Vasquez Rocks: Where the Outlaw Hid & Hollywood Filmed

Jeff & Sarah (and son Aiden) check out the scenic Vasquez Rocks in sunny Southern California, a mecca for Hollywood film crews and the 1874 hideout of California outlaw Tibercio Vasquez.
#vasquezrocks #moviefilming locations #historyhunters

[@FetchTheSled]

Sarah always back talks Jeff. It’s hilarious 😆

[@nadiazahroon6573]

I pass Vasquez Rocks every time I travel from Lancaster to L.A. They filmed a few Star Trek episodes too.Sarah is very brave, she scares me sometimes though. Hwy 14 is home to me.

[@ToddEWalnuts]

My sister and I watched that Star Trek episode when we were kids. The Gorn scared her so much, she almost Shatner pants! 😁

[@jbenziggy]

That’s a good one ... Shatner her pants. Ha ha ha. Thanks for watching, Todd!

[@ruzriz679]

Camped there with boy scouts back in the late 60'. There is or was a stone monument with a past ranch owner's Ashes right in the area of our tents. Rain and lighting all night, creeped us out. No crowds then. Nice place for a day visit.

[@kcgunkerstein5061]

Great video. I like when you reference and compare old photos to the scenery you're at. Great work!

[@jbenziggy]

I like when I am able to do that too! As always, Thanks for being a part of our audience!

[@y077er]

What an amazing place and history, I'm so jealous of you guys living in a country with such diverse geography at arms reach to explore. Well done Sarah for getting up as high as you did, higher than I would have risked and all for showbiz eh, and thanks to Jeff for being the voice of reason and keeping you both safe.

[@willglo]

I live in Victorville CA. ... only about a 20 minute drive to these rocks and this area. Very cool place to explore. I pass by here all the time.

[@Glorfinniel]

I use to live in Agua Dulce for a couple of years. I was just down the road from the park and hiked there almost daily. Those hills and rocks got me in the best shape of my life. This is making me home sick for one of my favorite places I lived. Its a bit of a trek up hill and you have to know the trails to get to it, but there is a cave there believed to have been an outlaw hideout for the Vasquez gang. You missed the visitors center, its worth a peek.

[@johnrambo7630]

Hey! Hold on loosely! Don't let go of the plan to sell us a History Hunters shirt..black shirt (like Jeff's), huge logo on the front with the swinging lightbulb. I'll be the first to order one. This was another great episode!

[@leahreposa4599]

I want one too!

[@HollywoodGraham]

Lot of good info to go with the video, we appreciate your research. Red Rock Canyon is another interesting place with movie shoots.Thanks..

[@JaimeExploring]

Thank You Jeff & Sarah for sharing the Great History & Insights - Vasquez Rocks, Outlaw Tibercio Vasquez and the Hollywood filming days, Enjoyed!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks very much!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlosmatamoros1827]

Great 👌 video, only been there twice as a kid and live only 45 minutes away from there. I love the history behind it. Great research..

[@israelsarabia2700]

Hey I walk through there while hiking the Pacific Crest trail! I love that area!

[@unbiasedobserver]

I was raised and explored all over California but didn't know about this place. Great video! Thanks!

[@markmcnew8420]

Near Lancaster/Palmdale

[@harrisonmantooth3647]

Oh my, Sarah sure is a Daredevil. She did much more than what I could do. KUDOS to you Sarah. I thought those rock formations looked familiar. So many old TV shows and movies filmed here. Such a great history. Thanks Jeff and Sarah for sharing another great video on the History of California. Stan from Ceres.

[@tincat2173]

Jeff Jeff & Sarah, I have watches most, if not all of your videos and found them most informative. History has always been a favorite interest of mine and you have added to much to my knowledge and, viewing pleasure. Vasquez Rocks become a favorite of mine with all the history the area has to offer. I also was frightened for Sarah with steep rock you two traversed. Keep up the great work. And thank you for your presentations.

[@pdxer8895]

Down is always more dangerous than up. Your momentum and gravity are pulling you. Sarah did a great job. Every time I see the profile, I think Star Trek. Thumbs up!

[@laceywaggener]

It was Sarah's "WHOOOAAA. NO WAY!!" that did it for me in this video. LOL. Great video, thanks, Jeff!

