lucas ranch tours

Skywalker Ranch

Skywalker Ranch, home of Skywalker Sound, is one of the film industry’s most legendary campuses. Located in Marin, the expansive grounds combine the innovative spirit of Lucasfilm with the pastoral California landscape and traditional Victorian architecture. Built with a spirit of sustainability, a majority of the surrounding land is home to domestic farm animals, organic gardens, a 26-acre vineyard, a seven-acre olive tree grove, and bee colonies that produce the Ranch’s honey. There is no other place like it.

The Inn at Skywalker Ranch

Clients of Skywalker Sound stay at the Inn at Skywalker Ranch, a 26-room bed and breakfast. The rooms and suites have surprising monikers, such as “Akira Kurosawa,” “Dorothy Parker,” and “George Gershwin,” among others -- all named in tribute to people that George Lucas, Skywalker Ranch’s founder, admires. Photographs, art, books, and rare artifacts decorate each room in honor of its namesake.

Continental breakfast is provided daily. Lunch is available weekdays at the Main House Dining Room and Fitness Center Salad Bar and Grill. Arrangements can be made for a catered, delivered, or self-cooked dinner, or guests can explore the diverse selection of excellent restaurants in Marin County and San Francisco.

While staying at Skywalker Ranch, guests are welcome to use the Fitness Center and shop at the General Store for souvenirs such as Skywalker Ranch wine, honey, olive oil, and clothing. The Fitness Center offers state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a pristine 75' x 25' heated swimming pool, racquetball/volleyball, half-court basketball, a handball court, and an aerobics room. Bicycles are available for transportation around the Ranch.

Brook House, Carriage House and Gate House

Skywalker Ranch's ancillary buildings -- the Brook House, Carriage House, and Gate House -- provide production offices for filmmakers and producers. Each has its own theater for screenings and reviews. All were built in the 1980s, but crafted in the style of a particular era: Brook House as 1913 Craftsman, Carriage House as 1915 Barn, and Gate House as 1870 Victorian/Craftsman.

Reference Library

The Lucas Research Library is a full-service research department providing reference for film, television, and theater productions. With an extensive collection of books, periodicals, and picture files, it provides historical and contemporary images to production personnel. Costume and set designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, directors, and producers have used the Lucas Research Library's services for decades.

The Main House, a Victorian-style mansion with Art Deco touches, is Skywalker Ranch's warm centerpiece. Completed in 1985, designers used vintage materials whenever possible in the Main House’s construction; the tight-grained redwood paneling in its hallways is first-growth redwood rescued from one of California’s earliest bridges, and the campus' rock walls were made using stones found on the property.

Observatory

An observatory is located on Skywalker Ranch for the serious star gazer.

Skywalker Vineyards

Skywalker Vineyards, which overlooks the Technical Building on Skywalker Ranch, launched in 1991 with its first plantings. The vineyard offers Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, made entirely of estate-grown grapes. Both the 2009 and 2010 Skywalker Pinot Noir have received a 93-point rating from Wine Spectator.

Skywalker Ranch

Skywalker Ranch, located 40 minutes north of San Francisco, is the pastoral home to Lucasfilm’s celebrated sound design, mixing and audio post-production facility, Skywalker Sound.

Skywalker Sound occupies the 153,000-square-foot Technical Building, which features a world-class scoring stage, six feature mix stages, 15 sound design suites, 50 editing suites, an ADR stage, two Foley stages, and the 300-seat Stag Theater. The property also includes the iconic Main House and the beautiful Lake Ewok.

SKYWALKER SOUND PO Box 3000 San Rafael, California 94912 United States 415/662-1000

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Tour George Lucas‘s Office at Skywalker Ranch

The compound includes a Victorian-style main house and numerous outbuildings.

Built in 1985 and surrounded by mostly native trees, the 50,000-square-foot house contains Lucas’s office, his research library, a music room, a 35-seat theater and a solarium. Lucas conceptualized the design and passed it to a local firm, TWM Architects, to execute.

“I move around in the era of 1850 to 1910,” Lucas says. For the Lucasfilm Research Library, he asked artisan Eric Christensen to create stained glass “reminiscent of the work of Greene and Greene.” The fully staffed library accommodates more than 27,000 titles.

A side table in Lucas’s office holds a stereopticon, original maquettes for a Star Wars chess set and a Hopi kachina doll.

Atop his office desk are a Tiffany lamp and toy cars from the 1920s and ’30s. A circa 1920 painting by J. C. Leyendecker is at rear.

Maxfield Parrish’s The Waterfall joins Star Wars prototypes in the writing room. Northern California-based Deborah Brown Michie designed this and other rooms in the house. The quilt was a birthday gift from the children and teachers at Lucasfilm’s child-care facility.

The restaurant serving the BAR Architects-built Technical Building “was modeled after an 1880s winery,” Lucas explains.

