Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens

My friends and I visited on a beautiful January day. The facilities were charming and the grounds were wonderfully maintained. Everyone that we met on duty that day was outstanding. Our tour was lead by Sharon Leno, a docent. She was terrific. Very warm and friendly and extremely knowledgeable on the Bixby family. As she lead us through the Big House, childhood memories popped up in my mind. Her stories from the Bixby family were so real I felt I could see the family members in the rooms. Nice way to spend a few hours. Highly recommend Rancho Alamitos and if you are lucky you will meet Sharon and have her take you to meet the family.

Exploring a Hidden Historic Gem: Rancho Los Alamitos Took advantage of a quiet Friday afternoon to visit one of Long Beach’s lesser-known historic sites- Rancho Los Alamitos. Tucked inside the gated Bixby Hill community right next to Cal State Long Beach, this spot feels worlds away from the city. At the entrance, just let the security guard know you’re visiting the Rancho, and you’ll receive a temporary parking pass. Parking inside is limited, but the area is calm and peaceful, making it a pleasant escape. The visit begins at the Rancho Center, where friendly staff asked for an email sign-in and recommend watching a short introductory film. The film gives an overview of the land’s long and layered history, along with stories of the Bixby family who once lived here. The history of Rancho Los Alamitos stretches across centuries: ▶️ Indigenous Era: Thousands of years ago, this area was home to Tongva villages. ▶️ Spanish Era (1784): The Spanish government granted this vast piece of land to Manuel Nieto - one of the largest land grants in Southern California, covering today’s Long Beach, Whittier, and Norwalk areas. ▶️ Mexican Era (1834): Rancho Los Alamitos was originally part of Rancho Los Cerritos, which spanned over 300,000 acres. Over time, as land was divided and reduced, only about 7.5 acres remain today. ▶️ American Era (after 1846): Following California’s statehood, the land changed ownership several times before the Bixby family turned it into a large-scale cattle ranch. ▶️ 20th Century (1968): The Bixby family eventually donated the property to the City of Long Beach, transforming it into a public historic site and museum. Today, the grounds include historic buildings, gardens, barns, and a preserved ranch area — a window into the region’s early ranching days. After the film, visitors can explore an exhibit hall featuring a large floor map that shows the original Rancho land divisions, a fascinating visual of how the ranch system shaped Southern California’s development. Walking through the grounds feels both serene and educational: • Rose Garden: Compact but beautifully maintained, filled with vibrant blooms. • Cactus Garden: Lush with succulents and tall cacti, evoking a true Southwestern vibe. • Barn Area: Currently closed to the public, but still interesting to view from outside. We were lucky to meet a volunteer named Patti, who enthusiastically shared stories about the ranch and suggested joining a guided tour. Fortunately, staff member Nancy was available and kindly took us through the main ranch house, a space open only by reservation. Inside, the original adobe structure and the family’s living quarters are preserved (no photography allowed), offering an intimate look at early California ranch life. The contrast between the cozy indoor rooms and the open-air gardens outside is striking. Overall, Rancho Los Alamitos beautifully weaves together Native, Spanish, Mexican, and American histories — all within a small but well-preserved space. It’s a tranquil destination that offers both reflection and discovery, perfect for anyone interested in history, architecture, or gardening. Visiting Tips: • Open Wednesday–Sunday, 1 PM – 5 PM • Free admission — reservations recommended for the adobe house tour • No photography allowed inside the main house • Limited parking — arrive early or visit during quieter hours • There’s a small gift shop, and the site occasionally hosts special events including a charming Christmas display each winter 🎄 • You can easily pair this visit with CSULB’s Japanese Garden or a trip to Downtown Long Beach for a well-rounded half- or full-day itinerary. 📍 Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens 6400 E Bixby Hill Rd, Long Beach, CA 90815

What a wonderful place to visit! They have free admission and free guided tour of the property. The historic adobe ranch home was amazing but you are not allowed to take any pictures inside the home. On the property there is also a blacksmith shop, dairy barn, feed shed for the horses, original gas pumps, two massive Moreton Bay Fig trees, and much more! Don't forget to check out the intro. video at the visitor center. I easily spent several hours here. Take it all in, take your time, and enjoy this spectacular place of history, nature, and wonder!

Came to visit for work retreat and it was a lovely way to spend the morning. The entrance was easy to find and security was friendly. The outside area is gorgeous and great for a walk. The house tour was so great, it was like a time capsule. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and gave us great insight. I do wish there were more resources or guides for more research since I did have some lingering questions regarding the history of the staff at the property since I do feel that their contributions were just as important as the family. It’s a wonderful tour and insight into California and Long Beach history.

