A fast-moving fire destroyed Paramount Ranch Western Town on 11/10/18. The National Park Service plans to rebuild the western buildings that meet current fire codes. The only two remaining buildings are the chapel and train depot.
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 as a movie ranch.
Over the next 25 years, hundreds of films were shot on the property. Most movies made at the ranch were westerns, although there was a massive replica of San Francisco and even a European village at one time.
Paramount Ranch Western Town
Today all that remains of the movie-making days is the western town. The list of film stars at Paramount Ranch is enormous, including John Wayne, Cary Grant, Burt Lancaster, Roy Rogers, Lucille Ball, and Diane Keaton.
Many TV shows also were filmed here, including several classic westerns. Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, and The Rifleman was shot at the ranch. On weekends, there is a volunteer staffing the western town that can detail the history of Paramount Ranch.
Paramount Ranch is still used as a backdrop for movies, and television shows, so don’t be surprised 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 can be reached from Paramount Ranch, a popular hiking destination.
The western town is a short walk from the parking lot. This area is a movie set, and visitors are asked not to lean or climb on the buildings.
The ranch has plenty of places to picnic and lets the kids run around; however, guests are asked to stay on the trails. Paramount Ranch park is slowly recovering from years of being used as a movie ranch.
Paramount Racetrack
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. It was considered one of the most challenging sports car tracks in the U.S. Paramount Racetrack closed after several fatal accidents and was soon overgrown with grass.
From 1957 to 1980, the ranch changed ownership several times until the National Park Service purchased it.
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 the Agoura Renaissance fair.
Plan on spending at least two hours here longer if you decide to hike. There are drinking water, restrooms, and a ranger station. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Getting to Paramount Ranch
Paramount Ranch has no admission charge, and parking is free. Directions: Paramount Ranch is located between San Fernando Valley and Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains. Address: 2903 Cornell Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Nearby Points of Interest
Cornell Wine Tasting Room
No wines are made here; however, they offer a good selection of wines grown in the Santa Monica Mountains. Next door to the wine tasting room is the Old Place Restaurant. This historic little eatery is popular with locals and celebrities.
Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park is open from dawn until dusk seven days a week, and the visitors center is open most Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.
hello
I would like to plan to visit in the summer. I was wondering on how much is the fee for kids and adults?
thank you
dee edmiston
Hello Dee
Admission and parking are free. Bring along some water if you plan on doing any hiking.
Have a great trip.