VISIT
Santa Clarita
2017
contents
NTENT
WHAT’S INSIDE FF THE BEATEN PATH: 6 Ohiking and biking in santa clarita’s great outdoors
11 Special Events Calendar 12 Holly wood Backlot 14 Attractions 15 M useums/Theatres/ Animals 16 Outdoor recreation 17 golf 18 Nightlife Activities 19 D rive in 25/Nearby Points of Interest 22 accommodations 26 Shopping 28 Dining Microbrew of 32 ARefineries, Delicacies and Festivities
34 Sip & Swirl 36 Top 5 places to watch Santa Clarita Sunsets 38 History 42 20 free things to do 46 resources 47 Map
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23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 100 Santa Clarita, CA 91355
lurecreativedesign.com
330.907.8710
mike@lurecreativedesign.com
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ONTENT
WELCOME
S
anta Clarita offers the ultimate Southern California lifestyle with endless opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine while biking, running, hiking and swimming. Spending quality time with family and friends is easy to do at one of our many parks, along our trails and exploring our open space and nearby lakes. Santa Clarita offers year-round events for everyone including several summer concert series, seasonal festivals, cultural and sporting events.
Santa Clarita, the third largest city in Los Angeles County, has solidified itself as one of California’s premier entertainment destinations. Just 30 minutes north of Los Angeles, Santa Clarita offers abundant sunshine, a unique blend of urban sophistication with small town charm, historic elements, outdoor adventure, destination dining, signature shopping and a variety of world-class events and attractions. Best of all, our location makes Santa Clarita the ideal home base for your Los Angeles and Ventura County adventures. For those looking to indulge in thrills, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor are the perfect addition to your Southern California vacation! Six Flags Magic Mountain is known as the “Thrill Capital of the World,” and was voted America’s Best Theme Park by USA Today. It boasts world record holding roller coasters, attractions for the little ones and rides for the entire family to enjoy together. Plus, right next door is Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, a tropical themed water park that provides splashy water adventures for the entire family!
S. Hart Mansion, former home to its namesake, the first silent western movie star. Be sure to explore the historic structures at Heritage Junction including the notable Saugus Train Station. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Old Town Newhall download the Newhall Walking Tour app which provides a detailed look around. You are certain to recognize some familiar sites from television and movie productions and learn a bit more about our rich history along the way. Santa Clarita seamlessly blends the best of California and is centrally located near all that Southern California has to offer, including Universal Studios Hollywood, the Los Angeles Zoo, countless museums, Hollywood hotspots and more! From outdoor shopping, day spas, culinary specialties, picturesque golf courses, recreation trails, dozens of beautifully landscaped parks and significant points of interest, you’ll find there’s plenty to do and experience in Santa Clarita.
History buffs will relish in the history-rich past Santa Clarita holds. Take a trip back in time and visit Mentryville, home to California’s Pioneer Oil Town and home to “Pico Number 4,” the longest running oil well in the world. An afternoon spent in the City’s Arts and Entertainment district in Old Town Newhall, will allow for a visit to the beautiful William VISITSantaClarita.com 5
off the beaten path: Hiking and Biking in Santa Clarita’s Great Outdoors
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sing a final burst of energy, you pedal furiously. Your bike’s tires scrabble over the sandy trail, seeking traction. Suddenly, you crest the canyon and the Santa Clarita Valley materializes seemingly from nowhere. It unrolls at your feet, in 360° of spectacular panoramas, sun-splashed in the afternoon light. Brushcovered mountains, painting the landscape, create your picture-perfect view. Or, you swap the bike for your own two feet, to hike beneath this golden sun. Tiny peals of laughter erupt, as your children dart down the path, their focus on the jutting rocks that pierce the sky ahead. Together, you wind your way through worn footholds and handholds, under azure sky and beneath powder-puff clouds – climbing up, up, up to the ridgeline, where the wind cools your skin and the views steal your breath. This is Santa Clarita, just beyond the urban sophistication of theme park thrills, destination dining and signature shopping is a wonderland of outdoor adventure with endless trails for hiking, biking and exploring some of Southern California’s most diverse and beautiful landscapes.
Vasquez Rocks
Chances are, you’ve already caught many sights of the Santa Clarita Valley (you just didn’t know it). This land of sweeping vistas is punctuated by scenic rolling hills and ethereal landscapes that are as pretty as a picture – a moving picture, that is! That’s right; Santa Clarita is a film favorite for Hollywood’s most jaw-dropping, otherworldly and epic on-location scenes. We have served as the backdrop of Star Trek (new and old), NCIS, CSI, The Flintstones, Sons of Anarchy, American Sniper, Iron Man and many other TV series and movies.
And yet, as spectacular as our valley is on film, it’s even more breathtaking in person. This beauty is yours for the exploring. Your first stop: Vasquez Rocks, a sandstone marvel of ochre formations, sculpted into sharp points to frame views of green valleys and sun-dappled mountains. VISITSantaClarita.com 7
For the brave of heart (and strong of body), Vasquez Rocks is a favorite site for Southern California rock climbers. If you prefer your feet on solid ground, you can tackle this rocky terrain via horseback, hiking, or biking; there are trails to accommodate all variety of outdoor recreation. Vasquez Rocks are located at 10700 West Escondido Canyon Road in Agua Dulce. For more information please call (661) 268-0840.
Off-Road Trails
Of course, Vasquez Rocks isn’t the only place to go rugged in the great outdoors of Santa Clarita. Mile after mile of offroad hiking and biking trails wind through our scenic valley, beckoning you to don your favorite athletic shoes and enjoy the perfect weather. Nearby, the Haskell Canyon Open Space is a web of spacious grasslands and steep hillsides and a landscape with a network of challenging trails for hikers and bikers alike. Circling the rim of the Valley corridor, the Elsmere Canyon biking and hiking trail hugs the Angeles National Forest. Expansive views stretch over scrub brush and city, reaching high into mountains that protect bobcat and coyote, gray fox and mule deer.
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If you are not up to scaling the peaks, you can still enjoy this rocky terrain on bike, horseback or simply explore the many hiking trails in the area. The packed-dirt trails that bisect Quigley Canyon traipse through an equestrian area of rolling hills and a working western movie ranch. There’s a little bit of magic present here, in this place that takes you back – way back, to the Old West. (Don’t be surprised if you spot residents riding to the store on horseback!) These are only a few examples of the thousands of acres to be explored in Santa Clarita, within minutes of all the fun Los Angeles has to offer. Comprehensive maps of our parks, trails, and open space are available at VisitSantaClarita.com.
Paved Bike Trails
While Santa Clarita may be a paradise for trail and mountain bikers, road cyclists also find their happy place here; hundreds of miles of paved trails wind through picturesque countryside and paseos, connecting canyons to ranch and ranch to city. Our road biking routes ascend and drop thousands of feet, looping through Los Padres National Forest (Route: San Francisquito – Spunky – Bouquet), chasing down the Santa Clara River (Route: Soledad Bike Trail), and braving the wooded ledges and sharp cliffs of Placerita Canyon (Route: Placerita Loop), among other challenges. So, come. Pedal our pathways. Hike our trails. Drink in these views. Santa Clarita is an outdoor wonderland. Choose your own adventure.
Fun Facts For the outdoor enthusiast, Santa Clarita is a must stop city when visiting Southern California. The city offers over 80 miles of trails and nearly 9,000 acres of rolling open space ready for you to explore!
