Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park Reviews

Great spot to spend time. But it is has some history.
Please begin your tour by first stopping at the Visitor Center to view 13 minute introductory film on the history of the ranch and the life and career of Leo Carrillo.
Do not miss the time for tour. It is free
Guided walking tours are offered on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and on Sunday at noon and 2 p.m. These guided tours allow access to the interior of many of the historic structures, including the hacienda, as well as Deedie's house. Allow approximately 90 minutes for the entire tour.

Interesting historical site that has been well-maintained. Get a map at the visitors’ center so you know what building you are looking at. Nice place for a walk and the peacocks are a plus.

I had no idea about this person, and when you visit on the weekend, there is a tour person, free, they take you inside the houses, and tell you about Leo. Also, get there about 30 minutes before the tour so you may watch the video it is helpful in understanding, and look around a bit on your own.

I was with a group of 18 for a guided tour, and Ken our docent was excellent and access to the buildings with the tour (locked without a tour) is a must to appreciate its history.

I been here before, but nothing was open and I just walked around, so check the website for more details on their hours. Seeing the peacocks (peafowl) was wonderful but learning about them was even better. We even saw the white (not albino) peacock for a photo-op. I had no idea that Leo Carrillo was Pancho in the Cisco Kid series. This visit was really GR8 and informative. And although my grandchildren don't know who he was, I think they will enjoy touring the ranch when they visit me in a few weeks.

Learning about the history of the ranch combined with details of Leo's life made the visit fascinating. And this oasis in the midst of 3 million people is a hidden gem.

Attended a 50th birthday party here recently and the experience for all of us was wonderful. What a great venue - rustic charm, beautiful location nestled in a valley and great layout. The pool (off to the side of the property) is not gated, so anyone with adventurous, non-swimmer kids should be aware. Ample parking. Presence of roaming peacocks is really cool, but watch out - they can be cranky!

Second time visiting this ranch- first time almost a decade ago. Very impressive, a lot of renovation was done. Gorgeous nature and peacocks come right up to you!

This is a really nice place to take a walk, to take pictures and just stroll. It is the ranch home of the late Leo Carillo who was an old time film star. There are many peacocks around this area too and just nice to stroll around.

My husband remembers Leo Carrillo as Poncho on the 1060's TV show, The Cisco Kid....uhem...I on the other hand, much too young...anyway, this was his ranch. We enjoyed walking around the grounds admiring the beautiful CA foliage, blooming cacti and peafowl. A film at gift shop near the entrance starts you out with a short film, giving you some history. It's a quick jaunt from downtown Carlsbad, and a good place for a nice, easy stroll.

Plenty of room for kids to run around. Interesting historically, very clean & kept nice, Peacocks roaming around on the grounds. Gift shop with reasonable prices, Ample tables & benches for bringing a picnic

The kids love it, you can see the peacocks and walk around what North county was like before all the recent building

Great little gift shop with a video on the history as well

Very cool location! tons of peecocks even a rare albino one! We shot pictures here for the babies photosheet

Hidden amongst hills of newer housing developmentd is this historic ranch with movie star history. Lovely oasis full of history and peacocks.
Do not miss the Plein Air Artshow in Derdie's house!

We were travelling from Ventura County where we have Leo Carrillo beach -- we had no idea he had a beautiful ranch in Carlsbad.

It was easy to find -- the docents were very friendly and engaging. We watched the 12 minute video, and wandering the grounds taking many pictures.

The Peacocks were everywhere - amazing!!

I know this guide meant well, but she was very boring and long winded. We only went with the guide because previous reviews said you couldn't get into the buildings without the guided tour. It turned out the buildings were all open and had photos and posters that had all the same info the guide provided, only done much better. The buildings were interesting but not remarkably so. At least it was free.

On a Saturday in May we saw more than a dozen peacocks showing off their colorful fans to the peahens. What a site, they were everywhere. We even saw the white one with his fan up! In summer the ranch shows some great old-time movies. But whenever you go, take the free guided tour. I didn’t know about Leo Carrillo, but what an interesting guy he was! The tours are given on Saturdays at 11am and 1pm, and on Sundays at noon and 2pm. You’ll get so much more out of your visit if you take the tour. And since it’s such a lovely place, why not take a picnic lunch for before or after your tour. They provide adequate parking and lots of picnic tables. But don't feed the peacocks!

This was the ranch of Leo Carrillo, the actor who played Pancho in "The Cisco Kid" in the 1950's. Since that was a favorite TV show, we were eager to learn more about this man which we did from the video they showed in the Visitor Center. Then we wandered on our own since they have guided tours only on the weekends. Enchanted by the great number (I saw at least 40) of peacocks who were strolling everywhere. We even saw the white peacock. Disappointing that you can't go inside most of the buildings, and that particular day there was a wedding in the haciendo yard so we couldn't go there either. Still it was a pleasant way to be outdoors.

Unfortunately had little time for lunch, but the park is a great find. Will love to go back and explore this historic place. Ate our lunch in the shade at a picnic table, thanks to docent Geraldine who saw suggested it. Looks interesting and very well preserved. Looking forward to return to spend more time and watch the film on the Leo Carillo Ranch. Looks like a great place for kids too.

Was pleasantly suprised at the wonderful facility. It reminded me of the Arboretum in Arcadia, Really nice to take photos and enjoy the afternoon.

If you happen to be in the Carlsbad area and remember the TV show "The Cisco Kid" take a trip to the Leo Carrillo Ranch. Although you can explore on your own any time the park is open, tour guides have keys to open doors to historic buildings and have much fascinating information to share, such as how a structure was constructed, which Hollywood stars slept where on their wedding night and how the plants got there. Our guide Tom was terrific.Definitely take a tour. Call ahead to find out when they will be. Tours and admission are free. Our tour lasted about 2 hours. Carrillo was an amazing man!

We love to take our friends to see this historic site. The genuine feeling of being in the era is a wonderful experience. One gentleman in our party was 90 years old and they treated him like gold, taking him by cart and coming back for him at a designated time. They have done a lot to Improve it over the years.

If you are the same vintage as my wife and I you would remember the Cisco Kid on TV, this was the weekend retreat for Pancho ( Leo Carrillo ),the Cisco Kids trusty side kick. It was great to find out more about this man who was a child hood hero.
The work that has been put into restoring the ranch has been quite amazing.
The star of the day had to be the magnificent peacocks strutting their stuff every where around the ranch and the piercing cry. We didn't know till today that Peacocks could roost in trees now I have photos to prove it.
There is no charge to look around and visit the ranch they only ask for a donation.
If you are in the area well worth the visit if only to hear and see the Peafowl.

The grandparents will love the beautiful gardens and appreciate the history. Your kids can act like kids because it's mostly outside. You can preserve your sanity because everyone is happy. Throw in a picnic lunch and it's a bargain, as well.

This place has lots to see including peacocks and outher animals. Its as a lot of history for every one. A place to see a wester star in history.

This is an absolutely lovely place to stroll , watch the preening peacocks, and enjoy the gorgeous gardens and ranch buildings. It has a very "old West" feel to it. There were very few people there when we went, and there is NO admission fee. I loved simply wandering through this unusual environment at our own pace.

We lived by this park for several years before going to check it out. We have been back several times since. It's free and there is so much history to see while walking the grounds. Highly recommend you visit this place at least once.

Visited the Flying LC Ranch of Leo “Poncho” Carrillo (of “The Cisco Kid” fame) on a weekday and found the Ranch walk-about to be comfortable, relaxing and educational. The docents were entertaining and knowledgeable. To me they enjoyed recounting the Ranch history as I enjoyed their telling. The old “Adobe” on the property might have been the model for the “Old Adobe” at Knotts Berry Park! I tried my hand at roping with the riata outside the visitors center. I was a lot better when a lot younger!

We were staying Carlsbad for a wedding and had some free time. I saw a sign for this park and decided to check it out online and then in person. I highly recommend visiting this park! The buildings are great. The grounds are very nice. I saw a few peacocks, but not as many as I hoped to see!

This is a jewel of Carlsbad. A beautiful ranch with lots of history behind it. Peacocks walk the property. Lots of wildflowers now. The scent of orange blossoms in the air. Great for history buffs, families and anyone who enjoys the outdoors. There are picnic tables.

A carefuly preserved California range from the 1930s with a celebrity connection and beautiful grounds and fascinating history

I love this place, and feel fortunate that I can walk here (if I'm feeling energetic) from my house. It is a great place to picnic, walk around, sketch, write. My drawing groups come here a few times a year (which isn't nearly enough to capture the wonderful buildings and plantings). What makes it special (to me) is the flock of peacocks on the site. I believe they originated from the peacocks on the property when Leo Carrillo purchased the rancho. There is one white one, and a bunch of flirty males who will show their magnificent feathers to ANYBODY by Valentine's Day. They make a sound like cats being murdered - it's the first thing you hear as you approach - but they are great to watch.

Pay attention to the gate. Although it is open when the park is open, it is a beautiful ironwork gate that includes a film motif in its rendering to remind us of Mr. Carillo's film career.

We got to Leo Carrillo Historic Park in Carlsbad within 5 minutes from our hotel for a wedding and celebration. It was easy to find if you have a GPS. Make a right turn and go down the hill for lots of parking. The buildings are a little walk down the unsaved path. Large buildings on the left for exploring and the main building to the right for wedding parties. This is a lovely venue for parties because it has a separate area for the wedding ceremony and a very large pool patio / greens / picnic and dancing area. What ever the DJ plays for dancing won't be a noise issue as the deep canyon's large trees and low shrubs are there to dampen any high and low notes. One minor issue might be that the party area doesn't have enough washrooms. The Leo Carrillo Historic Park is a wonderful place to visit for families and if you are lucky, you might see the colorful peacocks and find a beautiful tail feather on the path. Check their website for more info.

The Carrillo Ranch park is within a neighborhood but you wouldn't know it's there. It's an historical site with picnic areas and walking trails and beautiful peacocks. There are also historical buildings to visit. We have taken picnics there many times. It is peaceful and, except for the occasional cry of the male pea fowl, a quiet spot. Well worth the effort to locate it.

great for photo shoot but go in late afternoon . Fun for kids, families and photo snobs...closes at 5 pm

What a smart move to keep and preserve such a special place. Step on the grounds and you step back into time. It's a great a great place to fantasize what the rural life in San Diego was back in the day. The peacocks are fabulous preening about all day. One thing people and most locals don't know is these grounds are for rent for special events and weddings for very reasonable fees.

We enjoyed walking around this beautiful ranch. The staff were so nice in directing us when we first arrived. Romantic feel, great place to bring a picnic and just enjoy the beauty. So much history here, we loved it.

I learned about Leo Carillo who was Pancho in Cixco Kid, one of my older brother’s favorite shows. It was interesting and a beautiful place. We saw at least 3 peacocks or peafowl and heard several more crying out. Since it was free, you can’t beat the price!

Never knew this place existed. Free to enter and has a free guided tour. Place has several dozen peacocks walking around. Very enjoyable educational tour.

Interesting story about how this ranch/park came to be but what is more interesting is the man himself. Most of us oldies remember Leo as the Panucho side kick to the Cisco Kid cowboy shows. Now I've discovered his talented and varied past.
The ranch itself is quaint but not a must see attraction. Admission is free.

Great place to get a glimpse of a different time. Everything is well maintained and plenty of staff to tell you about the history.

You can wander around interesting landscape in a protected area if that's your thing, but the actual history available is fairly sparse given hit or miss tour hours, and a history that, basically focuses on one guy and not that well (comes off as flat, though you know there were more dimensions). However, as an out of the way spot to walk around and talk with an old friend or a first date who never knew the place was there, well, that would be nice.

