Declared a national historic landmark as far back as the 1970s, this ranch certainly goes back a long time. From the time it was erected in 1844, it was bought by the “Father of Long Beach”. Jotham Bixby, and converted from a cattle ranch to a sheep ranch, at the same time acting as the childhood home for his seven children. As time wore on, the adobe fell into disrepair, but was revived by Jotham Bixby’s nephew, who transformed the house into the red tiled, white walled and green panelled classic house that draws hordes of visitors everyday with its rustic charm.

The house eventually passed into the hands of the City of Long Beach when 1955 came around. This is the adobe as we know and love it today, a museum dedicated to the preservation of California’s rancho history, a time of revolutionary change and mind blowing development for the state. The museum hosts tours, programmes and events on certain days of the week, and visitor centre permanently exhibits displays about the Ranchos’ history. A lovely Italian style garden dotted with orange and cypress trees, featuring a quaint rectangular pond, is a popular setting for weddings, where people choose to celebrate the most special day of their lives surrounded by the deep and meaningful legacy of the ranchos.