12 Things You May Not Know About Skywalker Ranch
1. Skywalker Ranch Is Not George Lucas' Home
George Lucas does not live at Skywalker Ranch. The ranch is actually a workplace for Skywalker Sound employees. They prefer to call it a "filmmaker's retreat," a place that fosters creativity.
2. Lucas Valley Road Is NOT Named After George Lucas
Skywalker Ranch is located off of Lucas Valley Road near San Rafael and Nicasio. But the road is not named after George Lucas. The road was named after John Lucas, a 19th century rancher who inherited land, the Santa Margarita rancho in the area. In 1978 George Lucas acquired the land where Skywalker Ranch is now located.
3. No Parking Lots (sort of)
In order to preserve the natural beauty of the landscape, underground parking was built.
4. Skywalker Ranch Is Bigger Than You Think
According to the Wall Street Journal, George Lucas has spent up to $100 million assembling the land, parcel by parcel since 1978. The land encompasses 4,700 acres with only 15 acres of it has been developed.
5. Skywalker Sound Is The Predominant Business at The Ranch
Located at Skywalker Ranch, The Tech Building houses Skywalker Sound, the sound division of Lucasfilm. They have worked on over 500 films and television shows and their facilities are over 150,000 square feet. An archway leading to the Skywalker Sound building is scrawled with the words "Viandante del Cielo" "Skywalker" in Italian.
6. The Best Theater In The World
Skywalker Ranch's 300 seat Stag Theater is located inside The Tech Building. It is said to be equipped with the most advance sound system in the world.
Related: Foodie Chap With Chef Bruno Tison & Winemaker Scott McLeod
7. Lake Ewok
The man-made lake near Skywalker Sound is called Lake Ewok. By the way, the word "Ewok" was never spoken in the Star Wars movies.
8. Houses Some of Lucas' Art Collection
George Lucas owns Charlie Chaplin's famous hat & cane. Lucas has the largest collection of vintage foreign cinema posters in the world. All framed, archived and preserved.
9. Skywalker Ranch General Store
For the few that make it into the ranch, the most sought after place to visit is, surprisingly, the Skywalker Ranch General Store. From mugs to clothing, Star Wars toys to hard to find wines from Skywalker Vineyard, it's all here. You can easily drop a mortgage payment on the items for sold inside the store.
10. Skywalker Ranch Fire Department
Skywalker Ranch's Fire Department is part of the Marin County Mutual Aid system that helps neighboring firefighters in Marin County.
11. Skywalker Ranch Is An Actual Working Ranch
True to it's name, Skywalker Ranch is a working ranch that produces it's own wine, olive oil and yes, Wagyu beef.
12. Built Like a Fortress
Security is extremely tight. There are no signs indicating the company's presence from the street. The ranch has a subtle, yet impenetrable front gate with their own fire and security detail. Those who tried to get past the gate is met with this contingent. Fanboys, told a story about a group of Star Wars fans who fictionally made it into Skywalker Ranch. The comedy starred Jay Baruchel, Kristen Bell, Sam Huntington, Dan Fogler and Chris Marquette.(pictured)
©2017 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved.
