Rancho Los Cerritos
Rancho Los Cerritos
4.5
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Rancho Los Cerritos is the only Local, State, and National Historic Landmark in Long Beach, California. The site echoes with the rich history of indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and American California. We provide our award-winning education programs to 30,000 students and visitors every year. The City of Long Beach designated the Rancho as an essential business and requested we re-open for the health and well-being of our community. We are proud to welcome you back to the 5-acre site's beautifully preserved historic gardens. You can stroll the gardens Wednesday through Sunday or participate in our virtual family activities at any time. We have put new safety measures in place due to Covid-19. You must wear a mask while visiting and provide us with your contact info for contact tracing. To review our full list of safety measures please visit our website.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
73 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
21
Average
1
Poor
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Curious265314
New York City, NY835 contributions
Apr 2022
I cannot believe I just discovered this place after living in OC most of my life. I don't know what it's like during other seasons but spring is absolutely gorgeous here. The gardens are so well groomed and the flowers are all in bloom. They have picnic tables for you to rest and have a quick snack. The actual adobe is so well maintained. It's fascinating to get a glimpse of life in the past. Restrooms are at the entrance. The grounds aren't THAT big but you should wear comfortable shoes. Entrance is free with reservations. They do take walk ins but they might limit if it's crowded. They do close fir private events so make sure you check the website. And lastly they do take donations. Please bring some cash and support.
I took my mom who loves flowers and gardens and she really enjoyed herself. It's now on our list of things to do in OC. I would love to come back on my own and take a tour to learn about the property and the history of SoCal. Can't wait to be back;)
I took my mom who loves flowers and gardens and she really enjoyed herself. It's now on our list of things to do in OC. I would love to come back on my own and take a tour to learn about the property and the history of SoCal. Can't wait to be back;)
Written 5 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoboTravlr
Los Angeles, CA595 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Anyone interested in local California history should visit the Rancho. The property has been lovingly maintained and provides interesting historical facts about the development of Southern California, Long Beach and surrounding cities. Our guide Martin, was knowledgeable, kind and patient with our many questions about the construction of the building and the uses of the grounds. The short informational film in the guest center provides a nice short overview of the history of the Rancho and the Bixby family's involvement in the development of the area. Be warned that the hours are somewhat limited so check times before you choose to visit, you won't be disappointed. Ample free parking is available and there is no admission charge although donations are welcomed and appreciated to maintain the facilities.
Written 17 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bonitadi1
san diego160 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
My husband wasn't sure he would enjoy this tour but our docent ,in role, Mr. Bixby, made this so interesting and from the perspective of the long dead owner we both enjoyed our time here. our docent,he was dressed in his time, and was interesting about the life, area and people.
go while you can-- I don't think it will be free much longer but even at a price, we would still enjoy it.
Ps -small children seem to get bored quickly so I would take my 4 and under unless they really live history!
go while you can-- I don't think it will be free much longer but even at a price, we would still enjoy it.
Ps -small children seem to get bored quickly so I would take my 4 and under unless they really live history!
Written 28 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane D
Westminster, CA756 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We had a 4 hour block of time to entertain our 3 grand kids...9, 12, 14. After stopping in the local Trader Joes to let them pick out some lunch treats, we arrived an hour before opening but were allowed to picnic in the shade of the lovely gardens. At 1pm, we started at the visitor center with a short video giving an intro to the history of the Bixby family. Well air conditioned, this was a nice break from the near 100 degree heat. Next, our guide, Brian, gave us a personal tour of the home explaining what went on in the ranch and giving the kids some insight into early California life. Most of the area was wheelchair accessible and I was able to see them at all times except when they went upstairs with my husband. Even then, they provided me with a notebook of pictures of the upstairs rooms and a brief description of the items within. We finished with a self guided tour of the back gardens with the HUGE Fig tree and the old cauldron I remember from my childhood visit in the late 1950's. Free, beautiful,historic and tucked away behind the Virginia Country Club, this rancho was a great way to spend a few hours. For wheelchair people, the dirt pathways are mostly usable but I did get stuck a few times and needed help from my husband. If chosen wisely, it can be done on your own.
Written 8 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edvonlef
Long Beach, CA141 contributions
May 2017 • Family
This 19th century rancho has pleasant docent-guided tours that give one an excellent early history to this area. Hours are limited to Wed-Sun 1-5pm, but please confirm (562) 570-1755 as there are summer camps for children and special functions that may have priority. There is a free musical concert on 7/23/17. The Bixby family that originally lived here has been influential in Long Beach since then. We have been here many times and continue to donate.
Written 5 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debi M
San Antonio, TX108 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
When we went we were in a group of only 6 people. (incl. 2 children) The guide was good at telling stories and keeping the interest of the younger generation. Asking and answering questions about the old ranching equipment. My parents had a wonderful time and the children seemed to as well (they weren't ours). The Rancho is small and the tour doesn't even take an hour, but it was historically enlightening.
Written 31 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine H
Montclair, CA19 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
We have been coming to Rancho Los Cerritos for over 25 years and never get tired of it. The history, the family fun events, summer concerts on the grass are all so lovely.
Written 6 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
booptraveler
Fountain Hills, AZ559 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Short movie downstairs good for introduction. Docent lead tour lasts about an hour including the house interior and grounds. Interesting to learn the history of long beach in general and this property in particular. The property is decorated with period pieces to see how people lived and worked at that time.
Written 2 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry H
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA99 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Leave behind you the hectic city as you drive thru Bixby Knolls past the Virgina Country Club and enter the world of the 1880's. Begin your visit with a descent into the basement of the visitors center to watch a brief film that brings you into the spirit of the place. Browse the historical exhibits on the main floor while you wait a few minutes for a private tour.
Your tour guide is a docent, dressed in period attire, realistically depicting someone from the Rancho's past. The docent will treat you like an honored guest who has traveled some distance to visit at the Rancho.
Play the role. A whole new world opens up. For this type of experience people travel thousands of miles. Here it is in our backyard.
Donations are welcome; there are items for sale in the Visitors Center you can buy to support the Rancho.
How often do we get a chance to time-travel and meet folks who are having fun entertaining us and giving us an opportunity to enjoy life at a slower pace?
Your tour guide is a docent, dressed in period attire, realistically depicting someone from the Rancho's past. The docent will treat you like an honored guest who has traveled some distance to visit at the Rancho.
Play the role. A whole new world opens up. For this type of experience people travel thousands of miles. Here it is in our backyard.
Donations are welcome; there are items for sale in the Visitors Center you can buy to support the Rancho.
How often do we get a chance to time-travel and meet folks who are having fun entertaining us and giving us an opportunity to enjoy life at a slower pace?
Written 6 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jree261
Long Beach, CA20 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
As much as I love what's going on in Long Beach right now, it's always good to look back at where we came from. This is a fun museum with good info on the history and founding of the city and the area in general. They also have fun family stuff going on during summer nights.
Written 2 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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