Welcome to Newhall
The oldest and southernmost community in California, Newhall has a long, rich history and fascinating culture that has helped it persist over the years and evolve into a hip community replete with historical landmarks, restaurants, cultural attractions, and shopping.
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Newhall was the first permanent town in the Santa Clarita Valley, started in 1876 by Henry Mayo Newhall, a significant landowner in the area at the time. As one of the most historic communities in the valley, Newhall is home to the Walk of the Western Stars, the Veterans Historical Plaza, Heritage Junction, the Hart Museum, and the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society.
What to Love
People and Lifestyle
Despite being a relatively small town known for its attractions and history, Newhall has been continually revitalized over the years thanks to active local business and the Old Town Newhall development. Today there are numerous affordable residential developments and some new apartment communities, such as the modern, luxurious Newhall Crossings apartment complex.
Shopping, Dining & Entertainment
Melody Ranch Studio is a 22-acre backlot and a famous motion picture studio that first opened for business in 1915 and quickly became renowned as the shooting location for many western films. The studio is still open and active, and many modern-day movies and television shows have filmed there, including Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Django, Deadwood, and Westworld.
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Held in Old Town Newhall, the
Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is an annual event that sees more than 10,000 visitors attend from across the globe each year. Guests enjoy roping, bull riding, crafts, games, and incredible food ranging from finger-lickin’ good BBQ to peach cobbler. Historical tours of the Heritage Junction town and train engine are offered in addition to appearances from gunslingers, lasso experts, and more.
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Speaking of
Old Town Newhall, Santa Clarita's premier arts and entertainment district is home to live theater, farmers markets, gastropubs, a cinema, fine dining, and incredible shopping. Shop 'til you drop on Main Street and then take a walking tour through town to learn more about the town's rich history in its oldest neighborhood.
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A warm, cozy, quaint Newhall restaurant known for cooking up incredible omelets (they serve more than 101 types),
Egg Plantation is a neighborhood staple loved by locals and visitors alike. Specializing in breakfast, this restaurant serves up the best bloody marys and specialty espresso beverages, and they often feature live music performances.
Things to Do
Once a ranch owned by a famous silent film star, the
William S. Hart Regional Park & Museum is a 265-acre park known for the plethora of animals that roam the land. Bison live among the area's hills thanks to a gift from Walt Disney in 1962, and the local farm has horses, deer, ducks, chickens, and a cow. You can even purchase feed from the Trading Post to give the barnyard animals.
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Conveniently located in the Old Town Newhall district, the
Canyon Theatre is a fantastic place to catch a live performance. The theatre regularly puts on classic plays, and they also offer workshops and youth theatre classes.
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The
Placerita Canyon Nature Center is home to numerous plant and animal communities alongside the historical Walker Cabin, built in 1920 by Frank Walker. Visit the nature center with your family and go on a self-guided nature tour! Or you can go hiking along the many trails that radiate into the surrounding park from the center.
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If you have an interest in Santa Clarita history, the
Santa Clarita Historical Society is the best place to go. They offer tours to take you to the Heritage Junction Historic Park within William S. Hart Park and much more.
Schools
The most significant school in Newhall is The Master's University, a non-denominational conservative Christian liberal arts college.
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