[@jbenziggy]

Ah, what do you mean? You wouldn’t want to roll down a rock to your death? Ha ha ha.

[@bossco2001]

Great episode. We love when you show the movie/TV clips with the current view. It's okay that you didn't go all the way up the rock!

[@leighmitcler3320]

Glad you didn't go to the top Sarah. I just had an awful feeling it wouldn't had ended well and Aiden & Jeff there to see the fall. I was a daredevil myself and made it to old age but you have to always listen to that voice in your head so you live to see your grandchildren. Smart choice girl.Love your videos. Never miss a one. Stay safe.

[@oldermusiclover]

the Fire rescue people thank you

[@mikenelson9111]

When I was a kid in the Boy Scouts, we camped there, I remember how cold it got at night.

[@garymi2]

Our Scout Troop also camped there! Loved climbing through the fort walls... definitely not safe, but we were adventurous Scouts. Once we ran into an episode of Lassie being filmed there. Fake trees everywhere for that episode of Lassie in the forest during a wind storm

[@thomasrocker7408]

I remember when my friends and I were camping there. There was a large group of Boy Scouts camped there. We put on sheets and ran through the Boy Scouts camp, scared the hell out of them. Yes we were dumbass teenagers, but we had a blast. We spent every summer there between 65 an 68.

[@marygarner5249]

Thank you for taking us along made my day Love History Hunters always good time

[@melissajensen3166]

Great video. I love how many movies and tv shows were filmed there. Blazing Saddles, one of my favorite movies. I can almost recite it word for word.

[@jbenziggy]

I actually want to watch it after seeing the clip I found. I love how we used to be able to make films that made us laugh without people having to be offended all the time.

[@melissajensen3166]

@@jbenziggy exactly! People that are easily offended never watched All in the Family or The Jefferson’s!

[@michaelmeyers4917]

A lot of Hollywood history in that area. Not only Vasquez Rocks but the various movie ranches such as Melody Ranch (Gene Autry), Roy Roger's ranch, Chatsworth, Corriganvile, and Disney 's ranch. A large area , you watch westerns shot in the 40,s and 50,s you can recognize the locals. Jeff you are very good at matching up shots, even the correct camera angles.

[@concerned1313]

The author, historian, teacher, scholar and hiker, John Robinson did some research of Tibercio Vasquez for his books about the San Gabriel Mountains if you want to chase it down. Great video with good background, thank you!

[@paulm.newitt3246]

As a compliment to the great work you both do here on KZbin....Your videos fill the gap of the loss of Huell Howser' and his "California's Gold" series. I love watching your videos...it's become very addictive! You're a wonderful couple, and I love your side comments and observations. Keep going; much appreciated!!!

[@jbenziggy]

Wow thanks Paul! We truly are honored by your compliments! We try our best and sometimes fall short but are gratified to know you appreciate our efforts! Huell was a great man! Blessings to you!

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

Thumbs up. Spent an hour trying to get a cell signal Out in the Ridgecrest desert and this video made it worth it.

[@tonypadilla1330]

Sarah! Come back.....such an adventurous soul. Another great episode. 🎉 Happy 💥 New 🎊Year

[@lisaburns1660]

Sarah was making me nervous! So glad no one fell. Great views!

[@Corgis175]

Although I passed Vasquez Rocks many times in my way to Acton, I never got off and ckd it out. Great natural rock formation.

[@Ziggyaig]

Really cool location. Can see why so many movies have been made there. Good hide out spot way back when. I love when you do the overlays of then and now. I always get inspired to go out and film and edit when I watch these excellent videos!! Thanks as always Jeff and Sarah!!

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was very cool. Wish we had more time to explore that place! Thanks again for watching, as always, one of our greatest fans!

[@jackiejohnson8609]

Love the Hollywood history 👍. Sarah your hilarious and a daredevil. Excellent video once again!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you!! 😁

[@uncletrick1]

I used to live not too far away from Vasquez Rocks. Visited it many times but I haven't been back for decades. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.

[@robertforrest7956]

Awesome!!! 👍😊 Blazing Saddles and History of the World are 2 of my faves!! 🎄🎅☃️

[@philcox3671]

That is a beautiful place there, Sarah you was giving me a heart attach you climbing lol, the history there is unreal thanks Jeff and Sarah for the history there 🤠🤠 love the work you two do for us all many thanks to you two, stay safe and healthy..

