Will Rogers SHP

State Historic Park

Will Rogers Western Ranch House is on the National Register of Historic Places

In the early 1930s, Will Rogers was the most popular and highest paid actor in Hollywood. From his start in vaudeville theater with a trick roping act, he rose to world-wide fame as a columnist, philosopher, radio personality, and movie star. During the 1920s, he bought land in Santa Monica, where he developed a ranch. Eventually, the Rogers' owned 186 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in what is now known as Pacific Palisades.

The ranch became the place where Will Rogers could relax with his family and friends, pursuing his favorite pastimes of riding and roping. At his untimely death in a plane crash in 1935, Will Rogers' ranch consisted of a 31-room ranch house, a stable, corrals, riding ring, roping arena, polo field, golf course, and hiking trails. When his widow, Betty, died in 1944, the ranch became a state park.

Will Rogers Historic Stable

Activities at the Park
The Park is undergoing a major historic renovation project that will restore the landscape to its appearance during Will Rogers' time. In the past two years, the Department has restored the ranch house and completed significant portions of the landscape restoration program. Over the next several years, the Department will be restoring the historic structures and relocating the maintenance facilities away from the historic zone. Details of the restoration program may be found in the Historic Landscape Management Plan.

Ranch House Tours
Park staff and docents offer tours of the Ranch House Thursdays and Fridays, at 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm. Ranch House tours on Saturday and Sunday are from 10 am to 4pm, on the top of the hour. School group tours and special group tours: Thursday and Fridays at 10 am. For more information call the Park Interpretive Staff at (310) 454-8212, ext. 103.

Will Rogers Western Ranch House

Equestrian Activities
The Will Rogers Polo Club plays polo every weekend from April to October. Riding Lessons are available on Monday through Saturday; please see our Horseback Riding Lessons Information Page. Equestrians are welcome to bring their horses to the park for day-use to enjoy the riding and roping arena, Sarah's Point, and the trail to Inspiration Point. Will Rogers SHP will offer horse rentals at the park this Fall, check back to this webpage for more information.

Hiking Trails
Hikers can enjoy a moderate 3-mile loop to Inspiration Point. Adventurous hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians can tackle the Backbone Trail into the Santa Monica Mountains, which can take you all the way to Point Mugu.

Ranch Tours
The Park Interpretive Staff offers tours of the ranch house and grounds. However, you and your family can enjoy many features of our Park on your own. Download our Self-Guided Ranch Tour Card.

Visitor Center
The visitor center is temporarily closed for renovation and installation of new exhibits.

Porch View of Will Rogers Western Ranch House

Wi-Fi Service
Will Rogers State Historic Park offers AT&T Wi-Fi Service!
This service enables park visitors with wireless enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet. You can access this service if you are within a 150 foot range of the Ranger Station located in the Park. For more information about this service please see January 19, 2005, News Release.

January 19, 2005, News Release (pdf)

Other parks with WiFi access...