About Santa Clarita
Outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs agree that Santa Clarita offers all the best features of California. Those that are one of these or the other tend to become fans of the other after spending time in Santa Clarita.
The city is one of the places that made the Western lifestyle iconic, and it still maintains its ties to that way of life. The natural beauty and incredible rock formations of Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park attract visitors and film shoots every year. It’s not all cowboys, parks, and historical features though. The city has a vibrant nightlife and a truly Californian upscale sophistication.
Filming Options in Santa Clarita
What do The Office, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, House, Sons of Anarchy, and Star Trek have in common? They’ve all used Santa Clarita as a filming location for some of their episodes. The city is only 30 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles but can feel like a whole different world, thanks to all the filming options in Santa Clarita.
- Catering
Food is fuel, but the catering companies in Santa Clarita know that it’s so much more than that too. Good catering brings people together and connects them. It provides the needed pick me up and a source of comfort.
- Furniture Rentals
Don’t pack the kitchen sink. The furniture and equipment rental companies in Santa Clarita can get you whatever you need, lightening your load and logistics. The vast array of A-list projects that have been filmed in Santa Clarita serves as proof that everything you need is available right here.
- Transportation
The struggle is real when it comes to rush hour traffic, accidents, and congestion. The time can feel completely wasted if you’re driving yourself, but the transportation companies in Santa Clarita can take care of all the logistics, in whatever mode you decide to arrive in.
Filming Companies in Santa Clarita
There is no such thing as too many options, and lucky for us, Santa Clarita has plenty. Jot down your wish list, and these businesses will make it happen for you.
- Rattler’s Bar B Que
All the locals go to Rattler’s Bar B Que for casual dining – it’s been a mainstay in Santa Clarita since 1988. Their mesquite BBQ tri-tip, salads, ribs, and chickens are all local favorites. Their catering packages can meet the needs of any filming project and bring the best of Santa Clarita to your location.
- In Style Transportation
In Style Transportation offers luxury car service in and around Santa Clarita. Their fleet includes Mercedes, Cadillacs, and Lincolns, and you know that you’ll be riding in luxury because all the cars are less than three years old. These professionals have transportation down to a science – tell them where you need to be and when - they’ll know what time to leave and the best route.
- Smart Design
Smart Design offers commercial, residential, and outlet furniture rentals. They also have party rentals and offer home staging services. Dee and her team have been helping Santa Clarita with design and furniture rental needs since 2005 and they can transform your filming location.
Pros and Cons of Filming in Santa Clarita
Even a sunny and beautiful place has its imperfections. That being said, here are the pros and cons of filming options in Santa Clarita to consider before booking your location.
Advantages
- Nature
The natural beauty of Santa Clarita is a definite advantage as you have the mountains, rock formations, and other natural wonders to create a backdrop for your film. Even if you’re filming indoors the entire time, heading out into nature will revitalize you and your crew at the end of a long day.
- Blue skies
Good weather and moderate temperatures are always on order in Santa Clarita, or at least, almost always. The pleasant weather and blue skies make it an inviting location for film projects.
- Safe space
Santa Clarita is a safe space; the crime rates here are the lowest in the county. It’s a sophisticated and upscale crowd, you can feel comfortable enjoying the streets in the evening or heading out on your own.
Disadvantages
- Mother Nature’s fury
The weather is almost always perfect in Santa Clarita, but when it’s not, it’s pretty bad. The city has more than its fair share of natural disasters, from earthquakes to wildfires. The population growth tells us that it’s worth the risk though, so be forewarned and pay attention to any weather alerts.
- Expensive
The sticker shock may surprise you a little in Santa Clarita; it’s an expensive place to work, visit, and live. Expect to pay more for everything you need in this city and adjust your budget accordingly.
- Explosive growth
Explosive population growth sometimes changes the things we love most about a city, and not in a good way. So far, that hasn’t been the case in Santa Clarita, but the population increase doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, and that will start changing the city at some point.
Famous Locations in Santa Clarita
- Cowboy Festival
The Cowboy Festival is held every April in William S. Hart Park and is a wonderful community event that features art, entertainment, and living history. There are musical acts, poets, roping, bull riding, food, and re-enactments. Be sure to complete your western culture immersion and stop by the Walk of Western Stars while you’re there.
- William S. Hart Park
William S. Hart was a silent-film star, and this park is named after him because it was once his 265-acre ranch. He donated it to the city so that it could become a space for everyone to enjoy. Hart was the first cowboy in the silent films and was in nearly 70 movies. There’s a museum in the park with more information about his life and films, and it’s free to visit and have a guided tour. Visitors can also enjoy trails, picnic areas, and all the nature in the park.
- Placerita Canyon Nature Center and State Park
Placerita Canyon is a canyon that runs east to west and is surrounded by the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest. It’s famous as the location of the “Oak of the Golden Dream” – this is where the California gold rush started. It’s the first place where prospectors found gold in 1842. Today it’s popular for the history and conservation exhibits, as well as 12 miles of trails.