I’ve put together a new combination of trails in the Calabasas foothills and western San Fernando Valley. Lots of local movie and development history here.

The Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve—still fondly known as Ahmanson Ranch—offers some of the most inviting and varied hiking in the western San Fernando Valley, with rolling grasslands, oak-dotted hills, and wide-open views that change beautifully with the seasons. Be on the lookout for red-tailed hawks, meadowlarks, quail, coyotes, and the occasional bobcat.

🎬Our hike begins in Gates Canyon where the trail climbs steadily through a narrow oak-lined canyon bringing us to Lasky Mesa. Thanks to its wide-open grasslands and unobstructed horizon, Lasky Mesa has one of the richest movie histories in the Los Angeles area, including the burning of Atlanta scene in Gone With the Wind (1939). Over the decades the area continued to appear in films, TV shows, and commercials that needed a natural, undeveloped backdrop.

👩‍🌾From here we’ll loop over to the Ahmanson Ranch House for a short break. Wealthy financier and landholder, George E. Barrett purchased the land in the 1930s. Around 1938, Barrett built the ranch house that still stands today. Under Barrett’s ownership, the ranch functioned as a horse- and stock-farm and occasional getaway — but it was also connected to the area’s film-ranch history.

💰It’s called Ahmanson Ranch because the land was purchased in 1963 by Home Savings of America, the banking institution founded and led by philanthropist Howard F. Ahmanson, Sr., for a large scale residential development. Those development plans were ultimately halted — and the property was preserved as public open space in 2003.

📈After the ranch visit we’ll descend into eastern Las Virgenes Canyon and then back up to Gates Canyon trail to complete a 9 mile loop with 1,600 feet total ascent. Hike is rated MEDIUM. See the HWD Hike Rating Guide

DIRECTIONS
Park in Gates Canyon Park and meet at far end by tennis courts. There is some street parking in front of park.