Lucas Valley is a valley

Valley

In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...

 in Marin County, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, drained by Nicasio Creek

Nicasio Creek

Nicasio Creek is an stream in Marin County, California, United States which feeds into Lagunitas Creek. The Nicasio Reservoir, formed in 1961 by Seeger Dam, is located on this stream.-Course:...

.

Lucas Valley Road traverses the length of the valley, linking it to Gallinas Valley

Las Gallinas Valley

Las Gallinas Valley or Gallinas Valley is a geographical valley landform of Marin County, California, USA formed by Miller Creek. It is also the name of a major planning area of Marin County....

 to the east and Nicasio Valley to the west. According to the United States Geological Survey

United States Geological Survey

The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...

, the suburban developments along Miller Creek

Miller Creek

Miller Creek is a stream in eastern Marin County, California, United States. It originates on Big Rock Ridge and empties into San Pablo Bay east of Marinwood.-Course:...

 (including the Lucas Valley-Marinwood CDP

Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California

Lucas Valley-Marinwood is a census-designated place in Marin County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 6,094.-History:...

) are actually in Gallinas Valley.

History

Lucas Valley was part of San Pedro Santa Margarita y las Gallinas grant

Ranchos of California

The Spanish, and later the Méxican government encouraged settlement of territory now known as California by the establishment of large land grants called ranchos, from which the English ranch is derived. Devoted to raising cattle and sheep, the owners of the ranchos attempted to pattern themselves...

, a parcel of 21678.69 acres (8,773.1 ha) awarded to Timothy Murphy on February 14, 1844. John Lucas in inherited the Santa Margarita rancho (which included Lucas Valley) in 1853.

In 1978, film director George Lucas

George Lucas

George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...

 began acquiring land in the area for his Skywalker Ranch

Skywalker Ranch

Skywalker Ranch is the name of the workplace of film director and producer George Lucas. It is located in a secluded, but open area near Nicasio, California, in Marin County. The ranch is located on Lucas Valley Road, although Lucas is not related to the road's namesake, who was a...

. However, Lucas Valley Road was named after the 19th-century rancher, who was not related to George Lucas.