When this rancho was humming, it must have been a great place to live. The home of Pancho of The Cisco Kid fame, it is a beautiful rancho built of adobe in several buildings using the topography to assist the architecture. Thanks to Mr. Carrillo we have the chance to see (for free) what a Spanish rancho was built like. The park is 10 plus acres with both cultivated and wild plants. Most of the buildings have been restored while there is some restoration still occurring. There is a short movie that you should see before starting your tour (self-guided or guided) that helps to understand both Mr. Carrillo and the rancho. The peahens and peacocks run wild and can be seen in various places in the park. There is an area to picnic and the staff is very nice.

interesting to envision what early life was like in this area tour of buildings Fifty plus peacocks to view. Interesting landscapses

Once a large ranch , now surrounded by homes. In the early days of Cinema, there was many westerns. One of them was the Cisco Kid and his trusted friend Pancho. Leo Carrillo was Pancho and left his mark on California. It is nice to see that they have preserved his home as a museum and captured a piece of Hollywood History.

Leo Carrillo's ranch is a must see for any "Poncho and Cisco" cowboy television enthusiast. Our guide Sara Kelly brought this history come to life with her enthusiasm and knowledge. This rancho is an amazing window into early California life.

This is a free city park located on the remaining grounds of the actor's ranch. The interiors are not accessible, but one can peak in the windows and imagine life here in the 1930s and 1940s. At the visitor's center the staff are very friendly; a film provides an orientation to the actor and early environmentalist. A great stop on a lovely day to take some photos.

Beautifully restored hacienda once owned by Leo Carrillo, aka “Pancho” from the Cisco Kid westerns.
Excellent free tours conduced here on Saturdays and Sundays @ 11:00 and 1:00.
Plan to spend 2 hours if taking the tour plus additional time to explore on your own and/or take photographs.

Tips:

1. Take The Tour: you Can explore the property on your own but taking the guided tour is much more interesting and informative
2. Watch for and heed the signs warning of uneven steps
3. Bring your camera, water, sunscreen
4. Picnic tables are available for outdoor dining---plan accordingly
5. Look for Leo’s pictographs etched on the outer wall of Deedie's House

I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent here.

I had fun, learned A Lot, took Many photographs.

This outing combines well with one to the nearby Flower Fields

Check it out if you’re in the vicinity. It will be time well spent.

Easy access, free, lovely grounds to walk, kid friendly--lots of peacocks. Docents were great and provided a lot of information. Visitor center was closed because we arrived late but we will return to spend more time here next time we are in Carlsbad.

If you like old westerns, this is the place. If you like peacocks.

We visited the ranch on a Saturday. This is a great day to go because free tours are given twice during the day on Saturdays. The tour guide will open the buildings so you can see inside. Very interesting tour and information. I remember watching Leo Carrillo in reruns of the Cisco Kid when I was a child. Otherwise I would have had no idea who he was. It's amazing to think he used to own 2500 acres there. Now it's down to 10. Kids might be a bid bored, but the adults would love it.

Having never heard of Leo Carrillo this was a surprise- to find a ranch that a Hollywood actor had set up to be ecologically correct-astonishing and very interesting to walk through

I have been to Leo Carrillo Ranch several times as I am an art photographer and always find interesting photo moments. There is much to see from the many peacocks who are everywhere adding beauty and noise. The old stables, and the main house are all interesting along with the beautiful landscape of native plants and trees many in full color so very well maintained. Always, I find that 2 hours plus whiz by so fast with plenty of walking and easy steps to go where you desire and alway's an improvement from one visit to the next usually 1 or more times a year when I drive south from Orange County about 50 minutes..

We were looking for a place to picnic and someone recommended this spot. Beautiful setting, some really nice picnic areas with peacocks roaming all over the place. The kids in our group were really excited. Free,convenient parking, cozy setting,property tours. They usually close around 5, so plan accordingly.

My kids have had field trips there and we have learned so much about this time in history. It's so hard to picture this area without the millions of homes around...so it's nice to get a glimpse at the way it was "back in the day". Love the peacocks that roam the property!

If you watched TV in the 50's or60's you know this guy. His history is fascinating and his ranch is a piece of old time California. Nice way to spend an hour or so.....there is a place there to view old clips of the TV show. I forgot what a polite, just and humorous character he was: when he shot the bad guy, the bullet would blow his hat off.

Delightful and charming experience at the Leo Carrillo Ranch! Perfect setting for events especially weddings! Romantic and lovely. Gardens are well tended, beautiful pool andhistoric buildings on site. Take a few hours and visit the park.

Leo Carillo Ranch is a pleasant enough place to stroll around and soak up some historic ambiance. Kudos to the City of Carlsbad for preventing it from becoming just another upscale subdivision like what surrounds it.

That said, there isn't all that much to see here, a short video on Leo's life, several old buildings, some still in pretty rough condition, and a few peacocks walking around. You can do it all in 45 minutes max.

The ranch is adjacent to a segment of Carlsbad's extensive trail system so after finishing with Leo Carillo we went for a nice four mile hike. That wasn't a bad way to play it.

We went for the tree lighting at Rancho Leo Carillo and found so much more. The renovation to the barn was transformative. The park was festively full of lights. The docents were wonderfully informative and friendly. It really felt Christmasy. There are also great walking paths around the park during the day.

Beautiful scenic adobes with free roaming peacocks. It was an amazing experience especially at their annual christmas event. They really go all out for a family friendly and fun event

Great place to relax with a camera. To make that point impactful, that's all I want to say here but TripAdvisor requires 50 characters, so there you go.

Leo Carrillo Ranch is only a few miles from downtown Carlsbad, CA. If you ever watch the Cisco Kid you will remember Pancho the side kick of the Cisco Kid. Lee Carillo (Pancho) brought the ranch and most all the buildings on the ranch are still there, most of the acres have been sold off but it will take you quite a while to walk though the ranch. The parking is free and visiting the ranch is free, how can you lose. There are peacocks walking around the ranch. We were there on a weekday and no tours were given but if you go on the weekend you will be able to go on guided tours at no charge. There is a movie that is shown everyday when you stop at the information area that gives you a good idea of what the ranch was like when Pancho bought it.
Good place to take the family.

A small portion of the old land grant rancho, once purchased and loved by actor Leo Carrillo. Still evokes a feel of the ranching times of this part of San Diego County, and is being restored slowly by dedicated volunteers and city workers.

This is a fabulous park and it shows visitors what life was like for the iconic Leo Carrillo and his family and guests many decades ago. The hacienda, the barn, the cantina, etc. take you back to days of yore and you imagine how it might have been. The history is amazing. Leo Carrillo was more than just an actor. He impacted a lot of people during his life in positive ways. Besides the buildings for yesteryear, peacocks roam the grounds so expect to see the males showing off their plumage trying to impress the peahens.

In late summer, the Leo Carrillo Film Festival is held at the park. Guests with reservations bring their low back chairs, etc. and sit on under the evening sky watching an episode of The Cisco Kid followed by a Leo Carrillo movie. It's magical.

A treasure. The park was undergoing a lot of renovation at the time of our visit. Nevertheless, the park and its history are a wonderful reminder of California’s past

Great walking for up to 4.5 miles with views of the ranch and all the very old facilities that Leo Carrillo stayed in and rebuilt. The city is also adding new features and enhancing the attractions like the clothing and guns that The Cisco Kid used during his movies he made throughout his career. Lot's of friendly peacocks waltzing around and making mating calls. Real fun day.

A wonderful experience into the past. Who knew Leo was such wonderful actor in his time. His homestead shows his love of his culture and heritage.

We were checking Trip Advisor for something to do on a Saturday afternoon and found the Historic Park to visit. Decided to do the personal tour at one and we were so happy we did. Bill, our guide, greeted us with a warm smile as we awaited the appointed time.
The history of this ranch and the beautiful trees and fruit groves provided us much pleasure. As youngsters we watched the television series “Cisco Kid” faithfully each week. How seeing his memorabilia ignited our own memories.
We so enjoyed our hour and a half! Took lots of photos. Thank you for saving this area as a historic site.

We watched the video and then walked the beautiful grounds. It is great that this piece of history is being watched over and protected for the future. Our family pictures we took here are now highlights of our summer vacation in Carlsbad.

I wanted to see this ranch since I love history & historical landmarks especially adobes. It was nice but I wish I could have come during a weekend to see the inside of the buildings. It was nice to see the outside but I feel that seeing the furniture inside etc tells a whole story. The people at the visiting center were extremely friendly. We loved the air conditioned informational movie on who Leo Carrillo was. The structures were pretty well kept. We also enjoyed seeing the peacocks throughout the ranch. I was ok, but wait to see it when you can get a tour inside instead. I think it might be worth more of your time!

A quiet ranch with walking trails and the preserved homestead of Leo Carrillo. Mr. Carrillo is a 7th generation Californian so his history goes beyond Hollywood. When you step into his ranch you learn about the Luisitos Tribe, some California History, and about the life of Leo Carrillo. Friendly docents will greet you at the Visitor's Center where you can watch a short film about Leo Carrillo. It's a self-guided tour after that and you can spend a couple of relaxing hours touring. Everything is free. We saw school children there on a field trip so this is definitely a place for kids as well. It is a gem, so take the time to discover it!

Did the flowers for a friends wedding that was here this past Saturday. What a great location. Everything was great! The ceremony was in the courtyard. the reception on on the patio. The food was good and everyone was having a great time.

Great place to see some California history. Must check out the peacocks. There was an all white one that was awesome

If you are a photographer with an hour of spare time don't miss this little gem. Staff was super helpful and friendly and I knew I was in for a treat when they looked at my camera and asked me if I had a model with me that I wanted to photograph. Beautiful authentic grounds and lush landscaping.

Would highly recommend you make a visit and be transported back in time. Recommend you go when they open at 9:00. No food there but you can bring snacks or a picnic lunch. Be sure to watch the video beforehand at Carlsbadca.gov as they may not be able to show it because of COVID. Peacocks not around this time of the year but we did see one. Start at the Visitor Barn. Docents in other buildings are very knowledgeable and helpful. Be sure to see Deedie’s House. Lots of photo opportunities. Read other reviews for more information.

What a really cool place . You get a real sense of what a Californian ranch was like in years gone by. No theme park stuff here. All authentic. Our guide was full of interesting and very informative information. The beautiful peacocks roaming around were a bonus and another bonus - it was free.

This was a surprise find. The ranch was owned by Pancho of Cisco the Kid fame from the 20-50's. Our visit started with a short film about the actor who owned the ranch. The volunteer at the ranch was very enthusiastic and informative. She is an asset to the park. The property is lovely and a great event venue.

We go here whenever we come to visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields. We always enjoy taking pictures of the many peacocks who live there on the ranch. There is always lots to photograph!

One of north county's hidden gem. A great place to kids to roam through the trails, see the peacocks, and visit the museum. A great place to bring a picnic lunch! Definitely bring your out of town guest!

The ranch ground was full of peacocks and everything was in bloom. The visitor center has a short movie about Leo Cabrillo and the ranch’s history. The house is open, I loved the horse bedroom. The pool and gardens are very pretty. It was a nice hour we spent there for the kids too.

Although this park is not on the ocean, it makes a wonderful visit. Leo Carrillo, AKA "Poncho," bought and developed this ranch and raised cattle for many years. Carlsbad took over and has continued to develop this facility. The guides and staff are very helpful. They are knowledgable take time to tell you about the park. This park gives a glimps into the history of California durning the 40s to 60s. Carlsbad is a beautiful municipality and this place is not to be missed. It is one of the top attractions in Carlsbad

You have to search for it but when you find it, it is a small hidden gem. There is no admission fee. You get to casually stroll the grounds or take in the tour of the houses. We wound up walking about and it is a small piece of history.

There are no restaurants so you might want to pack a lunch or snacks. There are water fountains but you might need your own water. Our visit was a hot day and we are glad we packed it.

There are small houses and you get to see the way of life. You also get to see cactus and flowers. Our boys are 7 and 10 and they wound up getting a bit bored. I enjoyed strolling about and seeing a bit of history that was offered.

you will find plenty free parking, landscaped park with comfortable walkways, ranch buildings, windmills; peaceful and hidden gem.
Some uneven walkways around buildings. Guided tours. Used for weddings

We visited this place just about one week ago and loved it. Our tour guide Ron did a fantastic job and brought live back into this ranch. It didn't take much fantasy to see Hollywood stars everywhere and wish you'd lived back then... Don't miss out on this experience!

