With the summer months fast approaching, it's time to take advantage of the beautiful weather and bountiful outdoor spaces the Bay Area offers. From Jack London Square to Union Square, here are some of the best places to catch an al fresco flick this summer.
Summer Movie Nights Throughout the District-Hayward, Castro Valley:
The outdoor summer movie season kicks off on June 3 with the first in a series of kid-friendly options in various East Bay locations. Find favorites like Moana, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Star Wars: The Force Awakens on several weekends throughout the summer. Click here for a full schedule. // Meek Estate Park, Hayward City Hall, Adobe Park, Rowell Ranch
Waterfront Flicks at Jack London Square, Oakland:
This East Bay hotspot's Waterfront Flicks series is bringing classics from the '90s and '00s to a large outdoor screen, including favorites like Purple Rain and Dirty Dancing. Bring a blanket and grab some layers—this is summer in the Bay Area, after all. Highlights include Purple Rain (June 8), The Lost Boys (June 22), Raiders of the Lost Ark (July 6), Dirty Dancing (July 20), and Selena (August 3), Moana (August 17). Find a full schedule here. // Jack London Square (Ferry Lawn), Clay and Water Street, Oakland
SF Film Night in the Park, San Francisco:
You don't have to travel far to bundle up on some of San Francisco's most iconic greens and watch one of your favorite flicks at SF Film Night in the Park. Past locations have included Dolores Park, Union Square Park, and Washington Square Park. Check out their website for locations and the forthcoming schedule.
Movies on the Square, Redwood City:
Living on the southern end of the Peninsula? You don't need to battle city traffic to find an outdoor venue! Beginning on June 1, Redwood City will continue their annual summer event with free movies every Thursday night next to beautiful city hall. With a variety of restaurants in the surrounding area, the city invites you to make it dinner and a movie with tables set up near the screen. Check out their website for the upcoming list of films. // Downtown Redwood City
West Wind All-Digital Drive In, Concord:
Harken back to the 1950s and catch a drive-in film in the East Bay. West Wind Drive In offers up to three current films every day during the summer, and makes for an adorable vintage date night. They generally offer double features and a classic snack bar. Check their website for current listings. // Solano Way, Concord
Moonlight Movies, Danville:
Trek over to the East Bay suburbs to enjoy free movies on the Town Hall Lawn every other Friday from June 12 to August 7. Danville offers a diverse selection of live-action, animated, and classic movies. End a day of exploring adorable shops and restaurants with a relaxing night on the town green. Check the town's website for more information. // 400 Front St., Danville.
Movies in the Park American Canyon, Yountville:
Make a jaunt up to Wine Country and catch some flicks while you're at it—Yountville Park offers family-friendly classics on June 23, July 28, August 25, and September 29, while Main Street Park in American Canyon offers hits such as Star Wars: Rogue One (July 8), Lego Batman (August 5) and others. //Yountville Community Park, Yountville; & Benton Way, American Canyon
Temescal Street Flicks, North Oakland:
Temescal Street Flicks features free outdoor movies produced by local artists. The movie series also opens each showing with live musical entertainment and features rotating local food vendors, making for a night full of local talent. Showings can be enjoyed every Thursday night in September. // 49th Street, Oakland
Starlight Movies in the Park, Alameda:
Starlight Movies in the Park features showings of The Secret Life of Pets(June 23), Finding Dory (July 28), and Moana (September 8) on various outdoor venues throughout Alameda. The showings offer games and crafts pre-film, and purchase of snacks and foods benefits the Alameda Teen Program. Find a full schedule here. // Alameda Point Multi-Purpose Field and Leydecker Field
Evergreen Village Square Friday Movie Nights, San Jose:
The popular San Jose shopping destination offers free movie nights beginning on June 23 with the new Beauty and the Beast. Other dates include July 14 and August 4. Wind up a day of shopping and dining with a movie under the stars. // Evergreen Village Square, San Jose
Free Movies on the Beach, Santa Cruz:
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk offers free movies on Wednesday nights from June 21 to August 16. Enjoy classics like Back to the Future, The Princess Bride, and Grease as you relax on the sand between the Pacific Ocean and the bright lights of the Giant Dipper. Find a full schedule here. // Main Beach near the bandstand, Santa Cruz Beach
Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema, San Francisco:
The 14th annual Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema festival is the perfect way to wind down a summer of outdoor movie watching. On September 7, the Cinema offers a kick-off party, followed by a film crawl on the 8th and an under-the-stars screening at Precita Park on the 9th. The screening is accompanied by live music, refreshments, and a bevy of nearby neighborhood restaurants. Full details about the festival can be found here.
