Historical Site with on-going Public Tours & Museum Services.
www.rancholoscerritos.org

Long Beach was founded on the original 27,000 acre Rancho Los Cerritos in the 1880s. Tour the historic adobe and landscaped grounds and learn about the rich history of Spanish, Mexican and American California and the families who helped transform southern California from its ranching beginnings to a modern, urban society. Visitors can take self-guided tours on weekdays or guided tours on the hour every weekend, and stroll the historic gardens at their leisure. Students, scholars and amateur historians can also use the California history research library during public hours. This National, State and Long Beach Historic Landmark also offers picnic tables and includes a Museum Gift Shop with unique gift items and books on California history. The Rancho is open free of charge Wednesday-Sunday, 1-5pm. Groups of ten or more are requested to make reservations for guided tours of the house and/or gardens at least two weeks in advance.

Christmas Candlelight Tours: Unexpected Guests for the Holidays

December 7 & 8, tours start between 6:30 & 8:30pm. Reservations available beginning November 1.

Take a memorable journey to Christmas past by the soft glow of candlelight, touring the decorated adobe and meeting workers, family members and guests as they prepare to celebrate the holidays. Through living history portrayals, costumed volunteers will recreate the traditions of an 1878 California Christmas at Rancho Los Cerritos. Performances on Friday and Saturday evenings, December 7 & 8. Admission is $10, $8 for members, and includes the tour, light refreshments and musical entertainment. Call after November 1 to make your reservation; space is limited.

Christmas Open House - December 16, 1-4pm. Free

Explore holiday traditions during both the Mexican and early American eras in Southern California through tours of the decorated adobe, old-fashioned crafts, live music and storytelling on Sunday, December 16. Children will also enjoy a visit with Santa Claus and a chance to break a piŠata. Adults can browse the Museum Gift Shop for unique gift items and books on California history. Light refreshments will be served at this free family event.

School Docent Training - Ages 16 and up.

Inspire children to explore history, respect the past and connect with their community! Become a volunteer docent and help fourth graders experience California history through our interactive school program, "Adobe Days Revisited." Volunteers assume historical character roles, wear costumes, and share the early development of the Long Beach area through tours of the adobe, 19th century chores and games, and hands-on studies of historical objects. An eight-week training course will be held on Wednesdays beginning September 12 from 9:30am - 12pm and will cover character development and costuming, lessons on Rancho history, architecture, collections and gardens, and interpretive techniques. Training is free with membership in Friends of Rancho Los Cerritos; call to register.

Speakers Bureau (on-going)
Looking for an entertaining and educational program for your organization? Contact the Rancho for slide presentations on a variety of topics including the history of the site, the historic gardens, pioneer Rancho families, antiques, and volunteer opportunities. Free of charge for groups of 10 or more in the greater Long Beach area.