A visit to the 1844 two-story Spanish-colonial adobe is a step into the past. Rancho Los Cerritos echoes Long Beach’s rich history from a sprawling ranch to a modern, urban society. Once part of an early Spanish land grant, the 27,000 acre Rancho Los Cerritos evolved from cattle ranch to sheep ranch to private home before becoming a City museum in 1955.

Now a national, state and local historic landmark, the Rancho offers workshops, lectures, educational programs and tours of the historic ranch house and gardens. The current 4.7 acres of landscaped grounds include trees from the mid-19th century, historic roses, exotic vegetation and the old water tower. The site also features a Visitors Center, Museum Gift Shop, California history reference library and picnic area.

Open year-round. Wed-Sun. 1-5 p.m. Free admission. 4600 Virginia Rd. Long Beach, CA 90807. Call (562) 570-1755 for information on current events.

Visit www.rancholoscerritos.org.