vasquez rocks

This is a site used for many western movies and star trek. It is home to rattlesnakes so they recommend wearing jeans but we saw many wearing shorts and saw no snakes. We hiked in the morning and it was quite warm and breezy and hiked to a few high peaks. Bring water. Nice picnic tables through out. The rock and sand is slightly slippery. Good hiking shoes recommended if climbing the higher rocks. We hiked a couple of hours. The visitor center takes about 15 minutes and is worth an informative look into hollywood activities and the animals and plants of the area. A couple of hawks are on display in cages and leathered to the perches. One young one seemed in distressed.

Growing up in the desert, I never really found dirt and rock so beautiful, but not the case here. Vasquez unusual rock formations make for simply amazing views, and brings mystery and intrigue to what would otherwise be a usual desert landscape.Great area for hiking, and if camping with a group, just an awesome spot!

VASQUEZ ROCKS is located in the mountains somewhat to the north of Los Angeles. The drive from L.A. is not long, and thus your trip will not require any planning. An adult could never get permanently lost in this park, because it is surrounded by towns. However, a child could be permanently lost, because of the many canyons, stone ledges, and high shrubs. VASQUEZ ROCKS is fine for short hikes, and also for longer aerobic hikes. TILTED SLABS. The main feature of this park is the strange tilted slabs of stone. Two of my photographs (attached) show the tilted slabs of stone. The largest of these strange stone formations is popular for climbing, and the tilt is somewhat gentle, and families with children will be able to climb up the tilted slab and climb to an elevation of about 50 feet or so. One of my photographs (attached) shows the view from the top of the giant rock. FIRE OF JULY 7, 2007. A well-marked trail swings through the southern half of this park. On this trail, there is a sign that states that this location was the site of a fire (please see photo of me posing by this sign). TAFONI AND CAVES. There are many opportunities to go "off trail," and there is little reason why one cannot go poking about on one's own, in search of little caves or of natural features, such as tafoni. Please see my attached photo of the tafoni. Tafoni is a naturally-occurring stone formation, often found along California's foggy coasts, e.g., at Bean Hollow State Beach and Salt Point State Park, but also in various deserts in California and Nevada. At Vasquez Rocks, I found the tafoni in the canyon that resides at the base of a large, grassy hill. This large, grassy hill is located to the southeast of the largest of the tilted rocks in this park. DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL. Devil's Punchbowl, located near Pearblossom, CA, has the same type of stone formations a found at Vasquez Rocks. Thus, for persons intrigued by huge slabs of tilted stone, I recommend visiting both parks.

Rocks yep they are rocks . But these rocks can be seen on Star Trek so we went and had a look . You can see why Star Trek filmed here pmus many other films. If you are driving from Vegas to LA its worth a pit stop, there are restrooms as well for all you Trekies

Vasquez rock is northeast of LA up Highway 14. The landscape, caused by uplifting, is so unusual for southern California that it has been used in numerous movies over the decades from early westerns, to Star Trek and Windtalkers. The area is relatively small and can be enjoyed in 45 minutes or you can spend all day hiking up the outcroppings. The landscape is beautiful and surreal and what you might expect in Arizona. This was truly the best 45 minutes I spent in LA. The park is free, there is a small but nice museum at the entrance and several nice trail that can be easily walked by most people. It is a great place for taking photos and, for those a little more daring, a great place to climb up some rather steep rocks. It is about a 35 minute drive from the Hollywood area.