A brief visit gave all of our group a better appreciation for the history of the region and local area. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. They have a lot of care for the properties, gardens and animals. Call ahead and/or check in and the front desk to find out special events.

It's a shame this was my first time to this beautiful oasis given I was born and rescued in Long Beach and attended CalState Long Beach located next door. However it was fitting to visit this beautiful place with my now 12yr old. We arrive just in time for a tour. Our tour guide was wonderful. We got to see the inside of the Adobe. Unfortunately some of the grounds and animals were not accessible due to the recent damage caused by a burst water piper. As someone who was born and raised in the city, places like this are truly rare and much needed as they allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while never leaving it. There is so much history here. As always remember the indigenous folks he were here long before. Before the Europeans arrived this was sacred land to the Tongva people, and still is sacred land to the Tongva people.

An absolutely beautiful and historic site! The plants are so gorgeous!!!

Speaking on the location only. It's a gem of a spot. Absolutely beautiful and well maintained. The staff does a fantastic job. Sure it's in a gated community, but if you just act like and adult and talk to the guard at the booth they'll let you in.

Exploring a Hidden Historic Gem: Rancho Los Alamitos Took advantage of a quiet Friday afternoon to visit one of Long Beach's lesser-known historic sites- Rancho Los Alamitos. Tucked inside the gated Bixby Hill community right next to Cal State Long Beach, this spot feels worlds away from the city. At the entrance, just let the security guard know you're visiting the Rancho, and you'll receive a temporary parking pass. Parking inside is limited, but the area is calm and peaceful, making it a pleasant escape. The visit begins at the Rancho Center, where friendly staff asked for an email sign-in and recommend watching a short introductory film. The film gives an overview of the land's long and layered history, along with stories of the Bixby family who once lived here. The history of Rancho Los Alamitos stretches across centuries: 1) Indigenous Era: Thousands of years ago, this area was home to Tongva villages. 2) Spanish Era (1784): The Spanish government granted this vast piece of land to Manuel Nieto - one of the largest land grants in Southern California, covering today's Long Beach, Whittier, and Norwalk areas. 3) Mexican Era (1834): Rancho Los Alamitos was originally part of Rancho Los Cerritos, which spanned over 300,000 acres. Over time, as land was divided and reduced, only about 7.5 acres remain today. 4) American Era (after 1846): Following California's statehood, the land changed ownership several times before the Bixby family turned it into a large-scale cattle ranch. 5) 20th Century (1968): The Bixby family eventually donated the property to the City of Long Beach, transforming it into a public historic site and museum. Today, the grounds include historic buildings, gardens, barns, and a preserved ranch area, a window into the region's early ranching days. After the film, visitors can explore an exhibit hall featuring a large floor map that shows the original Rancho land divisions, a fascinating visual of how the ranch system shaped Southern California's development. Walking through the grounds feels both serene and educational: * Rose Garden: Compact but beautifully maintained, filled with vibrant blooms. * Cactus Garden: Lush with succulents and tall cacti, evoking a true Southwestern vibe. * Barn Area: Currently closed to the public, but still interesting to view from outside. We were lucky to meet a volunteer named Patti, who enthusiastically shared stories about the ranch and suggested joining a guided tour. Fortunately, staff member Nancy was available and kindly took us through the main ranch house, a space open only by reservation. Inside, the original adobe structure and the family's living quarters are preserved (no photography allowed), offering an intimate look at early California ranch life. The contrast between the cozy indoor rooms and the open-air gardens outside is striking. Overall, Rancho Los Alamitos beautifully weaves together Native, Spanish, Mexican, and American histories -- all within a small but well-preserved space. It's a tranquil destination that offers both reflection and discovery, perfect for anyone interested in history, architecture, or gardening. Visiting Tips: * Open Wednesday-Sunday, 1 PM - 5 PM * Free admission -- reservations recommended for the adobe house tour * No photography allowed inside the main house * Limited parking -- arrive early or visit during quieter hours * There's a small gift shop, and the site occasionally hosts special events including a charming Christmas display each winter * You can easily pair this visit with CSULB's Japanese Garden or a trip to Downtown Long Beach for a well-rounded half- or full-day itinerary. Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens 6400 E Bixby Hill Rd, Long Beach, CA 90815

