You asked for an old-fashioned Sacramento movie night on a budget. Here’s what I got for $16

I could feel the history of Sacramento’s only drive-in theater from the moment I drove up to the weathered ticket booths sandwiched between Highway 50 and Folsom Boulevard.

Built in the 1970s, West Wind is not only the last drive-in movie theater in the area — but one of the few left in California.

The first drive-in theater opened in the United States in 1933, but the concept didn’t reach its heyday until mid century.

I know I’m too young to truly understand the influence drive-in theaters had on American cinema, but is it possible to feel nostalgia for something you’ve never experienced?

Turns out, it is.

The suggestion to indulge in film the old-fashioned way came from Sacramento Bee reader Annette Orella, who along with her husband, discovered the drive-in theater during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

“When we drove past the drive in it looked like great fun and brought back tons of memories of piling in the back of a station wagon as a kid and watching a movie while wearing pj’s,” she told me.

“At that time you had the old-fashioned station wagons and everybody just piled in the back, there was no talk of seat belts.”

Years later, the couple still considers the drive-in a fun date for a “real bargain.”

Since I started this affordability challenge in November — discovering Sacramento through one $25 activity at a time — I’ve had a blast creating memories I probably wouldn’t have made if it wasn’t for our readers’ suggestions.

But I’m an introvert at heart, who without judgment, jumped at the opportunity to lock myself in a car with snacks and watch a newly-released movie simply because one of you asked me to.

“I think the most fun was just sitting in the car, looking at the stars outside, and feeling like I was reliving a real slice of Americana!”

Count me in.

How I used my $25 budget at West Wind 6

Full disclosure: I’ve been to West Wind several times. Each visit comes with its woes.

Once I picked up food too far from the drive-in, got stuck in traffic and was late to the theater. Another time I skipped food altogether, which in my opinion, was worse than if I’d just shown up late. My most embarrassing attempt was when I bought tickets online hours before the showtime, then fell asleep on my couch and missed the movie.

Needless to say, I owed it to myself (and Annette) to give the drive-in a fair shot.

I wasn’t hungry so I picked up a pack of sour skittles and a bottle of water at a nearby Walgreens for $7.28 before the movie.

I arrived at the six-screen theater complex in the evening on an early March Friday, excited to spend the next couple of hours watching one of my favorite spin-offs and sequel film series: “Creed III.”

Location: 9616 Oates Drive

Annette told me online tickets are more expensive, but you can show up about five minutes before the movie. If you buy tickets at the theater, plan to get there about 20 minutes before showtime.

“Sometimes with popular shows, there’s a line.”

I arrived at the theater roughly 15 minutes before the 6:30 p.m. showtime and waited about two minutes to pay at the ticket booth.

I paid $9 for one ticket. If I purchased online, I would’ve paid $10.25.

A couple of things to remember when buying movie tickets to West Wind:

• Tickets are sold per person
• Tickets cannot be split between cars (trust me I’ve tried it)
• Tickets are non-refundable
• Bring a form of I.D. just in case an usher asks for proof of identification during ticket collection

My time at West Wind 6

The lot was surprisingly empty for a Friday night and the opening weekend of “Creed III.”

After what felt like five minutes trying to find the “perfect spot,” I tuned my FM radio to 104.7 and waited for the movie to start. This was the point where my shoes came off and the snacks came out.

The movie started around 6:38 p.m. The sound quality was great, but I wish the screen was brighter.

I won’t say too much about “Creed III” for fear that I might spoil the movie but if you’re a fan of the “Rocky” films or are an anime fan — you’re in for a treat. The movie wrapped close to 9 p.m. and I didn’t wait around for the credits.

Is West Wind affordable?

Trust me (and Annette) and put West Wind on your list of affordable family-friendly activities — rain or shine.

Tickets to the theater complex are significantly cheaper compared to indoor movie theater prices.

A general admission ticket at Century Arden 14 and XD at 1590 Ethan Way in Arden Arcade ranges between $10 and $13.25.

Tickets to movies projected in XD are roughly $2 more.

West Wind tickets go as high as $9. Children under 4 get in free, those ages 5 to 11 will be charged $2 and everyone else pays $9 a ticket. Adult tickets are $6 on Tuesdays.

In total, I paid roughly $16 for a ticket and snacks.

Finger food including burgers, sandwiches, pizza, corn dogs, nachos and pretzels costs between $6.50 and $9 at the theater concessions. A large popcorn, coupled with a large soda and hot dog cost $16. A large “meat combo” pizza cost $20.

By my math, if you bought the $16 combo and a ticket — you’re still within a $25 budget (before tax).

And my editor tells me there’s a nearby Dollar Tree that sells cheap snacks perfect for the drive-in theater. Send me your favorite suggestions, too.

Here are several affordable eats — Korean BBQ, pizza, rice and noodle dishes and burritos — all within a 2-mile radius from the theater:

• Pho Bac Ho Viet (Annette orders the pho sandwich and spring rolls)

• Adalberto’s Méxican Food Restaurant

• Modurang Family Korean Restaurant

• Dominos

• Pita Q

• Pine Tree House

• 7-Eleven

Thanks for the suggestion, Annette!

If you were given $25 where would you go? Drop your suggestions in the form below and I’ll put it on my list of affordable Sacramento activities to try — or email me, Brianna, at btaylor@sacbee.com

This story was originally published March 10, 2023 at 5:00 AM.