Urban Ranch Land

Visiting Orcutt Ranch Los Angeles

02.23.2017

Though the Woolsey fire came close, Orcutt Ranch in West Hills was not touched, thankfully. The ranch is a 24-acre LA city park filled with vibrant citrus trees and lavish flowers—the perfect backdrop for wandering and pondering. And for Hollywood films. The historic adobe here played the role of Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian’s (Ryan Gosling) dream house in one of La La Land's fantasy sequences. Do as the stars might. Start at the glistening pond beside the parking lot. Chassé along the dirt path nestled between towering oak trees. Strut to your left and strike a pose in one of the log chairs.

Waltz down the stairs through the picnic area and pivot left where you will find a faux-classical statue atop a faux-medieval wall. A field of lush oak-shaded grass begs you to open your lunch pail and stay awhile. Then saunter to your left into a bamboo forest, crawl into the small stone alcove on your right, and pas de bourrée through the rose garden maze. That leads you right up to La La Land's fantasy home. It’s a popular site for weddings, but alas (spoiler alert!), not for Mia and Sebastian’s.

 

Orcutt Ranch is at 23600 Roscoe Blvd., West Hills. Park in the small lot near the entrance gates. It is approximately a 0.5-mile loop excluding the orange groves. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Purely Purisima

    Take a relaxing hike on the lower section of Purisiima Creek Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

    View

  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View

  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman standing an looking at mural wall art in Cambodia Town Long Beach Los Angeles

    Beach Walk + Cambodia Town

    A trip to Long Beach is not complete without a … long walk on the beach. But add a little extra with a walk through Cambodia Town, featuring local murals and delicious food.

    View

  2. Ballona Beach Hopper

    This easygoing bike escape is proof that you don't have to drive for hours to feel the vast benefits of nature. The Ballona Creek Bike Path is part of the “Park to Playa Regional Trail,” a 13-mile network connecting parks and open spaces from Baldwin Hills to the Pacific Ocean.

    View

  3. Lookout Ahead!

    A 3.7-mile loop hike to Boucher Hill Fire Lookout in Palomar Mountain State Park reminds us just how stunningly beautiful are the mountains of this remote, lightly visited portion of northern San Diego County.

    View

  4. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View