When the Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad was suggested as a place to visit when we were in the area, we had no idea what to expect.
A ranch right in the middle of this developed area?
But we are so glad we fit a visit into our schedule. It’s a beautiful, serene area to explore.
Hidden away in the middle of the lovely 27-acre canyon, the historic park contains hand-crafted adobe buildings, antique windmills, and plenty of other historic structures, along with beautiful landscaping and the resident, brilliantly plumed peacocks.
In 1937, Leo Carrillo, who was a renowned actor most famous for starring as Pancho in “The Cisco Kid”, a popular television series about two Robin Hood like desperadoes in the American West, wanted to find a retreat where he could build an old California-style working rancho. He came across the Rancho de Los Kiotes and bought 840 acres where he began construction of several structures. Over time, the ranch spread out over 2,538 beautiful acres. Leo loved visitors and welcomed plenty of them to the ranch – many of whom were the major stars of the day. They spent time horseback riding all over the huge ranch.
Welcome!
We left the “June Gloom” of the coast behind and actually drove into a gorgeous, sunny day. We pulled into the gravel parking lot of the ranch and were immediately entranced by the lovely landscaping and historic wooden and Adobe buildings scattered all over the property. Only a very small remnant of the ranch remains today but it has been turned into a historic park and visitor destination.
The original caretaker cottage.
