Paramount Ranch
Paramount Ranch is a large protected property in the Santa Monica Mountains combining grassland, oak woodlands, and rolling hills with film production infrastructure. The site features remnants of movie sets including a recreated Western Town with wooden structures, trails for hiking and riding, and grounds designed for both filming and public use.
Paramount Pictures leased the land in 1927 and produced over 130 films there until 1943, primarily Westerns and scenes depicting various historical periods. The National Park Service acquired the property in 1980 following the protection of the Santa Monica Mountains, making it the only film studio location within the US national park system.
The ranch reflects Hollywood's legacy as a place where storytellers brought scenes from different eras and locations to life. Visitors can observe how the film sets functioned as real backdrops for narratives, transforming the landscape into imaginary worlds for audiences.
Access to the ranch is easy via Cornell Road with ample parking and marked entrances, plus water and restroom facilities nearby. Visitors can hike, ride horses, and mountain bike on marked trails that may be redirected during ongoing construction work.
The ranch is the only film studio location within the entire US national park system, uniquely blending movie production with wildlife conservation. A racing track occupied the site during the 1950s with challenging curves winding through grassland, but closed after safety incidents.
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