I've enjoyed making return visits to Rancho Los Alamitos to get a feel for what life was like on a ranch back then. The overall look and appeal have remained the same for the most part, though there have been some changes every now and then. As an example, by the Rancho Center, they've had a Kiiy, which is kind of like a small tepee. Over time, I've seen the kiiy constructed, but other times, the kiiy is not there. Hard to predict when, but I guess it depends on the weather or the season. They've added a couple of new features that I thought they should have added before. One of them is some signs that explain what the exhibit is showing. In past visits, I'd see an exhibit, but without any infographics or some other background information, I'm pretty much left in the dark as to why these rooms even existed or what they were for. Earlier this year, there was a water main break in the area that caused the site to close for quite some time. And even when they reopened, they hadn't reopened fully to the point where we could explore the gardens. Artifacts had to be moved around to accommodate for the water main break. It must have been a mess, but I do appreciate those who worked hard to maintain the integrity of the historical site, even if it meant moving things to places where they normally shouldn't be. Unfortunately, it can take one person to ruin your visit, and Jack is one of them. Jack at the Feed Shed was incredulously arrogant and condescending! I was walking towards a sign in front of the horse, Preston, who had its head hanging outside the gate. Jack wouldn't let me read that sign because he thought I was trespassing when I've been a long-time visitor and know visitors shouldn't be touching the horses/mules in the feed shed. He was operating under the premise that visitors are going to break the rules, so he basically outlines them up front to visitors even from afar. Acting like a know-it-all, he made me look dumb for not understanding him or being able to read the sign from afar. In regards to the trespassing bit, Jack made up a rule saying we're not allowed to step on the grassy area around the feed shed. If that's true, then there would have been ample signage and barricades to indicate so. His demeanor is such a stark contrast from everybody else that works at this Rancho that I feel the only reason he got a job there was because of his level of knowledge on the subject matter. If I were taking a classroom full of elementary school kids to Rancho Los Alamitos, I'd make sure to steer the group far from Jack not knowing what he'd say to the children. And the newer volunteers I hadn't seen before aren't as competent as those I've seen on prior visits who have always welcomed me with a smile. The greeter inside the Rancho Center was reading a book and barely even noticed me when I checked in at the kiosk. She was not focusing on her job of greeting guests that anybody could have just walked by without checking in! The greeter inside the Museum Store was also reading a book, although she did notice my presence and welcomed me when I arrived. She still kept reading her book and almost forgot to wish me a good day until I mentioned it first. Of course, that's not to say everybody working there today is as bad. I do remember Dan from one of my first visits to the site when I joked to him that at 5 PM that day, they'd have to send a search party to find me somewhere in between the Native and Cactus Gardens. I appreciated how he was able to answer my question about the sculpture at the end of the stepping stone path in between those two gardens. There was never any signage there, but he explained it was part of the Prayer Garden. Suddenly, I lost count of how many gardens there are on this site! They have recently installed a few sensory carts around the site where you can actually touch certain items that you normally wouldn't have been able to touch before. They also have some laminated handouts in each cart so you can learn more about what's in these carts. Anyways, while I do enjoy Rancho Los Alamitos, I don't plan to visit this ranch as frequently due to the incompetence of the workers here. Who knows? Maybe I'll get accosted again for standing too close to the tennis net on their tennis court! :O

This hidden gem in Long Beach is a must visit. We were there for a special event - a chef driven farm to table dinner. There was live music and lots of food and drinks. The historic ranch with its origins dating back to the local indigenous Tongva people. It's inside a gated community but it's free to visit and park. The 7.5 acre gardens are gorgeous- a great place to walk and relax. Docent led tours are available by reservation. Don't forget to see the farm animals.

If you are looking for a free activity to do with kids, this is the right place to take them. We have been coming here for a while due to the staff being so nice and knowledgeable about this historic ranch. There were horses, chickens, and a blacksmith on site to show how horseshoes are made. Really cool to see. Charlie is one of the horses we often see every time we stop by the ranch. So it's always a pleasure to see him each time. Beautiful grounds as you walk through the garden with flowing little streams, cactus, unique plants, and bamboo trees. Very peaceful and quiet calming your inner thoughts. The best time to visit is during the spring season with blooming flowers all around. It's quite a hidden gem in Long Beach, which I had discovered a while ago. I never knew it existed until someone told me about it. Great spot to visit with friends and family.

Never a dull moment at the ranch. Great time with friends and family. Hope it remain free forever for everyone to enjoy the old history of Long Beach!

