Welcome to Rancho Los Alamitos, a historic gem located in southwestern Los Angeles County and northwestern Orange County in Long Beach, CA. This 7.5-acre ranch is a rare vestige of the original 300,000-acre Los Coyotes land concession given to Manuel Nieto in 1790. The ranch was named Los Alamitos, meaning Little Cottonwoods or Poplars in Spanish, for the native Fremont Cottonwood trees growing there. Rancho Los Alamitos is a microcosm of the regional history, and it’s a place where you can experience the richness, drama, and complexity of the Golden State.
Rancho Los Alamitos is the ancestral village of Povuu’ngna, the traditional place of origin of the native Gabrielino-Tongva people of the Los Angeles Basin, and it is still a sacred place. Subsequent owners of the ranch included Governor José Figueroa and Yankee Don Abel Stearns. In 1968, the children of Fred and Florence Bixby, the last private owners, donated the family ranch to the City of Long Beach, transforming what had been a working ranch into a public oasis. Today, the early 19th-century adobe ranch house still stands, housing a museum that presents the history of the area.
The Rancho is a great place to explore and experience the history of California. Here are some of the top things to do and see at Rancho Los Alamitos:
- Explore the historic adobe ranch house and its museum
- Take a guided tour of the grounds
- Learn more about the ranch’s history, including its beginnings with Manuel Nieto and the Spanish Crown
- Discover the ancestral village of Povuu’ngna and its connection to the native Gabrielino-Tongva people
- Visit nearby attractions such as the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and the Long Beach Museum of Art
- Attend one of the many annual special events held at the Rancho, such as the Summer Concert Series and the Native American Festival
Rancho Los Alamitos is a great place to explore and learn about California’s history. From its beginnings with Manuel Nieto and the Spanish Crown to its transformation into a public oasis, this ranch is a testament to the ever-evolving history of the Golden State. With its many attractions, events, and activities, Rancho Los Alamitos is sure to capture the attention of any traveler.