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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Paramount
Ranch Santa Monica Mountains
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Paramount
Ranch is located
in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
The park consists of about 2700 acres of oak and sycamore
woodlands. Paramount movie studios purchased the land
in the 1920s to use as a movie ranch.
Over the next 25 years hundreds of films were shoot on
the property. Most movies made at the ranch were westerns
although there was a huge replica of San Francisco and
even a european village at one time.
Today all that remains of the movie making days is the
western town. The list of film stars that made movies
at Paramount Ranch is huge including John Wayne, Cary
Grant, Burt Lancaster, Roy Rogers, Lucille Ball and Diane
Keaton.
Many television shows also were filmed here including
several classic westerns. Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel
and the The Rifleman were all shot at the ranch.
Paramount ranch is still used as a backdrop for movies
and television shows so don't be suprised if you see a
film crew at work. Most people visit the ranch to enjoy
the beautiful scenery and hike the miles of trails. The
"MASH" filming location is located at Paramount
Ranch and is a popular hiking destination.
On weekends there is a volunteer staffing the western
town thai can go into detail about the history of Paramount
Ranch. |
Paramount
Ranch has no admission charge and parking is free.The western
town is a short walk from the parking lot. Western town
is a movie set and visitors are asked not lean or climb
on the buildings.
The ranch has plenty of places to have a picnic and let
the kids run around however guest are asked to stay on the
trails. Paramount Ranch park is slowing recovering from
years of being used as a movie ranch.
At one time there was a car racetrack here and you can still
see the banked curves and part of the straightaway. Paramount
Racetrack was only used for about two years, and was considered
it one of the most challenging sports car tracks in the
U.S. Paramount Racetrack closed after several fatal accidents
and was soon over grown with grass.
From 1957 to 1980, the ranch changed ownership several times
until it was purchased by the National Park Service. Filmmaking
continues at Paramount Ranch and the park is used for several
festivals during the year including the Topanga Banjo Fiddle
Contest, Calabasas Pumpkin Festival and Agoura Renaissance
fair.
Plan on spending at least two hours here longer if you decide
to hike. There is drinking water, restrooms and a ranger
station at the park. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. |
Directions: Paramount Ranch
is located in the Santa Monica Mountains, between the west
San Fernando Valley and Malibu. From the Valley, take the
Ventura (101) Freeway west to the Kanan Road offramp in
Agoura Hills (about seven miles west of Woodland Hills),
then turn left (south) on Kanan Road and follow it three
quarters of a mile south to Cornell Road.
Turn left (southeast) on Cornell Road and take it to Paramount
Ranch Road. Turn right (west) and follow the road into the
ranch. Parking and admission is free. Open every day, from
dawn to dusk seven days a week. |
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Adamson
House is a mini
Hearst Castle on Surfrider Beach in Malibu. Guided
tours. |
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Troutdale
- Perfect place to teach kids how to fish. 2468
Troutdale Road. Agoura, California |
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Cornell
Winery Taste
local wines grown in Santa Monica Mountain vineyards. |
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