Readers have been hitting the road this year, exploring places near and far. Now they’re sharing some of those travel adventures with us and snapping photos as they bike Oregon trails, visit Northern California waterfalls, climb Mount Kilimanjaro, hike Kauai’s Napali Coast and more. And they’re offering tips on what to see and do along the way.
Today, we’re headed south for some cinematic landscapes.
Wish You Were Here
IVERSON RANCH: El Sobrante residents Gail and Ray Orwig took a recent road trip to a storied filming location in Chatsworth, which is part of the Los Angeles basin. Iverson Ranch was originally homesteaded by Augusta Wagman, who later married Carl Iverson. “Their joint ranch venture became a famous location for filming movies of all kinds,” Ray says.
That cinematic lore was the lure for the Orwigs, film buffs and co-authors of two books, including the new “Fantastic Serial Sites.” When they travel, Ray says, they “look for locations in monster, fantasy and science fiction movies and serials. Some of the films shot here include Boris Karloff’s ‘The Black Room’ (1935), Ray Harryhausen’s ’20 Million Miles to Earth’ (1957) and ‘Tobor the Great’ (1954). Some of the serials include ‘Batman’ (1943), ‘Superman’ (1948) and “The Perils of Nyoka’ (1942).”
TRAVEL TIPS: “We have always traveled here in warm weather, so cool, loose-fitting clothing
works well — and a pair of comfortable, sturdy hiking shoes. Many of Iverson’s locations (such
as Garden of the Gods, which has a plaque on its site) and the Iverson Gorge (although poison
oak has been spotted in the latter!) — are still accessible to the public.
“To reach Garden of the Gods, take the Topanga Canyon Boulevard South turnoff (exit #34) off Highway 118. Turn right onto Santa Susanna Pass Road, then right onto Redmesa Road. Near the top of the hill, you will see the entrance to Garden of the Gods trail on your left. Enjoy the hike!”
Join in the fun! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures — local, domestic or international — to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow readers do that awesome thing, too.