Part of the guest complex, a 26-room bed-and-breakfast for clients, the guesthouse has two- and three-bedroom apartments for long stays at Skywalker Ranch. Rooms are dedicated to historical figures Lucas admires, such as Dorothy Parker, John Steinbeck and Ansel Adams.

A Paramount film, Twisted , with Samuel L. Jackson and Ashley Judd, gets the once-over from Skywalker Sound in a sound mix room.

Architect Robert Remiker and designer Lori O’Kane Backen styled an inn for ranch guests. Shown in the stone-and-wood Miner’s Lounge.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Room, one of many theme rooms at The Inn, has a drawing by the architect, left. Stickley furniture.

Aspen, birch and maple trees envelop the guesthouse courtyard, designed by the Bay Area landscape architecture firm Baronian Whisler. “Hanging out here with 10 to 15 people on an autumn or spring night, when it’s vaguely nippy with a fire going, is really nice,” says Lucas

Skywalker Ranch Tour & Lucasfilm Strange Magic Screening Trip

• Sara @MomEndeavors
• January 16, 2015

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The Tech Building – Skywalker Sound

The Iconic Main House

 Then, there is the library. Oh the library! It is spectacular!!! The Lucas Research Library is actually a full service research department providing reference for film, television and theater productions. It’s a place where those working in the film/entertainment industry can come to do research, get inspiration, etc. The library acquired the Paramont Studios Research collection in 1987 and the Universal Studios collection in 2000. There’s over 35,000 books (spanning from the 1800s to present day), current subscriptions to over 50 magazine titles, and over 700 file drawers containing photographic files housed in the library. And, clearly from the photo above, it is gorgeous! All the wood work was done on site (there was an old mill originally on property)! And, that stained glass dome is AMAZING!!

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5 responses.

OH my gosh, as a big Lucas fan I am totally fan crushing right now! What an AMAZING experience you got to have. I love all the facts you shared, especially about the house! The pictures also look breathtaking. I think I would be hanging out at the Ewok lake quite a bit if I worked there 😉

Love all the photos! What an amazing experience and thank you for walking us through all of it. I love the library and all the movie posters (I’m sure I would have loved the memorabilia too!) I would work there in a heartbeat 😉 We can’t wait to see Strange Magic as soon as it’s out!

By any chance do you know if they ever have public tours?

Unfortunately, Frankie – I don’t think so.

From 1982-1985 as a carpenter at Skywalker Ranch I worked on the Main House as well as the Carriage. Stable and Gate House. It was to say the least memorable. There is plaque placed in a wall in the Main House with a hammer attached with the names of some of carpenters listed, I did not get a chance to sign the plaque. A lot of good memories. One bad one that no one talks about to this day .

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How to Tour Skywalker Ranch

Nestled in a secluded area in Nicasio, California, Skywalker Ranch is the workplace of film director, writer and producer George Lucas.

Skywalker Sound

Skywalker Sounds can be found on the grounds of the Ranch.  There, sound is designed not only for Star Wars, but some of the biggest movies in Hollywood like the MCU and Disney and Pixar films.

There are two ways to visit Skywalker Ranch , but the first is only reserved for business execs. Located on the Ranch grounds, The Summit is an executive retreat for conducting group meetings and team building in a secure, private & exclusive setting.

George also owns vineyards in France and Italy which offer the same executive experience and are available to the public to rent and stay at.

Château Margüi

Il Convento del Viandante del Cielo

For those of us who aren't corporate executives, the second option for touring Skywalker Ranch is much more accessible and affordable.

The Ranch is home to Skywalker Vineyards. It's a little known secret, but if you join the wine club, you get access to perks like on-site wine tastings and access to Skywalker Ranch!

Wine club unboxing

If you are interested in joining the Skywalker Vineyards wine club as a means to tour Skywalker Ranch then you can expect to pay between $200 and $300 for each quarterly shipment.

Each shipment will come with four bottles of wine and a recipe card so that you can pair your wine with the perfect meal. 

More than the wine itself, are the added benefits that you will receive like access to exclusive events and wine tastings on Skywalker Ranch which are available only to wine club members.

Skywalker Ranch FAQ

Where is skywalker ranch.

Skywalker Ranch is located at  5858 Lucas Valley Rd Nicasio, CA 94946

Can you visit Skywalker Ranch?

You can only visit if you stay at the Summit or you book a tasting as a wine club member.

How much does it cost to stay at Skywalker Ranch?

You can contact Skywalker Ranch directly to find current pricing.

However, anyone can get an overlook of the property by hiking to Big Rock .

Want More Star Wars Stories?

Interview with craig miller: lucasfilm director of fan relations (1977-1980), how to send fan mail to the star wars cast members , star wars autograph quiz.

