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, Will 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’s ranch consisted of a 31-room ranch house, a stable, corrals, riding ring, roping arena, polo field, golf course, and hiking trails. His widow, Betty, gave the ranch to California State Parks in 1944, and it became a state historic park.

Today, the property offers a genuine escape from Pacific Palisades traffic. The moderate 2-mile loop to Inspiration Point takes you through the kind of terrain where Rogers himself rode his horses—rolling grassland with oak trees scattered across hillsides. On the way up, you’ll pass the old ranch structures and corrals that are still standing, which gives you a real sense of what daily life was like here during Hollywood’s golden age. The views from Inspiration Point look out over the park and beyond toward the coast, and it’s a genuinely peaceful spot to sit and catch your breath.

Dogs are allowed on leash, with a maximum length of six feet. The trail itself is well-maintained and not too steep, making it manageable for dogs of varying fitness levels. Bring water for both of you since there’s limited shade in sections, especially on warmer days. The parking area fills up on weekends, so arriving early makes a real difference if you want to avoid circling around looking for a spot.