[@stevelinscome728]

One of the times I visited there, the movie Maverick was being filmed there with James Garner. He was very friendly. And, as I've watched many of the old 50s westerns on Grit TV, many have used that location, as well as Mt. Whitney area. I used to live in Palmdale area and commuted along Hwy 14 south (we called it, 'going down below') and north up 395 beyond Mammoth. Thanks for your info.

[@tractorhyatt7044]

Beautiful landscape! Appreciate you taking the time to match up film locations with the scene from the films. Gotta be careful when wandering that terrain. Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁🇺🇸🚜👍

[@WalkwithHistory]

Sarah. You are my hero. I would be so nervous climbing up there. :)

[@jbenziggy]

She always makes me nervous. Lol.

[@davew5383]

Defying gravity on Vasquez rocks, I have been by them many times going back and forth from the Antelope valley to Los Angeles but I have never stopped there. There is a similar formation just north of the 138 just west of Interstate 15 I have been by them many times also driving on the 138. I always recognize Vasquez rocks when I see them in the old Star Trek tv shows and stuff, they are a very interesting rock structure. I didn't know that they are an uplift caused by the San Andreas fault. I also didn't know how they got their name, I have always thought that Vasquez was a type of rock formation. Very interesting video👍🙂

[@brandyjean7015]

I've hiked all over that place as a kid. You can go around the back & find a way inside one of those hills. Large enough to hide several outlaws, the ideal hideout.

[@jbenziggy]

We wish we would have had more time to explore! That place is amazing!

[@johnnyquest3707]

My favorite author is (mostly) California western historian John Boessenecker who wrote the definitive bio of Vasquez called “Bandido”. His books on California outlaws mentions lawmen and bad guys moving through or shooting it out in places I, and any Californian can relate to. Your videos appreciate this very type of history.

[@caseyhansen4567]

Great book one of my favorite authors 2

[@rhondaz356]

Jeff, another great video... WOW, the place is loaded historically. I love the footage, physical recreations of previous events, and background info you supply us with. Jeff, much gratitude to you and Sarah. 👏🤠🙏

[@timothygreener6045]

I believe there was an episode of The Big Bang Theory shot there also.

[@ashleyg8633]

Thanks so much for this one! I played there many times as a kid in the 70s and I remember the fort but until now, never knew what production it was for!… I’m a recent subscriber and love your channel!!! 🙋‍♀️💕🙏🌻

[@drghg]

Just wanted to say that I really enjoy your videos. You go to places I love, and have been to many. I am a former teacher, and loved teaching about California history. You are doing a wonderful job !!!! Thank you both!!

[@jbenziggy]

You are so welcome! It's a pleasure to know that a former teacher, a person passionate about history, enjoys our channel as much as you do! We appreciate you not only watching but also commenting! It is us who must thank you! We hope we don't let you down in the future. Have a great holiday season with your loved ones, Gary!

[@robroiboi]

Fun video... I've seen those rocks many times, but never "in person", thanks to all of the movies & TV shows I've seen.

[@lanceolson9366]

Wonderful california film location to visit . Great episode

[@sunhikermutt6797]

I really appreciate the picture overlays, brings life to the location.

[@jbenziggy]

So glad that you liked our video!

[@markdraskovics1962]

Hey, Hello Jeff & Sarah Yah There sure was a lot of Hollywood movies Mead On that Site alongside of outlaws making it there hide out it's a Very Beautiful place and as cool as you can get so I'm thankful for all you Guy's do like Puting your life's on the line for our entertainment SO THANK YOU

[@churchofpos2279]

It's a great day- a cup of coffee and a new video. Life is good.

[@clarencejones7916]

from all of use who do not have the time or money to go to places like these we salute you Jeff 👏🏼👊😎

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you. Trust me, there is far more places I want to see than time or money allow. Happy Easter to you as well! Blessings!

[@carlakort7848]

I think the bonanza episode, Between Heaven and Earth was filmed there. It looks like a beautiful place, I’d love to go there someday.

[@gerrymaitland9799]

We used to go there for outings when I was a kid. We used to play on the ''fort'' set. Many scouting camp-outs there. Sat on the tips of the rocks and dangled our feet over the ledge. I've been waiting for someone to do a video on this place. You guys nailed it...

