The season of sunscreen and uncomfortably-sweaty elbow-creases is quickly coming upon us. Instead of running into the loving, 68 degree embrace of your local movie theater or curling up with Netflix to escape the heat this summer, consider heading outdoors (stay with me here) and checking out these Bay Area movie screenings instead. The ticket price is nonexistent, you get to enjoy the local sights, and you don’t even have to worry about walking across sticky movie theater floors when it’s all over. Just grab the kids, your favorite picnic blanket and enjoy the film!
Waterfront Flicks
June 9 – Aug. 18
Jack London Square, Oakland
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Situated along Jack London Square’s ferry lawn, Oakland’s Waterfront Flicks offers more than just a beautiful seaside view for the night. Every Thursday night at sundown, guests can enjoy games as they settle down on the lawn and grab small bites from restaurants around the venue before the film starts at sundown. This year’s offerings include cult classic Selena and Oakland-based film East Side Sushi, as well as other blockbuster hits.
Movies on the Square
June 9 – Sept. 1
Courthouse Square, Redwood City
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Equipped with a high definition surround sound system, a 25-foot outdoor theater and a small snack bar, Redwood City’s Courthouse Square is more than prepared to draw in the crowds for their Thursday night film screenings this summer. Visitors can relax on their lawn chairs and enjoy family-friendly fare from new hits such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Inside Out to old favorites like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Film Night in the Park
June 11 – Sept. 24
San Francisco
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The San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation’s Film Night in the Park returns for its thirteenth year this summer. The event spans multiple parks around San Francisco, which are all easily reachable through MUNI and other public transportation. Because of the limited space, guests are discouraged from bringing chairs and are advised to picnic before the film screening, but those are short orders for a night of fun in San Francisco’s local parks.
Free Movies on the Beach
June 22 – Aug. 17
The Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
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Nothing quite feels like summer than gorging yourself on boardwalk funnel cakes and garlic fries and taking a quick dip in the beach. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk springs to life every summer with its live events, and nothing draws the crowds more than their Wednesday night movie screenings. Every Wednesday at 9 pm, enjoy classics such as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Wizard of Oz while being surrounded by sand, surf and snacks along the beach.
Summer Outdoor Movie Night Series
July 8 – Aug. 12
Mountain View
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Set in different parks all over Mountain View, the city’s Summer Outdoor Movie Night Series is seeking both to entertain families this summer as well as promote engagement with the great outdoors. Bring your snacks, drinks, and a comfortable seat for their first screening of Minions at Cuesta Park on Friday, July 8. All screenings begin at sundown.
