Santa Clarita is one of the most filmed cities in California, earning the nickname “Hollywood North.” The City’s abundant settings combined with the City’s location within the “30-Mile Zone” make it one of the most filmed areas in the state of California. For nearly a century, Santa Clarita has maintained its position as one of Hollywood’s most frequently filmed locations and favorite places to make movie magic.
- Home to more than 10 movie ranches, 50+ sound stages and thousands of versatile locations, Santa Clarita has a setting for nearly every production–from a New York borough to a Middle Eastern town to mountain ranges and desert landscapes.
- Six Flags Magic Mountain holds the world record for the most roller coasters of any theme park on Earth, earning its title of the “Thrill Capital of the World.”
- Vasquez Rocks is one of the Santa Clarita Valley’s most recognizable landscapes, serving as the backdrop for countless productions across genres–from sci-fi favorites and classic westerns to modern blockbuster films.
- Santa Clarita offers more than 100 miles of trails, making it one of the largest urban trail systems in Southern California.
- Santa Clarita is the third-largest city in Los Angeles County, yet maintains a charming small-town feel.
- Tesoro Adobe Historic Park offers a unique glimpse into early 20th-century Western film history. Originally established as a private ranch by actor Harry Carey Sr., the site has evolved into a public park that preserves the legacy of Hollywood’s silent film era. Today, Tesoro Adobe Historic Park serves as a public space that blends natural beauty with historical education.
- Santa Clarita is home to the William S. Hart Museum, once home to the famed silent film actor and director William S. Hart, who produced a series of hit Western movies in the early 1900s.
- The City is home to two award-winning wineries—Agua Dulce Winery and Reyes Winery–both part of the scenic Sierra Pelona Wine Trail.
- Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, once owned by the legendary Gene Autry, features iconic Old West sets that are still used for film production today. Since opening in 1915, the ranch has hosted thousands of productions– from Western classics like “The Lone Ranger,” “Wyatt Earp” and “Gunsmoke,” to modern day favorites including Django Unchained and HBO’s “Deadwood” and “Westworld.”
- The Gentle Barn, famous for its mission of healing people through interactions with rescued animals, is one of the region’s most unique animal sanctuaries
- The Gibbon Conservation Center is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to the care and study of gibbons.
- Santa Clarita is home to Castaic Lake, one of the largest and most popular recreation lakes in Southern California, offering great opportunitiesfor fishing, boating and kayaking.
- In 1876, Charles Alexander Mentry discovered California’s first commercially viable oil well in Pico Canyon. Known as Mentryville, the site is home to the longest continually producing oil well in the world, operating from 1876-1990. Today, the site remains a California State historic landmark that visitors can explore.
- Francisco López made California’s first authenticated gold discovery on March 9, 1842, in Santa Clarita. While gathering wild onions near an oak tree in Placerita Canyon, he found gold particles clinging to the roots of the bulbs– six years before James Marshall struck gold at Sutter’s Mill.
- Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch, owned by The Walt Disney Company, was originally chosen by Walt Disney to film segments of The Mickey Mouse Club before he purchased the 315-acre ranch in 1959. Today the property spans more than 800 acres of natural scenery and film sets and has hosted numerous productions, including television favorites like “Lassie,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “The Office” and “Sons of Anarchy,” as well as films such as Old Yeller, Back to the Future, Ted 2 and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Historic Eateries
- Le Chêne French Cuisine is a beloved destination restaurant known for its romantic atmosphere and classic French cuisine. Voted “Most Romantic” by the Los Angeles Daily News and Los Angeles Magazine, the restaurant has delighted guests with fine food and wine for more than 30 years. The name Le Chêne, meaning “the oak,” reflects the area’s beautiful, century-old oak trees. The stone building itself dates back to 1923, when river stones from Big Rock Creek were hauled by horse and wagon to construct a café on the site. In 1981, owner Juan Alonso purchased the building and transformed it into the charming French restaurant that continues to operate today. (12625 Sierra Highway)
- Backwoods Inn was established in 1966 and remains a timeless steakhouse know for its rustic atmosphere–complete with sawdust-covered floors–and its famous stuffed baked potato. The restaurant has also become a favorite filming location over the years. (17846 Sierra Highway)
- Established in 1967, Chi Chi’s Pizza is much more than a pizza. restaurant The menu features pasta, sandwiches, seafood and more, but guests often come for the signature Golden Pressure Fried Chicken and the unforgettable sourdough rolls. The restaurant was founded by first-generation Italian-American Frank Paul Miccolis and is now operated by the founder’s son, Paul Miccolis. (27117 Sierra Highway)
- The Halfway House Cafe has been a favorite diner for breakfast, lunch and filming since opening in 1931. The café earned its name as the halfway meeting point along Sierra Highway, where farmers from Palmdale met Los Angeles market traders. Today, the classic roadside diner is also a recognizeable backdrop from numerous film and television productions. (15564 Sierra Highway)
- The Saugus Café, which opened in 1887, is Los Angeles County’s oldest continually operating restaurant. During its rich history, the Saugus Café has dished up meals for legends such as President Theodore Roosevelt, Clark Gable and John Wayne. (25861 Railroad Ave)
