Summer evenings in San Diego are the perfect setting to catch an outdoor movie. As the sun sets and the temperature dips to the high 60s, its an ideal climate to snuggle up in a blanket and enjoy a favorite flick with the stars shining overhead. You can catch one of these outdoor film series throughout the week and many are free.
"Summer Movies in the Park" is a film series that began in 2007 as a way to encourage locals to enjoy their neighborhood parks. The movie nights have grown from four communities around San Diego County to 44 this year. All movies start at dusk, or about 15 minutes after sunset, and we suggest you go early to lay claim to your area with blankets and chairs. And, "Summer Movies in the Park" is a great time to grab your favorite Picnic Dinner. The movie nights run until October 29th and most are on Fridays and Saturdays (with one Thursday night showing). Check their calendar HERE for details on which films are being shown where and get updates on their Facebook Page.
The Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Point Loma is home to the Liberty Station Movie Nights every Tuesday until August 30th. The Movie Pavilion opens at 5:00 PM and you can bring chairs and blankets to save your spot. Their extensive bar opens at 6:00 PM where you can choose from 40 types of craft beer on tap. Movies are free but we also recommend eating at Stone Brewing, as their menu features an artisanal, natural approach to food and they are the largest restaurant purchaser of small-farm organic produce in San Diego County. The movie starts at 8:30 PM, and if you do want to eat at the restaurant, Stone Brewing suggests saving your seats first, then see the host and let them know you're planning on seeing the movie and then they'll make sure your meal is over before the film begins.
Balboa Park has so many picturesque settings that it only makes sense that they also offer a free movie night. "Film in the Garden" features movies every Monday evening in August at 7:45 PM. The screen is set up on the Botanical Lawn, east of the San Diego Museum of Art. Bring your coziest blanket, a picnic meal and arrive early, as these spots get snatched up quickly. An interesting twist to the traditional movie series, these films are chosen according to different art exhibits at the Museum of Art. For example, the first film on August 1st, "How to Make an American Quilt," ties in with the "Quilts and Color from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston" exhibit which runs through September 5th.
For those who can't escape to Italy this summer, you can enjoy a bit of Italian culture thanks to the "Little Italy Summer Film Festival." Presented by the Little Italy Association and the Cinema Little Italy, the films run every Saturday night until August 27th. Doors open at the Amici Park Amphitheater at 7:30 PM and the films begin at 8:00 PM. All movies are chosen from classic Italian cinema and have English subtitles for those who don't parla italiano. There is a requested $5 donation for entry. With our climate being very similar to the Mediterranean it will be easy to sit back and pretend you're actually in Italia.
Our last suggestion for an outdoor movie is actually for adults 21 and over, as it involves a special wine pairing that will match the movie shown that night. The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla is a charming library with art exhibitions, concerts, lectures, studio art classes and in the summer home to "Flicks on the Bricks." Every Thursday in August a different film is shown at 7:30 PM, beginning on August 4th. The movies are screened on the patio of the Athenaeum and appetizers are served that also compliment the wine and a different creative cocktail each week. Movies are $22 for non-members of the Library.
Our city was made for spending time outdoors and we have so many lovely and diverse settings to set up camp and enjoy a film. There's still plenty of time this summer to book a fabulous vacation home with Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and there's still plenty of time to plan an evening or two outside watching an equally fabulous movie al fresco.
