Bronson Canyon facts for kids

The East Portal

Bronson Canyon, also called Bronson Caves, is a cool spot in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. It's super famous because lots of movies and TV shows have been filmed there. You might have seen it in Westerns or science fiction stories, from old-time movies to today's blockbusters!

Where is Bronson Canyon and How Did It Start?

Bronson Canyon is in the southwest part of Griffith Park. You can find it near the end of Canyon Drive. A long time ago, in 1903, a company called Union Rock Company started a quarry there. They dug up crushed rock to build city streets. Electric trains even carried the rocks out!

The quarry stopped working in the late 1920s. What was left behind were the cool cave-like openings you see today. People started calling them the Bronson Caves because of a nearby street and hill named Bronson. That's how the whole area got its popular name, Bronson Canyon. Fun fact: the actor Charles Bronson might have even picked his stage name after seeing a street sign for Bronson Avenue!

Why is it Perfect for Filming?

The rocky walls and cave openings look just like a wild, lonely desert. This makes it a perfect background for movies. When you see the main cave entrance in a film, it's usually shot from an angle. That's because the "cave" is actually a short tunnel right through the hill. If you looked straight through, you'd see the other side!

One of the most famous uses of the tunnel entrance was as the secret entrance to the Batcave. This was in the classic 1966–68 Batman TV show. Because so many different types of movies have filmed here for over 100 years, it makes people think it's a huge mountain area. But actually, the canyon is a pretty small, V-shaped spot with the caves right in the middle.

Movies and TV Shows Filmed in Bronson Canyon

Bronson Canyon has been a star in countless films and TV series. Its unique look makes it a favorite for filmmakers. Here are just a few examples of the many productions that have used this iconic location.

Popular Films from Bronson Canyon

The West Portal. This was used as the entrance to the Batcave in the 1960s TV series Batman.

Famous TV Series from Bronson Canyon

Books Set in the Canyon

• Lost Light by Michael Connelly

See also

• Vasquez Rocks, another cool spot in Los Angeles County used for filming many movies and TV shows.