When I entered Rancho LA for the first time, I was in awe. I was overcome with positivity and inspiration. First and foremost, the staff and volunteers are incredible- -Have a true passion for this Bixby owned property -Take such good care of the animals to where you can see smiles because they love being there. -Perfectly manicured grounds Sign up for RLA newsletter so you can be informed about events and activities!!

Me and my family used this place for family photos, it was amazing It has a very big tree also many colors to be on the background We really like our photos there

Beautiful historic ranch and grounds! Super easy to reserve online. Visited the Rancho Center first, had a docent lead us inside the home then we meandered around the garden. It was interesting to note the addition to the original home. I was very pleasantly surprised the use of space for the garden. Very inviting. One would not know that Long Beach was once a ranching area if it weren't for these historic places. This ranch hidden on a hill!

Saw this trending on social media so we finally decided to check it out. EXPERIENCE: Parking: Room for about twenty cars. Feels: Amazing. It was like being in a time machine or entering a secret garden. If you get blindfolded and placed here, you would never guess you're in the hustle and bustle of Long Beach. The garden itself is beautiful! I dig the plants, layouts, and variety of plants. There are plenty of seats to sit around and ponder AND they got a few animals too (goats and horses). CUSTOMER SERVICE: Fantastic! Friendly people and very knowledgeable. OVERALL: 4.5 Stars. Truly a hidden local gem. For those CSULB students that need a breather, this is a great spot to relax. Can't complain here, especially since it's free! I can see myself coming back here if I want to blank out from the city life. Tips: - Check their website for events!

Truly a hidden local gem. Located right by Cal State Long Beach, Rancho Los Alamitos is hidden inside a gated community. My daughter & I came to Rancho to visit & it was free. There are animals here, but they are only for viewing only. You are not able to touch them. My daughter enjoyed the barn area the most. We saw chickens, goats, sheep, lambs, rabbits & horses. It was a relaxing day, walking & taking pictures of the secret garden.

This is truly a hidden gem in the area. I had no idea this place existed after not living far from it for so many years. It's completely free and you can spend a nice relaxing day just wandering the property. There's not much more I can say about it. Just come and check it out.

Gave this place a 2nd chance with my young kids and everyone was very friendly this time around.

What a hidden gem. I've never been here before and I can't wait to go back. There is so much to see. The volunteers are all knowledgeable, polite, and easy to talk to. I want to give a special shout out to Steve Squires. He is the volunteer coordinator, and he spent a good deal of time with us, telling us all about the trees and the buildings. I also want to give a special shout out to the lady at the horse stables, Linda Garrett. She was a lot of fun to talk to. Don't miss this place if you're in the area.

After our last visit to Rancho Los Alamitos ended up being less than ideal, I left my review and was pleased to get a response from one of the staff. I appreciated that she apologized on behalf of the historical site and I ended up reaching out to them via the email address she provided. Chris, the Manager of Education, went above and beyond to make sure our clients were welcomed to the Rancho today and even took time out of his day to personally walk us around the premises and give us a tour of the grounds. He was very kind and apologetic for what happened before and assured us that they are currently working on making the historical site even more accessible. We plan to return sometime in the near future because our clients thoroughly enjoyed their visit this time around, especially seeing the barn with the animals. Thanks again to Chris and everyone else who was there today who were so kind to our clients!

What a beautiful hidden gem this place is. If you have a free weekend or an hour to kill or want to get a little greenery in, this place is just that. Entry is Free Parking is Free Mind at ease is Free Getting to walk through the Bixby house is impressive can't take pictures, but it's alright just looking at how they lived, and the property is fantastic. The ranch has a lot of staff who are volunteers, but they are so friendly and helpful and knowledgeable about the family. clean restrooms and gift shop

We went here for a small ceremony. It was amazing and very nice senery , and the settings and there's a nice donkey there and some pretty horses as well.

Really cool hidden peice of California history. It's free! Honestly you should check it out and roam around the grounds at least once

So, I'm really hoping that there aren't any "Social Media Influencer" type people who follow me on Yelp, because this place has so much natural beauty, people like them would absolutely RUIN the experience. For all you parents out there, looking for a fun thing to do with the kids that won't break the bank, make this one place you check out (entry is free, but based on donations, so please, make a decent sized donation). Rancho Los Alamitos' beauty and serenity is only interrupted every few minutes by planes destined for the Long Beach Airport flying overhead. If you can block out that noise, you'll find yourself in a blissfully peaceful setting. The gardens are absolutely breath-taking (I didn't think I could find so much beauty in a cactus/desert garden). Then, there is the historic Alamitos home. Taking a guided tour through the home is like taking a step back in time. Originally built in the 1800's, the house has undergone a series of renovations since then, most notably in the 1900's, but many of the items in the home are original from that time period they were renovated in. It's truly amazing! Lastly (and what my kids enjoyed the most) is the barn area. There are goats/sheep, chickens, rabbits and horses in the stable area. Something about seeing live animals brings out joy in kids, and this place will make them happy for sure!

