A Day at the Ranch

This was a trip I made a couple of years ago but never posted for those of you that might be interested in this hallowed ground. The special effects work is mostly, if not completely moved to The Presidio in San Francisco now but then it still housed there along with one other hidden location in a generic industrial park.

I was one of those kids growing up that was absolutely, beyond question owned by Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The idea of ever visiting ILM felt as possible as visiting Mars.

But it happened.

I made a friend who turns out, works for George in the special effects area. AS a worker there, you get to bring 2 guests per quarter onto the property. This quarter, my friend chose me and a common friend who leaves me in his wake for obsession with all things Sci-Fi.

We first meet up with our friend at aforementioned generic industrial park facility. There were no signs indicating what was done inside this building probably to keep the fanatics away (such as myself). Entering the small lobby we are greeted with sights of cinema history, the most notable being the original Darth Vader costume from the 1977 release. I immediately touch it, couldn't control myself. Other artifacts include a Stormtrooper costume and Dustin Hoffman's hook from Hook.

We get in one car to go to "The Ranch". Along the highway, we take the "Lucas Valley Road" exit and after a winding drive through a little wilderness we come to a security guard gate. The security guard finds our friends name on the list and waves us in. We drive past a lake, a few nondescript buildings one of which, we are informed is Skywalker sound and on to the main ranch house.

Entering the main house, it does not feel like a workplace, it feels like someones home and I nervously expect someone to come down the stairs in front of us telling us to get out. The interior is main hardwood floors and dark wood interior. We walk in and I notice 2 subtle, lit glass displays built into the wall over to the right. I go to investigate ... I am almost overwhelmed at the collection of props in these cases and my entire childhood to present flash through my head.

The Shankara Stones
The Headpiece to the Staff of Ra
Luke Skywalker's mechanical hand
Darth Maul's Lightsaber
Indiana Jones' Hat and Whip

I resist the urge to drop to my kness and bow.

The rest of the visit involved a visit to George's library (complete with Librarian), a nice lunch and a visit to the gift shop. All anticlimactic compared to what else I had experienced.