On the eastern edge of Carlsbad and just north of the La Costa area is the master planned community of Rancho Carrillo, emerging around 2000/2002.
Built on rolling hills with acres of preserved open space, the multiple neighborhoods that make up this Carlsbad community share an elementary school, lots of hiking trails, beautiful vistas of the hills, lovely ocean breezes, and a terrific swim center. And a bunch of wild peacocks.
Lesser known, perhaps, is the Leo Carrillo Historic Ranch at the heart of this community, and for which it was named. Rancho Carrillo is built on the original land of the working ranch created by Leo Carrillo, actor (The Cisco Kid TV show of the 1950s – Carrillo was Pancho), environmentalist/preservationist, and philanthropist. The 27-acre historic park which contains the Carrillo homestead, caretaker’s cottage, and a number of other outbuildings (barns, water tank, blacksmith shop, carriage house, equipment shed) was once part of the 2,538 acre ranch, and over recent years has been restored and preserved by the city of Carlsbad since being acquired in 1978.
The ranch, known as Rancho de los Quiotes (Ranch of the Spanish Diggers) was built beginning in 1937 and was completed in 1940. The original Kelly family adobe from the 1880s was incorporated in the Carrillo family hacienda which remains today and serves as a place for visitors to tour, a meeting center, and a popular setting for weddings. Among the various buildings to visit there are pathways to wander, native plantings including cactus, the peacocks (about 35 of them I understand), picnic areas, a botanical garden and, of course, the requisite restrooms. There are guided tours, movie nights and visiors’ center with plenty of information about the park, including videos.
Leo Carrillo Historic Ranch Park is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 – 5, and Sunday from 11 – 5 (summer hours are extended to 6 PM). Admission is free and there is ample parking. The park is an interesting bit of Carlsbad history and development, and archaeological findings indicate that people have occupied the canyons and used the nearby lagoons and other riparian resources for thousands of years – in stark contrast to the modern day residential communities that have sprung up in the area – and well worth the visit.
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All content copyright © 2007 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits
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Hi Jeff, what an interesting looking area. I can't believe admission is free! Didn't know that happened any more! Is that a peacock?
Hi Jeff,
Wow, I had no idea this even existed in your neck-of-the-woods. I remember him as a kid of course as Poncho in the Cisco Kid. And since Leo Carrillo State Beach was further north of L.A. I just assumed that was his homestead.
Thanks so much for the heads up, this is a place I'd love to visit, our parks are such a wonderful experience.
Linda - It IS refreshing to see free admission to a place like this. Very low key, and interesting historically. And out in the middle of a larhe residential area. And ytes, that is a peacock. There were 4 right where I was standing, maybe 5 feet away.
Jeff
Hi Jeff, I will have to add this to my list. My list is so long I will need a vacation to get around just to things you have pointed out. And I found so many more on top of that. Well done as usual Jeff.