VASQUEZ ROCKS

'Vasquez Rocks' Natural Area Park is a 905 acre (3 km²) northern Los Angeles County, California USA park acquired by LA County government in the 1970s. It is in the Agua Dulce vicinity between the Antelope Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley just north of Los Angeles and seen easily by motorists driving the Antelope Valley Freeway. Vasquez Rocks have been used innumerable times in motion pictures, various television series and in moving and still photography advertisements, and continues to be used in them today.

Contents

History

Role in entertainment

In films

In television

In music videos

What to do at the rocks

Directions

See also

Sources/external links

History

The rocks' history began in prehistoric times when the sandstone rocks were uplifted at a picturesque angle, showing their jagged red features. The rock formations are part of the San Andreas Fault. In 1873 and 1874 Tiburcio Vasquez - one of California's most notorious bandits - used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. His name has since been associated with this geologic feature.

Role in entertainment

In films

The Vasquez Rocks have been used as the setting for key scenes in a relatively large number of motion pictures produced by many Hollywood filmmakers, including:

★ ''Joe Dirt'' (2001)

★ ''Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'' (2001)

★ ''Planet of the Apes'' (2001)

★ ''Bubble Boy'' (2001)

★ ''Very Bad Things'' (1998)

★ Free Enterprise (1998)

★ '' (1997)

★ ''Guns of El Chupacabra'' (1997)

★ ''Jingle All the Way'' (1996)

★ '' (1995)

★ ''The Flintstones'' (1994)

★ '' In the Army Now'' (1994)

★ ''Army of Darkness'' (1993)

★ ''Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'' (1991)

★ ''The Rapture'' (1991)

★ '' (1989)

★ ''My Stepmother Is an Alien'' (1988)

★ ''Hell Comes to Frogtown'' (1987)

★ ''Short Circuit'' (1986)

★ Hearts of the West (1975)

★ ''Blazing Saddles'' (1974)

★ ''Apache'' (1954)

★ ''Werewolf Of London'' (1935)

★ ''Dracula'' (1931)

In television

Television series productions which have used the Vasquez Rocks include:
Daniel Boone

★ ''24''

★ ''Airwolf''

★ ''Alias''

★ ''Bonanza''

★ ''Buck Rogers in the 25th Century''

★ ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''

★ ''Power Rangers''

★ ''Roswell''

★ '' (notably the episodes "Arena", "The Alternative Factor", "Shore Leave", and "Friday's Child")

★ '' ("Who Watches the Watchers?")

★ ''The Wild Wild West''

★ ''S Club 7:Back To The 50's (one off special for ITV)''

★ ''The Outer Limits''

★ ''Alias'' (episode #3.9, "Conscious")

★ ''Mr. Show with Bob and David'' (episode #203 "The Biggest Failure In Broadway History")

★ ''Hunter''

★ ''Helltown''

★ ''MacGyver''

★ '' (episode #1x06 "Ray Butts")

★ ''Charmed''

★ ''Sliders'' (episode #3x03 "Electic Twister Acid Test", #4x09 "Slidecage", #5x16 "Dust")

★ ''Friends''

★ ''Fear Factor''

★ ''Lassie''

★ ''Las Vegas''

★ ''Logan's Run'' (Episode 1.13 - "Turnabout")

★ ''Zorro''

★ ''Voyagers!''

In music videos

Music video production done at Vasquez Rocks include:

★ ''Black or White (song)'' by Michael Jackson

★ ''High and Dry'' (UK version) by Radiohead

★ ''S Club Party'' by S Club 7

★ ''Mind's Eye'' by Wolfmother

★ ''Heaven Is A Halfpipe'' by OPM
The Rocks were even drawn into the animated series ''Futurama'', depicting various alien landscapes as they did in the other science fiction shows, and they were also animated in ''Shrek''.

What to do at the rocks

Climbing the large sloped rocks is the most popular activity. Other activities include a history trail tour of its previous visitors, the Tatavian Indians and Spanish settlers. Additional activities include campfire nature talks, hiking (including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail), horseback riding and other equestrian programs, an Easter sunrise service, and picnic lunching at picnic areas in the park. School tours and organized youth group campouts require a reservation from the park management, reachable by telephone at (661) 268-0840. Other uses the park allows are motion picture filming, weddings, and large picnic and party groups, which must be arranged in advance.
''Star Trek'' fans sometimes recreate the events that transpired at Vasquez in the Original Series' episode "Arena", even going as far as donning masks of the reptilian creature in that episode, the Gorn.
Vasquez Rocks is a popular site for orienteering, where participants find locations within the park's rugged terrain using map and compass. The Los Angeles Orienteering Club sponsors several events each year at this location.

Directions

From Los Angeles, drive north on Interstate 5 (the Golden State Freeway) to California Route 14/Antelope Valley Freeway, which meanders northeast. After you leave the the Canyon Country portion of Santa Clarita take the exit at Agua Dulce Canyon Road. At the end of the offramp turn left. The road passes through the southern part of the rocks, then makes an abrupt right turn. A short distance further, Agua Dulce Canyon Road makes an abrupt left turn, but the park entrance is straight ahead on Escondido Canyon Road. The park entrance to the immediate right. Parking and use of the park is free.

See also

★ Tiburcio Vasquez

Sources/external links

★ Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park

★ Vasquez Rocks County Park (film shoot highlights)

★ Vasquez Rocks (television use in ''Bonanza'' and ''Star Trek'') - also see its following page

★ Movie Sites.org - Vasquez Rocks

★ Maps & Weather - Unearthed Outdoors

★ Los Angeles Orienteering Club - Orienteering Events