Santa Clarita’s rich history dates back centuries, from the early days of the oil industry to its rise as a favorite backdrop for Hollywood films. From spooky film locations to historic spots with tales of paranormal activities, grab your camera, summon your courage and explore the “haunted” corners of Santa Clarita!
Spooky Film Locations
Santa Clarita has played a starring role in countless spooky productions, from cult classics to modern thrillers. Here are a few favorites that brought the scares to life right here in Santa Clarita.
Saugus Cafe
(Leprechaun 1993)
Santa Clarita Skate Park
(Santa Clarita Diet 2017-2019)
Backwoods Inn
(Santa Clarita Diet 2017-2019)
Friday the 13th Part III (1982) and Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984):
Both of these films within the iconic horror franchise filmed scenes in Santa Clarita. The bulk of Friday the 13th: Part 3 was filmed at the Santa Clarita Movie Ranch (formerly Veluzat Movie Ranch), their barn serving as the backdrop of some of the most memorable scenes at Camp Crystal Lake. The movie ranch also provided the setting for the exterior of the countryside house in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter.
Halloween III Season of the Witch (1982):
After her father’s mysterious death, Ellie Grimbridge and Dr. Daniel Challis uncover the sinister truth behind Silver Shamrock Novelties. Portions of this movie were filmed in neighborhoods around Newhall.
Christine (1983):
Stephen King’s killer car classic filmed its most explosive scene in Santa Clarita. The fictional “Mobico” gas station, built at the corner of McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard at the Valencia Crossroads shopping center, was blown to pieces in a fiery stunt. Valencia Liquor on Lyons Avenue also made an appearance in the film.
Leprechaun (1993):
In this cult horror film, an evil leprechaun goes on a murderous rampage in search of his stolen pot of gold. One of the movie’s memorable diner scenes was filmed at the historic Saugus Café, the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles County.
The Haunted Mansion (2003):
Based on the Disney ride and starring Eddie Murphy, the exterior of the mansion featured in the film was built at Sable Movie Ranch. The elaborately built set led to over three months of production, playing a large role in the film.
True Blood (2008-2014):
In this dark, supernatural series, telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse discovers a hidden world of vampires, werewolves and other creatures. Several scenes were filmed in Santa Clarita at Blue Cloud Movie Ranch, Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch, a home in Sand Canyon and areas in Acton and Agua Dulce.
Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015):
In this 2015 feature film, three scouts try to save their town from zombies. This horror comedy filmed extensively in areas of Newhall, standing in for the fictional suburban town of “Deer Field.”
Spit on Your Grave (2015): Veluzat movie ranch?
Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019):
This Netflix series starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant turned everyday suburbia into a zombie-filled adventure. Many scenes were shot at local landmarks like Backwoods Inn, the Santa Clarita Skate Park and Canyon High School.
Annabelle Comes Home (2019): This spine-tingling installment of The Conjuring universe follows a babysitter who accidentally unleashes the evil trapped within the infamous doll. Like The Conjuring II, key scenes were filmed in Newhall neighborhoods.
Please note that all movie ranches mentioned are working movie ranches and are closed to the public.
Haunted Places
Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or just love a good thrill, these are a few of Santa Clarita’s most “haunted” places.
Mentryville – Pico Cottage
Newhall Ranch House
St. Francis Dam
Established in 1876 by Charles Alexander Mentry as California’s first commercial oil well, the oil boom town supporting over 100 families thrived until the 1930’s, when most of its residents left the area. Historic buildings such as Charles Mentry’s grand 13-room mansion, a one-room school house and a period barn still stand.
Rumors that the now deserted town may be “haunted” by the spirits of its past residents have caught the attention of paranormal investigators. According to KHTS in a 2016 article, a “ghost hunting” team called the Paranormal Housewives has investigated Mentryville on numerous occasions. These investigators obtained special permission to enter the Mentry family’s former 13-room mansion, Pico Cottage. The team reported hearing footsteps and noises upstairs, and even reported seeing a wet handprint appear on the floor.
Visitors can explore Mentryville from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Newhall Ranch House at the Santa Clarita History Center:
The Santa Clarita History Center offers a variety of restored historic buildings, one of them being the Newhall Ranch House. The building was the headquarters of The Newhall Land and Farming Co., with Stanley Routledge as the ranch manager. In 1916, Routledge’s wife, Margaret, died inside the house from a rifle shot. Investigators at the time were unable to discover the perpetrator.
The Discovery Channel’s Ghost Adventures aired an episode in 2014 investigating the Newhall Ranch House, now allegedly a paranormal hot spot. According to SCVTV.com, the “ghost hunters” concluded that something sinister still inhabits the home. They reported feeling as though something or someone was trying to block their ascent upstairs.
Visit the Santa Clarita History Center from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
On March 12, 1928, more than 450 people died in the flood caused by the failure of the St. Francis Dam, located in San Francisquito Canyon. According to AmericanHauntings.com, visitors have witnessed strange occurrences at the disaster site. Eerie voices are heard, people are touched by invisible hands and shadowy forms in historic clothing are seen walking around the site.
Looking for more spine-tingling ways to celebrate Halloween? Check out our fall activities page for all of the upcoming activities and events!
