The fascinating Paramount Ranch sits in the Santa Monica Mountains right outside Agoura Hills, just under an hour by car from central L.A. The nearly 100-year-old property famously served as a film backdrop for classic westerns and shows such as Westworld and The Cisco Kid.
That is, until the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed most of its 100-year-old Paramount buildings, as well as the “Western Town” streets, whose popular Old West facades were constructed in the 1980s and 1990s. Only the train depot from Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and the chapel from Westworld survived the blaze.
Since then, the National Park Service and the Santa Monica Mountains Fund have worked to rebuild new structures in the footprints of the historic buildings, with the goal of reestablishing the ranch as a movie-making location. For now, four new structures have been rebuilt, but are still awaiting their planned Western facades and styling.
The NPS has also reestablished trails and protected sensitive habitats so as to continue hosting both film productions and visitors.
Visiting Paramount Ranch today
These days, Paramount Ranch is back open as part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, with several miles of easy-to-moderate trails looping through oak woodlands, meadows, and the footprints of old sets. The former Western town is no more, but you can see the new structures in progress, as well as the surviving chapel and train depot.
Find Paramount Ranch just off Mulholland Highway near Agoura Hills, about a 40-60 minute drive from L.A.
📍 Location: 2903 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills, CA, 91301
🅿️ Parking: The main parking area is open from 8 am to sunset
🌐 Website: National Park Service – Paramount Ranch
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