Leo Carrillo, alias Pancho from the old TV show "The Cisco Kid" is a wonderful local house museum full of reminders from times past. It's a fun place to bring people to see how Haciendas were constructed in the early 1900's as well as reminders of old film stars who used to visit Leo on his ranch. I went with my girlfriend whose grandmother was Leo's first cousin, so our visit was on a more personal level.

Leo Carrillo was a famous actor on Broadway and in over 90 movies in Hollywood, but best known for the Cisco Kid TV series. This ranch was a retreat for him and his family. Now, this 27 acre property is a free, Carlsbad city park with great landscaping and dozens of peacocks.

I have lived the ranch for 11 years and just went today - what a great tour! We went on a pretty hot Sunday afternoon and we were the only people on the tour. So fun! The docent, Skip, did a wonderful job of supplying interesting facts and keeping the tour moving at a comfortable pace. We took our kids who are 10 and 11 and they enjoyed it even though they had gone before on a school trip. If I went back with younger kids, I would just go on a self-guided tour as it would be too long for them. Older people - especially 70+ years old - would know many more of the stars and government officials which are referenced in the tour. I knew many of them by name, but mostly from watching TV with my parents when I was growing up. Regardless, the architecture and grounds are beautiful and I really enjoyed the tour. They have many events here as well, and we want to go back for one in the future.

Lovely grounds.Important-try to take a docent tour.It brings the ranch to life. The visit is free. This is a lovely way to spend several hours. The road signs leading to the ranch are inadequate. The ranch is inside the park.

Wow, it was unexpectedly breathtaking beautiful. We didn't anticipate 360 degrees panorama on San Diego Bay. You could easily spend two-three hours there.

We have been to the Leo Carrilo ranch several times, and always enjoy our visit. Beautiful rancho style house and grounds.

This is a park with plenty of walks and beautiful grounds as well as the home of Leo Carrillo, a star of the Cisco Kid and other Hollywood films. We had a docent who was working the ranch home. He was so helpful with stories that enhanced our understanding and appreciation of the site. One of the employees at the caretaker house was also very informative. The people in the visitor's center were warm and welcoming.
Leo Carrillo Ranch House was a wonderful find and additional site in the area that was not an amusement park.

We totally enjoyed our visit. The tour guide was informative, the grounds, buildings, and displays most interesting. I would recommend this as a good spot to visit. It's hard to believe such a rustic ranch is so close to civilization.

This is a real gem, not well known and in the middle of Carlsbad/San Marcos. Leo Carrillo played Pancho in the Cisco Kid TV series. He purchased many acres in North San Diego County and operated his Ranch thereon. Hollywood stars would regularly visit. Over the years developers purchased a lot of the land. However the Historical Society saved and has preserved this site. The docents are well trained so be sure to do an easy walking tour with them. Also don't miss the intro film. After the tour explore the grounds more thoroughly.

Overall the staff was ok. The food was pricey and the overall experience was just ok. We paid a fee to pretty much wait in line and waste 1hr to see "Santa Claus." The lady who was taking pictures of you did not purchase the pictures you where literally shushed away after 10 seconds of your child sitting with Santa... They had a pool that was not gated or supervised. No sign that stated no lifeguard and they had a play pen next to the pool. Word of advise. Move the kids playpen elsewhere.

It is located in a random neighborhood behind a school but gives the history of the area + Hollywood. It was such a lovely surprise to see the roaming wild peacocks and beautiful old buildings. What an amazing man he was! Wear walking shoes - these is a bit of a walk around to the different buildings. This is something unique! Our family enjoyed it!

What an interesting life he led. I remembered him from "The Cicso Kid", but didn't realize what a good citizen he was. Recommend this place to all in the area.

Special events are hosted here often and it is a great place for a young boys Birthday with the peacocks. Bring your own games for the birthday or look for great events.

My friend and I went to Leo Carrillo Ranch for the first time recently for a walk. Unfortunately, it was just after the Ranger Station had closed, so we didn't get a tour, but the ranger told us we could walk around the grounds and look into the historic houses until the upper gate closed for the night. We had a lovely walk and saw so many peacocks! (Boy, are they loud!!...but beautiful.) It's surprising to have this wonderful park and bit of history located so close to a residential area. Be sure to take advantage and take a look if you get the chance...it doesn't take very long.

While staying in the area for the winter months and preparing a list of local places to which we could take our visitors, we found the Carrillo Ranch listed. We never did have the time to bring our guests here, but within the week after they departed, my husband and I decided that we should visit this historic site. Leo Carrillo was an actor in old movies and on broadway from the 1920's to 1950, but he is probably best known to those of us over 60 as Pancho, sidekick of the Cisco kid. Leo came to the Carlsbad area to find a site to build his old California-style ranch as a place to relax and entertain.
The property is actually maintained by the Carlsbad Department of Parks and Recreation and is listed as a California Historic Site as well as being on the National Register of Historic Places. It exists in a valley in the midst of some residential neighborhoods of Carlsbad. There is a large parking area and level paths around the property where several original buildings of the ranch form a mini settlement. We visited on a week day, so the home structures were closed, but a young park attendant found us walking around enjoying the peafowl. (We never knew that the peacock, of course, is the male; likewise the peahen is the female. Hence the term peafowl encompasses both sexes.) There are over two dozen of them on the property, and they are the descendents of those that Leo had brought here.
The park employee opened the new barn visitor center for us and another visitor and showed the video of Leo Carrillo's life. The main room of the barn was decorated with old movie posters of his films and set with several director's chairs, two of which were labeled for Pancho and Cisco. Although he was too young to have experienced Carrillo while he was alive, the attendant seemed able to bring him back to life with his enthusiasm.
The day we were there was the quintessential clear, sunny San Diego day so it was a very pleasant experience. We spent about an hour walking around and watching the video. Some of the walkways and steps are uneven, so it's advisable to wear comfortable shoes. Older children might enjoy the area, and it would be a great teaching experience. No dogs are allowed. Be prepared to hear the cat-like cry of the peafowl, and bring your camera!

My husband and I spent a week in Carlsbad in early June. We were looking for something to do before going to the beach. This place is fantastic! It is now one of my favorite things to do in Carlsbad! The grounds are beautiful, in a rustic, old-west way, and the buildings have been restored. It was really fun to imagine Leo holding pool parties for the Hollywood elite, including Clark Gable, and riding the hills on his trusty steed Conquistador. Even though we visited on a Friday, the visitor's center was open and we were able to see the short film on Leo Carrillo. This is an absolute gem, and the docent on duty was super knowledgeable and friendly, which was an added plus. You've got to go see this park! If you have any memory of watching old westerns on TV as a kid, or if you're into authentic California experiences, go to the Leo Carrillo Ranch!

Want to remember Pancho of the Cisco Kid!! Visit his ranch an see the place he had built and experience the peacocks freely walking the park areas! Free to the public and have a great
Hour or two stop! In the Carlsbad area!! The help is great in giving you information about the Ranch!!

Found this beautiful venue for my daughters wedding. The site coordinators are awesome & everything just flowed so smoothly. Perfect day, perfect place!

Beautiful place and fun to see some of the land and the old adobe houses Leo owned when he was alive.

We’ve heard of Pancho and the Cisco Kid. We learned Leo Carrillo had a “getaway” ranch near Carlsbad. Before the walk around tour, we learned more about Leo Carrillo...his love for California and involvement in keeping beaches available for the public. This was a very “cool” venture into history!

We visit the area almost annually for over 30 years and didn't realize that the park was even there. Take time to view the introductory film at the welcome center, tour the main house/buildings and walk the gardens. Definitely do not miss the caretaker's house.

I took family photos here! totally awesome with the peacocks running all around. There must be at least 100. I used Creative Photography in Carlsbad for my family photos and they are awesome.

Leo Carrillo left the grounds of this hacienda, with ranch house, cantina, barns and such to his heirs, and eventually the people, where you get a glimpse at what an historic Californio rancho might have looked like. Now a free city park, they have a great little movie short that tells Mr. Carrillo's story. Long gone are the days when the Hollywood set and noteables of California would drive down from points North for weekend fiestas on this land where numerous peacocks roam and parade their plumage. Perhaps ahead of his time, he built a pool and cabana area with a white sand beach. I noticed that they do weddings here and thought how it would be most picturesque for photos.

A hidden gem in the middle of Carlsbad...this historic ranch of the 30's movie star Leo Carrillo is nice to visit. There is plenty of parking. There are several beautiful peacocks on the trails and the ranch buildings fun to look at.

We visited on a Sunday in order to take advantage of the guided tour that would allow viewing of the interior of the varios buildings on the property. We started off in the Barn Visitor's Center viewing the film giving the history of Leo Carrillo and the property. Charlie was the guide for our tour and he was filled with expert information about the strucutures as well as all the trees and vegetation. Highly recommended!

This park, on the home site of Leo Carrillo, western movie star of long-ago, is a fine place that is not often listed in guide books and "things to do" lists. But it is a well-preserved example of the fairly old west, circa 1920s, with many links to famous old movie stars who visited. It is difficult walking on some parts.

There are lots of things to see here - old historical buildings, flowers, trees and most of all peacocks and peahens.
Lots of walking and sight-seeing here. A good pair of shoes is highly encouraged - unless you are like me and like wearing flip-flops.
Bring your camera with you and be ready to take some pics. If you get lucky, you might get to see the white peacock.

Be prepared to see lots of peacocks and one pure white one. The guides are very helpful and friendly. Also they have special tours for children as well. Very inexpensive to become a member .

We really enjoyed our stay here! The tour is a "Must Do!" The tour guide was full of information and friendly. The grounds were very nice. Lots of flowers and trees to see. We only saw one peacock but it was fun.

So nice. Visitor center has short, interesting film. The docents are very helpful. The park gives you a glimpse of what old California was like and it only takes a little imagination to block out the new California on the surrounding hills to get a feel for the life 70 years ago. Prefowl roam around and let you get close. Just a really sweet couple hours out. Lots of good photo locations or places to plein aire.

Brought back memories of Saturday mornings watching Cisco Kid.
Pancho's ranch and out buildings are now part of a state park.
Guided Tours available or tour on your own

Maybe we didn't read closely enough, but we made the trip based upon the great reviews and only to learn that they are closed on Mondays. :-(
Maybe next time!

This attraction is located in Carlsbad, about a half-hour south of Oceanside and an hour north of the city of San Diego. Carlsbad is nice for a quiet couple's or family vacation: a small city that has a really pleasing downtown of shops and restaurants, a stretch of clean, gorgeous beach, a couple of big resort hotels, and Legoland California and its adjacent Seaquarium.

And then there is this "hidden" attraction. About five miles east from I-5, tucked away in a huge, lovely residential development, is Leo Carillo Ranch. It contains what is left of the original ranch estate of actor Leo Carillo, who starred in many Hollywood films of the 1930's and 1940's. The entire Carlsbad area used to be just ranchland and farmland until the mid-20th century--great swatches of private acreage where horses were a more common form of getting around than automobiles.

Carillo Ranch time-capsules this place in history for the rest of us to enjoy. Just so you know, this isn't a regular gift-shop and snack-shack kind of attraction. There is a small gift store, and you can purchase water and maybe a snack, but don't plan on feeding the kids here. The park is about preserving the historic grounds of a property that the actor called home, and built out, and shared with family and friends. You can walk the grounds, guided or unguided, and see the many outbuildings, residential quarters, and recreational areas that once hummed with life and activity. Cacti, pepper trees, and other botanical species beautify the grounds and make for an interesting walk for the nature-minded.

