Paramount Ranch

Talk about a hidden gem in the hills of Malibu! This place is a historic locale for any film/​television buff like myself.
It’s over 300 acres of preserved lands that include a «Western Town» that is the sight of such sets as «Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman» and «Butch Cassidy.» Great spot for photo ops, an easy hike to a nearby creek.
There is an abundance of free parking and no entry fees, but it closes at sunset, so be sure to come early enough to enjoy your time there.
Make sure to wear bug spray & sun block since there are plenty of gnats/​flies since it’s a horse trail as well.
My only «con» is just that we cannot tour the interiors. I would love to be able to take a photo in the jail in the Sheriff’s office, etc.

What a great place!!! :) I come here for three reasons… 1… I’m a photographer and its a wonderful place to photograph and my clients love it! 2– They have some neat trails all around this area to hike and depending on the season you can find a field of flowers!!! 3– My daughter loves western town. I mean how fun is it to have an old movie set RIGHT in your backyard? The trees and fields are just amazing!

Great place to take kids — especially between the ages of 2 – 8 years old. The Western buildings are very cool, but I don’t think this place gets enough credit for the hiking options that it provides. All of the trails are easily accessible and can vary between shady tree covered strolling alongside a creek to uphill climbs in the sun.
Nothing mind blowingly difficult about the hikes so the kids feel challenged without being discouraged, and there is a kind of figure 8 loop that you can do if you hike Coyote Trail and then the Run Trail. It’s nice because at the halfway mark (about 1.5 miles) you can people drop out or join up for the hike. Very cool place to picnic and explore for young families.

Neat place. There are quite a few trails to explore. We took our dog here and took some nice photos. Very cool to walk down the road and check out the movie sets.

Very cool spot for a wedding – especially if you fully run with the theme and have the entire bridal party wearing cowboy boots like the wedding I was in last weekend. Some amazing photo opps with cool old western movie sets, big beautiful oak trees, and an expansive field with tall grass and rolling hills in the background. There was plenty of shade for the ceremony and the reception afterwards, so even though it was sunny and in the 80’s, we barely felt it. The only bummers were the bugs (my poor bare legs got eaten alive), the piles of horse… er… droppings in the western town which the bride’s father had to sweep to the side was we were taking pics, and the bathrooms, which weren’t all stocked with soap /​some didn’t lock. But if your wedding group is easy and relaxed, and you cover yourself in bug spray, it’s a really unique venue.

Paramount Ranch is such a gem! This place is Agoura’s best kept secret — I can’t believe I had never been after all my years living in the area.
The Ranch is just a couple miles down Kanan from the freeway. It’s proximity to gas stations, restaurants, cafes, etc make it a really convenient place to enjoy. It’s perfect for both long and short trips — you can explore the hiking trails and horseback ride, or you can simply mosey around the ‘old town’ buildings and enjoy the meadows.
I recommend visiting during the spring season since everything is green & lush, plus the sun is more bearable than during the summer months. It’s perfect for both adults and children, since the Ranch has well maintained dirt walkways throughout.
Picturesque oak trees and rolling hills cover the property, making it a perfect location for photo-​shoots or private events. Enjoy the free parking, free entry, and easy park access from the lot.
I look forward to visiting again soon & exploring more of Paramount Ranch.

Photographer’s dream come true. Was looking at the site as a potential wedding venue. Dressed up, took photos, had a great time with friends. I have an affinity for the Old West, so it’s really cool to be able to pose in front of the movie structures.

5 STARS!
It’s easy to find. Lots of parking (in a dirt lot) plus it’s free. And the place itself is right next to the parking lot so no walking.
The western set itself is small but it’s a fun and definitely worth your time. Horses ride through here so watch out for droppings!!!
There are several trails at the back end. All are very easy and with the two weeks of rain we had this winter, the trails are lush green and beautiful.
When we came some kids were filming something. There really wasn’t anyone here so it was nice for them to not have any interruptions, it was also annoying for me to be restricted at their project.
There is a tiny little stream that runs through the front entrance. Not much to look at, but I imagine before the drought, the river would have been beautiful and looks like it used to run along side one of the trails.
You can rent the place out. On the right hand side of the western set is a big covered patio with patio tables and a stage. You’d have to clean it up a bit. Leaves everywhere and dirt covering the tables but with lights, it would look cute.
Overall it’s worth a trip. It’s just over the hill from the San Fernando valley and it’s hidden enough that not a lot of people come here.