It's been a few decades since my last visit. Boy have things changed. The grounds have been returned to a vestige of the original plans. We took a tour curated by Janet Brown Becker who has a Master's in Landscape Architecture with an emphasis in California garden design and history from UC Berkeley. She knows her history and what she did not know was supplied by our docent, Cindy, a teacher who volunteers here. The plants are mature, many decades old. The setting is almost park like. Peaceful and verdant with the sound of birds and an occasional air plane. The flowers are lovely. Trees are varied and healthy. It's a well tended garden. There is quite a lot to see. In three hours we only saw a few of the gardens. I can't wait to return.

Nice place to walk around. There are some horses, ducks, and a couple other farm animals. Beautiful place to take pictures

Praises to the Passport 2 History book for turning us on to this treasure. We'd tried to go in February when in the area, but the Rancho property was closed for renovations. They'd discovered more damage to the adobe house than they'd originally thought, which took longer to repair. Several weeks ago, I checked their website and was delighted to learn they were open for guests again. It's a bit of a drive for us to get to Long Beach, but once we made it to the Rancho property, we quickly decided it was work the journey. This historic home and park are free to the public, though only open several days a week. Uniquely, you have to check in at a guarded gate at the base of the hill and let them know you're going to the ranch. An established neighborhood surrounds the remaining 7 acres of what was once an expansive property. The visitor center building gets you started. Check in there to get a reservation for the house tour. A short film plays there, which we missed. Next time! A gorgeous large room at one end showcases a map of the area as it was during the Rancho's heyday. Our tour guide started us there, beginning to share stories about how the property came to be in the Bixby family. Oil discovery at Signal Hill provided the capital needed to expand the original adobe into the 10,000 square foot family home it became over many renovations. Originally built as lodging for vaqueros working the land, it transformed into a comfortable space for Bixbys and their guests. The docent provided lots of insight into the life and times of the family that nurtured the land and oversaw development. One of the great aspects of visiting the Rancho is the chance to tour the gardens. The lady of the house wanted a series of garden "rooms" in different styles, and so she got them! The cactus and succulent garden, adjacent to the tennis courts, offers the feeling of going back to prehistoric times. The native garden beyond has a myriad of little paths, and petite streams running through it. Reminded me of the feeling in Fantasyland at Disneyland in the older sections, away from the main hustle and bustle. I was completely enchanted there! A rose garden and other more formal spaces still have an accessible feel. This is not a stuffy place. We didn't get the chance to check out all the barns, but those deserve a visit. Fancy chickens and other farm animals live on the property to this day. Our guide mentioned that the horses would be coming back soon. They'd been boarded elsewhere during the renovations of the adobe. Two huge and mysterious Moreton Bay fig trees guard the front door / porch area of the house. You can get lost in their tangled, dramatic roots. Great spot for a unique photo. To top off the experience, a charming little gift shop is near the entrance. I bought an embroidered pillow there, which goes great in our house. The merchandise covered a nice array of personal and home-oriented goodies. I could have spent more time there! Dear Hubby was glad I kept that visit short. Can't wait to go back to this feel-good spot in Long Beach, close to Cal State L.B.

[JULY 2020 ViSiT] Parking Lot: Free Entrance Fee: Free Pandemic rules apple: Social distance & masks required! Reservations REQUIRED. Click link provided on yelp & follow directions for reservations. Groups up to 10 are allowed. You can reserve it under 1 persons name & in the notes of that put how many adults & children. The address will bring you to a GATED COMMUNITY. You are in the right spot. Just let the booth guard know you are there to visit the ranch & he will give you a slip. After you park you check in with the staff under the tent & they'll provide a map. We went on a Sunday. The ranch overall is beautiful. Since we are living in a pandemic, they had everyone going one way at your own pace. They have a few different gardens you can visit. Sadly, every area besides the barn was closed when we had gone there. This would have been great to know because i was going specifically for the cactus garden to do a quick photoshoot for my son. That being said, this place is still full of beautiful photo opportunities. Staff is friendly & informative. It is definitely a nice place to get out of the house & be safe.

