Lights, Camera, Santa Clarita!

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood is coming to Santa Clarita for this year’s State of the City Luncheon. Each year, the event has a different theme, celebrating an aspect of our community that adds up to the high quality of life we all enjoy in Santa Clarita. This year’s theme, “Lights, Camera, Santa Clarita!” will transform the Hyatt Regency Valencia into an Oscar-worthy celebration of all the movie magic which has taken place in our City. The State of the City luncheon will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 11:30 a.m.
It is fitting that the Hyatt is the location for this year’s luncheon, as it is also one of our City’s most filmed locations! Countless productions including “NCIS”, “Parenthood,” “CSI: NY,” “Make It or Break It,” “Las Vegas,” “Big Love,” “The Unit,” and “Little Miss Sunshine” have filmed at the Hyatt in the restaurant, the lobby, banquet rooms, pool area, gardens, hotel rooms and the exterior front entrance. The Hyatt served as the “hiding spot” for Bella in the first Twilight film, was the setting for a vampire/werewolf convention in “CSI:Crime Scene Investigation” and was featured as the Tallahassee hotel where a special team from “The Office” stayed to participate in Sabre’s ‘new project.’
Filming has been part of our community’s fabric since before Cityhood. Old Town Newhall was referred to as “Newhallywood” because of all the Western-genre and silent films shot in the area. Numerous productions have filmed in what is now the premier Arts and Entertainment District of our City, including “Sons of Anarchy,” “Criminal Minds,” “Justified,” “Switched at Birth,” “Medium,” “Without a Trace,” “Knight Rider” and “Suddenly” starring Frank Sinatra.
Some of your favorite local spots have been featured on the big and small screen. The popular Way Station Coffee Shop has been featured in “Franklin & Bash,” “Justified,” “Swingtown,” and “The Muppet Show.” Over on Town Center Drive – Salt Creek Grille is where “CSI” and “NCIS,” “JAG,” and “Life” have shot. Just a few steps away at Westfield Valencia Town Center “NCIS,” “Big Love,” “CSI,” “The Mentalist,” “Jericho” and “Jonas” have filmed scenes. You may enjoy golfing at Vista Valencia – but did you now that the course has been used as a film location for shows including “NCIS,” “CSI,” “JAG,” “The Office” and “Yes Dear” along with the feature films “G-Force” and “Starsky & Hutch”?
You may notice repetition in many of those shows that regularly return to Santa Clarita as a preferred place to shoot. The City has worked to retain and increase filming with its local Film Incentive Program, Movie Ranch Overlay Zone, and a one-stop permit center, making it easy for Hollywood to choose Santa Clarita. Nearly two decades ago, the City created its own film office to increase filming and distinguishing Santa Clarita as a film-friendly community. This goal has been achieved, and filming continues to enhance our local economy to the tune of more than $30 million a year.
Come find out more about what City locations have earned starring roles and how being within the Thirty Mile Zone (TMZ) has benefited Santa Clarita at this year’s State of the City Luncheon. For ticket information, please visit santa-clarita.com.

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