Besides being an old western movie ranch, for 2 years Paramount Ranch also used to be a racetrack. The track had a unique overpass/​underpass that created a figure eight layout which also made it dangerous to drive. The track was closed in 1957 after a series of bad accidents that caused serious injuries and some fatalities. You are still able to see sections of the old cement track.
The day I visited Paramount Ranch there was a wedding taking place. It looked like a really neat outdoor, country-​themed, wedding. There was Bluegrass music playing in the background and the weather was perfect. I’m sure that the western themed buildings and the large oak trees made for some really nice photos.
There are also some nice short hiking trails that are just the right distance for the kids. It’s a great place to spend a few hours if you are in the area. You can also combine it with a hike to the former Mash set located within Malibu Creek State Park or King Gillette Ranch that’s also located nearby.

This is a beautiful and interesting location!
The location and everything surrounding it is absolutely stunning!
Add that with very interesting historic movie sets from the western movies and even more recent ones, and you’ve got this great ranch here.
And its free!!!
You can’t go in any of the building facades but its still very cool to look around it and take pics.
The sign says no professional photography (I assume camera or phone pics are OK) but I saw a model getting her photos taken there kind of secretly, lol.
It would have been 5 stars, but we were there about 3pm on a Saturday and there was a very large wedding taking place on the «main street» block of the movie set facades, so it is a bummer they took up literally the entire place and we didn’t get to go in.
I’d recommend this if you are a fan of history and great nature.

Alright. My review will probably be a bit unique because I just had my wedding at Paramount Ranch a few weeks ago. It was so wonderful, and exactly what I wanted for my wedding, but you really have to understand what you’re getting into when you chose to have your wedding in a public, government owned park. It was difficult to get a hold of the rangers, and when I did, they weren’t very responsive or helpful in answering my questions. The particular ranger I worked most with was not very clear on the process that I would need to go through to execute the paperwork for the wedding, so I ended up needing to do a lot of checking in with him to make sure things were moving along.
Then, on the day of the wedding, there was a miscommunication and the rangers who were working that day told me that we couldn’t have ANY alcohol at the event, when I had clearly discussed that we were having wine and beer months earlier. We were able to work something out, but it was nearly a huge disaster, all because their communication wasn’t clear. I highly suggest getting a wedding planner/​coordinator who has experience in outdoor/​public weddings, especially with government employees. That being said, the rangers who were with us on the day were wonderful, helpful, and fun! They even joined in a dance or two!
Aside from the logistics issues, I absolutely loved having my wedding at Paramount Ranch. The setting was absolutely beautiful, rustic, romantic, and everything we wanted. The perfect balance of nature and whimsy in the western town. It was unbeatable!

I absolutely love this place. Hiking, horseback riding, movie sets, what’s not to love?
My boyfriend and I often hike with our dogs, and when we heard about Paramount Ranch, we just had to go. We came on a Sunday, which was surprisingly not crowded at all! And bonus, the sets are right near the parking lot for super easy access. (Baby strollers, wheelchairs, and those who can’t walk long distances should be fine visiting the sets.)
The coolest thing for me, personally, was seeing the «Town Hall» building, which was used as Mr. Chin’s/Brother Justin’s mission in the HBO series, Carnivàle. I definitely had a fangirl moment seeing that.
Awesome place for a hike, or simply checking out the sets. Next time, I’m going horseback riding!

Paramount Ranch is a great off the beaten path LA attraction. It offers a bit of everything, Hollywood history, outdoor activities, hiking, nature. All for free!
It’s very easy to find off 101 (Kanan Rd exit), follow the signs and you’ll be there sooner that you’ll think. They also have free parking and plenty of it and clean restrooms.
When we got there there was a b-​day party for kids in barn. This place is great for kids.
If you visit LA and want to do something different and you’re in the area, check it out. It won’t take too much of your time, an hour or less.
If you live in LA area, you can spend longer and try a hike, shorter or longer, there are maps and various choices. Just watch for horses and tours on horsebacks.
Great, fun place to spend an afternoon. They close at sunset and the park rangers are serious about checking for permits if you try to do professional photo shoots here!

I had no idea this place existed. It is really in the middle of nowhere, but fun to visit. The friend I was with decided to visit this ranch, which is open until sunset. Now I do not feel the need to travel to Tombstone, Arizona immediately as this satisfied my thirst to see an old ghost town that looks pretty legitimate.