Friendly volunteers, beautiful gardens and grounds, fun art activities in the spring/ summer on Thursdays, educational tour of the house and informative about the Tongva tribe

Where can you find original barns built in the 1930's bamboo trees, horses, and chickens roaming around in Long Beach? Here at El Rancho Los Alamitos. Nested within a residential area adjacent to California State Long Beach. Admission and parking is free, but tours need to be booked in order to attend. It's a great place to bring the little ones and introduce them to live animals in a more intimate setting or set up a tour and luncheon with your friends. Roam around the multiple gardens and learn some history about early California It's open to the public and multiple structures have been restored. Highly recommend Rancho Los Alamitos!

This was a very cool & FREE summer to-do activity. It is a great place to walk around and learn a bit of history. Ranch Los Alamitos, named after Mexican settlers, is truly a place to visit - especially if you have kids. You're welcome to walk around and explore the different barns and even pet some of the animals. They offer tours as well if you're interested in learning more of its history. Although my toddler loved hanging out with the animals, I enjoyed the quiet and serenity of the gardens. Beautifully landscaped and kept traditional to Mexican culture, these gardens seemed to transport me to a world many, many years ago. We're planning on coming back soon with a packed lunch as I am truly dying for having a meal overlooking the flowers. FYI: Ranch is located inside a gated community. Let the guard know you're visiting the ranch they will let you in. Also, parking is free. :)

A new favorite. Animals (but only available for viewing only) since they function as a rehab / foster care facility as well, history, lovely decor and furnishings. Something you just have to see in person since photos of the interior are not allowed. An enriching, wonderful landmark for the community and free to all in the community.

Such a treasure! Who knew this ranch property existed, at Palo Verde Ave & Bixby Hill Rd? I surely didn't, but have been trying to visit for the past couple of months. Glad it was finally open again to the public. The staff that greets you in the lobby area is friendly and welcoming, they seem to know their stuff when it comes to this historical place. And visiting these grounds is free! Still, I put some Washingtons in the donation box, gotta support! Inside the check-in building there is a movie room where you can watch a 15 min video about the property's genesis and it's owners. The video is sort of outdated, yet informative. There are 2 other rooms that house a floor map, floral painted walls, a wall map of the grounds, and a room that timelines the evolution of the area. Educational indeed. You are free to visit the barn, the farm, massive grass area, gardens, trails and around the big house. But to view inside the home, you must sign up for a timed tour setup by the front desk staff. We signed up for a tour, but had too much fun exploring the gardens and trails that we decided to do it another time. The land here is larger than it looks from the outside. Also, if you bring in food, say for a picnic or little feast/party, you have to sit and eat it at the picnic tables located at the front of the property(we heard them telling a larger party who said they brought food there to eat). Overall, we had an excellent time here. A well spent Sunday afternoon!

There is something about entering the red gates of Rancho Los Alamitos that I feel transported back to rancho life in the 1930's. The staff and volunteers do an excellent job telling the story of what life was like for the people living on and near this rancho. A must stop for sure!

This place is a hidden gem in a neighborhood! You have to pass through security to enter the neighborhood. Just tell them you are here for the ranch and they will let you in with a pass. There is ample parking in the parking lot. Make sure you go to the visitor center and sign in! The ranch is free but you can make a donation! I read around that there is a fee if you want to do a photography session. They have free tours of the house but I haven't had time to tour it yet! That is on my list to do. In the spring, they have beautiful wisteria!!!

HIDDEN GEM IN LONG BEACH? You need to visit this place. Simply BEAUTIFUL. STUNNING. PEACEFUL. WONDERFUL. FLUFFY ANIMAL CUTENESS.(insert positive adjective) I was invited to go with some friends on a random Sunday, expecting to enter into a smelly plain barn with some horses. I didn't look it up at all, so you can guess my surprise my I ventured into this lovely place. I not only saw the huge horses, but also different types of animals like screaming goats, lambs, hen/chicken, bunnies, majestic swans, and ducks. Scenery? WOW absolutely STUNNING. Marvelous trees encompassing your vision as you go deeper into the ranch, and bamboo trees leading you to more amazing areas with more flowers, trimmed bushes, fountain, small lake& river, branch decorations, benches, and all the like. I felt so much at peace here embarking at the awesome nature and best of all: it was free! Makes for great a photo opp. Why haven't I known about this place sooner? Don't know, but don't matter cause now I have experienced and seen the wonders of this little magical land called Ranchos Los Alamitos. Honestly , I sound dramatic but once you come here and have your breath taken away, you will agree with me. :)