Then there are the peafowl: Everywhere you see them, peacocks and peahens walking along the soil thick with fallen pepper tree leaves, and resting in the lower branches of the trees. You hear their strange cat-like calls echoing through the grounds. And if you're lucky, a peacock will take a shine to you and just strut his stuff, which is really breathtaking, if you keep your eyes on the tail and not his silly little face.

I'm lucky to live close by, so I can enjoy peace and quiet and a step back in time here often, which I do. Admission is free, which is a rare treat in this day and age--there is a contribution box if you are so moved.

This small, free city park is a must see. Beautiful Adobe buildings, huge cacti. Mid century, Leo Carrillo lovingly created a Southwestern ranch complete with hacienda, Cabana, out buildings. The visitor center has a short film to orient you to what you are about to experience. Lovely. Allow 1 - 2 hours max to see it all. The buildings are open on the weekends. Weekdays, you can still enjoy the beautiful landscaping and soak in the atmosphere.

This place is a hidden gem in Carlsbad and worth a visit. This was the ranch of Actor Leo Carrillo and is now available for free self guided tours. Pick up a site map and watch the movie in the barn first to orient yourself. The peacocks are stunning and roam free. The landscaping and the original adobe home are a beautiful combination. Lots of photo opportunities. The caretakers house is our last stop and displays Hollywood mementos of the actor. You can make a donation to keep the site open if you desire.

I loved visiting the Carrillo Ranch. I remember as a little girl seeing Leo Carrillo heading up the annual Christmas parade in nearby Vista. This ranch has lots of memorabilia from times past when Hollywood visitors were common!!!

Take time away from the lovely village of Carlsbad and spend an afternoon at this fascinating glimpse into the past of the area. Leo Carrillo was an actor made famous in the television show "The Cisco Kid" and he bought a huge ranch back in the 1930's. A part of the original ranch remains with adobe buildings, walking paths, lots of beautiful flowers and cactus and plenty of peacocks which roam the property. Wear good walking shoes and take drinking water but definitely visit when you are in the area. You can check out a more detailed review on our travel blog here: http://www.wanderlustwonder.com/2013/10/28/the-leo-carrillo-ranch-carlsbad/

Enjoyed the walk and the history of the area. The interpretive center was under construction when I went but will add to people's knowledge of who once lived there.

I came here for a wedding and it was beautiful. Very unique and Californian. Peacocks just walking around, a lovely pool and a secluded location. Loved it.

Leo Carrillo is a nice place to check out for an hour or so. You can walk the grounds and tour all of the old buildings. The views are very nice and the grounds well maintained. The ranch is a nice place to attend an event, and the peacocks live there year round and are really cool to see and hear.

Enjoyed the movie history of the ranch and Poncho. Was disappointed that tours of the buildings are only conducted on the weekend.

Interesting story about this ranch and nice place to visit. The walk is wonderful and the facilities are clean and well maintenainced.

The buildings and grounds of this home/park are beautiful and they speak of the days when Mexico ruled California. Plus, you get a hit of Leo Carillo as a person who was a beloved Hollywood figure. Add a beautiful natural surrounding plus a bunch of peacocks strolling about, and you've got a real package!

Went there to see as a possible wedding venue spot and it wasn't what we expected. There were peacocks everywhere, which was beautiful, could walk through the property, but didn't really get a lot out of the visit. I Think maybe we should have looked into the history of it first before going. Seems like a spot to take kids and explore.

I wasn't familiar with the actor who renovated this property, but what a kind and generous soul he was. His love for the buildings and grounds is evident in every step. The hacienda itself was not open to the public, but the grounds are lovely to walk around. Improvements were ongoing during our visit. Best of all, it's FREE!

This is a well-known local favorite to bring the family to for the weekend; some of our relatives had never even seen this place and they have lived here forever!
It is an old style ranchero from the days before California was a state. You will see and learn a lot, in the summer it can get super hot up here. Bring your camera!!

Bring your walking shoes on a visit to the Leo Carillo Rancho. There is a lot to look at and appreciate. Before you tour the grounds of the rancho, there is a short film that you should watch in the building where you sign in for your visit that tells more about how Leo Carillo came across this rancho after a career in Films and TV and Plays, and fell in love with a Carlsbad that hadn't yet seen much development. You can imagine Leo Carillo riding a horse around the hills and valleys around La Costa and Vista. I ordered a copy of the episodes of the Cisco Kid, where Duncan Renaldo and Leo Carillo starred as Cisco and Pancho fighting bandits and conmen and cattle rustlers. Driving around La Costa, I can feel their presence in the area.

The Rancho hosts Weddings and special events, and it has a walking tour that you can take around it's grounds. It is a really plaesant place to visit.

For us early baby boomers who watched western's on black and white TV, Leo Carrillo was "Pancho" on the Cisco Kid.

Ranch is Historic as some of it was built in the 1800's. Carrillo bought this property and added buildings and is modeled after a Spanish Rancho.

The grounds are well maintained with, with many of the cactus etc blooming etc with great colors, partially has a result of all the rain. Visited on a Tuesday, so not very crowded and other than a school that was winding up a field trip as we arrived, not a lot of kids which which suited a couple of educators just fine. There is also some farm and cattle equipment.

Hacienda and surrounding buildings/grounds also interesting. Tours are apparantly on weekends during a very small window.

Grounds have several Peafowl, the males are the ones with all the colors.

Nestled in a canyon, you can envision how this ranch may have worked.

So neat that this area is hidden right amidst a nice neighborhood. You would almost never know it was there unless someone told you. Super neat to walk around and look at the many peacocks that call this place home.

Never got to see the birds although we went twice! Really enjoyed it. Hopefully construction will be complete soon

We didn't come for a traditional visit be we went to a friend's wedding and the set up was very nice.

I believe this was a free park, you learn about who Leo Carrillo was (an actor), educational about our California history. Fun family day!

We stopped by and were in luck because we took the free guided tour on a Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. Beautiful place!

Whole family attended this brunch and really appreciated this beautiful and historical location. Kids loved the peacocks everywhere and the activities.

Interesting and charming place to visit. Leo Carrillo was a California icon and his ranch gives you a great look into the personality of this man. Some wonderful parties were held here, I hear.

So one way we were looking for a sunny place to just roam around. Found it! Leo Carrillo Ranch Historical Park. Watched a wedding take place, saw beautiful peacocks strutting around and found out that Leo Carrillo was the side kick, Poncho, to the Cisco Kid! Who Knew! A little deserty for my taste but interesting to think of Poncho and his real life experiences!

wonderful knowing about the history and the information of the way things were built back then and know how they are going crazy now'

As you drive to this historic ranch from the flower fields, you may wonder if you're headed in the right direction. Once past the residential neighborhood, turn in what looks like a traffic circle (across swim center) and park in the dirt lot.

Admission is free and be sure to take a map. On weekdays, tours are self-guided, grounds quiet, except for the cawing peafowl! The sounds of nature are everywhere, even on the tallest rooftops, so have a camera ready!

There's a taste of both old and new at the Flying LC Ranch...amid the old adobe buildings, barns and stables, you'll also come across a small sandy beach near the pool where Leo once entertained celebrities by hosting bbq's and rodeos. Can almost hear the guitars playing on a summer night!

Besides his film and stage career, learned a lot about his philanthropy work and his dedication to preserving other historical and natural sites throughout CA i.e. Olvera Street and the beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert.

If you love the romance of old Hollywood, this place sets the tone for those simple days....highly recommend, but closed Mondays!

We were so happy to have found this historic place - the grounds are
beautiful - peacocks roaming the area. We took advantage of the picnic area then took our walk. Absolutely hidden gem - i wish i could live there. Free to get in. It was Pancho's (old TV celebrity) working ranch. A wonderful experience for all. Very peaceful. The buildings are only open on weekends but if you are there during the week then go anyways to see. Its a short drive from Carlsbad. Don't miss it!!!!!

We live nearby and go here fairly often to wander the very well kept grounds and admire the peacocks and adobes. People get married here and photographers bring clients here for sessions in the picturesque grounds. Interesting displays on the history of the property and just a great place to wander. Excellent for families with kids who like to investigate.

Photo's and films of Hollywood in the 50's and 60's. Formerly the home away from L.A. for actor Leo Carrillo (Pancho from the Cisco Kid television show) The ranch house and its current inhabitants 60 plus Peacocks. At night party's on the weekends for young girls.

Nice ranch and history but many of the buildings were closed on a weekday. I had been here four years ago and enjoyed seeing the inside of the ranch house. I was told by docents that the only way you get to see the inside is if you go on a tour (check schedule). It wasn’t like that a few years back but I’d suggest doing so because you aren’t getting the full experience unless you get to see the interior of the buildings including the stables, etc. I liked that the movie they show at the visitor center is closed captioned! Nice gift shop, too.

Took our kids here one morning while in Carlsbad. Great little site. Staff are more than helpful. Peacocks were a highlight for the kids. Beautiful picture opportunities. Worth the visit. Oh and a great place for a picnic.

Great place to visit whether you remember Pancho or not. A city park with hiking trails. A piece of how ranches were in early California history. And free to just stroll around. Kids would love the resident peacocks.

Went with my wife. I grew up watching the Cisco Kid. I never realized that Leo Carrillo who played Pancho was a famous actor in Hollywood and for his breaks from acting he purchased 2500 acres and had it developed into a beautiful adobe ranch. It is free to visit and besides the adobe style ranch with many buildings, you will see peacocks as well. A shout out to the city of Carlsbad for updating this attraction. I was also inspired because I learned watch a film about Le, when he Pancho on the Cisco Kid, when we was 70 years old, for 6 to 7 years. Have fun

This is a real, historical ranch and they have done a great job keeping it up. Pretty sure no fee for parking, kind of hard to find within the neighborhood so bring a gps. Absolutely beautiful grounds to walk around on a great day. Old buildings and farm equipment are great for the kids, peacocks roaming around, old bridges. Great photo ops!

Carrillo Ranch was the beloved home of the late Leo Carrillo, a film actor. Built in Spanish Mission style, a visit provides a look at some of his film memorabilia and a walk about the ranch including an old adobe. My favorite part is a chance to hike the adjacent trails, some of which are just across the road from the Ranch.

The City of Carlsbad has stabilized, preserved and restored many of the buildings on this 27-acre park. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park opened to the public in 2003. Gorgeous agave, bougainvillea, Birds of Paradise and plentiful trees surround you as you drive through the unique entry gate. Volunteer tour guides are available and there is an informative movie for viewing.

Interesting, rolling park area which provides an example of a ranch and its buildings representing California from a more relaxed time.The ranch house is not "glitzy" as occurs in more recent Mexican houses, but has a rustic feeling. The history of Leo Carillo as a star gives it a personal identity, and for those of use who were young when TV started in the l950's, there is the nostalgia of remembering the Cisco Kid and his pal Poncho (Leo Carillo).

Buildings are in a fairly compact area, which reduces the amount of walking. Nice place to visit for an hour or so.

You learn a lot about Leo Carrillo (spoke 7 languages, did much for the State of California, etc.) in addition to his beloved character in the Cisco Kid movies. The ranch is in great shape, with old adobe buildings full of memorabilia.

We had planned on spending the day at Carlsbad Village, but found out that there was a Street Fair going on today May 3rd. We had had enough of crowds, so drove over to the "Leo Carillo Ranch State Park", and it was just a perfect afternoon.

In the Visitor Center, which used to be the "Hay Barn", you can watch a 13 minute video about Leo Carillo. There are original movie posters and lobby cards on the walls. The volunteers there are friendly and helpful, and will give you a self guiding map to the grounds.

The buildings are all interesting, and seem to almost be sets for Western movies. My husband was in 7th heaven as he loves Westerns. I don't, but could appreciate these buildings for their history and their past. The surroundings and plant life are beautiful.

There are restrooms by the swimming pool. The paths are not paved, and I was wearing sandals, which was a mistake. There are friendly peacocks everywhere, and we were so lucky to see a baby chick. There is no admission fee. Donations are appreciated.