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Skywalker Ranch Ticket Price, Hours, Address and Reviews

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Skywalker Ranch

• Address: 5858 Lucas Valley Rd, Nicasio, CA 94946, USA, United States Map
• Timings: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm Details
• Phone: +1-4156621000
• Tags: Family And Kids

Skywalker Sound is a famous recording company based in Nicasio. It is the place where the iconic Star Wars sound track was recorded. It is the sound division of George Lucas' Lucas Digital motion picture group. The head of the division is Josh Lowden, and he believes that the Skywalker Ranch provides a creative atmosphere for the staff members. Here, the numerous Star Wars sounds including the popular hum of the lightsaber are recorded and processed. An amalgamation of real instruments and virtual sounds creates the desired end effect. Star Wars fans have to visit this place on a trip to Nicasio!

How to Reach Skywalker Ranch

Love this? Explore the entire list of places to visit in Nicasio before you plan your trip.

Fancy a good night's sleep after a tiring day? Check out where to stay in Nicasio and book an accommodation of your choice.

• Skywalker Ranch Address: 5858 Lucas Valley Rd, Nicasio, CA 94946, USA, United States
• Skywalker Ranch Contact Number: +1-4156621000
• Skywalker Ranch Timing: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
• Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary!

95% of people who visit Nicasio include Skywalker Ranch in their plan

54.55% of people start their Skywalker Ranch visit around 09 AM

People usually take around 30 Minutes to see Skywalker Ranch

95% of people prefer to travel by car while visiting Skywalker Ranch

People normally club together Sea Lion Overlook and Skywalker Sound while planning their visit to Skywalker Ranch.

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Skywalker Ranch Reviews & Ratings

Attractions Nearby

• Muir Woods National Monument
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• Marin Headlands
• California Missions Museum
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• Donum Estate
• Prohibition Spirits And Hellocello Distillery

What is the best way to book the bed and breakfast at Skywalker ranch?

Hi, How much are tickets for the tour please. Thanks

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When entering the gate we were politely reminded that no photographs could be taken. At the time of our visit in 1986, no members of the press had been admitted. Our tour guide for the drive related that Ronald Reagan, then President of the United States requested a tour of Skywalker Ranch but was denied. Lucasfilm lost a court battle to have the U.S. government refrain from calling the Strategic Defense Initiative, "Star Wars." I suspect this ruling didn't help President Reagan's chances for a visit...

Framed by a lake and two lush green hills, the ranch house is a strikingly beautiful building of Victorian design. It has a gray roof interrupted periodically by chimneys and the peaks of dormers surrounding windows on the third floor. As you approach the house, ribbons of color burst from the etched glass windows which dance like a dozen prisms in sunlight. The entrance hall features a grand staircase on the right which gracefully curves left as it rises to the second floor, and Mr. Lucas' private office. A staff member confided that George had the hand assembled redwood staircase re-done three times before he was satisfied. Much like the storyboards back at ILM preceded films, George felt that the ranch he was constructing should have good story. He decided that the estate would have started as a monastery, but was later converted into a mansion and vineyard for wine-making. As the vineyard's family grew, new homes and cottages were built. Last, as the story goes, Lucas purchased the estate and adapted it to become his creative headquarters for artists and technicians alike.

In reality, George had a wood shop and a glass shop set up on site during the construction of the ranch house. He salvaged a large amount of sizable and rare redwood supports from trestles and bridges that were being modernized in the western United States. These shops produced the beautiful redwood lumber and etched glass used in much of the construction of the main ranch house.

The breakfast room, located to the left of the entrance hall was our first stop. Decorated in Colonial Williamsburg style (hey I know this when I see it, Williamsburg is a 30 minute drive from my home), the room was tastefully furnished with antiques and featured a very large table in the center. Our guide informed us to expect many different themes throughout our tour.

We again passed through the entrance hall and entered a large and lofty reception room. This room was approximately 30' wide by 60' long. It was furnished with ample furniture for sitting and lounging and a large fireplace. The room was paneled in rich redwood, and numerous windows prevented the room from seeming too dark. Tall, open cathedral ceilings were framed with beams milled on the ranch. Several minutes later we were joined by several of the LucasArts computer specialists we met earlier at the apartment-like complex.

We exited the reception room through a doorway at the opposite end of the room and passed into a very long hallway that wouldn't be out of place in a old Victorian mansion. The hallway must have spanned much of the center length of the ranch house and provided access to numerous rooms and more stairs to the upper floors.

Next stop: the Skywalker Ranch library, a breathtaking stop on the tour. The room features isles of bookcases, thousands of books, and tables and chairs to make research sessions more comfortable for the library's patrons. One notices a different quality to the light in this room and a glance skyward explains the reason. A forty foot stained glass dome is set in the ceiling casting down its component colors of gold, red, and orange. A second level accessible via a spiral staircase is home to more books and original paintings. At the base of the staircase, I asked a LucasArts designer a question on my mind. In the mid 80s word was circulating that George Lucas, frustrated by the decade the Star Wars New Hope trilogy took to produce, canceled any plans for future episodes. "Will there be more Star Wars films?" I asked. While the Prequels are common knowledge today and you can even glimpse behind the scenes at www.starwars.com , www.starwarz.com , and www.theforce.net , there was no hint that they would be produced in the popular press of 1986. Therefore, it was very exciting when the staff member asked me to reflect on the new technologies I had viewed earlier in the day. He indicated that everything George Lucas was doing was to make films faster and easier to make using digital sound, video, and editing. "There will be more [Star Wars] films," he confided.