Just like Rancho Los Cerritos, this place is hidden treasure, even to those who are native Californians or who have been living in the area for decades. My father is such an example. He has been living in So. Cal. for years and never knew it was here. And he's a museum junkie. This place feels like a time-warp. It seems like a real working ranch. They have horses and a duck pond. Gorgeous stables and gardens to wander around. The house itself is restored with period furniture. They offer great tours and seasonal events for the whole family. I highly recommend checking this place out if you are interested in California history. Yes, we do have history folks! See why the streets are named the way they are. See the way the ranches were laid out before the Irvine housing development boom. It is facinating, if not a little sad, to get a glimpse of Old California.

Wonderful place for everyone! I loved waking though the gardens and meeting the animals. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about the property.

There isn't much to see here, but it's still a nice place to go to if you're bored and in the area. You drive up through the gates and you tell the person there that you're there for the Ranch, and they will give you a specific parking pass which only allows you to park where the Ranch is. Once you park, you enter through a little lobby where a woman (a volunteer probably) will greet you and try to hand you like 5 brochures and will look sullen if you don't take them. There are some rooms in the front entrance which have some art and history. Those are pretty interesting ! It gives you the time-line of the Long Beach/LA area while telling you all about the owners of the Rancho Los Alamitos farm. You'll be in there probably 10 minutes max. After that, you're free to wander around the farm area and check out the little paths they've got. There is also a barn where some animals hang out. I would have given 3 stars, but the living conditions of these poor things is SO sad! Bunnies poop very often so of course I wouldn't expect their cages to be super clean, but these bunnies looked so sad. One of them had four feet which were just covered in what looked to be poop. We also went to look at the ducks and chickens and the ducks have a little pond which is absolutely green with moss, algae, and who knows what. None of the ducks were inside the water. The water looked almost thick! And there was a poor duck on the chicken side and it was quacking maniacally, trying to get back to its brethren on the other side. We finally went in to check out the horses. There was one guy sitting on a bench just chillin' and he told a family that they could pet the white horse. So, the family started petting the white horse. Two seconds later another lady appeared and said, "Sorry--please don't touch the animals," and the family was confused because one guy just told them they could. After the barn, we went to check out some of the paths. There was this garden with a lot of cacti and succulents and we wanted to hang out under the shade. Unfortunately, all the benches in that park were absolutely covered in spider webs, dust, and tree leaves and large red ants. Forget it! Definitely hasn't been cleaned in a while and there was no where to sit or relax, unless you enjoy sitting amongst insects. All in all, it was a quick 45 minute experience. I would probably not come back, but maybe I would volunteer here in the summer to try and make it pretty again. Good luck to this place--it certainly needs donations to keep it up.

If you are looking for a realistic historical experience of a 19th century rancho this is not the place for you. Too much modern effects. A lot of asphalt, concrete and manicured grass lawns. The main building is a 20th century representation of something. The surrounding buildings have junk rescued from some dump that was probably from the area. Yes, there are big cactus plants and a lot of trails through a garden. Yes, there are big trees and a couple of them looked ancient. It reeks of bored housewives and retired men who have this modern vision of what a Rancho was. It all looks so phony. Skip it. Go on the internet and read about Abel Stearns or read some books about early California. Your imagination is better.

I feel like I'm transformed into my own zen world here. Sign in at the visitor center, get a tour of the house if you'd like. Walk out back to the farm where you can see the two horses, chickens, various other farm animals and hear about the history of Rancho Los Alamitos from the wonderful volunteers. Continue walking out to the gardens, stop and sit at the various benches and chairs around. There's a tennis court with grape vines growing on the fence, with grapes growing if you're there at the right season! Keep walking and you'll find the cactus garden. The gardens are all so vast; I could spend forever in here! Do yourself a favor and get out to explore this awesome nature oasis!

We love visiting historical places and this home is a gem. The tour was interesting and the gardens were beautiful.

I really loved this place when it had the Shire horses (largest, tallest horses in existence) beautiful stunning animals. It was sad when the mother died, and then the son was taken away because they did not have the expertise anymore to care for this giant breed. I hope they bring them back, as the Bixby's had them at the original Rancho. Very interesting, great place to step back in time. Loved the intimate tour of the Bixby's historical home. History lovers will love this place.

