Hidden movie ranches can be found throughout Santa Clarita
Melody Ranch Museum
Walk of Western Stars
Melissa Gilbert & Bruce Boxleitner
Halfway House Cafe is the scene for numerous shows & commercials
Vasquez Rocks is a famous backdrop for film, TV, and commercials
Valencia Town Center, filming location for "CSI" and others.
The world watched as Valencia was obliterated on TV, but if you missed it, we've got the trailer right here. Follow the above link for more info on "24."
What's Filming in Santa Clarita?
Gosh, a better question might be, "What's
not
filming in Santa Clarita?" In 2006, over $16 million was funneled into Santa Clarita's economy through television and and film productions. And most of the locals recognize the town of Agrestic in Showtime's "Weeds" as Stevenson Ranch. Other shows that film routinely in SCV include "Zoey 101," "John From Cincinnati," "The Shield," "The Unit," "Big Love," "Criminal Minds," "CSI," "NCIS," and "Without a Trace." Sharp eyes may even have spotted a few "Desperate Housewives," "The Riches," and "Monk." In fact, if helicopters are flying low in Saugus, it's either for a wildfire--or a production.
Check out the City of Santa Clarita's Film Office website for more info on what's rolling in Santa Clarita.
Caution: Filming in Progress
"Distracted and rushed, I pulled into my usual parking spot at work. Admittedly, I was annoyed to see a man in a bathrobe walking toward me--in Valencia? As he approached, I noticed his face was badly scraped. 'You don't look so good,' I said.
"I'm not having a very good day," he replied.
Running into the building to clock in, I realized there were an unusually greater number of people in the parking lot, and I was taken aback by the new sign, "HOSPITAL," that hung over the door. It was only when I reached my co-workers and they excitedly explained Mark Harmon was on-site and bandaged did I realize it was him with whom I had just exchanged greetings!" Melodie Burns, Santa Clarita resident.
These types of "star sightings" are pretty common in the Santa Clarita Valley. If you're not careful, you may also be caught walking into a scene of a current hit television show!
Editor's Note: This interaction took place on private property, behind a gated area not open to the public. This was the filming for the season finale of NCIS in 2006. Admittedly, Mark Harmon was bandaged beyond recognition for his role in this episode.
Visit our
Calendar of Events
for tours and events happening today in the SCV.
Take a Virtual Tour of SCV Filming Sites
Hollywood's Backlot Movie Trailers
First, preview the trailer on your computer, then see if you can identify Santa Clarita in the shot.
Hidden Movie Ranches of the Santa Clarita Valley
Did you know that there are secluded ranches tucked into the canyons of Santa Clarita? Santa Clarita has appeared in countless films dressed to recreate Afghanistan, Mexico, Southeast Asia, or even the Midwest. You can also seemingly turn back the clock by decades on some of these ranches in western and 50's towns. Other than Melody Ranch, you cannot presently get on these ranches without an invitation. But you can get a sneak peak at the City's website (above) by choosing "Ranches-Movie" in the Browse by Category box.
For the rest of us, we can tour some of the numerous public streets, parks and buildings that star weekly in our favorite programs.
Ride the Historic Movie Trains!
Fillmore & Western Railway
800-773-8724
Hundreds of feature films, television programs and commercials have been filmed on the trains at the Fillmore & Western Railway. Movie credits include “Rails & Ties,” “O, Brother, Where Art Thou?” Seabiscuit,” and “The Holiday.” Hot television series riding the F&WR’s rails include “Dr. Quinn,” “Melrose Place,” “X-Files,” “ER,” “Monk,” “24,” “CSI,” NCIS,” “Cold Case,” “Medium” and “Days of Our Lives.” Read a more complete list of their credits
here.
MAP IT!
Tour a Movie Studio
Melody Ranch Studio
661-259-9669
24715 Oak Creek Ave., Newhall
HBO's "Deadwood"
This western set is the current home to the townspeople of 'Deadwood,' a hit series running on HBO. If you've been to the Cowboy Poetry Festival, you've seen the town crowded with people. Now is your opportunity to walk the streets almost solo. A guided studio tour of the western town includes a stroll down Main Street and the interiors of the buildings. Your guide will share with you moments from the exciting days of filming, past and present. The tour would not be complete without a stop at The Melody Ranch Museum, which houses one-of-a-kind movie memorabilia from the last fifty years including Gene Autry's collection. Best for kids 12 and over. By appointment only; subject to filming.
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Melody Ranch History
Walk 'on' the Western Stars
Western Walk of Stars
Along San Fernando Road, Newhall Avenue, and Market Street in downtown Newhall. John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Dennis Weaver, Jack Palance, Bruce Boxleitner, and Melissa Gilbert are just a few of the western celebrities honored in downtown Newhall. Western film, stage, television and radio personalities who performed in the Santa Clarita Valley are honored here in The Downtown Newhall Walk of Western Stars, which began in 1981. Come with your camera and find your favorite stars immortalized with bronze plaques and terrazzo tile set into the sidewalks.
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Walk of Western Stars Inductee List
Stuntmen Walk of Fame
Agua Dulce
While not as extensive as the Walk of the Western Stars or Hollywood Walk of Fame (we only found 3 stars in 2006), it's a fun little thing to see while in Aqua Dulce. You'll find these stars located on 'mainstreet', right in front of the Sweetwater Cafe.