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2017
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February
25-Santa Colorita 5K Fun Run
March
Thursdays at Newhall OldTownNewhall.com 10 by 10 & Jam Sessions
(1st Thursday)
Revved Up & Note by Note
(2nd Thursday) Senses
(3rd Thursday) 25-Valencia Trail Race
April
19-23 Cowboy Festival
May
5-7 BBQ & Brews 7-Wings for Life World Run 17-Amgen Tour of California 20-Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival
June
17-Sugar Daddy Marathon
July & August
4th of July Parade & Fireworks Show Saturdays-Concerts in the Park LA Summer Fest Silents Under the Stars
September Pococktoberfest Six Flags Fright Fest
October
Six Flags Fright Fest Hart of the West POW WOW The Belgians are Coming Oktoberfest 15-Spacerock Trail Race
November
5-Santa Clarita Marathon Six Flags Holiday in the Park
December
Six Flags Holiday in the Park Cowboys & Carols VISITSantaClarita.com 11
SANTA CLARITA
HOLLYWOOD Backlot S
anta Clarita’s abundant settings combined with the City’s location within the “30-Mile Zone,” make it one of the most filmed areas in the state of California.
Home to more than 10 movie ranches, 20 sound stages and thousands of versatile locations, Santa Clarita has a setting for nearly every production, from a New York borough to a Middle Eastern town to mountain ranges and desert landscapes.
Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, once owned by Gene Autry, has hosted thousands of productions since it opened in 1915 including numerous westerns from classics such as “The Lone Ranger,” “Wyatt Earp,” and “Gunsmoke,” to modern day favorites like Django Unchained and HBO’s “Deadwood” and “Westworld.” The William S. Hart Museum was home to actor William S. Hart who made more than 65 films in his career and lived in Santa Clarita for more than two decades. Mr. Hart filmed numerous pictures in Santa Clarita, which was once known as “Newhallywood.” Vasquez Rocks, one of the valley’s most recognizable settings, has been featured as the backdrop for countless productions of all genres from sci-fi favorites to western classics to blockbuster hits. Some of the more notable include “Star Trek,” “Bonanza,” “Teen Wolf,” “New Girl,” Blazing Saddles, The Flintstones, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” music video, just to name a few. Golden Oak (Disney) Ranch was chosen by Walt Disney himself to film segments of “The Mickey Mouse Club” before he 12 661.255.4347
purchased the 315 acre ranch in 1959. Now, with over 800 acres of natural scenery and sets, it has been host to television favorites like “Lassie,” “The Office,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Bosch,” and “Madmen” as well as films such as Old Yeller, Pearl Harbor, Ted 2, and Peewee’s Big Holiday in addition to Beyonce’s “Lemonade” video and so many more. Disney Ranch continues to flourish with sound stages and production facilities planned with the build out of the Disney/ABC Studios at the Ranch project.
For nearly a century, the Santa Clarita Valley has maintained its position as one of Hollywood’s most frequently filmed locations and favorite places to make movie magic. Santa Clarita has been and will continue to be shaped by an industry that contributes to the local economy, brings prestige to the community, and captivates the world. To experience where the magic is made during your trip, check out the “Film Aficionado’s Itinerary” on VisitSantaClarita. com and the “Santa Clarita Filming Locations Map” at FilmSantaClarita.com and be sure to download the “Newhall Walking Tour App” available for FREE on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon. The interactive app guides visitors through Old Town Newhall and includes information on popular film locations, historic sites and the Walk of Western Stars that pays tribute to the legends of Western Cinema.
Old Town Newhall is one of Santa Clarita’s most distinctive neighborhoods and one of the most filmed areas in town. Numerous locations around Main Street have been featured in films such as Suddenly, The Grifters, Behind the Candelabra and Bridesmaids along with hit shows like “Criminal Minds,” “Switched at Birth,” “Baskets,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “Justified” and so many others. Six Flags Magic Mountain, the thrill capital of the world, has been a featured location in many movies and TV shows over the years, and is probably best known as “Wally World” in National Lampoon’s Vacation. Other productions that have shot at the popular theme park include Rollercoaster, Kiss Meets the Phantom, This is Spinal Tap, “The Bionic Woman,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Glee,” “Entourage,” “Carpool Karaoke with James Corden and Selena Gomez” and more. Countless Santa Clarita locations have been seen in blockbuster films such as American Sniper, Iron Man, Twilight, Whiplash, The Aviator and Furious 7 as well as many hit television shows like “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” ”Bones,” “CSI,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Modern Family,” “Silicon Valley,” “Scorpion,” “Wipeout” and many, many more. Santa Clarita is also home to many locally based television shows including CBS’s “NCIS,” HBO’s “Westworld,” Starz’s “Blunt Talk,” Amazon Prime’s “Good Girls Revolt,” USA’s “Shooter,” ABC Family’s “Stitchers,” and Netflix’s “Santa Clarita Diet.”
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Family Fun
Attractions S anta Clarita is not only home to the Thrill Capital of the World; there are tons of other activities for the entire family to enjoy! From family fun centers to endless outdoor recreation opportunities we have something for everyone.
Mountasia Family Fun Center & Lickity Split
(661-253-4386 MountasiaFunCenter.com) Voted “BEST Place for Family Entertainment” by the locals! Mountasia Family Fun Center & Lickity Split fast dining brings family fun and nostalgia together with two 18-hole miniature golf courses, go karts, bumper boats with water squirters, baseball and softball batting cages, Lazer Tag, a 20’ rock climbing wall, ice cream and candy treats galore plus a huge video and redemption game arcade complete with a giant prize area.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
(661-255-4111 SixFlags.com/MagicMountain) This is the place for heart-pounding coasters, drenching water rides, and pintsized fun for the little ones. No matter what your thrill, they’ve got it! Right next door Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a tropical paradise with a great variety of exciting slides and pools! There are dozens of splashy adventures for water loving thrill seekers of all ages. It all adds up to a day soaked with fun!
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Sky High Sports (661-775-6300) is a unique trampoline fun
center! You can free-bounce and do tricks all day, or you can join in some of the organized activities such as trampoline dodgeball, team-building packages or build your own party. Ice Station Valencia (661-775-8686) 95,000 square feet of ice and family entertainment! The facility offers NHL, Olympic and studio size rinks, a video arcade, pro-shop and eatery. Valencia Laser Blast (661-255-1600) Play with state-of–theart phasers in this multi-level, interactive arena, filled with great sound and light effects. Paint A Dream (661-255-1177) Create timeless crafts with hundreds of pre-made ceramic trinkets, dishes and seasonal creations. Pinot’s Palette (661-260-0846) Upscale “Paint. Drink. Have Fun.” Destination! Paint any number of festive, whimsical and pretty paintings. Girls’ Night, Double Date Night and more! Color Me Mine (661-799-9266) Paint with friends and family where everyone is an artist! Stop in, book a party or check out the special events calendar. Santa Clarita Lanes (661-254-0540) Perfect family hot spot offering bowling, arcade games, off-track betting, piping hot Vincenzo’s pizza (a local favorite) and fun for the entire family! Valencia Lanes (661-222-9080) A bowling experience for all levels, including bumper bowling for kids and beginners and cosmic nights. Paintball USA (661-268-8568) Outdoor game park is open every weekend with 13 different arenas! Movie Theaters Edwards Canyon Country Stadium 10 and Edwards Valencia Stadium 12 with IMAX.