The buildings and grounds have preserved the days of old California ranching. It is a wonderful place to view the adobe home of Leo Carrillo and his visitors from Hollywood, plus see the buildings used in running the ranch. Walking the grounds is so beautiful, and imaging the activities that used to take place seem very real. It can be rented for events, and many events are held here.

Our granddaughters introduced us to this park - it is close to where they go to school. What they liked the most was seeing the peacocks strutting about. There is also a swimming pool & camping area. The park is named for Leo Carrillo, an actor & conservationist who played Pancho in The Cisco Kid series in the 1950s. Admission is free and there is a parking lot within the park.

I only knew of Leo Carrillo as Poncho in the TV series The Cisco Kid. We found out that he performed in Broadway plays prior to his Hollywood film career from 1920 to 1950. From 1937 to 1961 this was a working ranch a re-creation of an early Spanish and Mexican lifestyle. Leo rebuilt and added buildings using adobe bricks, made with earth and water baked in the sun. Leo was well respected and was known as Mr. California. For 18 years he served on the State Beaches and Parks Commission. Leo Carrillo Beach was named after him. Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and many other movie stars spent time at the ranch. The City of Carlsbad bought the remaining 10.5 acres of the original 1,750 acre ranch. They keep the building locked and we were lucky enough to find a guide who took us through the buildings. Small fee

We've been to Carlsbad several times but this is the first time visiting this beautiful and historic park. Definitely start out with the movie which will make your touring more enjoyable. We were so very lucky to be there on a not too busy day and were even luckier to have a knowledgeable docent accompany us around the grounds and into the buildings. What a treat!

No sign at the entrance that roughly half the site was closed for a wedding. The hacienda and several other primary locations were closed off. Wish we would have known that as we wouldn’t have gone or would have tried to go a different day. We went on a Sunday afternoon. Another location was closed for a different “event” so about all we could see was the visitor center, the stable, and some of the garden area back to the “original gate.” Events should be scheduled for after hours, not when people are trying to visit.

Very interesting place with an old hacienda and lovely grounds around which to stroll. Watch the short (15 min. or so) video to learn all about the original property owners as well as Leo Carrillo the actor known as the Cisco Kid. Imagine all the Hollywood stars retreating from Los Angeles to enjoy nature on this lovely site. Look for the beautiful peacocks strolling the grounds, so colorful and regal. We even saw an all-white peacock as well!

We have been here countless times. Perfect place to let small children run around safely. Sometimes there are lots of peacocks out and about and sometimes not so many. But we always have fun walking/ running around and playing. Look for the albino peacock (very rare) behind the shed. There are tables and chairs and a nice patch of fake grass where you can have picnics. Also picnic table near entrance for same. Closed on Sundays.

When I was a kid, my folks had to herd us out the door as, for my sister and me, The Cisco Kid was a bigger draw than Sunday school. Little did we know then, that the man we were watching took on the role when he was 70 years old. If you visit this historic site, you will be further introduced to this very interesting gentleman; and you'll leave having walked among many peacocks over some uneven terrain. Check their website for times if you want a guided tour (Saturdays and Sundays only), and be sure to go to the Visitors' Center upon your arrival to view a short but educational video.

The Leo Carrillo Ranch is a 27-acre canyon designated as a Historical National Landmark that was opened to the public in August 2003. The park contains the original historic structures and outbuildings associated with Leo Carrillo's residency at the park. Leo Carrillo was born in Los Angeles and he was an actor and preservationist. He is fondly remembered as Pancho, the sidekick to the Cisco Kid in a television series of the early 1950's. The park is connected to the citywide trails system via the 4-mile long Rancho Carrillo trail. The park is available for weddings, receptions, family reunions, fundraisers, and other special events. Don't miss!

We found this while looking for things to dod while staying at the Carlsbad Inn. It's a historic, fascinating pace to visit. Leo Carrillo played Poncho on the Cisco Kid and dstarred in man other movies. He developed this as a Historic Park. There are docens to provide information as you visit various ;places. It requires a lot of walking to see the entire area so wear comfortable shoes. The Peacocks add a fun dimenion as they're colorful and make interesting calls. There are only snacks but there are lovely places to eat a picnic lunch. I especially enjoyed the old buildings and equipment since I grew up on a farm. The Historic Park is also a destination for a variety of events and provides lovely settings. I highly recommend it - only a short distance from Carlsbad Inn.

Before coming here, I didn't know much about Leo Carrillo's life and his preservation and conservation for the state of California. I am so glad I do now. He was an amazing man who made a difference. The park is beautiful: nice landscaping, peacocks roaming free, and places to have picnic lunch. There is plenty of free parking and handicap accessible. I would suggest your first stop be the visitor's center to watch the 10 min film. It is free, well done, and informative. I also suggest the free tours led by knowledgeable tour guides. They will let you into the rooms of the main house that you would not be able to see inside of on a self guided tour because they are locked. The tour also takes in the barn, cantina, etc. Tours start at 11:00 and 1:00 but you can join in even if the tour is in progress. The staff was so helpful and welcoming. This is a great place for a day trip. You can learn a lot about the man, the ranch, and find great picture taking places. Donations are accepted.

The Leo Carrillo Historic Ranch is a great place to visit anytime during the week or weekends. Plenty of available free tour guides and place to walk and watch the Pea Hens. They are in mating season right now so all their feathers are spread most of the time to attract the females. The City is doing a great job of keeping everything clean and properly reserved. Bring water but if you forget, the Visitors Center where you can see movies and purchase gifts and water in the gift shop. Really a fun day for all ages.

I live in Carlsbad and this continues to be one of our best kept secrets. This bit of early California history tucked away in an unassuming Carlsbad canyon is a jewel! It's self-guided except that on Saturdays they have two tours led by very knowledgeable docents. The star of course is Leo Carrillo, whose story will amaze you. Wander the beautiful grounds at your own pace. See all the wild peacocks. The old California architecture is beautiful. It's a photographer's delight. It's free. Visit the Info Center near the parking lot to see a short film of the ranch before touring it. Don't hesitate to leave a small donation.

this place is cool to hang out and there are a bunch of beautiful wild Peacocks running around! Feels really historic - will have to go again and spend more time. I was there for a baby's birthday party.

Leo Carrillo Ranch is a great little-hidden gem within the community of Carlsbad. This historic park is preserved and maintained by the city and they have construction going on for a new visitor area that will be completed soon. This is a great historic visit that not many locals even know. It is great to walk through the original buildings and the pool. It is also a great setting for a wedding or a small gathering. The staff are very friendly and have great knowledge to tell the history of the family and the property.

Serene park with lovely grounds and yup...peacocks!
Great place to visit and relax. Depending on the time of year, the city of Carlsbad will have different activities available there. The grounds can also be rented for private events such as anniversaries or weddings...

A local, I had no idea this ranch existed. We ended up having a delightful afternoon learning about the Hollywood of yesteryear.

There's not a lot to do here, but it's a charming place to visit, and worth visiting at least once for history and film buffs. Peacocks roam the grounds of what was once a working rancho owned by Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo. Special events such as summer showings of his films or Western day may make the place a little more exciting. The temperature in the valley where it is located tends to be hotter than surrounding area in summer, and colder in winter.

A relative brought me here one afternoon. It is a large ranch house on a large piece of property that was owed by an actor who used to play “Pancho” on “The Cisco Kid’ back in the 1950s. Docents lead tours daily and take you into several buildings on the property (which are locked and cannot be seen without a guide). I enjoyed the history and the 1950’s architecture (sunken tub/link tile) and especially the Spanish sayings in the cement such as “Su Casa Amigo” and “Que Comen Bien”. Apparently the ranch is available for social events such as weddings, too.

Book all Of Your Events here... Great Value and Service, Evertything was so perfect.. make sure to at least visit

Personal history of Leo Corillo as a distinctive character actor who purchased this ranch as a getaway is interesting. At the end of his career he launched the successful Cisco Kid series to exemplify the heritage of his lineage. Definitely worth a visit.

There is a lot of history here, and it's a quiet and beautiful spot, that once was in the 'wilderness' and now is at the edge of the city. Worth a visit if you're in the area and looking for something to do for free

We were greeted by a gentleman that volunteers his time giving tours. What a wonderful man and so informed about the history of the ranch. The ranch has been renovated and keep up so well. Very nice place for a picnic and they have weeking here as well.

My husband and I had an afternoon to fill during our stay in Carlsbad. We elected to visit the Leo Carrillo Ranch. Their brochure calls Leo Carrillo an actor, rancher and Mr. California. We remember watching The Cisco Kid TV series as kids. Visiting his ranch was a step back in the history of California. It has a laid back vibe. Of course we were there in September and so many places are closed, just reopening or operating with limited staff and programs. Still we enjoyed walking around the ranch. Their much talked about peacocks were molting so no displays of colorful feathers.

This is such a relief from the touristy strip & beaches in Carlsbad. If you like history and relaxation, this is a great place for you to visit.

The property belonged to the actor Leo Carillo, it still has the original buildings on site and they are preserved beautifully!
The property is open all week, but tours are held on the weekends. Call ahead to make sure.

As you walk around the grounds, there are many peacocks roaming around. They are just gorgeous and add such a nice vibe to the place.

This is a great outdoor wedding/large party venue. There is plenty of open space.

I come here often to get away from the urban areas. Such a great place to relax and take a leap backwards in time! You can see this ranch on Huell Howser's "California's Gold" T.V. show.

Even local Carlsbad residents don't know about this hidden jewel in their own backyard. Come learn about Mr. Leo Carrillo's legacy and his famous Pancho character. The grounds are nice to visit and be prepared to hear a few peacocks.

Peacocks! A rare white peacock! I’m grateful they preserved this home, and surrounding grounds. It’s a nice visit anytime of day with lots of shade. The grounds are well maintained, the property is beautiful, and you can visit many times and always see something new.

Great for all family ages, some mobility concerns, but plenty to see with strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers.

Be warned! The peacocks can be aggressive. Our last visit, a peacock was attacking a volunteer’s car. It left SEVERAL large scratches and a few dents challenging it’s own reflection.

Take your lunch and spend an early afternoon, there are covered picnic tables. Bring your own food and beverage- there are no vending machines or vendors here.

It's a wonderful park, full of Peacocks. Enjoy a walk through this park full of early California ranch life history.

Hidden gem in Carlsbad. Grab a picnic lunch and go see the peacocks at this beautiful historic ranch. Nice walking trail. Excellant location for picture taking. The peacocks are fun to see. It's free to get in!!

Where to start. The Cisco Kid was one of my favorite memories from when I was young. Rarely missed an episode. Poncho, his sidekick, was a likeable partner with a thick Mexican accent that was always jolly, a little childlike and managed to always get himself in a little trouble to spice up the show. Little did I know, when I visited Poncho's ranch that he was a well-educated, Mexican actor who was 70 without any accent and who owned a large ranch raising cattle and horses. He had a complete village built on his property with a large pool, a Cantina for his caballeros, a little separate home for his wife where she could get away from the larger hacienda. He entertained with large parties of business men and fellow actors. This place is well worth the trip and holds so much more of his life and family. You will not be disappointed if you visit.

An authentic, beautiful & well preserved piece of local history. Walking the park makes it easy to imagine life on the hacienda decades ago. The short film in the barn is well worth watching.

Not a lot happening here, but interesting to imagine what happened during the ranches heyday (or hayday!). A free local attraction.

Did not know that they were closed until we drove up to gates. Parked and walked the trail which is right outside the walls. Beautiful flowers but muddy 1.8 mile hike. Call before coming to see if they are really open.

Went here this weekend for my sisters wedding. The venue was beautiful! Complete with peacocks, a pool, historic ranch style buildings in a park setting. Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful location.

Free historic Park, beautifully restored, easy walking. The grandparents watched the "Cisco Kid" show growing up, so we took them to see this park.

Great sight in Carlsbad. The ranch belonged to actor Leo Carrillo. There are multiple original buildings to see. There is also a 12 minute movie at the visitor center that explains the history. The ranch is open daily but tours are only on the weekends. They show movies and have events in the summer.