Good place to walk around during the weekend, kind staff and beautiful views, the animals are so cute!!

Having lived in Long Beach for more than ten years, I've never visited this place until today. It's tucked away in a gated community--you'll never find it unless you hear about this place from a friend or from the internet. The view is gorgeous from the top of the hill, and the ground was well-maintained. The staff was enthusiastic and helpful. My son was fascinated with the shire horses, and also with the various contraptions of a ranch. The guided tour of the Bixby adobe was educational and interesting. It's an intimate view of a historic family.

A ranch in the middle of the city? Am I dreaming? Located right by Cal State Long Beach, Rancho Los Alamitos is hidden inside a gated community. You'll have to pull up to the gate and the attendant will give you a free parking pass. Drive up to the ranch and park in the parking lot. Tip: You'll be driving through residential roads and it can be confusing. I went around a few times before actually finding the ranch! But when you do arrive, it's like you're in another world. In a ranch world, that is :) Sign-in at the visitor center and check out the gallery for a history of the ranch. Then, make your way outdoors to visit the barn, equine center, bunny farm, chicken coop, and lamb shed. I ended up chatting with super friendly volunteer by the horses who gave me a brief background on the horses and the ranch itself. There's a little gift shop on the ranch also, so stop by before you head out. Don't forget to bring your camera. This place is too beautiful to pass up. Free admission. Free parking.

My friend dragged me here along with her because she had to write a report about Rancho Los Alamitos for a class and I'm really glad I did. It was a nice mini departure from my everyday routine and I definitely recommend coming up here if you just need a quick breather from work, school, or whatever is stressing you out. Parking and entry is free - any donation is appreciated. The staff here was friendly and the tour guide was very enthusiastic about answering any questions we had about the place and its history. I particularly enjoyed walking around the gardens and taking in the fresh air. It was nice to see kids walking around the farm and learning things they wouldn't normally learn if they were at home watching TV. You should give this place at least a one visit if you haven't yet!

I'm so glad I came to the Rancho today. It is a hidden gem and visiting is FREE! Be sure to take the docent led tour of the main house, which is stunning. Spent about 1.5 hours there and made for a perfect day. I'd love to come back.

What a beautiful hidden gem! You can learn so much California history in about 2 hours of visiting this beautiful Rancho. The docents tell the history of this hidden gem with so much passion that it makes this place come to life. This Rancho is perfect for any age group. The barn with its animls and the gardens help the little ones burn off some energy. The Adobe house is better suited for the older kids and adults due to the fact that you're not allowed to take pictures or touch anything. The best part about this historic site is that it's absouluty free!

I find it odd that there are only two other reviews for Rancho Los Alamitos. Not sure if the fact that it is in a gated community has something to do with that, but guests are welcomed in the community for the purposes of visiting the ranch. It is a beautifully landscaped site with lots of history and well worth a visit for a number of reasons. In short, It is horticulturally, culturally, historically, relevant and interesting.

This place looks beautiful; too bad the horrible Docents will ruin it for you making it IMPOSSIBLE to enjoy. The Docents prefer historic objects and not real humans! Came here at 1 pm on a Sunday, there was maybe 2 or 3 other parties walking around. I wanted to take pictures but was told I needed to pay $25 to use a camera but phone cameras were free. Before I paid, I wanted to look around - the lady literally followed me around constantly pestering me about what I was doing here and why I was here. It's a historical landmark open to the PUBLIC, not Louis Vuttion, why was she following me around like I was about to shoplift. As we turned the corner, a very obviously vision impaired man with a service dog stepped onto the property... she ran towards him immediately to accost him and his dog. Seriously lady!? He can't see, that is clearly a service dog with a service vest! AVOID this place.

Kids loved to see the horses and chickens Ranch has been kept in good condition. We got to learn some history behind it.

Relaxing place, well maintained and the restroom is very clean. The dark chocolate with walnut truffles was really good!

This is such a beautiful historic building located next to CSULB. I was trying to find a beautiful spot for a nature stroll and this was it! It's a historic ranch complete with two horses, goats, chickens and sheep. Apart from the ranch and home are beautiful gardens, a stream, and a bamboo grove. This is probably my favorite spot to meditate and get in touch with myself. I know it's not a forest, but it's a quick drive from my house nestled amongst an urban jungle. I highly recommend it for a nice family outing.

Garden is closed and the staff at the gate for guest is extremely rude! Wont even bother coming back!