[@melindagordonbeck8958]

Absolutely love this! Haven’t been there in forever! Thanks for sharing! Jeff & Sarah you guys are awesome!

[@caroleannseaton9178]

Climb that? No way ! ! ! You're either nuts or braver than me. Great film again. I remember the Kirk episode. Be careful out there and Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.

[@carlupthegrove262]

I lived in Canyon Country (now Santa Clarita) in the 1980s... that was a great place to go for a quick day trip... it looks much more crowded now... thanks for this video

[@jbenziggy]

You’re welcome!

[@onthego9825]

Had my first beer there!

[@TheJoepeanut]

Drive past this on the way to the antelope valley twice a week for work and can tell you it's the highlight of my commute Thanks for the much appreciated videos

[@colinsmith3932]

What beautiful landscape, thank you both for sharing its amazing history

[@jbenziggy]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@BB-ij6ro]

Love the uploads and live feed you did ! Keep doing what you do. Some things you guys inform us I knew but Im surprised or shall I say Informed with those small nuggets of details/obscure info that makes this channel worthy of subscription. No worries I followed about 3 months ago. This vid got my 👍

[@Fedora5957]

Thanks for this video. I've seen this rock in countless movies dating back to the 1930s right up until now. Didn't know its name nor where it was located. Now I do. Thank you.

[@franksunden8789]

Talk about live & learn, you are very much appreciated, Thank you for doing what you do .

[@philipcollins5440]

As always, you both did a fantastic job. I have driven by these rocks probably 100 times. You made them come alive. Very glad ms Sarah didn't kill herself.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

Thank you again for taking me on vacation to a place where I would like to visit but can't. Shalom

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you so much for joining us, Jerry. Glad you liked it.

[@vasquezthegreat]

Vasquez Rocks! Nice! Funny, I never even knew about this historical spot till tonight. Thanks Jeff and Sarah..

[@jbenziggy]

Our pleasure! You must be a Vasquez!

[@jennysjourney02]

Thanks for this video. Never heard of this area, looks beautiful. CA has so many beautiful landscapes, it's amazing how diverse they all are.

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CaliforniaFly]

I never heard of that area, thanks for the info.

[@cameronmccreary4758]

Yes, Jeff I never knew about the history of these rocks; thanks for showing us around. I do remember seeing the rocks on soooooo many t.v. shows and movies. Star Trek "The Cage", "Where No Man Has Gone Before", Arena", and others which I can't readily recall. I looks built-up but still looks good.

[@renofredrenofred4913]

Finally a "Name" to a rocky outcrop I've seen in countless Westerns and Movies! Thank You for the tour of the site and again more historical information.

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! Yeah, it's a very recognizable outcropping that once you see it you instantly recognize it! I'm glad you enjoyed watching our video!

[@davcon3]

Brings back memory of Captain Kirk vs the lizard man. Thanks for posting.

[@markbeaver5010]

We used to take my nephews and nieces there hiking all the time, great place!!!

[@jbenziggy]

It is an awesome place! Thanks very much! We appreciate you watching!

[@ciaranmcnulty8675]

Thanks for the work you put into these videos, folks. Loving this channel so much.

[@jamesminear2336]

I love these movie sets ! You are paramount in finding the back drops! Glad Sara didn’t go to the top!! Heights don’t scare me much... but she was making me nervous too!👍👍

[@Smithsgold]

Cool!!!! thanks for showing us this cool place

[@jbenziggy]

You are very welcome. Thank you for coming along.

[@alankrueger9957]

Nice job again Jeff! Love those old western movie locations.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks Alan! Did you see our Alabama Hills episode? Full of western movie locations!

[@alankrueger9957]

@@jbenziggy I will check it out! Thanks Jeff.

[@martinp1544]

Jeff, I like your narration of the days events.... Pretty funny!

[@markvanleeuwen6678]

me and my dog luna stopped by there in march of 2019. it was just us.. nice place to visit for sure.!

[@wallypaul1431]

Another good one guys keep up the great work love you videos God bless stay safe

[@foxmulder4269]

Thanks guys, always interesting ! Always look forward to more ! Blessings !