We learned a lot abut the history of the area, even though we have lived here for 15 years. It is well maintained, and the peacocks are everywhere. We had 4 land on our roof one day.

Very interesting story about an "old time" actor and his passion for a ranch life. Visitor center shows a short movie about the Carillo family. Free admission but unfortunately the buildings aren't open except for tours.

Free walk around this historic ranch. Had a lovely time. Took many pictures. Wear comfortable shoes.

Clean, interesting historical ranch, Lots of peacocks and other wildlife. Long walk from parking lot on dirt road to main building, if have disability suggest getting golf cart ride or ask to drive car to main area. This is not a large ranch, allow a couple of hours to tour

This historic ranch is beautifully preserved and well kept. You can tour around on your own on the beautiful grounds and trails and read the many signs posted about the history of the ranch. As a big fan of the tv show The Cisco Kid as a child, seeing the ranch that belonged to Leo Carrillo (the co-star of the show) was really fun! This is a very child friendly place too. There were groups of school children and some moms of preschoolers out for a fun, educational visit. Well worth the time to visit!

Nice historic ranch. Beautiful grounds. Peacocks roaming wild. Interesting trees. May was a good time to visit - very quiet.

Check out this historical site. Go to the visitors center and hear about Leo Carillo- movie star and how he brought his cronies here years ago. Rustic beautiful place with lots of history and peacocks roaming around. And it's FREE.

Historic Rancho used to be owned by Leo Carillo, the actor.Lovely example of old California construction and lifestyle before we had everyone moving into the county.

It was refreshing to see a concerted effort to preserve this historic ranch which is surrounded by a sea of condominiums and homes. .Bring a picnic lunch and step back in time and enjoy...You won't be disappointed!!!

It's an old Spanish style rancho built by a Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo. It is owned by the city of Carlsbad and was going to be developed as a city park. Instead, it became a historic landmark.
It continues to be restored and preserved as an educational experience for all.

Although we have visited Carlsbad many times, we never went the ranch before and it was quite a pleasant surprise. Wonderful grounds and learned a lot of history I never knew. Loved it!

We went on a Saturday afternoon. The buildings were closed during our visit; however, they offer free tours of the grounds. to include the buildings, which made our visit much more worthwhile. So, be sure to check the website for tour schedules. We easily spent the better part of a couple hours. One thing to keep in mind: there are weddings booked every Saturday afternoon, so this may also limit access to the grounds and buildings (and parking).

We went on the free docent led tour and were we lucky. Our docent was fantastic. She lead us through the entire grounds (took about 90 minutes) and kept us engaged throughout.

Easy to access off of Melrose Road, Leo Carrillo Ranch offers a nice respite for the San Diego rush. Plenty of parking.

When you enter, you will be greeted by Peacock calls as there are over 60 on the property. We went to the Welcome Center first and saw a very nice 15 minute movie about the ranch and Mr. Carrillo (known mostly for the Cisco Kid, but he appeared in over 90 movies).

We then went on the tour. Amazing that this site was save from developers. Same adobe houses that existed when Mr. Carrillo and previous tenants lived there.

Lots of special events. They have a movie night and many couples use this as their wedding site.

Peaceful too. Just a nice place to go and sit. Even better, no charge!

Took the family out the Holiday event. It was great. There was a snow sledding. The kids loved it. Lots of things and activities like face paint, cookie decorating, pony rides, food and aTree Lighting. Had a great time. A really cool place..

This was a real diamond in the rough, especially if you are into history of the area that you are visiting. Leo Carrillo was Pancho in the Cisco Kid serials back in the day. But he was so much more - huge landowner, humanitarian, host to the biggest Hollywood stars, ecologist. Go to this place and learn about this man and how he helped to shape San Diego's future.

I heard about this place from a friend on Facebook and thought we would give it a try as my husband is healing from back surgery and walking is good therapy. It was only an hour and 20 minutes from home so it was perfect. This was a very nice place to visit and is kept up very well with flowers and peacocks all over the place. Not really a place a child would like other than the peacocks but a nice relaxing visit for adults. This is realy close to the Carlsbad Flower Fields which are in bloom this time of year as well.

A nice place with several buildings to explore. Local park with beautiful buildings. Seems to be popular with the locals.

Park is a mini stop with just a ramble through the historical home. Laden with peacocks colorful but, obviously, screechingly loud. The ranch is well preserved, but rooms were not open the day we visited. Historical film short and interesting. If an event had been in place, it might be more involving.

A visit to this ranch was recommended to us as interesting, lovely & peaceful. Growing up in the 50's my husband used to enjoy watching "The Cisco Kid" so Leo Carrillo as Pancho was familiar. We arrived for a 12 pm Sunday tour (free) led by Pam. She led us along with a wealth of stories as she shared her passion & love for this preserved historical site. It was worth our time & I'm so impressed with the City of Carlsbad's commitment to cherish and maintain this property of buildings & landscape. It gets lots of use from visitors like ourselves, wedding parties & photography shoots all occurring while we were present.

Fortunately, we were there for a Sunday afternoon tour. We really enjoyed it all. My husband mentioned several times, later in the week, how much he enjoyed this. I had researched activities for our week long vacation in Carlsbad and this seemed interesting, as we both vaguely remember Pancho and Cisco from our childhood TV days. Lee Carillo was a very interesting man and quite important to the local area. We had hoped to see the peacocks with their beautiful colored feathers, but found out they shed feathers as this time of the year. However, it is an interesting ranch with an special history. However, I don't think we would have enjoyed it nearly as much without the guide.

I absolutely loved Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park!! I knew Leo Carrillo as "Pancho" in films!! The ranch is wonderful!! Peacocks and hens screeching everywhere!! The old Adobe houses are so fantastic with 27 acres of great history!! Free of charge admission- donations very appreciated!!

Cisco Kid star, Leo Carrillo, purchased his adobe "Rancho" back in 1930. When Carrillo owned it, it was a working ranch of more than 1,700 acres with cattle and other animals. He used it mainly as a retreat from Hollywood and had a number of horses and enjoyed riding them on the property.It has recently been restored it to pristine condition. Originally Carrillo brought some mating pairs of peafowl (peacocks). There are now about 40 peafowl running around this perfect example of early California Adobe Hacienda Rancho lifestyle.

This is a magical place of history, hard work, celebrities, parties, family, fun and a very good man of unequaled kindness, generosity and talent. In an era of "HOLLYWOOD!", Leo made a place to get away from the hustle and bustle and return to his Spanish roots. From botany and spineless cactus to ornithology and the pea fowl there is something for everyone at the ranch even if it's just the quiet beauty of a real Spanish hacienda hidden in the city of Carlsbad.

Located in the City of Carlsbad, California is the old ranch of "Pancho" of the Cisco Kid days of TV in the 50's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Carrillo has more.

We visited with our grandson and walked the Ranch. There is a barn with a visitors center - go to the back to get in with a movie talking about the ranch and Leo. The ranch was carefully maintained and the peacocks are from the original ones brought there. Great place to visit and stroll around. The staff was great to talk to about the ranch. Have fun.

Hard to imagine how this ranch raised cattle in the past when you walk around and see only cacti and dusty ground in Spring.

We probably should have booked a docent tour but it was disappointing that none of the buildings were open to view inside.

The cacti are mature and quite impressive and it's a pleasant place for a walk. The peacocks and peahens are everywhere.

A good place to spend an hour or so on a mild day.

We were very impressed with video at the welcome center and the story of Leo Carrillo’s life and commitment to this ranch and the state of California. The main hacienda was beautifully maintained and the landscaping is spectacular. So, why 4 stars? Either through the fault of the attraction or Trip Advisor the opening time for Sunday is listed here as 11am. We arrived then and found that the park opened at 9 and that we had missed the 10am guided tour. I just reported this to Trip Advisor, so hopefully they’ll make the change and others won’t miss out on part of the experience as we did.

really enjoyed taking the tour and visiting Leo Carrillo Ranch. We had some friends in town and took them along with there two teenage kids who really enjoyed the history and info they learned. It was nice and best of all FREE

Nice place to visit for a couple of hours. Farmhouses from way back. Lots of photographs in BW accompanied with good text of the life at that time.
Wellkept garden to walk around. Nice volunteers to tell about the place.

Six members of my family visited for about 90 minutes as we were headed back to LA from Escondido (not very far "out of the way" off Highway 78). No cost involved. The staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful -- we had no idea who Leo Carrillo was (The Cisco Kid in the movies and on TV). Lovely landscaping and interesting buildings on the property.

I grew up going to the William S Hart Ranch so this ranch reminded me of that experience. Both men (Hart and Carrillo) were Hollywood actors who established ranches away from the city. The Leo Carrillo adobe is beautiful, the film in the barn is interesting, and the grounds are nicely kept. While not the most exciting of attractions, it's a beautiful, free day trip.

I watched the Cisco Kid and Poncho when I was a kid. Loved learning about Poncho and what a great person he was. Free admission and tour. We lucked out had a tour guide just for the two of us. She was great explaining the history of the ranch and Leo's love of this place. Highly recommend this place .

Nice to have the historic rancho that belonged to actor Leo Carillo so close to home. At Christmas they have a weekend of festivities that is lots of fun for families.

What a fun combination of Hollywood, history and lovely gardens. There are also peacocks wondering the grounds.

Beautiful grounds with great photo opportunities. Started with the short film that gave you a glimpse and then took the tour. I strongly suggest the tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and had a bunch of interesting facts and stories. Peacocks roam the property which is fun. Check the times for the tours, I believe they are only at certain hours on the weekends.

This is a nice place to visit, there plenty of walking trails on and around the property, peacocks all over the place that like to pose for pictures, you can learn about the history about Leo Carrillo and the Cisco Kid, and there is plenty of parking.

Look for the albino peacock. Nice trails for walking, but unfortunately you cannot bring your dog. Very nice Christmas Festival.

As a Carlsbad resident, we understand that years ago, you could visit the park and tour some of the buildings. Today, you have access to only the small park area. Nice shade trees, plenty of loud birds, and a dash of rustic charm. Certainly a place that grown ups would want to visit for an hour or two to brush up to a bit of regional history. Given Carlsbad's enormous inventory of wonderful parks, families with young children probably would better enjoy any of those community parks that feature plenty of trees, expansive grass lawns, and playgrounds designed for tots and young kids. To be sure, the Leo Carillo Ranch has rustic charm and is worthy of a visit for adults and couples.

I had seen this historic park on tripadviser so went to visit. GPS took us to a walking trail behind the museum so drove a couple of blocks around and found the parking lot. Very interesting ranch and museum. Did not realize that Leo Carrillo was 70 years old when he did the Cisco Kid television series. They have guided tours on Sat and Sunday. Took about 90 minutes to walk around the buildings and visit the museum. There is a 15 minute video at the museum that is very interesting about his life and the history of the ranch. Well worth the time.

Attended a wedding at ranch. It was a perfect location for an outdoor wedding. There are peacocks roaming the area and the grounds are beautifully cared for. It's a walk on a dirt road down to wedding location, so I recommend flats until you get down to location to put on heals. The courtyard was just beautiful for the reception.