Family Fun Attractions
Museums & Historic Points of Interest William S. Hart Museum (661-254-4584 HartMuseum.org) Visit the former home of the famed silent film actor and director, William S. Hart, who produced a series of hit Western movies in the early 1900s. His beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival style mansion – now the Museum – exhibits an impressive collection of Western artwork as well as mementos from early Hollywood, personal furnishings and artifacts representing multiple Native American cultures. Located within the scenic William S. Hart Park, guests enjoy visiting the live collection of farm animals, a herd of American bison, vast picnic areas, a series of hiking trails and more. Free guided tours of the Museum are offered year-round.
Heritage Junction (661-254-1275 SCVHS.org) Step into Santa Clarita’s history and you’ll enjoy exploring the historic buildings such as the Saugus Train Station, Mitchell Adobe, and Callahan Schoolhouse. Located within the William S. Hart Park, Heritage Junction is a piece of Santa Clarita’s past preserved for generations to enjoy.
Theatres Canyon Theatre Guild (661-799-2702 CanyonTheatre.org) This vibrant theatre has been producing laughs, tears and countless memories for more than 40 years. Home to nine productions each year and welcoming more than 40,000 people each season, the Canyon Theatre Guild is a Santa Clarita experience that’s not to be missed. Call the box office for tickets! Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons (661-362-5304 CanyonsPAC.com) Offering
world-class performances by some of the hottest and most respected names in music, dance, theater, comedy and more! It is the perfect venue for your night on the town!
L.A. SummerFest (661-799-3378 LASummerFest.org) A
regional eclectic, summer cultural festival of theatre, music, art, and events that takes place under the stars at the beautiful Rivendale Park at Towsley Canyon.
California Institute of the Arts Wild Beast Music Pavilion
(661-255-1050) World renowned arts college educates and develops professionals in the areas of film, art, dance, theater and music. Exhibitions and performances are open to the public at this outdoor amphitheater year round.
Animals The Gentle Barn (661-252-2440) is open to the public on Sundays with a suggested donation. Here you can groom the horses, hug the cows, hold the chickens, give the pigs tummy rubs, hang out with the goats and sheep as you sit under the shaded trees and make new friends. At the Shadowland Foundation (661-724-0291) you can learn about the true nature of wolves and their enormous contribution to the environment. Private on-site visits may include a presentation, s’mores around the campfire, and the thrilling experience of meeting the wolves up close and personal. Gibbon Conservation Center (661-296-2737) is a nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to the study, preservation, and propagation of gibbons, and to education of the public about them. Shambala Preserve (661-268-0380) This 80-acre wildlife reserve is home to various exotic and endangered wild felines including Bengal tigers, snow leopards, bobcats and more. Educational safari, school tours and overnight tent stays are available. Animal Tracks Inc. (info@animaltracksinc.org) offers guided tours while providing a safe, happy, and healthy home for wildlife and exotic animals that cannot be returned to their natural habitats.
Fun Facts The oldest attraction at Six Flags Magic Mountain is the Grand Carousel, which was built in 1912 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.
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OUTDOOR RECREATION T
he City offers over 80 miles of picturesque trails and 20 miles of paseos designed for recreational use! Our amazing year-round Mediterranean climate, gives you the opportunity to experience Santa Clarita up close and personal. Planning to explore our trails? Be sure to check out HikeSantaClarita.com to access trail maps, hiking and safety tips and BikeSantaClarita.com which provides trail details and points of interest.
Placerita Canyon (661-259-7721) This natural area is a 350-acre wildlife sanctuary that features seven different trails, ready for you to explore! Bring your picnic and spend the day exploring the area. Family Nature Walks and Native Live Animal Presentations are available on Saturdays year round. Towsley Canyon hike these canyon trails and experience nature and wildlife first hand. The journey includes mountainous regions and breathtaking views. Trailhead begins at Ed Davis Park at Towsley Canyon. Exit Interstate 5 at Calgrove. Vasquez Rocks (661-268-0840) Discover natural beauty at these unique rock formations, a familiar sight having been the background for many films and commercials. Rock climbing is the primary sport, but adventurers can also saddle up for a riveting ride, or explore on foot the many hiking trails in this rocky terrain. Castaic Lake Recreation (661-257-4050) Family fun awaits at this 9,000 acre park which features many of your favorite water and outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, jet skiing, kayak rentals, swimming and mountain biking. Events and activities include Night Float Tube Fishing, Moonlight Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, picnicking and much more.
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Robinson Ranch (661-252-8484) Surrounded by the spectacular Angeles National Forest lies this public golf club with two 18-hole courses. Play and plan to dine at the Sycamore Bar & Grill open for lunch, dinner and spectacular special events. Vista Valencia (661-286-1561)
This 27-hole facility features an 18-hole par executive course, and a 9-hole par-3 course, with a night-lit driving range.
Valencia Country Club (661-254-4401) Members and their guests play this championship 18-hole course, ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top 25 golf courses in the state of California.
TPC Valencia (661-288-1995)
offers 18 holes of challenging, breathtaking play. The par-72 championship course stretches 7,220 yards with sweeping views of the surrounding valley from the course and their Oaks Grille Restaurant which hosts a variety of special events and serves up brunch, lunch and dinner.
GOLF
Visitors Welcome! Art Gallery Sports World Class Performances Scholarly Lectures Culinary Classes Outdoor Events canyons.edu Valencia 26455 Rockwell Canyons Rd 661-259-7800
Canyon Country 17200 Sierra Highway 661-362-3800
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Jump on down for some late night fun at Sky High Sports COSMIC NIGHTS. Get ready to bounce off the walls with pulsing music and light display on Fridays and Saturdays. Catch a variety of LIVE MUSIC options all over town. Restaurants and wine lounges such as Salt Creek Grille, Valencia Wine Company, Wine 661, Wolf Creek Brewery and more play your favorite tunes on weekends.
nightlife activities E
ntertainment possibilities run the gamut from a quiet drink with that special someone to laughing till your sides hurt at comedy nights, painting with friends or enjoying talented live musical entertainment all around town. Every Third Thursday (March-October) Santa Clarita throws a block party and SENSES ON MAIN morphs Main Street in Old Town Newhall into a free and vibrant hot spot with live music, food trucks, games, drinks and more! Santa Clarita Lanes transforms into COSMIC BOWLING on Saturday nights. Be sure to ask about the pizza package too! Enjoy the tranquil calm water when Castaic Lake hosts MOONLIGHT FISHING from sunset to 2:00 a.m. on select dates. Participants can fish from boats or the shoreline during this unique fishing experience.
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Find your favorite vibe as many SANTA CLARITA RESTAURANTS such as Solita, Lazy Dog, Bonefish Grill, BJ’s, Persia Hookah Lounge, Big Wangs and Newhall Refinery are open late on Friday and Saturdays. Plus, a popular favorite Sushi Restaurant, Kisho transforms into the BUDDHA LOUNGE on Fridays and Saturdays where DJ’s spin and there’s bottle service, drink specials, dancing and late night sushi! J.R.’S COMEDY CLUB provides belly busting laughter every Friday and Saturday night!
DRIVE IN 25 El Capitan Theatre
Step into Hollywood’s glittering past and be treated to an unparalleled movie-going experience powered by the most advanced cinema innovations at The Walt Disney Studio’s premiere cinema, the legendary El Capitan Theatre.
TCL Chinese Theatre
The TCL Chinese Theatre is the most iconic movie palace in the world. With over 50 events a year, including movie premieres, imprint ceremonies, and film festivals, the theatre continues to make Hollywood history every day. Guests can experience the majesty of the theatre by purchasing movie tickets or VIP tour tickets.
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
This performing arts venue is located at Hollywood and Vine and is home to some of Broadway’s favorite productions!
