CA ranch spotted in Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt movies listed for $44 million. See it
A Southern California ranch that hosted film productions starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt has been listed for sale for $44 million.
Rancho Temescal covers about 5,620 acres and spans six miles north to south by three miles east to west, the listing says. It’s located near the small town of Piru in Ventura County about 40 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.
“The terrain is diverse and visually striking, with sweeping meadows, oak-studded hills, citrus and avocado orchards, creek beds, and mountain vistas — all contributing to its unique and highly photogenic character,” the listing said.
It surrounds about two-thirds of Lake Piru, formed by Santa Felicia Dam.
The property comes with a mission-shaped hacienda at a working equestrian facility, photos show. There also are seven homes on the property for employee housing.
It’s listed by Bill McDavid of Hall and Hall with Terry Hundemer of The Chickering Company.
What movies were filmed there?
Many hit films have been shot at least partly at Rancho Temescal, including Steven Spielberg’s 2005 “War of the Worlds” starring Tom Cruise, according to the listing.
Other movies shot there include 2002’s “XXX” with Vin Diesel and 2022’s “Babylon” with Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie. The television series “CSI” and music videos by Billie Eilish and Toby Keith were filmed there.
The ranch falls within the “thirty mile zone,” within which standard labor rules apply to cast and crew, the listing said.
It’s a working ranch
The ranch comes with an equestrian complex including an 18-stall barn, two outdoor arenas, 24 paddocks and 18 turnouts, the listing said.
In addition, the ranch contains extensive lemon and avocado orchards at various locations and leases farmland to various tenants raising crops including broccoli and hemp.
It’s leased to a cattle rancher on a year-round basis for grazing, though stocking varies depending on available feed.
The ranch also features an existing oil drilling operation that provides royalty income, which is included in the sale.
What’s the history of Rancho Temescal?
The land, originally inhabited by the Tataviam people, became part of an 1843 land grant to Francisco López and José Arellanes from the Mexican government of California, the listing said.
López reportedly found flecks of gold while digging wild onions, sparking an early gold rush.
Ownership shifted through various families until wealthy Christian publisher David C. Cook purchased part of the ranch in 1887, hoping to recreate a new “Garden of Eden.”
Agriculture later gave way to cattle ranching and oil and gas drilling. In 2000, late financier Jed Cohen and his son Tim bought the ranch from Texaco to establish the equestrian center, according to the listing.
