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Just Another Gate, Lucas Valley
If you were driving through bucolic Lucas Valley in lovely Marin County you probably wouldn't look twice at this nondescript gate near Nicasio. The gate gives no clue that it is the entrance to George Lucas' $100 million retreat, Skywalker Ranch.

Along with the buildings that house Skywalker Sound, multiple screening rooms, and a 300-seat theater, Skywalker Ranch also contains vineyards, a fitness center an outdoor swimming pool, a hilltop observatory, 'Lake Ewok', and its own fire department.

Sensitive to the area's natural surrounds Lucas has developed only 15 acres of the 4,700-acre ranch. The ranch's parking is mostly concealed underground and the staff and guest eat in the ranch's restaurant using foods grown on-site in the organic fruit and vegetable gardens. BTW, Lucas Valley was not named after George but instead an 1880s rancher.

Adjacent to Skywalker Ranch is the 1,000-acre Big Rock Ranch, home to Lucas' animation division. But George doesn't even live on either ranch, he has a home near San Anselmo, a few miles south. Lucas's business operations and his Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and LucasArts are headquartered in another location, the Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presidio of San Francisco.
[ MAP H-8 ]


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