Hollywood Bowl
Since 1922, the tradition of presenting the world’s greatest musicians and striving for musical excellence has remained a constant goal of this famed Los Angeles cultural landmark.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Find a full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place: thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie
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studio, and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk. Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family.
Warner Brothers Studio Tour
This tour brings you closer than ever to the entertainment you know and love. Get ready to experience one of the busiest movie studios in Los Angeles as you explore its iconic backlots and archives. With actual filming happening all around you, no two Warner Bros. tours are ever alike.
Griffith Park Observatory
Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! You can look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. VISITSantaClarita.com 19
The Getty Museum
This museum collects, presents, conserves, and interprets great works of art. It is also well known for its architecture, gardens, and views overlooking Los Angeles.
La Brea Tar Pits
Formed in urban Los Angeles, these tar pits display natural asphalt that has seeped up from the ground for tens of thousands of years. Over many centuries, the bones of animals that were trapped in the tar were preserved.
Los Angeles Zoo
The Zoo is home to more than 1,100 mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles representing more than 250 different species.
Vasquez Rocks
Features 932 acres of spectacular rock formations, Tataviam Indian sites, and a seasonal stream. The area is a popular hiking, picnicking, and equestrian area and has been used in many hit movies, television shows and commercials.
Castaic Lake
9,000 acre park featuring many of your favorite water and outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, jet skiing, kayak and paddleboard clinics, swimming and mountain biking.
Chinatown
A neighborhood steeped in culture and history with restaurants, shops and art galleries.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The museum’s exhibits consist primarily of American and European contemporary art created after 1940 with some of the most compelling collections of contemporary art in the world, comprising roughly 7,000 objects, having a diverse history of ground-breaking, historically-significant exhibitions.
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
Take a behind the scenes look at a true working studio stepping into the world of the industry’s top talent, producers, and crew as they create today’s award-winning television and feature films.
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Fillmore Western Railway
Known as the “Home of the Hollywood Movie Trains” because the majority of its rolling stock was acquired from three major studios. The railroad is frequently still used for filming but also operates year-round special events including the Pumpkinliner, Haunted Hayrides, Christmas Tree Trains, North Pole Express and more. .
Rancho Camulos Museum
Just a short drive from Santa Clarita through the beautiful Heritage Valley this National Historic Landmark is where the early California lifestyle is preserved in its original rural environment. The non-profit museum is a portion of the ranch containing 1853 and 1920 adobes, an 1860s chapel, a 1930s schoolhouse, winery building, and beautiful grounds.
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accommodations Best Western Valencia Inn
(661) 255-0555 Conveniently located less than a mile away from Six Flags Magic Mountain, this hotel offers spacious guest rooms and impeccable service. Enjoy a hot complimentary breakfast or take a dip in the large outdoor swimming pool. Lounge the day away poolside and prep your picnic while cooking on the outdoor grill. Don’t forget to bring your four-legged family member along as this hotel is pet-friendly.
Holiday Inn Express (661) 284-2101
Conveniently located near Six Flags Magic Mountain, offerings include, free hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, heated pool and spa, a business center and fitness center. Guest rooms feature 32” flat-screen TVs with more than 100 HD channels, along with microwaves and refrigerators.
Courtyard by Marriott (661) 257-3220
Features stylish, modern décor and free Wi-Fi as well as luxury bedding, flat-screen TVs, microwave and refrigerator in all guest rooms. The onsite café, The Bistro, offers delicious breakfast and dinner options with beverages from Starbucks.
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Embassy Suites (661) 257-3111 With Embassy Suites you get more. It is the only full-service, all-suite hotel in Santa Clarita. Stay at Embassy Suites and enjoy great two room suites, a cooked-to-order breakfast, along with evening cocktails and snacks, all for one inclusive price. Yeah, it’s pretty great!
A C C O M M O D AT I O N S
Hyatt Regency Valencia
(661) 799-1234 Located in the heart of Valencia’s Town Center, just steps away from dining and entertainment, this hotel is an exceptional destination for both business and leisure travelers. This convenient location also offers access to numerous attractions and recreational activities such as: Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios and the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 16,000 square feet of function space features natural lighting and unique outdoor space with lush landscaping. Set the scene for remarkable banquets and meetings in this resort-like atmosphere.
Hilton Garden Inn (661) 254-8800
Embassy Suites
The closest hotel to Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor features the Garden Grille & Bar serving up your breakfast favorites, nightly specials and evening cocktails. Oversized guest rooms, offer complimentary Wi-Fi, refrigerator and microwave providing all the comforts you’re looking for. Free shuttle service to Six Flags too!
La Quinta Inn & Suites (661) 286-1111 Hotel is 100% pet friendly (no fee) and 100% non-smoking. Each room features a microwave, refrigerator, in-room coffee maker and pillow top mattress. Complimentary breakfast buffet served daily. Guest laundry facility is available.
Courtyard by Marriott
Fairfield Inn
(661) 290-2828 Hotel offers a minirefrigerator, microwave, luxury bedding, and 32” flat-screen TV. Enjoy nice touches like an in-room coffee maker, on-site business services, and same-day dry-cleaning.
Residence Inn
(661) 290-2800 Ultra-comfortable all-suite hotel with full kitchens. A free shuttle service is included within a five mile radius, including service to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
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A C C O M M O D AT I O N S
Comfort Suites (661) 254-7700
Spacious suites that include refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, free wireless high-speed Internet and a complimentary morning breakfast.
Hampton Inn (661) 253-2400
Centrally located minutes from fine restaurants, shops and Six Flags. Every room is equipped with a mini refrigerator and microwave, 32� flat screen TVs with HD channels and Cloud Nine bedding.
Santa Clarita Motel (661) 259-2800
Boutique style room decor and centrally located to everything in Santa Clarita.
Super 8 (661) 252-1722
Conveniently located adjacent to Highway 14 and just minutes from the heart of Santa Clarita.
Travelodge (661) 252-1716
Comfortable and affordable accommodations located right off Highway 14 on the east side of Santa Clarita.
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24-hour Front Desk & Business center ATM Barbecue Grill Coffee / Tea (24 Hrs) Business Center Elevator Express Check-In & Express Check-Out Fitness Room Free Wi-Fi Complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet Complimentary USA Today Laundry Facilities Luggage Storage
Come stay at your “Home Away From Home” at the Comfort Suites in Stevenson Ranch, CA. We are only three miles away from both Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor! Make yourself at home in one of our 100 fully air-conditioned units featuring refrigerators, LCD televisions, complimentary wireless Internet access, and satellite programming with Pay Per View movies for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Complimentary newspapers are available in the lobby. Enjoy our heated outdoor pool, spa tub, and fitness center. We offer a complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily. For the business traveler we have a 24-hour business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Free self parking is available onsite. We hope to see you soon!
25380 The Old Rd, Stevenson Ranch, CA 844-663-9258
That feeling you get when everything goes right. Let’s make it good not to be home.
At Hyatt Regency Valencia, your guests can make the most of their time away. Here you’ll enjoy our resort-like atmosphere and access to numerous attractions with theme parks, shopping and dining within minutes from the hotel. For reservations, visit valencia.hyatt.com
HYATT REGENCY VALENCIA 24500 Town Center Drive Valencia, California 91355 The HYATT trademark and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation or its affiliates. © 2016 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
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SHOP
SHOP 26 661.255.4347
Country Antique Fair Mall
CountryAntiqueFair.com Looking for a trinket to take home to commemorate your time in Santa Clarita? The Country Antique Fair Mall offers genuine antiques ranging from time-period specific furniture to small collectibles, to unique hand-made crafts. You are sure to find a special little something at the Country Antique Fair Mall. Inventory changes daily.