A little past noon, our group was led to the rear of the ranch house and into a Victorian style solarium. The three exposed walls and ceiling provided a view of part of the Ranch including the two large green hills that frame the ranch house. The view isn't cluttered by parked cars, since parking garages are located below ground. Thirty foot trees rise from a lower level and pass through the center of the solarium and nearly to the glass ceiling. I was told that vaults for Lucasfilm treasures including film and props are housed below around the base of the trees. However, without the climbing ability of a Wookie you wouldn't gain access to the vaults from this room! Today a large building housing the Lucasfilm archives has been constructed on Skywalker Ranch, so the basement vaults may no longer exist. The solarium was filled with iron patio-style tables and chairs. Here we dined with Skywalker Ranch staff on traditional California cuisine prepared and served by George Lucas' chef. Staff at the table next to me were discussing work on a scene for Howard the Duck. They were planning a strategy for deploying hundreds of duck decoys during a scene in the film. As lunch was completed, we were told of an observatory George had constructed on the Ranch to house a large telescope given to him by an ardent Star Wars fan. Sadly, rain showers prevented us from taking the short hike to the observatory for a visit.

Rather, we headed below ground to a basement level of the Ranch. There we entered George Lucas' private theater. The room, approximately 25' wide by 50' long was filled with about 15 comfy recliners. Each chair was accompanied by a marble end table with a touch-sensitive bankers lamp. Theater style, three walls were draped with rich, burgundy fabric and all of the chairs faced a large screen on the remaining wall. We were informed that the theater housed a new technology offering superior sound and named, THX. I also learned the room sits on a special foundation that apparently offers the unexpected benefit of shielding occupants from earth tremors. Guests have left the theater surprised to learn that tremors were experienced elsewhere on the property. Moments later the room dimmed and we were treated to film footage not available outside of Skywalker Ranch with outtakes from Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Here, thanks to the magic of audio dubbing (and creative Lucasfilm techs) we find Indiana Jones not in search of the Ark of the Covenant or lost Shankara stones, but seeking to find the best pot in the world! In another scene we see Harrison Ford knock on a door, that is answered by Stephen Spielberg. Surprised, Spielberg reacts and catches Ford as he leaps into his arms and swoons, "Honey, I'm home!"

A Star Wars Nerd’s Dream: Visiting the Skywalker Ranch & LucasFilm HQ

This past weekend, one of my dreams came true. I went to Skywalker Ranch and LucasFilms HQ. I am a huge Star Wars nerd so this was amazing for me. The things I got to see – only a handful of people can do that. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.

Skywalker Ranch

From the moment we pulled on to the Skywalker Ranch lot, I was in awe. It was pitch black and we could barely see a thing but I knew I was where George Lucas – THE George Lucas – lives sometimes, and that was enough for me. After being told to turn our cellphones off and put them in sealed bags, we were led into a theater. But not just any theater. The theater where George Lucas himself has sat and screened 1st cuts of some of America’s favorite films. WOW.

We were in George Lucas’ theater – and we were about to watch 28 minutes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. I am pretty sure I watched all the footage with my mouth hanging open. I was in awe. What I saw was so well done – different but with similar undertones. Gareth Edwards has done incredible things and I cannot wait to see the rest of the movie – I am DYING to see the rest of the movie.

A Tour of the Grounds

After the footage, there was a press reception. There was delicious foods and wittily named drinks (Jyn and Tonic & Jyn Mule). We were able to get our photos taken with some Stormtroopers and saw 8 costumes from the movie displayed. I was on cloud 9 all night – and then we were told the Skywalker Ranch General Store opened up for us and we could shop. I collect 3 things – magnets, ornaments, and mugs – so I got all 3 of those and I know I will smile each time I see them as I remember this once in a lifetime experience. On the way to the store, we even drove by George Lucas’ house, which was beautifully decorated for the holidays.

LucasFilm HQ

I could have ended my trip there and been one of the happiest geeks alive – but the next day we were off to LucasFilm Headquarters to interview many of the cast members and the director. I will have those interviews later (so keep checking back for those), but we were also able to shop there AND get a private tour. I am pretty sure I was beaming with excitement the entire day (my cheeks still hurt from smiling so much).

There was so many incredible things to see on the Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) tour. I was surprised to discover just how many movies were finished there. We walked down a wall filled with posters of movies they finished in post and it was quite surreal. The props that I got to see – things like Slimer from Ghostbusters, the T-Rex from the original Jurassic Park (and fun fact – he was scanned in to a computer for the new one too!), and models that were used on set for movies like Star Wars.

