The Prominent Rock Formation That Has Appeared In Many Movies And Shows Throughout Hollywood History
It's iconic…and sometimes known as one of the most infamous fight scenes of all time on classic television. On the NBC show “Star Trek”, Captain Kirk, played by the unfettered William Shatner, is transported to the surface of a rocky, barren planet in an unexplored sector of space. A member of a reptilian species [the Gorn] shows up and the two space captains face off at the bottom of some giant jagged cliffs jutting out from the foreign planet's desert-like surface.
The intrepid location of this action sequence from 1960s pop culture, is actually Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, located in Agua Dulce, California, 50 miles outside Los Angeles heading into the high desert. The prominent rock formation has been nicknamed “Kirk's Rock,” and had since it appeared in multiple episodes of the continuing franchise, each time representing a different planet.
For anyone who has seen the 150 foot tall jagged, layered rock formation, it's no surprise that it was used in this capacity. The “main rock,” as the employees call it, has rocks jutting out at 45 degree angles. Nothing is rounded. The unique look of the rock formation, located a mile down a dirt road within the park, has been attracting Hollywood since the early 1900s, before the country even acquired the property.
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park has a lot of elevation changes throughout its 964 acres, with hiking and equestrian trails leading guests up and down canyons. The high desert landscape has little vegetation and is relatively free of technology and modernization, aside from a small visitor's center at the entrance (near a day-use dirt parking lot) and of course the camera crews swarming around the Vaseuez Rocks themselves.
The Vasquez Rocks were initially [a sea?] basin, but over a 30 million year period, it was filled with debris from the Ancient San Gabriel Mountains. The debris was washed over a period of time and then slowly uplifted by earthquakes. This process created the jagged, layered look of the mountains, a unique appearance that has caught the eye of location scouts looking for something unusual in their midst.
“It's a prime film location because of its close proximity to LA,” said Natural Areas Administrator Kim Bosell. “They call it 'within the zone.' They can drive here in a short amount of time and don't have to stay overnight.”
In 1935, the executive producer of “Werewolf of London,” Stanley Bergerman, suggested the Vasquez Rocks as a filming location. He figured the rocks could be portrayed as Tibet. Thus began the Rocks’ illustrious history.
In fact, well over 50 films have been shot at the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, including countless westerns like “Blazing Saddles” in 1974 as an Old West backdrop. According to Park Superintendent Sandy Dininger, explains that Vasquez's “main rocks” are a perfect area for these old cowboy movies because there's “no human influence within the shot of the picture. You don't see houses. There's no power lines…no freeways.”
“The Flintstones,” “Holes,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “The Muppet Movie,” “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,” “Planet of the Apes,” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” have all used the exotic-appearing location. Even George Clooney's “Hail, Caesar!,” a 2016 comedy, partially filmed at the Vasquez Rocks.
“This area is just so picturesque,” said Bosell. “It can look like the moon. It can look like the Middle East. [All considered] this is one of the most filmed places in Los Angeles county. They've been filming here for over 100 years.”
The versatility of the location has also made it a prime location for television shows, high fashion photo shoots, video games, cartoons and music videos. Michael Jackson danced with Plains Native Americans at Vasquez Rocks in his music video for “Black or White.” One Direction recently visited the location for their “Steal My Girl” music video. The cast of the “Big Bang Theory” stopped at the Vasquez Rocks on their way to Comic Con in [San Diego, CA] in one of their episodes. “Roswell” and “24” both had the Vasquez Rocks featured in multiple episodes.
The Vasquez Rocks can even be seen in many popular commercials, including Taco Bell's “Run For The Border” spots and other brands such as Pepsi, Nike and Bank of America have also used Vasquez Rocks as a backdrop for their ads.
From Monday to Friday, 7 in the morning to 7 at night, filming is allowed at the “main rock” area by permit only. Film crews are allowed to rent that specific area of the park, but the park itself is not closed. Unless there is a pre-set driving scene or gun fire or something else considered hazardous or dangerous to the public, visitors can freely use and optimize park's hiking and equestrian trails. Some trails through the mountains even allow visitors to watch the film crews from above though there is no posted schedule. Most times the park doesn't even know what show it is until they arrive.
The Vasquez Rocks is one of a kind…and a piece of ongoing Hollywood history that continues to fascinate Hollywood and regular folks alike. Coming up upon its façade, there is a magnificence that reflects in the endless desert landscape that spreads out behind its imposing cragged profile.
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Acton/Los Angeles North KOA, to enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool , play a game of volleyball, or enjoy other outdoor activities. Go for a hike on the famous Pacific Crest Trail or take a safari tour.