Old Town Newhall
OldTownNewhall.com If you are in the mood for a little culture, enjoy shopping in boutiques, and crave the taste of something original, Old Town Newhall is your place! Best known as the Arts and Entertainment District of Santa Clarita, Old Town Newhall is home to dozens of independent boutiques and restaurants, located steps away from the area’s famed Walk of Western Stars, the William S. Hart Museum, and the Old Town Newhall Library.
Westfield Valencia Town Center
Westfield.com/Valencia Centrally located in Santa Clarita, Westfield Valencia Town Center features over 175+ retailers from specialty stores to some of the nation’s top retailers. See what’s in style at Michael Kors, Free People, Lululemon Athletica, Swarovski, Apple, Williams-Sonoma and more. Experience some of the Valley’s finest destination dining at restaurants like Lucille’s Smokehouse, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, Sisley, Solita, Larsen’s Steakhouse, Salt Creek Grille, Wokcano, Bonefish Grill and Lazy Dog and spend some time with family and friends. Take in a Hollywood blockbuster at Edwards Cinema after your meal or explore the many shops inside the mall and at The Patios which include a lush outdoor oasis integrating fashionable new boutiques and specialty stores in an upscale setting.
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dining
From California cuisine to organic ingredients, food trucks and authentic delicacies in Santa Clarita you can choose from a variety of cuisines at dozens of award-winning restaurants. In our sweet little corner of Southern California, we have something for everyone – whether you prefer authentic Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese or casual fare like deep-dish pizza or burgers and fries. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before exploring our extensive trails or local attractions like Six Flags Magic Mountain. Break up your day of shopping and sight-seeing with a long leisurely lunch or a quick stop at a deli or coffee shop. In the evening, enjoy fine dining, live music, wine lounges and visit our local breweries. We invite you to explore our city and delight your taste buds at every turn from historic dives to local favorites and more, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a look at the wide variety of tempting and tantalizing eateries Santa Clarita has to offer.
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Featured Restaurants Egg Plantation
24415 Walnut Street (661) 255-8222 A hometown favorite that has been featured on the Food Network, this restaurant is full of character, charm and a menu full of delights well-suited for any palate, including breakfast favorites, salads, sandwiches, and more. Their extensive breakfast menu including the famous 101-omelet creations, as well as meals hot off the griddle are what bring people back time and time again.
Buca di Beppo
26940 Theater Drive (661) 253-1900 Known for its family-style authentic Italian plates, this is the ideal dining option for large groups and large appetites!
Newhall Refinery
24258 Main Street (661) 388-4477 Built from reclaimed oak and beech wood, adorned with wrought iron hardware, and lit by Edison-style filament light bulbs, the Refinery’s look and feel is one-of-a-kind in Santa Clarita. Twenty beer taps pour the finest craft beers, the seasonal menu is farmer’s market based and the bottled beer list is a beer aficionado’s best kept secret.
Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co.
27746 McBean Parkway (661) 263-9653 American cuisine in a family-friendly environment and home to a variety of tempting house microbrewsd divine cuisine and the community favored olive tapenade.
Wolf Creek Brewery
25108 Rye Canyon Loop (661) 294-9977 This original on-site functioning brewery serves up the finest handcrafted brews and regularly hosts special events such as live music, cornhole tournaments and more!
Salt Creek Grille
24415 Town Center Drive (661) 222-9999 This classic American grille offers up an intimate, relaxed, upscale dining experience that includes Sunday Brunch, Daily happy hour Specials and live music on weekends.
Vines Restaurant and Bar
24500 Town Center Drive (661) 678-4044 (located inside Hyatt Regency) Seasonal menu options with sidewalk dining and a two-sided wood-burning fireplace on the patio creates the perfect ambience to relax and enjoy a delicious meal. VISITSantaClarita.com 29
Rattler’s Bar-B-Que
This happening spot is known for exceptional BBQ and casual family dining.
Route 66 Classic Grill
This family-fun diner atmosphere includes music from the 50s and 60s as well as classic American décor. Dine on succulent tri-tip, hamburgers, malts and floats. They also host a variety of special events including bike nights and car shows!
DINING FUN FACTS Halfway House Cafe Located off the beaten path and open since 1931 and serving up old fashioned breakfast and lunch favorites. You may recognize it! Filming has been taking place here since the 60s. Backwoods Inn A community landmark since 1968, the Backwoods Inn is best known for a traditional and tantalizing steak and twice baked potato meal, complete with the ambience of sawdust flooring and local regulars. Saugus Café This community eatery is the longest operating restaurant in Los Angeles County. Opened in 1886, this wellknown café offers home-style cooking at great prices.
Rustic Burger
Fast casual restaurant serving fresh burgers, salads, craft beer and offers plenty of outdoor seating.
Sabor Cocina Mexicana
Local favorites Eat Real Café
Focus is on fresh, organic ingredients and a seasonal menu. Order up a wrap, bowl, sandwich, salad and more for breakfast and lunch! Items made fresh daily.
Le Chene A true destination restaurant and oasis in the countryside, serving excellent traditional French food and paired wine at its best.
La Cocina Bar & Grill
Way Station Coffee Shop This one-of-a-kind breakfast hot spot is filled with the hustle and bustle of people, old diner flare and homestyle cooking.
Restaurant serves up delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner and of course happy hour! Enjoy your meal in the indoor dining room and bar, or outside on the fireplace patio.
Brand new! Cheesecake Factory recently opened in the heart of the Valencia Town Center serving up over 30 legendary cheesecakes and desserts, and over 200 menu items, all made fresh from scratch each day. Saddle Ranch Chop House where “Rock Meets Western,” recently opened at Valencia Town Center serving as a home-style cooking destination restaurant where guests stay long after their plates have been cleared to enjoy a one-of-akind entertainment experience with friends and family.
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Some of the best Mexican Cuisine can be found at this local favorite. From flautas to flan and three locations to choose from!
Marston’s
Reinvent your “Modern Mexican” dining experience with a visit here. Sabor exposes the richness of Mexican cuisine with a new perspective.
Tea Elle C Garden Cafė
Enjoy over 70 varieties of teas from around the globe along with your favorite breakfast and lunch options including a variety of pastries and desserts. Scones are baked fresh every day!
Piccola Trattoria
Located off the beaten path but offers up a variety of authentic Italian style dishes and is a winner of Open Table’s “Diner’s Choice” award, providing an intimate, warm and inviting atmosphere.
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SWEET TREATS Santa Clarita is home to an amazing collection of decadent desserts. Ice Cream is a year-round commodity in our SoCal climate and is served up by BASKIN ROBBINS, BEN & JERRY’S and COLD STONE CREAMERY. Plus, you can enjoy the nostalgia at LICKITY SPLIT that dishes up their infamous Pig’s Trough, banana splits and more! Cold treats are aplenty when it comes to frozen yogurt! GOLDEN SPOON offers two locations in town, MENCHIE’S and ORANGE JULIUS are conveniently located at Westfield Valencia Town Center If shaved ice tickles your fancy, we have plenty of that too. RITA’S ITALIAN ICE has two locations that combine delicious frozen custard with their Italian ice. Did we mention we are home to a winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars? BAKE YOU HAPPY makes divine cakes and cupcakes and
also hosts parties. VELVET CUPCAKES proves there’s nothing quite like a fresh-baked cupcake, making it easily available for pick up while shopping The Patios at Westfield. As seen on TLC’s Fabulous Cakes our local CAKE GOODNESS customizes your cake pops, dessert bars and cupcakes, while LADY DI’S COOKIES provides a variety of freshly-crafted cookies, brownies, caramel apples and chocolate-dipped strawberries at two different locations. KOKOLITA CAKES offers gourmet sweet and salty treats and they also specialize in Chilean-style empanadas, both sweet and savory. NESTLE TOLL HOUSE CAFÉ tempts your tummy with fresh warm cookies and other bakery treats and is conveniently located off Town Center Drive.
