Rancho Los Cerritos

The Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site is a National, State, and Local historic landmark in Long Beach, California. It includes a circa 1884 two-story adobe ranch house, landscaped grounds, and gardens. Its history reflects the rich heritage of southern California. This is one of the largest adobe residences in Southern California during the Mexican period.

The Rancho Los Cerritos was built in the late 19th century and has connections to many phases of California history. It was built in an area near the port of Los Angeles and was a popular location for cattle ranching. By the early 1860s, a severe drought affected the cattle industry in California. Many of the owners were east coasters who purchased old Spanish land grants in central California.

The Rancho Los Cerritos site contains historical archaeological materials, including cogged stones dating from 5,000 to 7,000 years. There are also trash pits from the 1840s to the 1950s. Various buildings on the property are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Rancho Los Cerritos is managed by a nonprofit foundation, the Rancho Los Cerritos Foundation, which is a public-private partnership with the City of Long Beach. It provides free admission, educational and cultural programs, and tours. In addition, Rancho Los Cerritos is a popular venue for weddings, corporate functions, and other events.

During the Mexican period, the Los Cerritos Ranch House served as the largest adobe residence in southern California. Known as the Casa de los Cerritos, this Spanish-colonial-style structure was the most prominent structure built on the Los Cerritos portion of the 1790 Spanish Land Grant.

In the mid-19th century, the Los Cerritos Ranch was purchased by an American. The Flint brothers had settled in Maine and left for California in 1851. They acquired several old Spanish land grants. Eventually, they drove sheep from northern California to the ranchos.

Several other Californians owned the rancho, including a Spanish soldier who received a large land grant in 1774. After his death, his children took over the ranch. One of the last owners, Manuel Nieto, was a soldier who fought in the Mexican-American War. When he died, his children continued to run cattle on the ranch.

In the late 1800s, the Bixby family moved into the Los Cerritos Ranch House. They used it as a home and a sheep ranch. Eventually, they sold portions of the ranch to others. However, they remained committed to maintaining the historic structure. Their descendants were able to re-establish the house as a museum.

The Rancho Los Cerritos Museum is open on Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and is closed on Mondays. A guided tour is offered every Tuesday through Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Visitors can learn about the history of the rancho and local history, as well as the people who lived there. The museum features spectacular gardens and artifacts from the Rancho's history. Additionally, visitors can participate in a scavenger hunt. If there is no space for the tour, walk-ins are accepted.