California Ranch From ‘War of the Worlds’ and ‘Babylon’ Lists for $44 Million

Rancho Temescal, a working ranch in Piru, California, featured in ‘War of the Worlds’ starring Tom Cruise and ‘Babylon’ featuring Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, is now listed for $44 million.

Long owned by the late financier and racehorse breeder Jed Cohen, the ranch sits about 40 miles north of downtown Los Angeles in Ventura County, tucked into the foothills of the Topatopa Mountains.

Purchased by the Cohen family in 2000 for nearly $4 million from Texaco, which previously operated oil production on the land, the property has since seen more than $30 million invested into its restoration, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Property Highlights

Price: $44 million
Location: Piru, Ventura County, California
Total Acreage: Approximately 5,600 acres
Notable Features: Film-ready terrain, equestrian complex, lemon orchards, avocado orchards, row crops & nursery stock, riparian land & open range, proximity to Los Angeles.

For more information about this listing, reach out to Bill McDavid at mcdavid@hallandhall.com

Overview of The Land

Rancho Temescal stretches nearly six miles north to south and three miles east to west, with Piru Canyon Road cutting directly through the property as its primary gated entrance.

Along the valley floor, orchards of avocados and lemons sit beside rows of crops, while rolling hills, creek beds, oak-studded ridges, and open meadows rise toward the surrounding mountains and Los Padres National Forest.

The property also surrounds approximately two-thirds of Lake Piru, adding both scenic and recreational value.

The Centuries-Old History of Rancho Temescal

Over time, this ranch has seen its fair share of transformations from being the Piru Fruit Rancho in the late 1800s, to companies like Texaco and Getty oil drilling by the early 20th century, and more recently evolving to focus on agriculture, equestrian uses, and conservation-minded stewardship.

Deeper Look at The Ranch’s Use Today

Today, its location inside the industry’s famed “Thirty Mile Zone” has made the ranch especially attractive to Hollywood, offering filmmakers scale, variety, and proximity that are increasingly difficult to find near Los Angeles.

That versatility has allowed the property to function simultaneously as an event venue, working agricultural operation, equestrian facility, and film location.

Event Venue

With capacity for up to 350 guests, events unfold across a series of outdoor spaces, especially tailored to weddings, starting with ‘The Corral’, an upscale round pen enclosed by warm wood fencing.

This is where the wedding party gathers and prepares, with the space framed by open sky and distant hills.

Tucked inside the corral is the Champagne Barn, a small structure where the bride waits privately until guests and the wedding party are in position around the paved courtyard.

Beyond the corral, the bride and groom’s quarters are located in the main barn, offering private, comfortable rooms for preparation and downtime before and after the event.

The grooms’ lounge features a bar and TV with a more rustic design that feels like an old-time saloon, while the bride’s lounge is more upscale with a row of vanities and a changing room for the ultimate get-ready experience.

Agricultural Operation

Rancho Temescal’s agricultural footprint is spread across the canyon floor and lower hillsides, where long rows of lemon and avocado orchards extend toward the surrounding hills, planted for optimal sun exposure and efficient water use.

Closer to the ground, active fields indicate the land is still in production, with areas historically leased to tenants for row crops like broccoli and hemp, much of it managed under certified organic standards.

Additional sections of the ranch are dedicated to nursery operations, where potted plants sit beneath arched growing frames designed to support propagation and crop longevity.

Equestrian Facilities

Set against rolling hills and wide-open pastureland, Rancho Temescal’s equestrian facilities unfold across expansive paddocks and fenced training grounds that are spaced out.

Horses can move freely across grassy fields bordered by low fencing, with long sightlines that stretch toward the mountains, reinforcing the ranch’s calm, working system.

Covered pens and structured lanes create an orderly layout for training, boarding, and daily care, while nearby barns complete the operation.

A Once-in-a-Generation Offering

Rarely does a property of this size and proximity to Los Angeles offer such a wide range of built-in income potential.

Rancho Temescal is already operating across multiple fronts, from agriculture and equestrian programs to events, filming, and hospitality-style uses, allowing a new owner to step into an asset that is both active and adaptable.

Rather than a single-use estate, the ranch functions as a diversified holding with room to expand or refine each revenue stream over time.

For a buyer seeking scale, flexibility, and long-term upside, Rancho Temescal presents a rare opportunity to acquire a working property for $44 million.