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T after-hours:
SANTA CLARITA
A Microbrew of Refineries, Delicacies and Festivities
wenty taps to pair with seasonal fare. Coffee craft beers to the backdrop of live jams. Industrial lighting, local brews and smoked meat. An annual beer festival followed by a jubilant Oktoberfest.
Are you dreaming? Nope. Today, this is the after-hours face of Santa Clarita, a sophisticated yet casual nightlife scene dedicated to microbrews, fine food, and live entertainment. It’s only logical, after all. In our sunny valley, the weather’s always perfect to pop the top on a cold one. And in recent years, Santa Clarita has made up for lost time, welcoming a smattering of microbreweries, refineries, and biergartens around the valley. Breweries, wineries, refineries, and delicacies in the landscape of Santa Clarita nightlife, there seems to be a [quite palatable] consensus: great drink demands great food. Our breweries and refineries do not disappoint. Begin your beer crawl at Wolf Creek Brewery (661-294-9977), an on-
site functioning brewery that doesn’t mind getting into character. Billed as a saloon and all-out respite for desperados and outlaws, the brewery serves unique IPAs, specialty brews, and barrel-aged ales in everything from pint glasses, to Weizen glasses, to goblets, to bring-your-owngrowlers. Los Angeles area food trucks are often on hand serving up delectable grub. Next up, head to Pocock Brewery (661-294-9404), a family-run craft brewery that produces some of the finest pale ales, West Coast reds, special bitters, and specialty ales in California. Be sure to try the sampler. Continue your crawl in Old Town Newhall, with its adult-beverage trifecta: Newhall Refinery,
Southern Smoke BBQ & Brewhouse, and Pulchella Winery, all located along Main Street (which, by the way, hosts regular, free entertainment on Thursday nights).
Fun Facts Santa Clarita is the ideal So Cal year round destination. Our summers are warm and the winters are mild with generally year round sunny skies!
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At Newhall Refinery (661-388-4477), get your beer on in a fun atmosphere of craft brews, American beers, on tap and by the cask, not to mention bottled and canned must-tastes from around the world. Plus a full menu of fine-but-not-fussy beer-food pairings, including an artisan cheese plate, oysters on the half shell, lobster mash, and apropos beer-battered fish and chips. Across the street, the Southern Smoke BBQ & Brewhouse (661-888-4585) brings Southern-style barbecue to the California palate, with Southern smoke spices, slowcooked meats, and other Southern fare with a gourmet twist. Pairing perfectly with their melt-in-your-mouth menus: 30 on-tap craft beers, from around California and the U.S. And finally, to thrill the oenophiles of your group, head next door to Pulchella Winery (661-799-WINE). Sample the sell-out Paso Robles wines in the laid-back tasting roomeven on cool nights, thanks to the heated patio (limited availability). The tasting room does not serve food, but you’re welcome to bring your own from a local restaurant.
… And of Course, Festivities!
What’s fine drink (and a booming craft-beer culture), without a bit of revelry? Santa Clarita delivers with beer-fueled festivities throughout the year, with four (and counting!) events to tickle your adult taste buds. The season kicks off with the BBQ & Beer Festival, brought to you by none other than the producers of the California Beer Festival. For an entire weekend in May, our Central Park transforms into a hub for the most succulent BBQ and the best handcrafted brews, direct from our local breweries and those beyond. In June, the calendar heats up with Wolf Creek Brewery’s annual BFE Fest – a day devoted to California’s finest craft
beers, live music, and lots of beer-loving camaraderie. Sip your way to beer-infused bliss, sampling IPAs, lagers, and ales with hints of everything from guava and grapefruit, to coffee and dark chocolate.
We round out our festival year in October, with two hopstinged fêtes: the Santa Clarita Oktoberfest and the SCV Brewmasters Pirate Beer Festival. In tribute to Munich’s legendary celebration, our Santa Clarita Oktoberfest gets the German-style beer flowing, with setting-appropriate ambience, thanks to the Crystal Palace Flemish Spiegeltent. Following hot on the heels of Oktoberfest, the SCV Brewmasters Pirate Beer Festival is perfect for beer aficionados who like their brews with a bit of swashbuckling: craft brews, smokin’ BBQ, live music and pirate-themed everything. Ahoy Matey – the costume is optional! Craft beer lovers of the world unite. Get to know Santa Clarita after-hours, a burgeoning brewery, winery, and festival scene that serves up a full menu of California’s best microbrews, America’s finest craft beers, and choice selections from around the world, with a side of the tastiest pub fare in the state. Taste for yourself, what all the fuss is about. VISITSantaClarita.com 33
in
sip & swirl SANTA CLARITA
Valencia Wine Company
Lee’s Wine Bistro
Wine 661
Pulchella Winery
(24300 Town Center Drive) Our city’s first wine bar, established in the Westfield Valencia Town Center mall over 10 years ago, has a great selection of both old and new world wines. The bar’s owner, Guy Lelarge, referred to often as the “Wine Guru” of Santa Clarita, will want to get to know you before making a suggestion. There is live music every weekend, grilled sandwiches and great patio seating made perfect for people-watching.
(24268 Valencia Boulevard) This boutique wine tasting bar offers an eclectic ambience, a foreign beer selection, daily happy hour pricing, flavorful tapas, live weekend music and tasting events in the heart of town. A good place for intimate conversation between gal pals and couples. Amicable owner Tanya Green is known for many things, the most delightful being, her habit of swirling your wine just for you.
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(24510 Town Center Drive) Hold court under the garland on the outdoor patio or in the bar’s dark interior, and owner Lee Yoon will be on hand to guide you with wines by the glass, bottle and a nice menu of noshable foods to pair them with. Trendy hangout with the locals and visitors too as Lee also serves up selections from his large LP collection. Handily located next door to the Hyatt Regency Valencia.
(24261 Main Street) Young local residents Steve Lemley and Nate Hasper opened our city’s first winery tasting room in popular Old Town Newhall. (The two also opened a winemaking facility in Valencia that serves both commercial and non-commercial winemakers.) Sample the current lineup of Paso Robles wines with Steve and Nate or with their uber-supportive wives, Megan and Jennifer in the tasting room.
Alonso Family Vineyards
(12625 Sierra Highway) Inside the “rock house,” aka Le Chene restaurant, famed owner/chef/vintner Juan Alonso delights bar and restaurant guests alike with his homegrown wines that date back over 20 years in the Santa Clarita Valley. Taste his current line-up, always named after his family members, on the patio while overlooking the gardens, in the welcoming bar or with a truly French-inspired meal in one of the two dining rooms.
Reyes Winery
(10262 Sierra Highway) The host winery of the annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival held every April, Reyes Winery offers weekend wine tasting, dozens of awards, vineyard hikes, and an art gallery with original paintings by owner Robert Reyes. Robert is a true example of a hobbyist turned pro that many wannabe winemakers seek out.
