Spahn Ranch is a ranch in Los Angeles, California, and a filming location for Bonanza (1959-1973), Zorro (1957) and The Lone Ranger (1949). Built in 1947.
Location: Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, United States
Verified facts
- Located in Chatsworth, Los Angeles
confidence 80/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-2524, SRC-2525, SRC-7073, SRC-5027, SRC-9090 - Appeared in Bonanza (tv, 1959-1973)
confidence 70/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-2526, SRC-2527, SRC-4166 - Built in 1947
confidence 80/100 · 6 independent sources · SRC-2527, SRC-2525, SRC-6787, SRC-6788, SRC-9091, SRC-9634 - 55 acres floor_area_sqft
confidence 80/100 · 6 independent sources · SRC-2525, SRC-5027, SRC-6787, SRC-7593, SRC-9091, SRC-9676 - Appeared in Zorro (tv, 1957)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-2527, SRC-10526 - Appeared in The Lone Ranger (tv, 1949)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-2527, SRC-10526 - Historic designation: Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park (site now part of)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-2525, SRC-13035, SRC-13702
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10526 — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spahn_Ranch (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13035 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Pass_State_Historic_Park (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13702 — California State Parks — Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park brochure (parks.ca.gov) (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-2524 — Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains — Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park history (Tier 2, institutional_page; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-2525 — Wikipedia — Spahn Ranch (Tier 3, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-2526 — HISTORY (A&E Television Networks) — How Spahn Ranch Became a Headquarters for the Manson Family Cult (Tier 2, reported_journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-2527 — Den of Geek — The Movies That Were Made at Spahn Ranch (Tony Sokol) (Tier 2, reported_journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-4166 — slashfilm.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5027 — Wide Open Country — Spahn Ranch (Tier 3, feature; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6787 — All That's Interesting — Spahn Ranch, From Movie Set To Manson Family Headquarters (Tier 3, magazine_article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6788 — Beware the Blog — The Spahn Movie Ranch, Sharon Tate, the LaBianca's and Helter Skelter (Tier 3, blog_article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7073 — Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park Hike – Modern Hiker (Tier 3, outdoor-guide; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7593 — IndieWire — Spahn Ranch set piece (Tier 2, article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9090 — California State Parks — Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park (official park page; park contains the former Spahn Movie Ranch) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9091 — Chatsworth Historical Society — "Spahn Ranch History" by Ann Vincent (Feb 2023) (Tier 2, local_history_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9634 — Curbed Los Angeles — "The Story of the Abandoned Movie Ranch Where the Manson Family Launched Helter Skelter" by Hadley Hall Meares (Oct 22, 2014) (Tier 2, reported_journalism; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-9676 — The Cinemaholic — "Spahn Ranch and Barker Ranch: Where Were They Located? Do They Still Exist?" (Tier 2, reported_journalism; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Bonanza filmed?
Spahn Ranch, in Los Angeles, California, is a real-world filming location used for Bonanza. This property has also appeared on screen in The Lone Ranger, Zorro.
Where was The Lone Ranger filmed?
Spahn Ranch, in Los Angeles, California, is a real-world filming location used for The Lone Ranger. This property has also appeared on screen in Bonanza, Zorro.
Where was Zorro filmed?
Spahn Ranch, in Los Angeles, California, is a real-world filming location used for Zorro. This property has also appeared on screen in Bonanza, The Lone Ranger.
Where is Spahn Ranch located?
Spahn Ranch is located in Los Angeles, California.