I cannot remember exactly where or when I first heard about the Vasquez rocks but they had been on my Los Angeles bucket list for a little bit of time but never a top priority though I was always curious to check them out. The rocks are beautiful and a fun activity to get some fresh air away from the crowded city. From West Hollywood, it was only a 45 minute trip both ways without traffic which made it a quick getaway. It is possibly to simply walk around the area but you will definitely have more fun if you are prepared for a little bit of hiking and climbing. Some of the rocks are steep but almost everything is scalable if you are in decent shape and it was most fun to go off the paths a bit. Bonus for anyone who is a fan of the recent movie/book Wild, the park includes a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail which provides a good photo opportunity.The small visitor's center is updated with a few interesting facts but mainly serves as a restroom and gift shop. The rocks' biggest downside is the lack of anything else interesting in the area. While planning our visit, my friends and I tried to find anything else we could tie together with the park to make for an extended adventure but found nothing. The area does not even have a small town or food destination so we had to eat at a gross Chili's afterwards in a cookie cutter developed area nearby. These drawbacks aren't the fault of the rocks, but just things to be aware of when planning a visit. You're better off bringing some food or just eating when you get back home!

I was driving on the 14 when I saw the sign for Vasquez Rocks. I wasn't looking for it but decided to stop. I thought I recognized the name from some old Star Trek thing or something. It's not far off the freeway. Excellent hikes around these rocks jutting out from the Earth at weird angles. Kids would love this. It all leads to the huge mountain you might recognize from tat Star Trek episode or Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey. You can climb up top for some awesome views. It's a little steep and tricky at points climbing it. But it's really not difficult at all. A must stop place if you're in the area or want to get away from Los Angeles for some hiking and rock climbing fun.

This was not my first visit to Vasquez Rocks, last time I visited was about 15 years ago. I don't remember it being so amazing, however we arrived just in time for the sunset view and although we did see other people visiting it was calm quiet and relaxing. My son enjoyed climbing and running around. It was a great day out and hope to come back soon.

The rock formations were incredible. I had no idea so many TV shows and movies had been filmed there. The original Star Trek, Planet of the apes,The Flintsones, Blazing Saddles, 24, and many more. Stop by the visitor center 1st, on the right as you enter, before driving in to the parking area near the rocks. Bring a camera and some hiking boots. You can climb all the way to the top of the main rock, if you're in fairly good shape.

Have been fascinated by these rocks since I was a kid.Found location on internet two years ago.Made it a must do for my 60th birthday.An absolute thrill to be there.Everything I had ever expected it to be.Take ample water it can be very hot.Ken TocockAvenelAustralia

We read about this place by chance as it is not really advertised and we were glad to have come. If it wasn't so hot on this August day, we might have enjoyed it more! Vasquez Rocks is a wildlife sanctuary which displays one of the most interesting geological formations in California. This area has played site to many well-know TV productions and movies. During the time that we were there, a film crew was actually working. There is a self-guided tour with 12 stops that focuses on Vasquez Rocks natural and cultural heritage. Great photos to be taken. They do have a gift shop, but it was closed and locked up. There is an information center with some live lizards and snakes.

This area has been shared by so many movies its difficult to keep track of them all but if you are a movie fan then coming her is a great experience. But first check the history of the place as it was once the hideout of a famous outlaw back in the old wild west!Amazing to think Captain Kirk once stood there, Bill and Ted had an adventure there and the list goes on!!! Free too when we went though I believe thats about to change with a visitor center being built!

Vasquez Rocks is perhaps most famous for numerous appearances in Star Trek over the years, but it has been used for many other things (lots of old Western movies) as well. If you're in the Santa Clarita valley then this site isn't too far and definitely worth a couple hours of your time if you like to hike. Driving up from LA was worth it for Trekkies. There are a couple of restaurants in Agua Dulce to quench your thirst after hiking. There isn't much shade and no facilities in the park, so bring some water and probably don't go in the middle of the day in the middle of the summer.

This was just a great place to visit. I'm getting back into shape so the hike was just perfect (will be easy for you in shape) and the rocks ares amazing. Do not miss the Native American pictographs. Nice little interpretive center, though I didn't understand why their little gift shop was locked up.

The park is not the easiest to find as its rather understated but the characteristic landscape as seen in 1960s star trek films as well as more recently in big bang theory (star trek photo ep where they get car jacked). The topography is amazing anyway, and you can imagine dinosaurs walking the area.