Agua Dulce Winery
(9640 Sierra Highway) The last stop on our current “wine trail,” this award-winning 90-acre winery boasts daily tastings, vineyard tours, large events, a tempting gift shop and picnic supplies perfectly suited for whiling away an afternoon under their large gazebo. VISITSantaClarita.com 35
sunsets
SANTA CLARITA
Towsley Canyon
Hike Towsley Canyon trails and experience nature and wildlife first hand. The journey includes mountainous regions, animal encounters and breathtaking views of Southern California. The 5.4-mile loop has 1,075 feet of elevation gain. If you are looking for something shorter, the park also boasts the Canyon View Loop Trail, which is just 1.9 miles long. Both trails offer spectacular views and are ideal for walking, hiking, and mountain biking leading you to a variety of lookout points where you can catch the sun setting just behind the mountains.
Lex Luthor Drop of Doom
Plan ahead and get in line to ride to the top of this 415-foot tower at Six Flags Magic Mountain for the fastest, highest free falling drop ride in SoCal that also offers up amazing panoramic views of a gorgeous Southern California sunset.
Iron Horse Trailhead
This riding and walking path begins with the historic 1898 railroad trestle bridge adjacent to Magic Mountain Parkway and connects to the South Fork Trail. Not only does this bridge allow for some amazing photography, you can watch the sunset from the trestle bridge with Six Flags Magic Mountain in the background. The numerous roller coaster loops and towers make for some stunning sunlit photography.
Santa Clarita Parks
If you’re looking for a romantic picnic in the park, Santa Clarita has over 30 parks to choose from. But, two parks stand out as far as catching the day’s last rays. Canyon Country Park and Todd Longshore park are both on the east side of town at higher elevations capturing some fantastic views.
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The City is situated in between mountain ranges making it the ideal place to find some higher ground and enjoy the evening sunset. Heck, you don’t even have to find higher ground! There are numerous places to see the beautiful sun tuck itself in for the night when you visit Santa Clarita. But, don’t take our word for it. We invite you to see for yourself!
The Oaks Grille
Breathtaking views are available year round from this restaurant’s veranda at TPC Valencia, a par-72 championship golf course that stretches 7,220 yards. Experience the elegant atmosphere and gourmet menu coupled with panoramic views of Santa Clarita. Make it a date night and say “cheers” as the sun sets.
Bridgeport Marketplace
This shopping center is filled with a variety of restaurants and shops. Stroll the bridge that overlooks the pond and feed the numerous ducks and turtles that swim below. Grab a bench and wrap your arm around your favorite person to enjoy the sun as it sets in the west. Bonus! During the holidays, all the trees are wrapped in white lights adding to the romantic ambience.
Visit Our 100-Acre Winery & Vineyard In Santa Clarita.
9640 Sierra Hwy Santa Clarita, CA 91390
aquadulcewinery.com VISITSantaClarita.com 37
history The California region where gold and oil were first discovered and did filming originate in Santa Clarita takes pride in its rich Western longevity.
Santa Clarita is where it all began. Dating back to the year 450, the Tataviam tribe settled in a mountainous region, later named Santa Clara by Spanish migrants. In conflict leading to revolution in Mexico, Spanish soldiers fled to the Santa Clara region in search of mission sites and named the region in honor of St. Clare later calling the local river “little” Santa Clara. The valley was later named accordingly and took the name of Santa Clarita. In later years, a gentleman by the name of José Francisco de Gracia Lopez began searching the area for deposits of gold. Six years before the gold discovery at Sutter’s Mill, Lopez struck gold in March of 1842 at Placerita Canyon under what is now known as the Oak of the Golden Dream. The news quickly spread and attracted many migrants to the area, though mining efforts were halted due to the Mexican-American War. After a peace offering was made in 1863, a victorious U.S. General Edward Beale and his troops sliced a deep cut through the Newhall Pass, now called Beale’s Cut, to allow for easier access through the valley and finishing a project started years earlier by Mexican General Andrés Pico. News of oil in the area led to the collaborative efforts of Beale and Pico to successfully drill for and strike oil in 1876, later moving their operation from Pico Canyon to the “Pioneer Oil Refinery” on Pine Street in the Newhall area making it the only productive refinery in California at the time.
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Rapidly growing in popularity, the Newhall area became a functioning town of small stores, saloons, congregations, schools and more, lending itself to become an ideal filming location. Western legends such as John Wayne, William S. Hart and Roy Rogers marked Santa Clarita as a legendary Western filming location. Though the prosperity of Santa Clarita was evident, horror struck March 12, 1928 as the San Francisquito dam collapsed, killing 470 people. Later the crisis was called the second worst disaster in California, the first being the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. When the dam was built under the direction of William Mulholland, the reservoir was considered an integral part of the City’s Los Angeles Aqueduct water supply infrastructure. Roy Baker purchased a 40-acre tract and built a rodeo in Santa Clarita in 1923. After the dam collapse, a new owner started hosting open wheel racing on the site in 1939. Crowds of 10,000 to 12,000 attended. Eventually the 1/3 mile racetrack became the Saugus Speedway and hosted many races including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series before closing in 1995.
Filming in Santa Clarita began shortly after the turn of the 20th century with a veritable Who’s Who of actors including William S. Hart, Tom Mix, Harry Carey and John Wayne. Hart and Carey made their homes in the Santa Clarita Valley; today both are operated as county parks. An endless string of hard riding shoot-em-up western films have filmed at Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, a historic movie ranch in Santa Clarita. Legendary cowboy actors, including Gary Cooper, Roy Rogers, Bill Boyd, and John Wayne filmed their westerns here. Melody Ranch is still used frequently today and was most recently home to HBO’s acclaimed series “Deadwood” and newest addition “Westworld” among other modern day commercials, television shows, and movies such as Django Unchained. Santa Clarita’s Western roots and influential pastimes have ultimately led to a prolific, beautiful and safe community that is rich in old traditions and new innovations. Head to SCVHistory.com to learn more.
Serving Santa Clarita For Over 30 Years
COLDWELL BANKER VISTA REALTY 661.255.4600 • www.cbvista.com Each office is independently owned and operated
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Located just 40 min. north on I-5.
Santa Clarita’s Historic Swap Meet since 1963!
We’re open every Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday 7am-2pm
101 Delicious Omelets Thank You SCV for Voting Us Ultimate Breakfast Open Daily 6:00am- 2:00pm
24415 Walnut St Newhall, CA. 91321 661-255-8222 www.eggplantation.com
22500 Soledad Canyon Road Santa Clarita, CA 91350
661-259-3886
24258 Main St. Santa Clarita, CA 91321 www.newhallrefinery.com 661-388-4477 Fresh - Flavorful - Local
Nature is Waiting for You Explore Santa Clarita's Open Space
Interactive trail maps & more! #HikeSantaClarita @HikeSCV VISITSantaClarita.com 41
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Free Things To Do
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here are countless free things to do in Santa Clarita, from outdoor recreation to kid’s activities and more! Take a museum tour, explore a park, see wild animals or window shop. Wherever your interests lie, you’ll find something to entertain you. So explore our list of 20 free things to do in Santa Clarita and make the most of your vacation budget.
Explore over 80 miles of picturesque Santa Clarita trails and 20 miles of paseos designed for commuting and recreational use, including walking, riding, jogging and skating.
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Take a tour of the William S. Hart Museum, a member of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. This beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival Style Mansion exhibits an impressive collection of Western artwork as well as mementos from early Hollywood.
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Explore Placerita Nature Center featuring cool, shaded oak groves, a willow and sycamore-lined seasonal stream and a network of self-guided hiking trails. Bring a picnic and dine near the historic “Oak of the Golden Dream,” the site of California’s original gold discovery in 1842.
