Rancho Los Alamitos and Gardens

Location: 6400 Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach, California 90815

Phone: Phone (562) 431-3541, Fax (562) 430-9694

Website: http://www.rancholosalamitos.com

Hours: Open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Fees: Free

Comments: Rancho Los Alamitos (Ranch of the Little Cottonwoods) was originally known as Povuu'nga. The story of Rancho Los Alamitos reflects almost every era of the history of Southern California. Beginning around 500 A.D. when the mesa was an important ceremonial and trading center for the Tongva people, the story flows through the Spanish and Mexican periods, spans the great cattle raising years, the early 20th Century oil discoveries, and moves on into the rapid urbanization that followed World War II.
Today, surrounded by modern development, the old ranch house, four acres of tranquil gardens, and barns stand as vibrant reminders of Southern California's rich historical legacy. There are five agricultural buildings, including a working blacksmith's shop, live farm animals, four acres of nationally significant gardens designed by the preeminent landscape architects of the 1920s-1940s, and a sprawling adobe ranch house dating from c.1800. Walk around the site and enjoy this rare oasis and the shared legacy of regional culture and environment.

Dress: We suggest you wear comfortable clothing and low-heeled shoes, which help protect the historic floors of the ranch house, and make walking in the gardens more enjoyable.

Tours: Guided tours of the ranch house and barns start every 30 minutes. The first tour is at 1:00 p.m. and the last tour is at 4:00 p.m. Garden tours are self-guided. Group, special interest and school tours are by appointment. Most areas are handicapped accessible.

Programs: Educational programs and special events throughout the year feature topics as diverse as agricultural and domestic skills, Native American , Japanese and Hispanic culture, the history of landscape design and an annual ranch-style Christmas program.

Smoking: Smoking is only allowed in the parking lot area.

Directions: From I-405 N toward Long Beach. Merge onto CA-22 W via Exit toward Long Beach. Take the Studebaker Rd exit. Turn slight right onto N Studebaker Rd. Turn left onto E Anaheim Rd. Turn left onto Palo Verde Ave (Gate access required). Turn left onto E Bixby Hill Rd. End at 6400 E Bixby Hill Rd
Limited parking is available at the Rancho on normal operating days. Please note: On days when special events are scheuled at the Rancho, parking is at CSULB Lot 11 located on Palo Verde Avenue. Enter at the first entrance south of Atherton. Continuous shuttle service to the Rancho is provided on special event days. (Shuttle is handicapped accessible.)

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