T
he Sable Ranch and Rancho Maria, a 400-acre movie ranch in Santa Clarita's Canyon Country, has been listed for $35 million. Derek Hunt, who inherited the properties from his grandfather Frank Vacek, is seeking to sell the adjacent ranches at 25933 Sand Canyon Road. The century-old ranches have served as an Old West backdrop for films like "Ride 'Em Cowboy" and "Oppenheimer," as well as TV shows such as "American Horror Story" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

    In the 1940s, Abbott and Costello used the ranch to practice their comedy routine for "Ride 'Em Cowboy." Elizabeth Taylor and Charlton Heston later came to perfect their horseback-riding skills. Vacek bought the chaparral-covered ranches in the 1970s and built a Western movie set, which has been rebuilt after a wildfire in 2016.

    The property includes original structures like a Spanish-style ranch house from 1900, as well as five houses and two apartments for film crews with 14 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. The spread also features a four-car train, green screen, and parking for 200 cars. Zoned for agriculture, filming, recreation, and potential residential or commercial subdivisions, the property is being marketed by CBRE brokers Sam Glendon and Craig Peters, along with Aaron Kirman of Christie's International Real Estate Southern California.

    Hunt, who has expressed interest from several buyers, wants to ensure the ranch has a future home and legacy. "It can be used either as a big family property or a movie studio," he said. "To have a place where Harrison Ford can fly his helicopter to work, where you can build Alaska, it really is a one-off place."