It's located on 7611 Fay Avenue between Kline and Pearl Street.

Google Map

It can, depending on the time one enters and exits the Village. Talking with local residents, they tell me the times we would arrive for each show should be fine...it's leaving the village at the times we arrive that's tricky. Of course, one accident, one ambulance, bad weather, and who knows....but fingers crossed that when we arrive in La Jolla the only traffic jams we will see at those times are those leaving the Village.

First, there is a 130 space parking garage directly underneath the Lot, with an elevator that takes you up one level to the theaters front doors. The Lot tells me they are installing a gate at the entrance to the garage, which means you will need to take a ticket, and get it validated at the hospitality desk inside the Lot. You can then stay in the Lot as long as you want, free of charge.

Second, there are 30 free parking spaces directly in front of the complex, but note they are 2-hour spots, expiring at 6:00pm, so to use them, think coming to those at 4 or later.

Third, there are 20 spots directly to the side of the complex, and although there are warning signs in front of each spot, you can park there at no charge, with no time limit.

Fourth, less than a half a block away from the Lot is Kline Street, and there are spaces there, and around that street, if you don't mind walking a block or two.

Fifth, if you live in the village, I would encourage you to do what our head volunteer is doing, since she lives 4 blocks from the Lot--she is walking to and from the theater.

And finally, we will be ready to go with paid valet service for those NOT wishing to do any of the 5 previous options available. I'm told valet will run $8.

There are 7 auditoriums in The Lot, ranging in size from 60 seats to 80 seats. We will be using 5 of the auditoriums...twice. These auditorium seats are the cushy, motorized type, and you should really try what I'm going to tell you—sit in the front row...the seat distance works. And speaking of distance, the distance between rows is ample. And yes, there is seating and space for those with special needs.

That's what really turns me on about The Lot...it is the most advanced theater complex on the planet...I told you the seats were extraordinary, but it's the sound and projection that's the star here...they don't have 2k or 4k digital projectors...they have laser projectors...it's the most advanced projection system there is.

And the sound, oh my god, it was created for The Lot by the creators of George Lucas's award winning THX sound system. It's first rate.

Even the movie posters are amazing...we no longer have to bring in those Cinema Society foam core posters with easels...our posters will be presented digitally.

That's true...you can have dinner and or a drink in their lovely Mediterranean inspired restaurant, and /or you can have food and beverage service delivered directly to your seat in the auditorium, simply by pushing a button. I have personally interviewed their staff, and they told me they work very very hard to be as hidden as possible throughout the servicing of patron process. And their menu is quite extensive for this type of food and drink offering.

Since we have 5 auditoriums--depending on interest--some auditoriums will be offering food and beverage service, while others will not have any service whatsoever, and the auditoriums will be clearly marked. We will see how many want what and will adjust accordingly. I simply ask that if its no food or beverage service auditorium, and you suddenly desire a burger or glass of wine, to please move to one of the auditoriums where food service is taking place.

It's true that currently we allow 30 minutes for our honored guest and myself to walk between each auditorium for our formal announcements and introductions, even though it takes about 15 minutes to do all that—because we have 2 auditoriums across the hall from each other; while we are in one auditorium doing our thing, the other sits and waits, and then, visa versa.

The Lot will make this process much easier, and faster. No more jogging from one auditorium to another...Our guest, and myself, will be in auditorium number one, and we will be introducing to those seated in that auditorium, and it will be broadcasted live to the other 4 auditorium screens, thanks to a TV camera that is permanently hung from the ceiling of that auditorium. The only negative with this is that we can't chat, since the sound is one way. We will see how we can develop a pre show chat if you would like that...personally, I like chatting with you about the films we have previously viewed, and hear your thoughts on what worked and what didn't, and why.

As to the q and a following the screenings, that's a bit trickier...I've suggested to The Lot that, for those who would like to do Q and A, we will look at setting up an environment inside the restaurant, with directors chairs and PA system in tact, so we can easily order a dessert, a coffee, a port--whatever, and chat about what we will have just seen.

Our day of choice continues to be Tuesdays, but if the situation arrives where we have two films in one week, or Brad Pitt tells us that he will come, but only on Thursday, we will adapt accordingly.

As to times, since our intro period drops from 30 to 15 minutes, I want to play a little bit with this... particularly with the first show, since we could use those parking space for those coming to the second show.

I've outlined for you what I love about The Lot La Jolla, but I didn't mention my favorite ingredient of this new venue...it's a man named Adolfo Fastlicht, who is the owner and CEO of The Lot. He and I sat down in The Lot restaurant over dinner and he made it crystal clear to me that he had many friends who were members of the Cinema Society, that he knew all about us, and that he would be honored to have The Lot become our future home. Then I met his first class staff, sampled the food, and viewed a film, and told him the honor was ours.