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Stroll along the Walk of Western Stars on Main Street in Old Town Newhall, where more than 70 actors, directors, writers and entertainers are memorialized.
Download the Newhall Walking Tour app for a self-guided tour through the area’s most notable and recognizable sites. Tour historic spots like the Saugus Train Station, where Theodore Roosevelt stopped by in 1903. Get a behind-thescenes look at film locations like the Way Station Coffee Shop, featured in countless film productions, including “Justified,” and “Franklin & Bash.” Imagine the sound of your favorite rock band or how about some R&B classics filling the warm Southern California evening air. Each Saturday in July and August, friends gather on the grass at Central Park with picnics, blankets and chairs to experience Concerts in the Park.
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Every third Thursday of the month (March-October), SENSES transforms Main Street into a themed block party. The FREE event includes live music, food trucks, street performers, and themed activities.
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Get outdoors and enjoy a picnic at one of over thirty parks! And once you’re done eating, take some time for play and recreation. We’ve got plenty of gorgeous park space.
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Hike, climb and explore Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park. This 750-acre reserve that once served as a shelter for the Tataviam Indians. The unique Vasquez Rocks formations are a familiar sight having served as a backdrop for many films and commercials and are open for your exploration.
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Go for a hike! Details on trails can be found on HikeSantaClarita.com or by downloading the Hike Santa Clarita app.
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Tour Hollywood’s Backlot! Santa Clarita is one of the most active filming spots in Los Angeles County. It’s easy to recognize locations used in top shows like “CSI,” “Sons of Anarchy” and “NCIS.” Plus, with filming almost every day in Santa Clarita, you’re bound to see something in production!
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Cheer on the participants in the annual Santa Clarita Marathon. This official qualifying race for the Boston Marathon takes place each November and is run on our trails system. Attend the annual LA Summerfest at Towsley Canyon! Bring blankets, chairs and a picnic and experience music, Shakespeare, Opera and more under the stars.
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Ride the Trolley! Complimentary transportation during the summer months from local Santa Clarita hotels to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Jog the cross country trail at Central Park. Central Park has challenging trail options with amazing views from atop the mountains.
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the 12,000 square foot 20 Explore Country Antique Fair Mall that has been in business here since 1979!
Junction is home to the 10 Heritage 19th century Saugus Railroad
Station and many historical buildings. Plan to visit on weekends for historical tours.
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Hit the courts! Outdoor basketball courts are available at many of the City’s best locations – Central Park, Santa Clarita Park, Almendra Park, Bouquet Canyon Park and more!
Join the festivities at Santa Clarita’s Fourth of July celebration. Our popular Independence Day activities feature a parade and a 5K followed by a spectacular fireworks show that can be seen all over town!
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Get fit with Fido! Take your dog to one of our dog parks. Santa Clarita’s popular Central Bark is located at Central Park, Canine Country is adjacent to the Sports Complex and the newest addition can be found at Golden Valley Park.
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Explore Santa Clarita's Old Town District with the Newhall Walking Tour App!
ations Film Loc
ites Historic S
ars estern St W f o lk a W
e Map Interactiv
Lights, camera, action! Santa Clarita has been the backdrop for a multitude of hit television shows, such as NCIS, Justified, CSI, and Criminal Minds, as well as feature films like Bridesmaids, Whiplash, and The Grifters. Use the app to pinpoint locations of some of your favorite shows and movies. Step into history. Newhall is steeped in history, from visiting presidents to the mansion of Western film’s first super star, silent film actor William S. Hart. A walk down Main Street can reveal hidden gems of the past with the Newhall Walking Tour App. Walk of Western Stars. Legendary actors like Gene Autry, John Wayne, and William S. Hart made Santa Clarita the backdrop for some of the most iconic westerns ever shot. Explore the bronze saddles lining the streets of Old Town Newhall and use the app to learn more about these pioneers of Western cinema.
Old Town Newhall at your fingertips! Download “Newhall Walking Tour App” for
FREE and step into history!
EVENTS • SHOPS • HISTORY • RESTAURANTS • THEATRE
OldTownNewhall.com
resources
Santa Clarita is just 30 minutes north of Los Angeles by train or car along Interstate 5, the main Interstate on the west coast. Highway 14 connects Santa Clarita to the desert while Highway 126 takes you through the Heritage Valley providing connection to the beaches.
By Air
Santa Clarita is just 24 miles from Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), about 30 mins down the I-5 North. BUR is famous for its ease and convenience, particularly for the quick-moving lines at its security checkpoints! Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) 2627 North Hollywood Way, Burbank (818) 840-8840 / HollywoodBurbankAirport.com Travelers may also fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and drive to Santa Clarita. It’s 42 miles but hey it’s LA, we drive everywhere. Take San Diego Freeway (I-405 North) to Golden State Freeway (I-5 North). Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 1 World Way. Los Angeles (855) 463-5252 / LAWA.org
By Taxi
From BUR to Santa Clarita, the charge is $70 Santa Clarita is also Uber and Lyft friendly so use your app and get moving!
By Shuttle/Train
BUR offers free shuttle service between the Airport and the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station. Call SuperShuttle at (818) 558-3179 for pickup at the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station, or call (800) 224-7767 to make advance reservations. Take the Antelope Valley Metrolink line which services Santa Clarita with three stops.
46 661.255.4347
Passengers who want to commute via the Metro and City Bus to Santa Clarita from BUR: Take Metro Rapid Bus Line 794 from Hollywood Way / Thornton Avenue to Sylmar Station Ride Metro Local Bus Line 152 from Sylmar Station to North Hollywood Station Ride Santa Clarita Route 757 Bus from North Hollywood Station to McBean Parkway / Valencia Blvd. Santa Clarita Transit (661) 294-1287 / SantaClaritaTransit.com Metrolink (800) 371-5465 / MetrolinkTrains.com
To Castaic Lake
Courtyard by Marriot Embassy Suites
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Ne wh all Ice Station R an ch Valencia Rd
Hyatt Regency
Tourism Office
Hart Holiday Inn Baseball Express Complex Mag ic M Best oun ta in Western P kwy Westfield Valencia Town Center Valencia Country Club
Performing Arts Center at COC College of the Canyons McBean Pkwy
Hampton Inn
Lyons Ave Fairfield Inn Marriott
Vista Valencia Golf Course
Cal Arts
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Towsley Canyon
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Central Park
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Copperhill D r
Bouqu e
Mountasia Family Fun Center
The Master’s College William S Hart Park & Museum
Canyon Theater Guild
Repertory East Playhouse
Santa Clarita Motel
Seco Canyo n Rd
Sports Facilities
Ave Rail Road
Entertainment
Residence Inn Marriott
Comfort Suites
TPC Valencia Golf Course
Hilton Garden Inn
Valencia Travel Village Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor
To Ventura
For bike trail, open space & park maps
BikeSantaClarita.com/maps
Legend Tourism Office Metrolink Train Station Trailhead
Shopping Center
Hotel Trail
Golf Courses
Colleges and Universities Parks
City of Santa Clarita Forest Area
Plum Can yo n Rd
anyon Rd Soledad C
The Centre Sports Complex & Aquatic Center
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To Los Angeles
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Travelodge
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Placerita Nature Center
nR Whites Canyo
Super 8 Motel
COC Canyon Country Campus
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Robinson Ranch Golf Course
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To Vasquez Rocks
VISITSantaClarita.com 47 Golden Valley Rd
INSPIRED