Prep the popcorn, sip on the soda and enjoy some much-needed escapism at one of these brilliant cinemas in San Diego.
Charlie Maudsley - Staff Writer•
Nothing beats a trip to the movies. Walking down the dimly lit aisle to find your seat and judging the upcoming releases based on their trailers is all part of the experience. As you fling your first handful of popcorn in your mouth and the lights fade to black, in that moment, nothing else matters. In fact, for the next hour or two, you find yourself completely engrossed in the movie’s enthralling storyline as it unfolds in front of your very eyes. The hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention as the film’s spine-tingling sound effects and breathtaking scores flood through the movie theater. Sure, you could watch a movie from the comfort of your couch, but cinemas in San Diego offer a magical cinematic experience that just can’t be replicated anywhere else.
As the cherry on top of your viewing experience, many of these movie theaters offer food and beverages with full table service, so you can get treated like one of the stars while watching them on the big screen. Whether you want to go all out at a luxury cinema or keep the fanfare to a minimum with a box of popcorn and a standard movie ticket, the city has plenty of cinemas at your disposal. From independent movie theaters to snazzy outdoor picture palaces, these cinemas in San Diego have all you need to enjoy a little escapism at the movies.
1. Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, Del Mar
Boujee movie buffs are in for a real treat at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas. Reclining leather seats, a bar and restaurant and full waiter service at the push of a button make this movie theater the perfect spot for those film fanatics who appreciate the finer things in life. For $14.50 per drink, staff will serve up pink palomas and mango flavored margs straight to your seat as you stay hooked on whatever’s happening on the big screen in front of you.
If you’re anything like us, then you’ll appreciate luxury on a budget, and this place offers just that. Every Saturday and Sunday before 3pm, bloody marys and mimosas will cost just $5 and the usual ticket price of $17.50 is half price on a Tuesday. These gladly received deals really do beg the question – who needs a boozy brunch when you’ve got this place?
📍12905 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130
2. Rooftop Cinema Club, Marina
Rooftop Cinema Club take the typical evening at the movies to new heights thanks to their location perched on top of the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Their doors open hours before the movie is scheduled to begin, so you can enjoy superb skyline views of the city, get a great snap at golden hour and watch the sunset with a beer or co*cktail in hand. As the venue’s lights dim, sit back under the twinkling night sky and enjoy Hollywood classics such as Fight Club and Independence Day as well as the newest releases from your favorite film studios.
Aside from the outdoor element, the best thing about this movie theater is the wireless headphones they give out to every moviegoer. Thanks to these nifty gadgets that provide state-of-the-art sound and block out any surrounding noises, being disturbed by the incessant slurping on soda and the constant munching on popcorn is now a thing of the past.
📍Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Pl, San Diego, CA 92101
3. THE LOT, Liberty Station & La Jolla
THE LOT is a fabulous movie theater fitted with a full-service restaurant, cafe and bar which can all be enjoyed under one roof. Indulge in a delicious cup of craft coffee and an artisan pastry at an early morning showing or start the night as you mean to go on with a burger and a beer while watching one of Hollywood’s latest offerings. Not only does this place screen indie films, new releases and cinematic classics, but they also show annual television features, too. So, if you’re sick and tired of dealing with the big clean up after hosting an Oscars or Super Bowl viewing party at your humble abode, then this cinema has you covered.
📍2620 Truxtun Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
📍7611 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
4. Landmark’s Hillcrest Cinemas, Hillcrest
Landmark’s Hillcrest Cinemas ticks all the boxes when it comes to independent film and foreign language movies. You can catch the latest blockbuster flick here too, but if you want to see how a lesser-known movie can be elevated by the magic of the big screen, then this place is your best bet. Consider yourself a true cinephile? This movie theater chooses a revered filmmaker every month to screen their most impressive works over the course of a few weeks. From Wes Anderson to Christopher Nolan, the biggest stars behind the camera are celebrated at this wonderful cinema.
📍3965 Fifth Ave Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92103
5. AMC La Jolla 12, La Jolla
At AMC La Jolla 12, they’re big on loyalty. Cinemagoers can sign up to their AMC Stubs scheme and enjoy a whole bunch of perks and discounts. Every time you watch a movie here, you’ll be awarded a load of points that you can save up and use to purchase snacks, drinks and even tickets to see another film. Points mean prizes, and at this movie theater, there’s a lot of them. We’re talking collectible merchandise, icy slushies, gigantic buckets of popcorn, hazelnut churros, finger-licking chicken wings and more.
Celebrating a birthday soon? You may want to stop off at this cinema to watch a movie before blowing out your candles. AMC Stubs members get a free box of popcorn and a drink of their choosing on their special day, so we recommend signing up to their loyalty scheme before you complete your next trip around the sun.
📍8657 Villa La Jolla Dr #129, La Jolla, CA 92037
6. UltraStar Cinemas, Mission Valley
Located inside Hazard Center, UltraStar Cinemas like to keep their prices cheap and cheerful. Tickets for movies screenings before 4pm are set at $10 each, and if you’re hoping to catch a later showing, it’ll only cost you two extra dollars, so either way you’re getting a pretty good deal. On Thursdays, all tickets cost just $5 each and popcorn is half price, too.
Thanks to the cinema’s super cool D-Box motion seats, movie lovers wanting to take their cinematic experience to the next level need look no further. The seats’ motion effects are in perfect harmony with the on-screen audio and video so that you can feel as if you were part of the action happening in the film. From flying down the highway in a high-speed car chase to zooming off into space on a rocket ship, you can get in on the action for just $8 on top of the standard ticket price.
📍7510 Hazard Center Dr #100, San Diego, CA 92108
7. Digital Gym Cinema, East Village
Digital Gym Cinema showcases the very best independent films from around the world. From acclaimed directors to promising young actors, some of the industry’s brightest talents are put on full display here. This place also loves a good throwback and they regularly screen cult classics like RoboCop, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Warriors. What’s more, the movie theater puts on monthly series that celebrate all sorts of film genres, from thrilling action films to fantastical sci-fi epics. Stuff your face with endless amounts of popcorn and enjoy some of the finest films ever made at this cinematic haven located in the heart of the vibrant East Village.
📍1100 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101
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Tags:drive-in cinema, independent cinema, mainstream cinema, open air cinema