I could have spent an entire day – or longer – exploring everything. The hour tour seemed way too short. One of my favorite things was the motion capture suit for Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. I loved that it even had the claw hand like the character.

Motion Capture

Speaking of motion capture, because Alan Tudyk did motion capture for K-2SO, we were able to go into a motion capture studio there and see how it was done. This was really fun! We got to see the suit up close and also see K-2SO projected on screens while the person wearing the suit was moving around. I found it fascinating to watch – and the guy in the suit made it a lot of fun. We even were taking photos with K-2SO! It is such an amazing process.

Learning about Motion Capture at LucasFilm HQ and it's super cool!! #K2SO #RogueOneEvent #RogueOne #StarWars pic.twitter.com/2z4XqpbANK — Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) December 5, 2016

I still cannot believe that I was there and all the amazing things I saw. These were once in a lifetime opportunities and I will treasure the memories for the rest of my life. Any Star Wars nerd – or movie nerd at that – would appreciate the incredible things that I saw.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits theaters on December 16th!

Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.

Pingback: Golden Globe Nominee Riz Ahmed Says Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is about Redemption | #RogueOneEvent | Mama Smith's

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George Lucas Is Still The Proud Owner Of Skywalker Ranch

The director has spent around $100 million developing the impressive property north of San Francisco since 1978. Although he doesn't live there (at least as of 2002) , Lucas uses the land as a retreat, as well as work and studio space.

Now with his  $4 billion windfall from selling Lucasfilm, perhaps Lucas will spend more money building his dreamland.

Hot off his 1977 hit Star Wars, director George Lucas began acquiring land north of San Francisco in 1979.

Now-47,000 acres, his ranch is located in the coincidentally named Lucas Valley.

Lucas called it Skywalker Ranch, after the movie protagonist. The property also contains a Lake Ewok, along with other Star Wars themed places and things.

But no real Ewoks here ...

The 50,000-square foot main home is designed to look like an 1869 Victorian home of a cattle rancher.

Source:  LA Times 

Lucas spent more than $100 million on the land, and has only built on 15 of those acres.

Source:  Curbed

The estate includes this fitness center, with racquetball courts and swimming pool. Elsewhere there's a movie theater, several screening rooms, and mostly underground parking.

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

On the property is a 150,000-square foot technical building that was home to Skywalker Sound — until yesterday.

Source: LA Times

Skywalker ranch even has its own fire brigade to protect the estate. The brigade is an active part of the Marin County Fire Mutual Aid program.

Source: LA Times 

More than 100 firefighters work on the ranch. They also assist overnight guest services at the inn, and they often transport guests up to the Main House or Technical Building in one of the smaller trucks.

Source: Marinwood Fire

This rendering shows a giant Mission-style building that Lucas tried to build to house his employees—an expansion that Marin County blocked.

Source: Curbed

Somewhere on the property ... hey look, a Yoda statue!

So what's next with Star Wars?

George Lucas Explains What Disney Is Planning >

• Main content

Tour George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch

Photo: George Burns

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What Star Wars Fans Might Not Know About Skywalker Ranch

The Star Wars franchise began with an idea George Lucas had in 1971 for a space fantasy. It is well known that Lucas initially wanted to remake "Flash Gordon." However, when he couldn't get the rights, he started work on what would become 1977's "Star Wars," the film that would be later renamed "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope."

The success of "Episode IV" not only gave Lucas the industry credit needed to create 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back" and 1983's "Return of the Jedi," it also started a franchise that made Lucas a lot of money. Though there is no document presenting Lucas's net worth over time, as of 2021, he is estimated to be worth $6.4 billion .

While we fantasize about what we would do if we suddenly became rich overnight, Lucas decided to create a one-of-a-kind movie ranch that would eventually be named Skywalker Ranch. As we'll soon see, not only is Skywalker Ranch more than just a generic studio, it embodies much of what makes Lucas and Star Wars unique — and has also been a frequent site of moments important to the business side of Star Wars.

Creating Skywalker Ranch - Why?

In a 1992  Entertainment Tonight  segment, George Lucas gave Leonard Maltin a tour of Skywalker Ranch. Early on, Lucas explains that his career had been spent working out of garages and rented houses so often that he was normalized to working in spaces that felt more like a home than an office. As Lucas said, "I've always worked either out of my house or out of a big old rented house that we used to do our films in and it just seemed appropriate to continue that tradition."

Wanting this space to function as a creative retreat as well as an ongoing site for film production, Lucas created what Maltin deemed "the ideal work environment." As he put it, "It's homey. It's beautiful. It's aesthetically pleasing. It has everything you could want in high-tech" — and everyone is "just a few feet from some of the most advanced technical equipment in the world."

Maltin built on this point by communicating that Skywalker Ranch is about 20 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, which makes a statement. "But it's not a statement for show, it's a statement for a purpose," he argued. "The purpose being the stimulus and the comfort for people who want to do their job well."