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Dine 'with' Past Celebrities
Saugus Cafe
661-259-7886
25861 San Fernando Road, Saugus
The history of this unimposing little cafe goes way back to 1887, although it has resided in the current building since 1952. With a renovation in 1994, patrons today will still enjoy generous meals at sensible prices. Where else may one dine within the same walls as presidents and legends? Former customers of the restaurant include Presidents Benjamin Harrison and Theodore Roosevelt, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Tom Mix, Charlie Chaplin, Doug Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford. The cast of CSI, as well as Drew Barrymore and Whoopi Goldberg, have filmed here.
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Explore Historical 'Movie Sets'
Heritage Junction
The
Saugus Train Station
can be seen here in Charlie Chaplain's
"The Pilgrim."
The train station has been featured in "The Grifters," and "Suddenly." The Ramona Chapel has been used by John Wayne as a movie set, and Gary Cooper, Wyatt Earp, Will Rogers, Joan Crawford and many other stars have been inside these four walls.
The Callahan Schoolhouse was built in 1927 as a tourist attraction and movie set. Likewise, the Pardee House has been used by Tom Mix in one of his "Mixvilles" and by John Ford and Harry Carey in their films in 1917.
While on property, tour the Adobe Schoolhouse. There's also a gift shop and a beautiful historic rose garden. Free. Open weekends, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. (Enter at William S. Hart Park and make an immediate left.)
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Placerita Nature Center
The Walker Cabin has been used in countless movies in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. You can walk through it, and even better, pose for a photo op.
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Tesoro Adobe Historic Park
661) 702-8953
Harry Carey and John Ford made some of their western movies on the ranch, which was home for Harry Carey and his family. The western movie elite, including John Wayne, Gary Cooper and William S. Hart, often visited here. It is now a county-run park open on Saturdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Tours of the grounds and buildings are offered 11:00 am -1:00 pm Saturdays
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Tour the Home of a Silent Film Star
William S. Hart Park & Museum
661-254-4584
24151 San Fernando Road, Newhall
Former silent film cowboy star and director, William S. Hart, resided in this fully furnished Spanish colonial revival-style mansion, now open to the public. Fans of western art will find many of their favorites here, including works done by Charles Russell, Joe De Young, Charles Christadoro, and Frederic Remington. Movie props from the 1920s and authentic native American artifacts are found throughout the museum. Make a day of your visit: take the kids to the barnyard zoo, ogle the bison grazing on the property, and enjoy a picnic under a shade tree. Free.
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Shop on a 'Movie Set'
Saugus Speedway
661-259-3886
22500 Soledad Cyn Road, Saugus
Movie buffs will recognize the Speedway from their favorite films, television programs, and commercials. The open-air market held here has been serving the public rain or shine for over thirty years. Whether its fresh produce or your own idea of 'treasure' you seek, you'll probably find it here. Sunday's Marketplace draws the largest crowd, and you can stop in Tuesdays and Wednesdays for a flea market.
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Take a Self-guided Movie Tour
You've probably seen Santa Clarita without knowing it: on the big screen and on TV. Movies, television, commercials, music videos--they're all shot right here. Spend a couple of days touring the valley, identifying locations where your favorite programs have filmed. Here are a couple of tour ideas:
Tour One
Start your day with breakfast at the
Half Way House
(Profiler, Space Cowboy, Pepsi), then go hiking at
Vasquez Rocks
(Friends, Austin Powers, Flintstones, Taco Bell, Wendy's) . Pack a picnic lunch because you'll want to spend time here. Round up your day with dinner at
Salt Creek Grille.
(JAG, CSI, Navy NCIS).
Tour Two
Ride the roller coasters at
Six Flags Magic Mountain
(National Lampoon's Vacation, Sony, Encino Man, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) before having dinner at
Sisley
(Navy NCIS).
Tour Three
Start out your day with an early round of golf at
Vista Valencia Golf Course
(NASCAR, Starsky & Hutch, Wedding Planner), stop for lunch at the
Way Station
(CSI), then ride some go carts at
Mountasia
(CSI, Malcom in the Middle, JAG, DisMissed).
Tour Four - the Outdoor Tour
Head on up to
Castaic Lake Recreation Area.
Grasshopper Grove has been used in JAG, NCIS, CSI, 24 and Reno 911. (Locate Grasshopper Grove by visiting Castaic Lake's website and clicking on "Group Picnic." Then scroll down to the bottom for the map of the picnic areas. The directional for "To West Ramp" points precisely to Grasshopper Grove.)
Fear Factor has shot at the west launch ramp and Reno 911 at the lower west ramp. Other shows and films have also used Castaic Lake.
From Castaic Lake, head to
Beale's Cut.
Go south on I-5 and exit 14-N. From 14, exit San Fernando Rd, turn left, then left on Sierra Hwy. Follow the road until you see dilapidated historical markers on the left side of the highway. That is the entrance to Beale's Cut. Be careful--getting to the trail is a bit challenging. Head off to the left, cross the broken bridge, and on to the trail. Once you round the first ridge, you'll recognize Beale's Cut--about a quarter mile hike.
Tour Five
So you've run out of vacation time and you want to integrate movie life into your everyday life? No problem. Start out your day with a cup of coffee from
Java 'n Jazz
(CSI, Navy NCIS), before filling up for gas at
Mobil
on San Fernando Road (CSI). Then head over to the
Saugus Speedway
for the open-air market (Miller Ice, Love Bug, Fear Factor, Dukes of Hazzard). Do a little shopping at
Valencia Town Center
(The Huntress, Clueless, Medium) before picking the kids up from
Valencia High School.
More Tour Ideas
Create an itinerary that fits your day by visiting the
Santa Clarita film office website.
Further Reading
Visit the
online archives and repository
of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, The Friends of Mentryville and Old Town Newhall USA.