We started with the 12-min video (highly recommend - background info makes visit much more interesting) & then we wandered around in & out of buildings (a docent was leading a private tour & we went in on coattails!) thoroughly enjoying peacocks strutting around, esp. the all white one - stunning! Small children would be bored...this is a quiet & serene visit for historically-minded adults, esp. those interested in Hollywood memorabilia & the beauty of Carlsbad's rolling hills...we enjoyed ourselves for about two hours. If u walk the entire trail, u can spend much more time than that...very friendly & accommodating staff. There are benches & picnic tables throughout, as well as a beautiful wedding venue...I would most highly recommend for a pleasant, low key outing & plan to go back with a picnic basket! (we were quite warm in Feb so summer months would be toasty)

To be honest, I was unaware of Leo Carillo until I did a little research for something to visit as I was staying nearby for the weekend. He was perhaps most well known as Pancho from the Cisco Kid, although he did so much more before taking that role in his retirement years.
This small ranch is a gem, hidden in the hills among the residential areas which also bear the same name since they were built on the original 2500 acres or so than comprised Leo's ranch. The current historic park saved 27 acres and his adobe houses and other features and is in the process of being restored.
There is a great history here, and it is a good place to spend a relaxing walk through the valley, which is presumably why Leo would entertain fellow Hollywood stars here during their off time.
There are nice gardens and also peafowl here, including a white (leucistic) one, but they do tend to keep out the way during the middle of the day. (I saw only one who was in the shade of a roof for a while and then hid in the bushes)

Entrance and parking is free and there are free guided tours on the weekends. I arrived around 10am and there was a small, but steady stream of visitors over the 2 hours I was there.
The place is also very popular with wedding parties, which shows that it is a photogenic location.

This park is a wonderful place for all ages. For young families there are brilliant peafowl roaming the grounds, hiking and biking trails, plenty of picnic spots in a tranquil setting.
For those over 60, they will enjoy the history of Leo Carrillo, the actor, conservationist and his family's history in California since the 1700s.
The park is FREE and we offer free guided tours of the historic adobe house and grounds Saturday 11 and 1 and Sunday 12 and 2. Prepare to do a bit of walking as it is a Rancho with dirt paths and uneven terrain. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen and water. You may do a self guided tour anytime the park is open.
Don't miss the Barn Visitor Center with our newest exhibit and introductory video and our Photography exhibit Fri, Sat, Sun afternoons in Deedie's house.
I feel blessed to work here.

Very enjoyable piece of California history. The grounds and buildings have been nicely restored Knowledgeable docents.

Make time to tour this incredible part of California history. TAKE THE SCHEDULED TOUR, you will learn so much more than just wondering around. Our guide, Kathryn was phenomenal in her knowledge of the ranch and its interesting history. Who knew we had such a gem to tour in Carlsbad, CA. Arrive a little early to view the video.

My niece was married here on Friday, July 19th. Absolutely beautiful venue and staff was superb. Bartenders were excellent, friendly and fast making all sorts of cocktails. Staff were excellent. Food was delicious. Such a beautiful location for a wedding.

I'll admit, I really just went to Leo Carillo ranch because I heard about the peacocks roaming the grounds....and being a photographer I was excited for a fun project photographing these lovely birds. I was not disappointed. The peacocks are everywhere, and I even got to see 3 of them fanning all there feathers out. Aside from these colorful tenants, the grounds are beautiful, lovely gardens, and the buildings all have a tale to tell. It's really just a nice place to unwind and relax, walk the grounds, have a picnic, learn some history or just photograph peacocks. I'm lucky that I live just a short bike ride away so I'll definitely like to revisit, perhaps I'll bring my sketchbook next time....these peacocks are such great posers after all..

We went here several times in the past year. The peacocks we so increadiable and so much fun. I love how they get high in trees and on roofs and communicate to each other. The floweres and orange trees are beautiful too. An awesome chunk of land to explore.

it is free. The interiors are not accessible unless with tour. Furniture inside is cerca 1940's when Leo Carrillo lived there. Grounds are worth seeing. most of the "equipment" is rusted and broken. Surrounding hills are now filled with housing complex. Was hoping for more.

We spent about 90 minutes here and it was well worth it if you wanted to see what an old California ranch looked like over 100 years ago and get some interesting facts on Leo Carillo who played Poncho in the early 1950's on television on The Cisco Kid. The grounds had a quiet serenity to them that were periodically interrupted by the many peacocks on the grounds that would frequently shriek as it was mating season. Worth going.

If you every watched the Cisco Kid you probably remember his side kick, Pancho. Little did I know that Leo was already 70 years old when he took the role in the Cisco Kid. For decades he was already a successful and famous actor of movies and theater. When thinking of Leo Carrillo, I always thought of Leo Carrillo Beach in Malibu! Leo Carrillo purchased this property years before and made it into a working ranch. Later it was donated by his daughter to the state. It is a lovely place to visit. The grounds and foliage are beautiful. And all those peacocks! We spent 1.5 hours there. We just missed the tour. If you go in the summer be sure to go early, it starts to heat up in the afternoon. We almost missed the manager's house which is right near where you enter. Don't miss it. There are lots of interesting things to look at in this space.

Not only does this free park have interesting history, beautiful landscaping and helpful docents, but it is surrounded with fabulous walking paths! The park offers trail maps and we logged 3 miles easily! Wish I lived closer!

Visited here today to see inside some of there insides which is only available on Saturday and Sunday @ 11 am or 1 pm with a docent to discuss the ranch and area history

Wonderful inside the main ranch which has 2 areas old and new area. New has bedroom with bathroom. Old is kitchen dining living room area.

Peacocks are still there and you may see the "white" one.

Picnic tables available where we had our lunch.

Somewhat hilly with dirt pathways. Go on line for more information.

Beautiful setting, an interesting piece of history surrounding some of Hollywood history. Enjoyed the tour, very informative. Didn't get to see the white peacock but the peacocks were everywhere! Check the schedule, we got in free, mid-day on Sundays.

Been a while since I visited but nothing seems to change. A nice walk through a Rancho, walk through the restored Adobe home, and out-buildings. Peacocks strut about. Good place for a picnic on a sunny afternoon. Close to Legoland and Craftsmanship museum. Trader Joe's shopping center also close by for snack foods.
Good for students studying California History.

We took the Saturday morning tour of the Ranch. Our docent was very friendly and had a comprehensive knowledge of the history of the ranch and of the surrounding area. If you go I highly recommend that you take one of the docent-lead tours otherwise you will not have access to the interior of the buildings. Also, be prepared by bringing water, sunscreen and wearing good sturdy shoes as the trail is uneven. It will be time well spent.

If you are interested in seeing an actual refurbished adobe ranch owned by Leo Carillo (Cisco Kid) this is it. A famous movie star from the era of cowboy movies who was born in Olivera Street in LA. Lots of history to be learned if you are interested. Self guided tours only.

Great history of Carlsbad at a well kept facility.

Landscape and building are there to enjoy.

If you like peacocks, then this the place.

Make sure to take the free tour!

What a wonderful 2 hours traveling back in time to a quieter time in California's history and a window into the Golden Age of Hollywood as well. Leo Carrillo, best known for his role as Pancho in the 50's TV show The Cisco Kid brought his dream of his perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood with this sprawling ranch which spanned 1750 acres when he purchased it in 1937 and was a working cattle ranch during the time through the 50's. It was also a getaway spot not only for Leo, his wife Deedee and adopted daughter Marie Antoinette but also a place for Leo to entertain his Hollywood friends. The pictures that adorn the main house of the stars of the day during their visits were a spotlight on his many associations with Hollywood's Cream of the Crop, including Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Deanna Durbin and others. The tour given by the very informative tour director, Michael shed great light on the Renaissance man that Leo Carrillo was behind the scenes and his wife, the same sort of artiste. Take in the video that you can see in the Barn/Welcome Center and you will be treated to the background story of this great man and incredible tribute to him with this beautiful property. Be sure to check out the many beautiful peacocks that Leo introduced to Carlsbad and who make the ranch their home. We would recommend this for a nice laid back way to spend a sunny morning or afternoon.

We come here at least once a week and it's just a magical little escape that is only 2 miles from out home. Resident peacocks are always stunning and elegant....and loud! This lovely place gives you a glimpse of what Carlsbad once was,and how glorious it is that we can still just walk over to such a treasure and imagine what it was all like when there was so much superficial stuff.We must preserve it forever.

Leo Carillo Ranch is a fun place to visit to experience what life was like on a ranch in Southern California in the 1950's. Ranch buildings and grounds are well-maintained, and the volunteer staff is very helpful. An added attraction is the numerous peacocks and peahens running around and perching on roofs. You can walk around on your own or go on an informative tour.

this pocket park is a real gem, tucked within the housing areas of Bressi/Carillo Ranch. This real ranch has been restored to it's glorious past when Leo Carillo (Pancho of The Cisco Kid fame) owned it in the 30's, and entertained his Hollywood and local friends. It's a City park and you can walk the grounds or book areas to have events there. Watch out for the peacocks and their droppings. Very special place in Carlsbad.

My husband and I were married here in October 2011. It was the perfect spot of a rustic/chic wedding.

The weather is almost always beautiful, as its far enough inland to prevent any marine layer.

Great place to visit and walk with family and friends. There are always plenty of peacocks strutting their stuff as well.

The staff is so informative and SO friendly! Honestly, the perfect wedding venue!

This was a surprise experience. My sister-in-law had mentioned this place to me years ago but I had never had an opportunity to visit. My British wife loves American Western TV from her childhood reruns and was truly excited to visit a real TV Stars working ranch. The facility is a bit basic but the background of Leo Carrillo was educational and interesting. I enjoyed the memories of the Cisco Kid and learning about "Panchos" experiences in plays and California politics even more than visiting the ranch. A great adventure!

The ranch is not too big and you can walk through it easily. The best part is looking for the peacocks. It's a hidden gem in Carlsbad.

A short drive from downtown Carlsbad is the restored hascinda of Leo Carillo, who is best know as Pancho, the buffoon sidekick of the Cisco Kid, and popular actor in hopelessly corny, grade B films. This was a working ranch, built by Carillo as a weekend retreat from LA, where he and his many guests would kick back on weekends. The ranch land was made into a housing development, where we live and visit frequently, and the hascinda made into city park. There is a flock of peacocks, including an albino male, that are comfortable with close proximity to humans, that wander around the well maintained grounds and interesting plantings. In fact, they make the rounds of the neighborhood, and we find some in our yard from time to time. The ranch is, with good reason, a popular venue for weddings and other kinds of parties. There are also many walking trails that are well maintained and interesting. No food or drink available; bring a bottle of water and use sun block.
The rooms of the hascinda have been staged to their original appearance when Carillo and his guests were here.
When the city took over the property, the restoration was extensive and costly; the result worth the expense.
There is a small museum with some interesting photos, artifacts, including the costumes worn on the show.
Just in case you are old enough to have watched The Cisco Kid, bring a child along, so that when they ask who the Cisco Kid was, you can be reminded that you're an antique:)

What a pleasant surprise in 'touristy' Carlsbad. Carlsbad is a wonderful destination - sun, surf & sand - it's all good. But if you want a break from the usual tourist haunts, visit this lovely, historic ranchero. The setting is bucolic and tranquil and you’ll see numerous peacocks as you walk the grounds. In the original buildings there are displays of Leo Carillo’s stage & film career. The volunteers we talked with were very knowledgeable not only about Leo Carillo, his career, his life on the ranchero, but the flora and fauna on the ranchero. Certainly worth the visit.

What a great place to visit, there are so many peacocks wandering around to delight the children. So much history for the history buffs and so many great shots for the photographer. You can also get married here.

son and daughter in law held there wedding there and words can not describe what an awesome experience we had. Looked like something you would see on television

This is a great little park for a lesson in local history, and a great place to walk. There are docents who are full of knowledge and are happy to offer inside tours of the buildings, or to answer questions. The grounds are beautiful and it's general quiet, so a pleasant walk is usually available.

I was here for a wedding and it was absolutely beautiful. If your looking for a rustic style wedding or even a Spanish style then this is the place for you. Wild roaming peacocks, old style stables and beautiful rustic buildings. If anything at least do your pictures here. It's a bit of a trek to the actually ceremony and reception location so I would advise don't wear thin heels or super high. The ground is very uneven and can be a bit dangerous if your not paying attention. Other than that absolutely stunning.

Locals recommended this hidden gem of a historical site outside Carlsbad. Many easy walking trails wind among the restored buildings of this pre war hacienda. Kudos to the city Carlsbad for restoring this ranch. We were made welcome by Marsh(al) who took great joy in showing us around the site, giving us great insights into the life on the ranch during Hollywood's golden era. One can only imagine the parties and such that occurred in this site.