So, while Lucas doesn't actually live at Skywalker Ranch, it was always designed to feel like a home away from home for all who work there and visit. Moreover, the fusion of bleeding edge entertainment technology nestled in a pastoral landscape, in many ways, embodies George Lucas's love of deploying new technologies to craft classically structured narratives.

Skywalker Ranch is MASSIVE

It's difficult to understand just how much land Skywalker Ranch covers. Lucas initially purchased about 1700 acres in 1978. Following this, he would buy neighboring properties until the Skywalker Ranch reached its current size of 6000 acres .

To understand just how massive that is, the island of Manhattan is about 10,890 acres, which means that Skywalker Ranch is roughly 55% the size of Manhattan. For another comparison, Disneyland Park only occupies about 500 acres, making Skywalker Ranch over 12 times bigger — so big that it has its own fire department.

The size of this ranch is only highlighted by how little of it has been developed. According to a 2007 article from the Marin Independent Journal , only about 15 acres have buildings on them. "The Skywalker Ranch complex, including administrative offices, film storage and guest accommodations, sits on about 15 acres of the property," it notes. "Most of the remainder is under an agricultural conservation easement."

The Summit at Skywalker Ranch

As Lucasfilms evolved, the emphasis of Skywalker Ranch shifted from post-production to a retreat for creative workshopping. As the homepage for Skywalker Retreats explains, "The facilities were originally custom-designed to accommodate the creative, technical and administrative needs of Lucas's production company. In 2018, Summit Skywalker Ranch was reimagined as a creative retreat for likeminded businesses to stay and experience the Skywalker vision."

So this space could be described as a hotel. However, that does little to fully describe the facilities of the Summit, which was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright . It has 56 guest suites, with two being signature suites, and all of them customizable to the liking of individual guests. Guests at the Summit also have access to three main common spaces, the David Lean Theater, a gallery, and a spa.

It's all very fancy, but the depth of and variety of options at the Summit specifically and Skywalker Ranch in general are so much more.

The Force is strong with these wines

Skywalker Ranch not only offers its own wines , it has its own vineyard. Simply named Skywalker Vineyards , this 26-acre section of the ranch was established in 1991, although Lucas' interest in wineries goes back much further. As the winery's website states, his "vintner dreams can be traced back to his childhood in Modesto, California. Surrounded by vineyards — the fragrance of fermenting grapes permeating the air — the small Central Valley community was imbued with the culture of grape growing and wine making."

These wines may not come from a galaxy far away, but they are Star Wars-themed. For example, there's Skywalker Pinot Noir, Skywalker Chardonnay, and Skywalker Rosé. And inspired by the Summit venue, the winery now sells Sommità-Italian based wines.

Continuing Lucas' love of bridging the old with brand-new tech, the winery is described as "a place where majestic architecture meets cutting edge technology."

And of course, Skywalker Vineyards sells  gift sets . They include far more than wine, however, because Skywalker Ranch does more than just produce alcohol.

It's a functioning ranch

George Lucas didn't just want Skywalker Ranch to look like a ranch, he wanted it to be fully functional. So not only does it produce its own wine, it makes its own olive oil and honey, it has an organic garden for seasonal produce, and even raises Wagyu cattle.

The ranch produces two types of standard olive oil : Skywalker Marin and Skywalker Italian Olive Oils. It also presses an extra virgin olive oil called Il Convento Sul Trasimeno. This type of olive oil has a history going back to 1566, when Capuchin monks began to cultivate the plant variety.

It's difficult to know which food is specifically served at Skywalker Ranch's restaurants, but we can get an idea from the restaurants outside the ranch that source food from it. For instance, the Sessions at the Presidio is a San Francisco restaurant that's operated by Skywalker Ranch and located in the Letterman Digital Arts Center, a relationship that has enabled Sessions to build a menu with produce from the ranch.

As Tessa McLean wrote for SFGate in May 2021 , "Since its opening in 2015, the farm-to-table gastropub has always had a unique relationship with Skywalker Ranch, another Lucasfilm workplace in Marin County. Through the working ranch, the restaurant sources many fruits, vegetables, herbs and even olive oil directly from its organic garden to be featured in dishes. Even the burger on the menu uses Wagyu beef from the ranch."

Unique library, gallery, and collections

The Skywalker Ranch is also home to one-of-a-kind resources, the most well-known of which is the Lucasfilm Research Library. Initially established in 1978 at Lucasfilm's Los Angeles offices, the library moved to Northern California in 1981, and then to its present location in the Main House of Skywalker Ranch in 1985. The library's materials come from various places, including the Paramount Studios research collection and the Universal Studios collection.

In a 2012 interview, Jo Donaldson, who was then the manager of the Lucasfilm Research Library, provided some crucial insights into its policies as well as its collection. For instance, it has over 27,000 books from the 1880s to present; more than 17,000 audio and video assets; more than 600 files of pictures from the 1800s to present; and thousands more pieces of archival materials. Sadly, Donaldson explained that "library materials can be checked out by Lucasfilm employees, but are not available to the general public."

