.
The pick-up area offers a better view of the snack bar's savory treats.
The snack bar items really enhance the whole drive in movie-going experience.
With snack bar goodies in hand, there is little else to do besides sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the show.
Whether it is your first visit to the drive in or your fiftieth, it is a treat. As that initial, opening day newspaper ad for the El Rio read, " Come as you are. Enjoy movies in your car," the Madera 2 offers a totally relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy films in a unique, mostly bygone way.
As the film ends and your slice of nostalgic Americana concludes, don't forget to hangup your speakers, use your parking lights as you exit, and have a safe trip home.
Thank you for your visit.
Good night.
Madera 2 Drive-In
201 W. Lincoln Avenue
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 673-5381
Website: http://www.playingtoday.com/maderadrivein
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