It Only Seems Far Away – Big Oaks Lodge

By Jasleen Singh

The long windy drive up Bouquet Canyon Road to the Big Oaks Lodge makes twelve miles seem like an eternity. Don’t give up though because once you get there, the beautiful scenery that serves as a backdrop for the colorful history the Lodge has endured is revealed.
Built as a stagecoach stop in the 1920s, the Lodge went on into the ‘30s and ‘40s to become a hangout for such stars as Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Under the 27-year ownership of Diana White and John Smyth, following its brush with the Hollywood scene, Big Oaks became a boxer’s retreat and training ground, equipped with an outdoor boxing ring and cabins where would-be-contenders could reside during their training. Such boxing luminaries as Mike Quarry and Michael Dokes called the Lodge home during their development. Only recently was the ring taken out to make room on the patio for al fresco dining.
Big Oaks Lodge now offers two dining experiences. On weekend days, the Char House is open, offering typical American fare including hot dogs and hamburgers. On weekends, the Char House is filled with bikers enjoying the rustic atmosphere, full bar, and pizza from the Big Oaks’ newest and most impressive dining addition. The Lodge serves as the second location to Cavi, the Italian restaurant located on Lyons in Newhall. But this Cavi is even more determined to create an enjoyable dining experience, with a different menu, ingredients imported from Italy, and chefs who have learned to make Naples-style 12-inch pizzas from an authentic Italian chef. The dining room opens at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Other than the Lodge’s restaurants, Big Oaks serves as a meeting place for locals and commuters as it is twenty minutes from Palmdale and twenty minutes from Valencia.
On any given Sunday, don’t miss the impressive lineup of motorcycles in front of the Lodge as well as totally full in the adjacent parking lot.
When the Buckweed fire ravaged through the Angeles National Forest, a meeting ground, historical landmark and two restaurants, along with the cabins near the Lodge, were at stake. Luckily, Big Oaks Lodge was saved and is safely intact as it continues to uphold its tradition.
The current owners of the Big Oaks Lodge, Mike Milligan and Tony Viscito, plan to expand its exposure through a memorable dining experience, special events and catering services.
And in terms of exposure, the Lodge has already achieved its own claim to fame with appearances in several movies, television series, and commercials including Terminator 3 – Rise of the Machines, Highway to Heaven, 90210, AT&T and Vonage.
The Big Oaks Lodge is a Santa Clarita landmark tracing the social developments of the 20th century, and is now catering to the palates of a diverse Santa Clarita population in the beautiful setting of Angeles National Forest. It’s a getaway that isn’t really so far away.
For more information, visit www.cavibigoaks.com.

Photos by Kathy Cleversley