Travel Guide

LAX Airport Parking and the Will Rogers State Historic Park

The name Will Rogers probably doesn't ring many bells for the current generation of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking customers, but older Los Angeles travelers are sure to recognize it. In the early 1930s, Will Rogers was the most popular and highest paid actor in all of Hollywood. His films were instant hits within the western genre, promoting Will to the realm of superstardom. Rogers' humble begins as a vaudeville theater trick roper quickly led him to Hollywood, where he became a respected movie star, philosopher, columnist and radio personality. During his rise to the top, Rogers bought land in Santa Monica where he developed a sprawling ranch complex. This beautiful landscape has seen been preserved and opened to the public as the Will Rogers State Historic Park. Will Rogers was one of the first celebrities to live in the Hollywood area and was later elected the first mayor of Beverly Hills. The Will Rogers State Historic Park is one of only a few celebrity homes open to the public and features more than 186 acres of wooded areas and hiking trails. The Wild West is alive and well along the West Coast, so why wait? Plan to visit Will Rogers State Historic Park during your upcoming Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking vacation.

An Afternoon of outdoor fun

The Will Rogers State Historic Park is a great vacation destination for those travelers looking to get out and enjoy some of the California sunshine. From equestrian activities to historical tours, the Will Rogers State Historic Park provides visitors with a unique look at Hollywood history and Rogers' own life. For more than two years the Department of Parks and Recreation has been working to restore the park to its original appearance during Rogers' lifetime. Customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking are encouraged to participate in docent-led Ranch House Tours, offered Tuesday through Saturday at 11am, 1pm and 2pm. This exciting program provides visitors with background on Will and his career, all the while showcasing his beautifully restored 31 room ranch house. Tours also include a look at the ranch house grounds including the stable, corrals, riding ring and roping area. Customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking are also encouraged to stop by and watch a polo match on Rogers' personal polo field. The Will Rogers Polo Club plays polo every weekend from April to October. Riding lessons are also offered at the Will Rogers Historic State Park every Monday through Saturday. Equestrians are incited to bring their horses to the park for day use, enjoying trails to Sarah's Point and Inspiration Point. And don't worry if you're not a big riding fan; Will Rogers State Historic Park also boasts a 3 mile hiking loop.

The estate's claim to fame

The Will Rogers State Historic Park has always been a popular meeting ground for a-list celebrities and western enthusiasts. Everyone from Clark Gable to Walt Disney used to stop by and enjoy an afternoon of riding at Rogers' ranch before heading over to the Beverly Hills Hotel for a drink. In fact, the Polo Lounge at the Hotel was named in honor of Will and his movie star polo buddies who were regular patrons. Ironically enough, actor Glenn Ford also hung out at Rogers' ranch - in the stables! Ford was a stable hand on the ranch for many years before hitting it big in Hollywood with The Blackboard Jungle. Customers of Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking are invited to learn more about Rogers and his Hollywood cronies by touring through his home. Photographs and memorabilia are displayed throughout the facility, as well as inside the newly remodeled Visitor Center.

If you'd like to put a little western flare into your upcoming Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking vacation there's no better place to begin then at the Will Rogers State Historic Park. To learn more about the park please feel free to contact the Park directly at 1-310-454-8212. The park is open daily from 8am to dusk. The ranch house is open from 10am to 5pm. A $6 daily use admission fee is applied to all Johnny Parks LAX Airport Parking customers.