We stopped by here briefly to take some quick shots of us together for our Christmas cards this year. It was jumping with many others doing the same! We went to the closest section near the parking lot, the Western Village, and enjoyed all of the lovely backgrounds… from lovely trees to old buildings as well as an old railway station type area. It is truly lovely.
Note that you can take photos here yourself but if you bring a photographer, I hear there is a fee to use the premises.

What more do you want? Free, takes you away into a distant land (literally), and an exciting place for any obsessive movie fan. I’ve heard of this place for the longest time and one evening, got into my car and drove off into the west, when finally coming here. Its was so picturesque, perfect time to hit this place is during the winter to get a glimpse of the winter sunset. Nothing like it in the world or maybe in make believe movies.
At first you may be put off by the distance from civilization but its only 15 minutes from Calabasas. After a couple of miles of windy road, you will find a sign which is not hard to miss. Its a pretty safe area as there is a station right next to the ranch. Plenty of parking available. I saw allot of photographers doing photo shoots almost every corner. Don’t worry the place is big enough that you kind of set up a rotation between spots without saying a word to each other: weird yes:
It definitely gives you a ghost town vibe, only thing is it was never a real town but only in tinsel town. I wish I had more time, unfortunately I lost daylight and my photo taking was limited due to low lighting, plus it was an eerie night especially with the full moon peaking over the horizon. Great place, what more can you ask for, kudos to the state for buying the property and preserving all this time.

This is a really cool park that is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. I didn’t have much time, but I stopped at the visitor center at King Gillette Ranch (which is very nearby) and learned that I could see the Western town quite easily without having to do any hiking. The Western town is right at the entrance, and not far from where you can park your car.
I was completely alone there on a Friday afternoon (not unsafe, though — there were tons of park ranger cars at the office near the restrooms). It’s a pretty neat fake town, I’m sure just about anyone would think it’s cool. If I had more time, I would have loved to go on some of the trails.
A great free park!

Since 1980, this 326-​acre «movie ranch» has been a part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area between Malibu and Calabasas. Back in the ‘20s, Paramount Ranch was over 2,400 acres, but there’s still plenty of room for hiking the hills, exploring Medea Creek, having a picnic, or hanging out in the Western Town used in numerous Hollywood productions.
TV Shows love and use the park often. Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman with Jane Seymour was a popular show shot on site and much of the Western Town used for the series still exists. It’s a nice location for some classic photo ops. Cross the bridge from the parking lot and you’ll be in the town.
Other television programs filmed at Paramount Ranch Park includes CSI, Weeds, X-​Factor, Carnivale, A-​Team, Dukes of Hazzard, McGyver, and hundreds… yep, hundreds more. Movies shot in the park include Scream, Van Helsing, The Lake House, The Great Outdoors, Helter Skelter, and Gunfight at the OK Corral plus dozens of other old westerns back when Westerns were booming business.
* Free Parking
* Free Entrance (no National Park Pass required)
* Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except federal holidays
* The park is about 15 – 20 minutes from either Malibu or Calabasas.
* Lots of hiking trails. Check the website for a map
* Great photo ops in the Western Town
* It’s a wildlife park, so, expect plenty of bugs, bees, and more
* The temperature is always about 10 degrees higher than Malibu.
* Wear sunscreen and bring your own water
* Dogs are allowed, but must remain on the trails and on a leash
When you want to escape the hustle and bustle of life in Los Angeles, Paramount Ranch is a historic movie park with lots of sun and free outdoors fun right in the middle of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Wow! What a gem. A bit of accessible Hollywood history. As a fan of Western movies visiting this location brought a smile to my face and wishing I was 9 again to pretend I lived in the wild wild west.
Don’t expect to make a day out of visiting this place; most likely you’ll spend 30 – 45 minutes here. However, you can follow any of the trails and make a hiking ½ day out of it. Visit the rangers station adjacent to parking for a map to the trails.
And as always, bring comfortable shoes, lots of water, sunscreen and a hat if hiking on a sunny LA day. Oh, and watch your step as you walk through the structures.

Cub/​Boy Scout Camporee was here and it was a great place to have it. The kids got a kick walking through the old western town where Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman used to be filmed. The grounds look very well taken care of. There is a Ranger Station on site, with law enforcement presence as well.
We didn’t get a chance to go on a hike, but i heard there were plenty of trails to explore. I’m sure we’ll be back.