History

The rich history of the Sportsmen's Lodge reads like a classic-Hollywood movie script. Rural attraction frequented by local farmers and their families soon finds itself at the center of a burgeoning film industry and the hang-out of choice for newly minted celebrities such as Clark Gable, Bette Davis, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.

The original Sportsmen's Lodge opened its doors in the 1880’s and thrived with its central proximity to the San Fernando Valley's river, canyons and watering holes. Lodge regulars would bring fishing gear to try their hand at trout-fishing the manmade ponds. Those lucky enough to hook a fish would take their prize directly over to the restaurant for our Chef to cook them up for dinner.

As Studio City grew up around Sportsmen's Lodge many film crew and cast made the lodge their unofficial hang out and could be spotted sitting quietly along the banks of the trout ponds, enjoying a meal or simply lazing about. Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne are rumored to have taught their children to fish here, while silver screen royalty such as Tallulah Bankhead, Lena Horne and Bette Davis are said to have lounged around the pond picnic-style, eating dinner on white linens and drinking martinis.

No other landmark hotel in Los Angeles pre-dates the conception of the Sportsmen's Lodge - and the end is yet to be written.