King Gillette Ranch: Park, Event Venue, and Spooky Place in LA

King Gillette Ranch… What is this place? A beautiful park with free-roaming wildlife, an extravagant special event venue, a ranch with a mysterious past. And somehow it’s still one of Malibu’s hidden gems.

^{Last updated: April 22, 2024}

Kings Gillette Ranch: Discovering Hidden Gems Near Malibu

King Gillette Ranch was my accidental discovery. I was looking for off-the-beaten-path family-friendly places near Los Angeles when I heard about this park, special event venue, and, as it turned out, one of the spookiest places in the area. They say ghosts drift around the property at night.

Yet the first thing that came to my mind when the name of this ranch reached my ear was that way-too-familiar ad slogan “Gillette. The Best a Man Can Get.” Was there any connection between one of the world’s leading razor brands and the charming ranch-park in the LA area? I googled it.

The result was impressive. King Gillette, a person who transformed shaving by inventing the first safety razor, was the former owner of King Gillette Ranch. This discovery further encouraged me to visit the place and take a sneak peek into the life of the razor tycoon.

Address

26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302

Details

• The park is opened daily, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Admission: Free.
• Parking at the visitor center: First 2 hours free.

History in a Nutshell

Throughout its history that spans nearly 100 years, King Gillette Ranch changed its ownership a few times. As the ranch’s name suggests, it all started with the razor-blade tycoon King Camp Gillette. The successful businessman had a vision to build a “paradise on earth”. In pursuit of this idea in 1926, Gillette bought 588-acre land and hired one of the eminent architects of that time, Wallace Neff, to bring this dream to life.

The mansion was designed in Spanish Revival style. Elaborate archways, smooth plaster walls, staircases with painted tiles, and small balconies remain some of the distinctive features of the King Gillette Ranch house even today. Other fragments of the original design are expressed in a long eucalyptus alley, a grand entry gate, green lawns, and a large pond with small bridges across it.

Unfortunately, Gillette didn’t enjoy his dream mansion for a long time. After his death in 1932, the ranch was sold to a Hollywood film director Clarence Brown. Twenty years later the ranch came into possession of Bob Hope who passed it on to the Claretian Order of the Catholic Church.

Within the next few decades the property accommodated different churches and colleges until in 2005 it was bought as public parkland. Two years later, King Gillette Ranch finally opened its door to the public as a park.

Interesting to Know: Several seasons of the popular reality show The Biggest Loser were filmed at King Gillette Ranch.

THINGS TO DO AT KING GILLETTE RANCH

1. Go for a Hike

Hiking at the ranch is easy and is a great field for beginners. The Gillette Ranch Loop Trail or the Inspiration Loop is only 1.5 miles long and takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. The path runs uphill to a knoll, known as Inspiration Point, which opens incredible views of the nearby areas, including Malibu Creek State Park.

2. Ride a Bike

You can spice up the Gillette Ranch Loop Trail and conquer it on a bicycle. It may not be as easy as riding the bike on a flat surface in the park. But you won’t know it until you try it.

3. Take a Stroll

Although easy, hiking may be still challenging for families with babies and toddlers. So instead of dragging your bundles of joy up the hill, you can take a stroll along the paved walkways in the park. With plenty of things to explore around and maybe even share a huge “playground” with some curious baby deer, Kings Gillette Ranch is hands down one of the best outdoor places in LA for kids.

4. Have a Picnic

Plenty of picnic tables and benches are installed with one direct purpose: to offer the visitors a nice place to enjoy their afternoon after exploring the property. Make sure your food is ready to eat. No barbecuing and open fires are allowed at King Gillette Ranch.

TIP: If you long for a picnic by a fire, drive about 26 miles west via CA-1 N to Sycamore Cove Beach. This picturesque beach has some fire pits and tables for a family barbecue outing by the ocean.

5. Watch Wildlife

King Gillette Ranch is known for its abundance of wildlife. During our visit we were able to observe mule deers peacefully grazing in front of the mansion. Coyotes and bobcats are also regular visitors of this area. Raptors and many other birds can be seen gliding above the ranch.

6. Take Some Epic Pictures

The stunning King Gillette Ranch mansion is a perfect place to master your photography craft. Your scope of interest is broad here, from architecture to nature and even wildlife photography.

TIP: Make sure to get a permit if you intend to have a professional photo shoot.

7. Enjoy Entertaining and Educational Programs at King Gillette Ranch

King Gillette Ranch offers many educational and public programs for kids and adults, including guided hikes, volunteering and outdoor educational programs. The property turns into one of the spookiest places in the LA region during Halloween. Get your tickets in advance as they sell out quickly.

8. Plan Your Special Event at King Gillette Ranch

King Gillette Ranch opens its doors as a special event venue for film projects, seminars, training sessions, weddings, corporate and birthday parties. Make sure to submit your request for special use permits at least 60 days before your proposed date.