Day Trip to Paramount Ranch: Historic Movie Ranch in California.

Paramount Ranch is within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, covering approximately 2700 acres of oak and sycamore woodlands. In the 1920s, Paramount Movie Studios acquired the land to use as a movie ranch. Over the following years, the property was the filming location for hundreds of movies. While Westerns were the most common genre shot at the Ranch, a large-scale replica of San Francisco and a European village was built while the Ranch was used as a movie studio. Unfortunately, a fast-moving fire destroyed the main attraction for visitors to Paramount Ranch, its Western Movie Town.

Paramount Ranch Western Town

Only two buildings survived the wildfire: the chapel and the train depot. The National Park Service has discussed rebuilding the western town buildings to meet current fire codes. While there are no concrete plans for reconstruction, the surviving structures- the chapel and the train depot- stand as a testament to the Ranch’s resilience and potential for future development.

Paramount Ranch: Movies and TV Shows

The extensive list of film stars who have worked at Paramount Ranch includes John Wayne, Cary Grant, Burt Lancaster, Roy Rogers, Lucille Ball, and Diane Keaton. Since the 1930s, the Ranch has been a popular filming location for numerous movies and TV shows.

Here is a list of some of the films and TV shows filmed at Paramount Ranch:

• Movies:
  “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” (1957)
  “The Great Race” (1965)
  “The Apple Dumpling Gang” (1975)
  “The Cat in the Hat” (2003)
  “American Sniper” (2014)
• TV Shows:
  “The Cisco Kid” (1950-1956)
  “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” (1993-1998)
  “The Mentalist” (2008-2015)
  “The Bachelor” (2022)
  “Westworld” (2016-2022)
• Classic Westerns:
  “Gunsmoke” (1955 to 1975)
  “Have Gun Will Travel” (1957 to 1963)
  “The Rifleman” (1958 to 1963)

Paramount Car Racetrack

Paramount Ranch was also home to a once-popular car racetrack known as the Paramount Racetrack. The Figure Eight racecourse was built in 1955 by the Sportsman Club. It was a challenging sports car track, but it was only operational for about two years due to several fatal accidents, leading to its closure in 1957. After that, the studio used it as a film location until the 1970s. Today, the racetrack is overgrown with grass, but you can still see the banked curves and part of the straightaway next to the main parking lot.

Paramount Ranch Hiking Trails

Most people visit the Ranch to enjoy the beautiful scenery and hike the miles of trails. Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills offers several hiking trails for visitors to explore. Here are some popular ones:

• Paramount Ranch Perimeter Loop: This 2-mile loop trail is rated as easy and takes approximately an hour to finish. It is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking.
• Paramount Ranch Overlook Trail: This trail offers a 0.75-mile loop to the south from the main parking area. It connects to a spur trail leading to a vista point overlooking the park.
• Coyote Canyon Trail to Hacienda Trail: This 3-mile loop hike features a gentle 100-foot elevation change, taking you through the scenic areas of the Ranch.

Getting to Paramount Ranch

When planning your visit to Paramount Ranch, consider spending at least two hours here or longer if you intend to explore the hiking trails. The Ranch offers basic amenities like drinking water, restrooms, and a ranger station. It’s important to note that dogs must always be on a leash. Paramount Ranch is open to the public, with no admission charge, and provides free parking for visitors.
Directions: Paramount Ranch is between San Fernando Valley and Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Address: 2903 Cornell Rd, Agoura Hills, California.
Link to the park website

Nearby Points of Interest

Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is a treasure trove in the Santa Monica Mountains, offering diverse activities. The park has over seven thousand acres and features beautiful running streams, old oak, sycamore groves, and arid chaparral-covered hillsides. The park is open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week, with the visitors center generally open on most Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

Explore the Santa Monica Mountains Wineries

Exploring the Santa Monica Mountains Wineries is a fun way to spend a day. Numerous vineyards are hidden in the canyons, most small, but a few are commercial enterprises. The best-known wineries in the Santa Monica Mountains include Malibu Family Wines and Rosenthal Malibu Estate.

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