Paramount Ranch — Attraction in Agoura Hills

You'll get a kick out of walking around the historic movie town and area where Hawkeye and Hot Lips plied their craft, not to mention Dr. Quinn and the American Sniper.

Parking was easy. We then began our visit at the ranger station to get our bearings, pick up a park map, and refresh our water supply. It can get quite hot here, even during the spring and fall.

Poking around the facades and buildings is interesting, especially the old jail which provides the perfect setting for a photo op of your party -- behind bars!

An enormous spreading (oak?) tree in the center of town creates welcome shade when the temperature is in the red.

Take note of the marked trails, and don't just blindly follow the path on the far side of the town, which is not a maintained trail.

If you're looking for a cool place to eat, there are some great restaurants on either side of the freeway on Westlake Boulevard, a little further up the 101.

The shopping centers where they are located have tight parking, so try to avoid the super busy lunch hours by going early or late.

Our two favorites are 1) Mendocino Farms, with great farm-to-table sandwiches and salads, and 2) the cafeteria-style Lemonade, which offers a highly eclectic variety of entrees, sandwiches, salads and desserts -- unique food you won't find anywhere else.

Sometimes we go just to try their inventive lemonades, infused with various fruits and herbs such as watermelon basil or blueberry mint. They even have a sugar-free version each day.

Both places offer tasty gluten-free dishes (not just salads) and feature indoor and outdoor...

I'm always looking for interesting things to see with my toddler, and this is a place we frequent. It is a park with many trails, but I haven't done those yet... The main feature to this place is the Old West ghost town movie sets!!! That's right, you can visit the town used to film much of Doctor Quinn Medicine Woman!!!

If you're not hiking, this is a pretty quick visit, as you can't go inside any of the buildings, but that's okay. It's still super cool! My son loves running around in the gazebo! Taking pictures in front of the saloon or sheriff's office is very fun too!

You'll probably see some folks taking a tour on horses! That is an option too. One time I went into the offices there to ask about it and the gentleman was very nice and able to give tons of info about the place! He actually took my son and I over to the fire station right in back of the office and showed us the facilities there! The fire station was actually built as a place to build sets for Doctor Quinn, and then turned into a fire house after filming stopped. They still film things here pretty often though. There's also a large structure with tables to rent this out for events.

It's definitely a cool thing you should visit at least once if you live in LA or are looking of things to do...

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Paramount Ranch was a historic film and television production location located in the Santa Monica Mountains near Agoura Hills, California. It was known for its Western town set, which has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows over the years. However, please note that Paramount Ranch experienced a wildfire in 2018 that significantly impacted the area.

Before the fire, many visitors enjoyed exploring the Western-style buildings, streets, and landscapes that were reminiscent of old Hollywood Westerns. The ranch offered a unique experience for history buffs, photographers, and those interested in film and television production. It was also a popular spot for hiking and enjoying the picturesque scenery of the Santa Monica Mountains.

However, since the fire, the condition of Paramount Ranch may have changed, and it's important to check for any updates on its status and accessibility. I recommend looking for recent reviews and information on travel and review websites to get the latest insights from visitors who have been to Paramount Ranch...