California Dreamin’ – A Look Back at California’s Car Cruising Scene In The 70s

STUNNING photos show the ultra-cool cruising scene of Southern California in the early 1970s.

Teens would take their Camaros, Corvettes, Volkswagen vans, and other shiny gems up and down the main drag of Van Nuys Boulevard.

Teens hang out on a warm night in Southern California in the 1970s

Teens hang out on a warm night in Southern California in the 1970sCredit: Rick McCloskey

It was quite an era that will likely never be repeated

It was quite an era that will likely never be repeated. Credit: Rick McCloskey

Cars were the focus of social gatherings five decades ago

Cars were the focus of social gatherings five decades ago. Credit: Rick McCloskey

Gas only cost 33 cents for young motorists in 1972 in the San Fernando Valley.

The art of cruising was displayed all over the country for decades, up until about 1980.

“Every town in America had a strip where kids would take their cars and go hang out whether it was only a block long – big towns, little towns, cities,” said photographer Rick McCloskey.

“It was really a thing for everybody to be involved at some point.”

Teens congregate and have a good time in the 1970s

Teens congregate and have a good time in the 1970sCredit: Rick McCloskey

The price of gas shockingly low

The price of gas shockingly low. credit: Rick McCloskey

The stylistic cars were big and small

The stylistic cars were big and small. Credit: Rick McCloskey

 

Teens gather between two cars to socialize

Teens gather between two cars to socializeCredit: Rick McCloskey

Two friends hang out on the side of a car

Two friends hang out on the side of a carCredit: Rick McCloskey

Much of the cruising took place at night

Much of the cruising took place at night. Credit: Rick McCloskey

Glitzy Southern California was the scene

Glitzy Southern California was the scene. Credit: Rick McCloskey

Mall culture took over years later

Mall culture took over years later. Credit: Rick McCloskey

Teens enjoy the Southern California nightlife

Teens enjoy the Southern California nightlifeCredit: Rick McCloskey

Cruising did play out all across the country

Cruising did play out all across the country. Credit: Rick McCloskey

Teens hang out in the back of a pick-up truck

Teens hang out in the back of a pick-up truckCredit: Rick McCloskey

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