However, other entertainment industry professionals can gain access to these archives. As Donaldson said, "We also contract out our research services to non-Lucasfilm productions. Our collection is used by production and fashion designers, hair stylists and makeup artists working in film, theater and television. Some noteworthy productions we have worked on include: 'J. Edgar,' 'Lincoln,' 'The Great Gatsby,' 'Dark Shadows,' 'Iron Man,' 'Good Night and Good Luck,' 'Memoirs of a Geisha,' 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Chicago' and the television series 'Big Love.'"

Bringing Indiana Jones to television

Given that Skywalker Ranch was built to conduct business, it makes sense that it's also been the site of some big business deals, two of which involve former ABC and Disney chief Bob Iger talking to George Lucas. The first of them took place in 1989.

"Twin Peaks" is now known as a critically acclaimed show with a cult following. And if you think the show is weird now, you have no idea how unusual it is that it aired on ABC. The fact that David Lynch — who was known as a film director at the time — was producing a show for a mainstream network sent shockwaves through the industry. Soon, every TV executive wanted to get a blockbuster movie director to helm a show. Bob Iger was no different, and reached out to many filmmakers, including George Lucas.

As Iger writes in his memoir, "The Ride of a Lifetime," he met with Lucas at Skywalker Ranch. This meeting would lead to Lucas delivering "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" to the network. "I met with George and he pitched an idea for a show that would follow a young Indian Jones as he traveled around the world," recalled Iger. "'Each episode will be a history lesson,' George said. Indy would interact with historical figures like Churchill and Freud and Degas and Mata Hari." Though the show only lasted two seasons, Iger added that "George had been grateful at the time that I'd given the show that chance."

The meeting at Skywalker Ranch that led to "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" helped form the relationship that would lead to the biggest deal of Lucas' career — and one of the biggest in Hollywood history.

Bringing Star Wars back

In the fall of 2012, George Lucas tilted the axis of the entertainment industry by selling Lucasfilm to Disney for an eye-popping $4 billion . It's a relationship that's had its ups and downs, with Lucas publicly acknowledging his disappointment over Disney neglecting to use his story outline for what became a sequel trilogy; given that Iger was crafting his memoir following the release of the second installment in that trilogy, "The Last Jedi," the book serves as an interesting documentation of the fallout. It's fascinating in retrospect to note that Iger's second meeting with Lucas at Skywalker Ranch was filled with tension.

As the first chapter of the sequel trilogy, "Episode VII – The Force Awakens," took shape and it was clear that it would completely ignore Lucas' suggestions for future movies, Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy and director J.J. Abrams visited Lucas at the ranch and told them about the next movie. As Iger writes, "George immediately got upset as they began to describe the plot and it dawned on him that we weren't using any of the stories he submitted during the negotiations." It was a sour turn that Iger admits could have turned out differently.

"I could have talked through this with him and possibly avoided angering him by not surprising him," Iger continued. "Now, in the first meeting with him about the future of Star Wars, George felt betrayed."

Still used for creative endeavors

Despite all the changes that have taken place at Lucasfilms, Skywalker Ranch is still a home for creative projects. For instance, the 2015 computer-animated jukebox musical fantasy "Strange Magic" was produced at the ranch. And while Lucas may not own Star Wars himself, it's nice knowing that many future Star Wars projects are still being developed at Skywalker Ranch.

In a video designed to introduce fans to the next era of the franchise, the announcement trailer for "Star Wars: The High Republic"  followed a team of writers on a retreat at Skywalker Ranch that included creatives such as Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, Daniel José Older, Cavan Scott, Charles Soule, and more, all of whom pitched and developed ideas that would become "The High Republic."

Additionally, Skywalker Sound, which is located at the ranch, still works on movies, with some of its recent projects including "The Suicide Squad," "Vivo," "Black Widow," and "Eternals."

Lucas fights back with charity

For years George Lucas has wanted to expand the production capabilities of Skywalker Ranch by building a full film studio. This studio was to be built in a property called Grady Ranch, which historically neighbored Skywalker Ranch and Lucas purchased in 1988. With much of Skywalker Ranch dedicated to pre-production and post-production, a studio would enable live-action films to be created entirely at the ranch. According to a 2012 New York Times piece , the facility would have been "a 269,701-square-foot digital studio." For context, 269,701 square feet is equal to 6.19 acres.

Lucas' neighbors didn't like this, and every time he tried to get permission to build this new studio, they found ways to delay the permits. "With the project seemingly winding its way toward approval, a group of residents in Lucas Valley resurrected a defunct homeowners' association last summer," Norimitsu Onishi wrote for the New York Times. Lucas ultimately canceled plans to build a studio and replaced them with plans to build low-income housing on his property. As SFist reported , he "filed a proposal to build 224 units on land next to his home. With 120 two-and three-bedroom homes for low-income workers and 104 residences for pensioners, it would be one of the largest affordable housing projects in the Bay Area. Also in the plans: a community center and pool, an orchard, and a farm or garden."