[@JulieS261]

Countless film and TV westerns were filmed here. It was nice to see what it looks like in reality and not just bits and pieces.

[@jbenziggy]

Yes there were many many films, mostly westerns shot there. I’m glad that my video give you a different or more complete picture of that area. Thank you for watching

[@MrHubbmuscle]

Once again a fantastic video. It seems 4K it’s amazing!

[@docbrown6550]

Great Episode, Thanks

[@stevemccoy8138]

I've never heard of him. Very interesting video. But I did see Blazing Saddles at the movies with my Pals back when it first came out. After the movie first thing we did was go and eat beans and drink a lot of beer. Those days were Fun. Thanks again 🇺🇸

[@MsNevadakid]

man, love them rocks! looks like a well visited location.. thanks again guys....

[@scvandy3129]

This was fun. How fortunate Sarah and Jeff are at Vasquez Rocks on a clear, haze-free, smog-free day. As Jeff's videography shows, the visibility off to the horizon is endless. . . . "Gunsmoke" with James Arness at 11:55 - 11:58 is a good catch. "Alias Smith and Jones," "Lancer," "Cimarron Strip" and "The Wild Wild West" -- other late '60s - early '70s TV westerns -- filmed memorable scenes of episodes there too. With "Star Trek" TOS's notoriety, one episode shot there trumps them all, it seems. . . . Late in the tour Sarah's comment, recounting climbing steep, semi-dangerous terrain, that getting up isn't so much the problem, it's the concern and the challenge of coming back down -- is oh-so true..

[@robertrowland5813]

Don't forget a number of "Bonanza" episodes filmed at Vasquez Rocks, too!

[@doggerproductions]

I would love to see one where butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid was filmed 🤗🎅🎄🙂

[@Kana7782]

That’s funny because I was going to ask you guys if you can do a thing at Vasquez Rocks

[@alanatolstad4824]

Thanx for another great road trip!

[@royston8044]

I really enjoyed that, great to see these places, and you match things up so well, many thanks, Jeff and Sarah.

[@pamelakern2849]

What a cool place !! This video was so fun to watch. Great information 👍 I would be just like Sarah, getting up would be easier than coming down. Loved this video 🤗

[@floydeakle2123]

Been waiting for this one. Good job hope y'all had fun making it.

[@KB6YAF]

What a beautiful area. I never knew about that place. Thanks again for the Sunday morning history lesson. I can totally relate to "wanting" to do that hike, but my mind does actually kick in every now and then to tell my body that I am no longer 24 years old!!! ......Russell D.

[@jbenziggy]

Yeah and the body of any aged person does not do well rolling down hundreds of feet of rock. I kept asking myself how many people died on that rock. LOL

[@KB6YAF]

@@jbenziggy I fully understand, My dad used to say that it wasn't the fall that killed you, it was the sudden stop that did.

[@recasper55]

Awesome historical video !

[@randybrown6795]

Great Video that's a awesome place I love california it's a beautiful state

[@thomasrocker7408]

Between 1965 and 1968 my friends and I camped at Vasquez Rocks every summer. Because we got to know the Rangers ( RIP Ernie) were allowed to camp directly across from the " big" rock. We watched them film Star Trek, Hondo, Wild Wild West and the FBI with Efrem Zimbalast Jr. They usually filmed between Monday and Thursday. The producers actualy paid us to guard their sets. Great times.

[@dafyddr8678]

Fab video J & S. Amazing amount of history out there especially my fav Star Trek! Thanks for bringing this to us all. Stay Safe

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@canaryphaeochannel]

Jeff, Sarah great video thanks..

[@C.Peters.]

Great video Jeff!! I love being able to see the overlays of videos or pictures. So cool!! Thanks for all the hard work. 👏🏼👏🏼

[@stevenblevins8113]

Always love your shows, keep up the great work.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks, will do! We appreciate your nice words!

[@capt.ronswoodworks9344]

I had the opportunity to live in Aqua Dulce back in the early 60's, when I was in High School, and we lived about two miles from Vasquez Rocks. We lived below another feature called Saddleback Mountain which looked like a saddle. Have been there many times. They used to have a Sunrise Service during Easter that was quite touching with the sign rising in the morning and moving down from the top of the rocks to the base. I did climb to the peak when I was young and agile.