Historic Rancho Los Alamitos seeks volunteer docents

Rancho Los Alamitos, or the “Ranch of the Little Cottonwoods,” is a Long Beach City Landmark twice listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The site, once owned by the famed Bixby family, has nurtured a great diversity of peoples and cultures over thousands of years. The 7.5-acre site includes four acres of nationally significant historic gardens, a ranch house (1790-1933), and a restored barnyard of the early 20th-century working ranch.

“There is something at the Rancho for everyone: beautiful gardens, barns with animals, an adobe house built in the 1800s and lots of history,” said Mutual 2 resident Helene Neun, who has volunteered at the Rancho for nearly three years.

Docents give weekly tours of the historic ranch house, barnyard, and gardens. They are specially trained in the culture, history and environment of the site and the region. No prior experience is required: the only requirement is a willingness to share knowledge with others. Each tour reflects the guide’s interests and personality.

Those interested in becoming a docent must attend a series of training sessions which begin Saturday, Jan. 17, and continue for three consecutive weeks on Jan. 24, Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

For more information or to sign up, email ranchovolunteer@rancholosalamitos.org.

Foliage at the historic Rancho Los Alamitos