One upset neighbor claimed that Lucas pushing to build low-income housing was " inciting class warfare ." Sadly, as of 2020, according to Andrew Chamings of SFGate , "eight years later, that housing project is still embattled and unbuilt. "

Random facts

There are dozens (if not hundreds) of aspects of Skywalker Ranch that are not fully known by the public due to the area's secrecy. As such, we know tidbits of things, but lack all the information needed to put them in context. For example, Skywalker Ranch is bordered by Lucas Valley Road — named after John Lucas , who was a landowner in the early 20th century and has no familial connection to George Lucas.

It's also  rumored that President Ronald Reagan was denied a visit to Skywalker Ranch. When the U.S. government decided to create a defense system nicknamed "Star Wars," Lucasfilm sued over the name but lost in court. While no public statement has been made connecting the two events, it's easy to connect the dots.

Skywalker Ranch also has an observatory located on one of the property's hills. There aren't any images of it publicly available — the closest that could be found is this overhead shot of the observatory from Google Maps.

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Skywalker Ranch Visit and Lucasfilm Tour

November 8, 2022 · Karen · 9 Comments

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I just returned home from a whirlwind adventure to San Francisco for the Rogue One press event. Check out my visit to Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm tour.

The trip featured a visit to Skywalker Ranch to screen extended scenes from Rogue One and an evening reception, plus interviews with the cast and a fun tour of Lucasfilm headquarters in San Francisco.

Skywalker Ranch Visit

The purpose of our visit to Skywalker Ranch was to screen extended footage from Rogue One. We weren’t allowed to watch the whole movie but everyone was dying to after seeing 28 minutes of it!

The movie is going to be awesome! Here’s one of the longer trailers, to help hold you over until December 16th!

We watched the clips in George Lucas’s Stag Theater located in the Technology Building. Obviously, security was tight and there were no cameras or phones allowed in the theater.

The director of Rogue One, Gareth Edwards spoke briefly before our preview, he even had a few goofy jokes ready for us. He came across as very excited about the film and also very nice. My opinion was confirmed when we interviewed him the next day at Lucasfilm Headquarters.

After watching the 28 minutes of footage, we headed out to the Rogue One reception in the lobby. The coolest part of the reception was the Rogue One costumes on display.

A photo opp with Stormtroopers is always pretty cool too. 😉 Because our event was after dark, there was no tour of the main house or the rest of the property. Head over to my first visit for pictures of my Skywalker Ranch Tour .  And check out my short video below for more of our experience at Skywalker ranch this time.

Lucasfilm Tour

The following morning we headed out to Lucasfilm Headquarters located at the Letterman Digital and New Media Arts Center in San Francisco’s Historic Presidio National Park. The most recognizable symbol from the outside is the famous Yoda fountain statute!

Although the Nissan Rogue One concept cars in the parking lot were hard to miss.

There was lots of fun Star Wars artifacts inside the lobby to see! Including this Ashley Eckstein LEGO dress inspired by Ahsoka Tano.

By the way, the public is welcome to visit the Yoda fountain and head into the lobby of Lucasfilm to check out the Star Wars artifacts.

Getting beyond the lobby requires a business or personal connection with Lucasfilm. So if you have an old friend from high school or 2nd cousin once removed that works at Lucasfilm, hit them up and ask for a full tour. 😉

And of course, we previewed lots of awesome new Rogue One merchandise. Including LEGO set and adorable costumes – my two favorites from the holiday collection!

After multiple interviews with the cast and director of Rogue One, we had time to tour Lucasfilm! Check back starting tomorrow for the interview posts!

LucasFilm Movie Memorabilia

There was so much amazing movie memorabilia and artifacts at Lucasfilm Headquarters. It was hard to pick which images to share but here are a few of my favorites!

Is it silly that Vigo is my favorite picture from the tour? I was so happy to find this picture, I couldn’t quite mimic his mean scowl.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY arrives in theaters on December 16th. Have you bought your tickets yet?

Rogue One Interviews

• Gareth Edwards director of Rogue One interview
• Diego Luna interview
• Felicity Jones interview
• Riz Ahmed Rogue One interview
• Ben Mendelsohn Rogue One interview
• Donnie Yen Star Wars interview
• Alan Tudyk & Mads Mikkelsen Rogue One interviews

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Brittany says

December 8, 2016 at 10:30 am

Ahh looks so much fun! 🙂

Hi, I’m Karen!

I’m a mom to two boys, Arizona native, and travel lover. Desert Chica is my place to share a peek into our life and the easy and inexpensive costumes, crafts and desserts I like to make. “If I can do it, anyone can!” Learn more about me here

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