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Drive-Through Experiences for Families In SoCal

Since Los Angeles is considered by many to be the car capitol of the world, we are always on the lookout for things you can do in your vehicle. Plus now is the perfect time for a new adventure: one that you can enjoy from the safety and comfort of the family car. Plan some outings with our fun list of drive-through experiences for families.

Mom and dad looking back from front seat of car at baby in car seat on an adventure in their car text drive-thru experiences in Los Angeles

Walk-through Experiences (all New)

Sugar Rush
6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills

Sugar Rush comes from the people who created Haunt-o-ween, but this experience is on foot! An immersive open-air experience your family and friends will not soon forget! Always with your safety in mind, they will be limiting capacity and ensuring social distance between groups so that you can enjoy over 40,000 square feet of pure Candytropolis! There will be no shortage of photo-ops as your walk will include vibrant colorful installations, one-of-a kind art displays, live performances, custom parade floats, and candy-powered interactions. Runs from April 2nd – May 2nd.

Immersive Van Gogh
Downtown Los Angeles

Lose yourself in 500,000 cubic feet of monumental projections animating Vincent van Gogh’s oeuvre. Wander through entrancing, moving images that highlight brushstrokes, detail, and color – truly illuminating the mind of the genius. You will be immersed in Van Gogh’s works – from his sunny landscapes and night scenes to his portraits and still life paintings. The installation includes the Mangeurs de pommes de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), the Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889), and so much more. Runs from May 27th.

Drive-Thru Experiences in Los Angeles

Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru Experience
Del Mar Fairgrounds
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014 and 
Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, CA 91103 and
Orange County Fair and Event Center
88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 and
Pomona Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, Ca 91768

At the Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru Experience, families will see over 80 true-to-life size dinosaurs in the “nation’s largest touring dinosaur exhibit.” As families remain in their cars, they will view animatronic dinosaurs displayed in realistic scenes. Each family will also receive a “safari-style photo of your vehicle and family transported back in time via a Jurassic setting complete with a dinosaur backdrop.” From January 1st-10th, the dinosaurs will be at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. From January 15th-31st, the show heads to the Rose Bowl. On February 5th-14th, you can experience it at the Orange County Fair and Event Center. And finally, from February 19th through the 28th, the end of the California tour takes the event to the Pomona Fairplex. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available online.

happy family enjoying jurassic quest drive thru experience with dinosaurs
Photo courtesy of Jurassic Quest Drive-thru Experience

Stranger Things: The Drive-Into Experience
Skylight ROW DTLA
777 S. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90021

“Travel back in time to 1985 and become a Hawkins resident – in real life.” From the safety of your car, you’ll “dive into and explore a living, breathing story to savor some of the best moments from the Netflix series and maybe even witness some unforeseen and unusual occurrences.” The experience lasts about an hour and is recommended for families with children ages 13 and older. Tickets are available online. The experience runs through Sunday, March 14th. 

Insomniac’s Electric Mile
Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007

Insomniac’s Electric Mile is a “drive-thru audiovisual experience” available now through January 24th. Families will “journey through seven unique worlds of Insomniac’s most iconic festival and brands” complete with “music, lights, art, visual effects, installations, and more.” Electric Mile is family-friendly and designed for all ages. 

CarHop Service:

Mels Drive-In
14846 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 and
8585 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069

and
1670 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404

Make going out to eat an event the whole family will remember. While indoor dining may be prohibited, now is the perfect time to re-discover the fun of the “carhop.” The large menu offers something for everyone – whether you’re in the mood for eggs, hamburgers, milkshakes, or something else entirely, you’ll find it on the Mels menu. As of this writing, these 3 locations are listed as currently open and offering Carhop Service all day; be sure to check the website for the most up-to-date information.

Bob’s Big Boy
4211 W. Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 843-9334

For a bit of nostalgia, take the family to Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, home of the “original double deck hamburger.” This location was built in 1949 and is the “oldest remaining Bob’s Big Boy in America.” However, you’ll find much more than just hamburgers on this large menu, meaning even the picky-eater members of the family will find something they like to eat. As of this writing, CarHop service is available every day. 

Ruby’s Diner
1128 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 635-7829

The Anaheim location of Ruby’s Diner not only offers delivery and take-out, they also offer CarHop service! Ruby’s offers breakfast all day, a large selection of appetizers and sides, hamburgers and sandwiches, salads, “big plates,” a special kid’s menu, and of course, tasty milkshakes and malts.  

Frisco’s Carhop Diner
16460 Whittier Blvd., Whittier, CA 90603
(626) 913-3663

Frisco’s Carhop Diner is a 1950s-style diner offering a fun time with their Carhop service. Established in 1981, many families visit Frisco’s again and again, for the good food and good times. Their menu offers a bit of everything including salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, a kid’s meal, and ice cream and milkshakes. 

Not-Your-Standard-Drive-Throughs:

The Donut Hole
15300 Amar Rd., La Puente, CA 91744
(626) 968-2912

People go to The Donut Hole as much for the donuts as to see the giant donut hole landmark. Kids will love the chance to “drive through a donut.” As you drive through, you can view your options through the glass windows. In business since 1968, you’ll find such varieties as the “Texas Sized Donut,” the “Blueberry Cake” donut, and the “Chocolate Chips” donut on their menu. (Keep in mind – this was a cash-only establishment; not sure if that is still the case. Have cash with you, just in case.)

Green Forest Express Car Wash
Multiple locations including
4044 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008

A dinosaur-themed automatic car wash? This unique idea is completely family-friendly. Different options are available for your car wash including a “Bubblecano Foam Bath” complete with lights and the feeling you’re driving into a volcano. This is one errand/chore the kids won’t mind. 

Montebello Sanitary Dairy
505 S. Maple Ave., Montebello, CA 90640
(323) 726-0524

Take the kids for a unique drive-through experience and treat everyone to a cold bottle of milk. Broguiere’s glass-bottle products may be found in your local market, but it’s a lot more fun to take a drive to Montebello and purchase it from the drive-through Dairy. Check the website for the latest operating hours. 

United Oil Car Wash
4700 Slauson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90056
(323) 296-0433

Turn a chore into an adventure. Get the car washed while you take the kids on a “trip.” The car wash resembles a freeway on-ramp, and the kids will think you’re driving up to the sky. The whole station has a very futuristic, space-age look to it. 

Drive-In Movies:

Rooftop Cinema Club
Santa Monica Airport
3233 Donald Douglas Loop S, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Rooftop Cinema Club has a wide range of movies planned. You’ll find family-favorites like Toy Story 4 and Trolls World Tour as well as adult-only films such as Pulp Fiction. Movies are current favorites as well as popular, stand-the-test-of-time films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Tickets are available online. Check the website for a schedule. Movies are currently scheduled throughout the month of January.

The Roadium Drive-In
2500 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Torrance, CA 90504

Enjoy a drive-in movie at The Roadium. Each Friday night throughout January and February, you’ll find another family-favorite movie being screened. Upcoming films include Uncle Buck (starring John Candy) and Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, to name a few. Tickets are available online. Check the website for a schedule.

Mission Tiki Drive-In Theatre
10798 Ramona Ave., Montclair, CA 91763

The Mission Tiki Drive-In Theatre is a popular, Polynesian-themed drive-in theatre. Four different screens offer four different movies each night. And you can’t beat the price. Adults are $10; children ages 5-9 years of age are just $1 each. 

And see our list of Drive-in Theaters all over SoCal.

Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).

Disclaimer: MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third-party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.

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