On the Trail of Disney -- A Guide to Locations with Disney Connections
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I've spent many years hanging around the ranch, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, and watching all kinds of film shoots, including some of the ones mentioned above. I've also studied and researched ranch history, and collected videos and memorabilia related to the ranch and the productions that have filmed there. For years I hoped I would discover a Paramount Ranch/Disney connection, but came up with nothing. Then, one day not long ago, I was watching The Love Bug again and suddenly realized that some of the scenes looked like they might have been shot at Paramount Ranch. Excited by my discovery, I contacted Disney Archivist Dave Smith and he confirmed that Disney had used the old racetrack to film some scenes for The Love Bug. (The PR Western town was not, however, used as the abandoned mining towns seen in the movie. Those scenes were done elsewhere.)

I also dug out my old Love Bug View Master reels to see if any of the shots were taken at Paramount Ranch. Sure enough, there were some. Interestingly, one of the View Master shots shows one of the scenes as it looked without the matte painting that had been added to the scene for the movie!

^{Deteriorating remnants of the old racetrack used in Disney’s The Love Bug that can still be found at Paramount Ranch. The distinctive mountain seen in the photos can be spotted in the movie. That is how I connected the movie to the ranch. Other sections of the track, some of which are still in pretty good shape, can be found around the ranch. Recently, another section of it was used in the Volkswagon "arches" commercial. The "old" arched aqueduct in the commercial was actually a miniature model.}

Remnants of the old racetrack used in The Love Bug (also used in the 1960’s TV movie Munster, Go Home.) can still be found around Paramount Ranch. In addition to the picturesque Western town, which still has some facades remaining from Dr. Quinn, there are picnic facilities and nice trails. It's a great place to spend a few hours. On selected Saturdays, the NPS has ranger-led history walks that are fun and informative. The best part is, except for some of the annual festivals, there is no admission charge.

From the 101 Freeway, east or west, exit at Kanan Road in Agoura Hills and head south towards the coast. About 1/4 mile past the light at Agoura Road, make a left on Cornell Road (it only goes left). Follow Cornell, a winding 2-lane road, for a little over 2 miles and you'll see the Paramount Ranch entrance on the right. The park is open 7 days a week, 8am to sundown. When filming is taking place, visitors are usually allowed to watch.

That's it for this installment of "On the Trail of Disney"!

Discuss It

Related Links

• Golden Oak Ranch at Bill Cotter's site
  For a more detailed history, and more photos, of Golden Oak Ranch
• Don Bitz's Site.
  For a few of the many photos from Paramount Ranch Don have taken over the years.
• Paramount Ranch at National Park Services
  For a schedule of National Park activities at Paramount Ranch (and other Santa Monica Mountains parks). Click on "Activities", then "Outdoors Activities Calendar".

-- Posted August 13, 2001
-- Story and pictures by Don Bitz