Website:http://parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=611 (Park Website)http://fpssm.org/ (Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains)
Description:This historic park, located in Los Angeles County where the Simi Hills meet the Santa Susana Mountains, is rich in natural, historical and cultural significance. Here in the western part of the Transverse Ranges, the land is dominated by high, narrow ridges and deep canyons covered with an abundant variety of plant life. The park offers panoramic views of the rugged natural landscape as a striking contrast to the developed communities nearby. The diverse terrain of ridges, canyons and rock outcrops houses several varieties of habitats within the park's environs. There are two seasonally intermittent streams whose flows-at times significant enough to produce waterfalls-depend on the rainfall. The presence or absence of springs and streams at different times of the year has a profound effect on the local vegetation. The landscape of this park consists of sandstone ramparts-relics of mountain-building forces exerted nearly five million years ago. These memorable formations have been used as the background for several western films. The Spahn Ranch - The park’s sandstone bedrock gives a wide-open “badlands” look, used as the background for many western films and television programs. The 500-acre Spahn Ranch, located within the park’s northern boundary, was one of several “movie ranches” in the area. Between the late 1940s and the late 1960s, dozens of films and television shows, including The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, and Bonanza episodes, were filmed here. In 1970, a wildfire destroyed all of the buildings associated with the former Spahn movie ranch.
Site Condition:Park Entrances: The traditional entrance to SSMSHP on Devonshire Boulevard is closed during ongoing environmental cleanup of an old shooting range within L.A. City owned Chatsworth Park South. The Santa Susana Mountain Park Association website suggests the following for "access to Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park: The main entrance through Chatsworth Park South and alternate entrance on Jeffery Mark Court are closed; however alternate entrances are available. 1.From Larwin Anenue: The most convenient alternate access location is on Larwin Avenue one block south of Devonshire Boulevard, turn left (south) at the closed park Devonshire entrance onto Larwin Avenue and go one block until you come to a chain link fence on your right. This is very easy to locate because in addtion to the fence, an old set of power lines runs directly overhead. Park along the curb and enter the park through the gap in the fence. 2.From Santa Susana Pass Road in the northwest corner of the park. 3.From Lilac Lane in the northwest quadrant of the park. 4.From near the intersection of Lassen, Andora and Valley Circle southwest of the Oakwood Memorial Cemetery entrance."
General Notes: updated by: [Light, Melony] 6/5/2025 12:23:54 PM
Usage Restriction:No filming on weekends. Location/Directions The best access to the park is via Chatsworth Park South (Los Angeles City Community Park). Take the 118 Freeway to the Topanga Canyon Boulevard exit. Proceed south on Topanga Boulevard approximately one mile. Turn right (west) on Devonshire, proceed half a mile, and enter Chatsworth Park South, where there is free parking. The hills surrounding the community park are the parklands for Santa Susana Pass State Park, which is a day-use area. http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=123
Jurisdictions::CALIFORNIA FILM COMMISSION - CFC
Within 30-Mile Zone: Y
State Property: Yes
Closed/Vacant: No
GPS Source:Google Maps (interactive), x coordinate: 34.2584995, y coordinate: -118.6152593
Contacts: Light, Melony *Filming Coordinator, Malibu Sector - Angeles District - California State Parks1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302 USA(818) 880-0358 Phone 1(310) 699-1722 Mobile818.880.0385 Fax[email protected][email protected]
State Parks and Beaches, Permits Department,California Film Commission7080 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 900, Hollywood, CA 90028 USA323.860.2960 Phone 1800.858.4749 Phone 2[email protected]http://film.ca.gov/state-permits/parks-beaches/
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