Where was The Big Valley filmed?

With the pilot episode kicking it off with Heath meeting the Barkley brothers, the audience gets shown the opening credits scene where we get a glimpse of the famed Barkley family once more. The opening credits focus on the musical score which means that there are no dialogue lines. However, the audience gets to see the setting of the series and before the next scene begins, on a train where a railroad baron asks, “Where’s the Swinson property?”, the audience catches a glimpse of the Barkley estate’s mansion.

The Barkley mansion is a famous mansion also known to many as the mansion that inspired the famous film “Gone with the Wind” which was filmed in 1939. This mansion, showcased in the opening credits, can be reached through driving only as there are no nearby public transportation routes to get there. Drive along Floyd Street Northeast and then make a turn on Monticello Street Southwest to Ivy Street Southwest to reach the famous Twelve Oaks mansion, now the Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast

In the first episode of The Big Valley in season one, the audience sees Heath attempt to make a claim for the name of the Barkley family, even though he is the illegitimate son of Thomas Barkley. With the brothers attempting to get rid of Heath, they offer to pay him three to four hundred and when they ask him what he thinks, Heath replies with, “What I’m entitled to. A name, a heritage, a part of it all, what’s mine.” They threaten him once more, claiming that if he doesn’t leave the valley, the brothers will finish what they started.

Most of the interior shots for the various residences showcased within the first episode of The Big Valley were shot at the CBS Studio Center located in Los Angeles. This studio served as one of the primary studios used in The Big Valley productions. The studio has grown since the shooting of this series and now boasts 18 soundstages and backlot sets including a New York City Street!

Since the studio is located in the city, there are many ways to get there. Try taking a bus route that runs along Laurel Canyon Boulevard. You can then hop off by Ventura Plaza and then the studio is a few minutes' walk from the plaza.

Seeking to learn more about Heath’s past before the unveiling of the family patriarch’s statue, Victoria decides to visit Heath’s birthplace. As she arrives in the dilapidated town, she begins to learn more about the secret past of Thomas Barkley, who had an affair with a woman named Leah who gave birth to Heath.

A conspiracy occurs involving some of the residents in Strawberry and a character called Martha fears that the truth will be revealed. Near the end of the episode, we see a distraught Martha looking for Phelps, and when he asks her what she wants him to do, she replies with, “Kill them.” Phelps unsuccessfully completed his task, dying in the process and we see an unharmed Victoria arrive to see the statue of the late Thomas Barkley.

The exterior for the town of Strawberry was shot at the Corriganville Movie Ranch. This movie ranch has since been turned into a 246-acre park that offers several trails and is now called Corriganville Park. With several of The Big Valley’s action scenes taking place along this movie ranch, you’re sure to feel in the mood for a western draw when visiting this area.

To get to the now Corriganville Park, you can travel along Kuehner Drive and then make a turn along Smith Road, which leads directly to the park.

In season one of The Big Valley, Heath is forced to face his past when he comes across Matt Bentell, played by John Anderson, who was the commander of a confederate prisoner of war camp in New Mexico. Matt Bentell is now the foreman of the logging camp that the Barkleys own and it becomes apparent that the two don’t get along. Heath mentions to Matt, “I’ve been in this saddle since sunup, can’t you move any faster?” Although the setting of this scene is gorgeous, the words exchanged between Matt Bentell and Heath Barkley are not.

Franklyn Reservoir was chosen as The Big Valley’s film set for this episode, so it was relatively easy to create a beautiful setting while keeping the audience engaged with the content. The road leading up to this area is relatively straightforward.

Drive along North Beverly Drive and make a turn on Franklin Canyon Drive. You will eventually reach the location where The Big Valley production team decided to film one of its many episodes. The Canyon has trails as well as adequate parking lots for your vehicles if you’re interested in hiking the area.

As Victoria Barkley watches the three clueless bandits attempt to open the safe, the audience feels a sort of empathy for them as they’re forced into this life rather than choosing to rob for fun. Towards the end of the episode, the audience sees Victoria Barkley make a short exchange with the train station manager. He asks her, “They didn’t get it open, did they?” To which she says, “No, and here’s your combination!”

With the background being so scenic, it's evident that the studio filming this episode went elsewhere to find a set that could fit the deal. As a result, the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park became the chosen location to host some of The Big Valley action scenes, particularly this scene in the tenth episode of season 2.

Getting to this location is an easy task as there are many ways, including public transportation. By simply driving along Escondido Canyon Road, you’re bound to come across the Nature Center.

With Bettina’s supposed husband dead in the fourteenth episode of the third season, she enlists Heath Barkley to be her slave. However, with some quick thinking and fast reflexes, Heath is quickly able to escape his role as a slave from Bettina. Moments later, however, Hermit returns and asks, “Where’s Barkley?” to which Bettina replies, “He attacked David and he ran off over there.”

This scene in The Big Valley was filmed along the Santa Monica Mountains. The scenic location helps build a sense of being one with nature as well as a pastoral setting which helps put into perspective just how outdated these people are.

To get to this location where Heath was almost turned into a slave for the rest of his life, you can drive along North Beverly Drive and then make a turn on Lake Drive.