You get To go into the bedrooms and get a lot more interesting info. They are still restoring some areas. Free

My family visited this historic park and found it to be quite interesting and full of history. Even though the homes were not open a docent came by and offered to open them as we asked questions.

Given that I have small children there is ample room for the kids to run around and things to see. The wild peacocks are beautiful and quite a site to see.

A great place to visit with the family!

We wandered about twenty minutes before the tour started, looking at displays and whatnot. Leo Carrillo = Pancho from the Cisco Kid. Other stuff too and quite a character. Peacocks all over the place and those boys are loud!

Such a lovely slice of the way things were- I could almost see the parties on the patio, and hear the clinking glasses and laughing movie stars.

The buildings and grounds are loving refurbished. A beautiful place to wander and if you go on the free tour you can go inside the buildings. The tour was a bit long but the docent, Dorothy, really painted a picture of the place, and of life, back in the day. Hard to believe it's a city park and it's free.

What a beautiful site and what a remarkable man who used his influence for good. I had thought of him only as Poncho, Cisco's sidekick in the early 1950s. Well worth the short ride from DT Carlsbad. The ranch is a botanical gem and a photographer's paradise. Do watch the 13 minute video in the Visitor center. The staff is very knowledgable and bring Leo to life for you. It's free but they will take a free-will donation.

We did a 1 plus hour tour that was very enjoyable. Lovely buildings and scenery. Great history of Leo Carrillo and his life. Very manageable with young family - our docent was a gem.

I live in Carlsbad and have been involved with many local sites and tourist destinations in our town. BUT, had never been here, with my reli's in town we thought we would take a look. It was beautiful and well kept. As others have said, there is not a lot to do.. But it is a great place to spend a few hours.. My recommendation would be to take a picnic lunch and some good walking shoes. Leo Carrillo brought in Peacocks and they are everywhere, the Spanish and Mexican style architecture helps you have an appreciation for the true California history , There are great trails that focus on the natural botanicals and Native Americans. The visitor center hosts a 13 minute movie that chronicles the history of Carlsbad, the Ranch and Leo Carrillo's personal and Hollywood history.The ranch is considered a state park, not an attraction. The children there loved the peacocks and being able to run around. I would not make this a full day excursion, but a great morning or afternoon walk. There is no cost of admission or parking, and there are free tours on weekends. Check the website to make sure there are not other city or private events during your visit.

Loved this historical ranch a short walk around the buildings that have been restored. Go to the web site and watch the video about the history before you go.
Bonus beautiful peafowl, proper name for peacocks walking around. We were there just before sunset and saw about 15 of them. A popular photo shoot location. No admission charge it's a city park. If you like unique places I recommend this park.

Stop at the information/gift shop the volunteers were very helpful.

This is a taste of old California- the romance of the ranchos! The tour guide left something to be desired in her range of knowledge but gets an A for enthusiasm. The grounds are well kept and the house is authentically maintained. A great break from the usual tourist attractions and shopping.

Charming hacienda on beautiful, simple grounds. I love seeing and hearing the peacock. Look for the 2 albino peafowl!

Spent a weekend in Carlsbad and looked up things to do and found this Ranch Historic Park. It was a Free attraction and we were surprised to find this gem in the middle of Carlsbad. The roaming peacocks were a fun surprise with lots of them to see and hear,the old buildings and grounds of the park was so peaceful and nice to just freely roam and discover. It also had a nice covered picnic area for you to just sit and enjoy your lunch and scenery. It was overall a nice place to discover something out of the past...

We live in Carlsbad for awhile and had seen it from the outside gate but didn't thing about going until last weekend we did. It surprising that all this sits here. Very cool to walk around. See the gardens and buildings. Very cool..

Seemed like this would just be another historical building. Watch the film in the visitor center. StRts of like whatever. But it gets interesting.
The people there will tell interesting stories It’s free. So worth checking out.
In addition just a mile away is the miniature engineering craftsman museum or something like that. It is worth seeing when you are already in the area.

Put this beauty on your bucket list. Beautiful history of Leo Carillo. Watch the film, hit the visitor center and take your time on a peaceful and rewarding stroll

We liked seeing the old rancho California style with the adobe houses.
There is a short video to see about Leo Carrillo and his service to California as well as his movie career and a little history about the ranch.
We went in the middle of June and it was already hot in the Southern California sun, so bring water and sun protection. It is also very dry and dusty. There are docent lead tours on the weekends, but we went during a week day and explored with a map we got at the visitors' center.

This is a small place but has a lot of old movie history. Best time to go would be on a weekend since only weekends have the possibility of a tour. And the tour is a must since you get to go into the houses and receive a lot more info from the guide.

Found this on Atlas Obscura website, nice hour stop. Imagine the past, learn about the area, and everything Leo Carrillo did for California. Interesting visit.

If you didn't know this was here, you could literally drive right by. Located in the middle of suburbia in Carlsbad, CA, one can really feel what it would have been like to live here in earlier more simple times. This location is a popular wedding spot, and we held my parent's 50th wedding anniversary there. Random peacocks are roaming everywhere. Charming old western vibe. Worth a visit!

We check this place out every year,and the kids love it every time we go. Especially the peacocks mating season when they show all their foliage in full bloom. The white one always amazes me.

Two free guided tours on Saturday and Sunday, very interesting and well informed guide. Self-guided tours during the weekdays; however, the buildings are only opened by the guide so plan to make your first trip to this ranch on Saturday or Sunday. The peacocks are beautiful (they have over 20) and they roam around freely and pose for some fantastic photos. We took a person in a wheelchair who has limited walking ability and we were able to get her into most of the buildings, but not the barn. The main issue is the dirt paths which are packed pretty well for wheelchair use, but the push of the wheelchair back up the incline near the barn is a bit of a challenge. Be sure to watch the video at the Visitor's Center. Everyone there was very friendly.

We stopped here on the way to San Diego to visit a friend. Thanks to traffic and delays, we arrived two minutes before the guided tour. I'm glad we made the 90 minute tour because it took us through most of the buildings which are otherwise locked. While there aren't formal gardens, the tour did pass by numerous areas of cactus and succulents, including spineless cactus originally developed for cattle food. The building interiors that the tour included were the Caretaker's House, the main Hacienda, and the Stables. The Wood Barn is now the Visitor Center which shows a 10-minute video about the ranch and Leo Carrillo. The tour passed, but did not enter, the Cantina, Tack Shed, Food Storage, and Wash House. There are also pieces of farm equipment and windmills.

Leo Carrillo was a popular character actor from Vaudeville through movies to Color TV. He could speak, read, and write seven languages and got his start illustrating newspaper articles about the waterfront which lead telling humorous stories on Vaudeville. He liked entertaining and the famous of Hollywood would often visit the ranch for large parties and barbeques.

We enjoyed the tour and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

Want a couple of hours to relax "away" from the city, without driving miles to get there? Visit here! There's much to see in this beautifully maintained historic CA ranch. Walking paths and picnic tables around the grounds allow for leisurely enjoyment of native So Cal coastal plants (California pepper trees, sycamores) beautifully coordinated with introduced ornamentals (bougainvillea, various cacti). Interpretive info gives deserved credit to actor Leo Carrillo for his work in preserving CA coastal lands and architectural heritage. Remember wildly popular "The Cisco Kid" TV show from the 1950's? The always entertaining Leo Carrillo was the Cisco Kid's sidekick "Pancho." -- No entry fee. Plenty of parking. Friendly staffers. Guided tours on weekends.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this park. Wild peacocks were everywhere, and there are many buildings to tour. The video about Leo Carrillo's history is helpful, and there are several walking paths.

We visited during the day and there weren't many people around that day which was nice. We pretty much had free roam over the whole place. We went during the week so none of the buildings were open, except for the visitor center. The volunteers were very helpful. They played a video telling us about the Ranch and Leo Carrillo. I think it is worth a visit if you want to see some peacocks up close. Great for the kids. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come visit though. If you are close and have some times to spare and get outside I suggest making the visit.

We have been to Carlsbad several times and never new this place exsisted ,what a find !Having watched The Cisco Kid in the fifties ,it was so interesting to hear about Leo Carrillo's (Pancho) life and visit the beautiful ranch he built. The volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable and a special thank you to Skip from the English couple ! Guided tours are given at the weekends.

Loved this place! Went there with the family for a photo shoot / browsing session. So rustic! Great atmosphere. Peacocks strutting about - feels like a horse-drawn stage coach should pull up and a woman in a hoop skirt should be greeting guests. Well worth a visit for a few hours - just don't let your kids chase the peacocks for too long - they get tired, too....

Our children attended the daycare right above the park nearly 2 decades ago. We used to come here all the time and had picked peacock feathers in the late spring time. The park was full of (easily see 15 - 20) peacocks at that time, often with their train standing up and rattling. Even saw some Albino ones. And sometimes they went up the hill to visit the daycare as well. Though nowadays, while the park is still nice, probably nicer now with more work done, but the peacocks are hard to find - we heard the honk/kraa/meow a couple of times, perhaps from the same peacock. Kind of sad to see the vanishing of the lovely creatures the park once to have plenty of.

We came all the way from New Jersey and went to see this lovely park. The walk around the park was wonderful. it was extremely well kept and clean. One negative only was that we did not see any peacocks. I'm wondering whether they are still there or have they been removed? I rated our experience 4 circles only because we were disappointed not seeing any peacocks otherwise it would have been a 5!!!

This was Leo Carillo's (Pancho on Cisco the Kid Western Series) ranch. On a beautiful valley in Carlsbad. Became a working ranch and also a gathering for some of Hollywood's greatest such as Clark Gable, Carol Lombard and Duncan Reynaldo,(Cisco the Kkid).
Property is being restored by the Stae of California and doing a fantastic job . Was not able to go into a couple of buildings including the main living quarters due to they being closed or going thru restoration. Great architecture.
Worth the time seeing. No admission price , donations accepted.
Will come back next time in area to see what we were'nt able to view.

This ranch was owned by Pancho of the Cisco Kid. The 10 minute film about the history is very informative. The buildings are nicely restored. Beautiful peacocks roam around freely.

Kids, ages 3 to 12, seem to love this simple park and we adults loved it, too. We brought a picnic basket of food and ate at one of the tables while colorful pea hens and peacocks sat, walked and preened around us. There are 65 peacocks and some really unique buildings to explore. The white peacock is a rare sight, too. The park is free, parking is easy and it is only five minutes away from The Four Seasons Carlsbad, Leggoland, and more. You can get a great glimpse of this place on the Kid Travel video at Wondermint Kids website or their Youtube Channel. Here is the link to a blog post and a video to see if your kids would like it: http://wondermintkids.com/leocarrilloranch/

Maybe it was the time of year we visited (April), but there didn’t seem to be much to see. Yes, it’s a free city park and there are a number of peacocks. But, unless you really, really want to see these birds don’t skip something else to see this.

Little did I realize that I would be at Leo Carrillo's home someday as I watched him play the part of "Pancho," on The Cisco Kid. The State of California is doing a great job keeping the ranch and grounds in good shape. We enjoy visiting historic sites because you never know when they will disappear due to lack of funding. Take time to enjoy some history.

This is a surprise right in my backyard. Beautiful historic casa with wild peacocks roaming the grounds and a great event space.

This was such a beautiful property, with so much rich history of the area, of Leo Carrillo and his background. I had no idea he had such an acting career before becoming Poncho. His family history is something to be proud of. I highly recommend putting this on your list of things to do!

We visited one morning during the week. The guy at the visitor center was very nice and the introductory video was interesting. The grounds are beautiful and the Peafowl are really entertaining. We're really glad we went. It's free to visit, so there is really no reason not to.

We attended my nieces wedding at this very lovely location. It was a beautiful day and the grounds are spectacular. Enjoyed the little golf cart that took us to our location. All of the ceremony and reception sites were so beautiful. The staff were very friendly and helpful. This is a very special place and a perfect setting for weddings or events. Hearing the peacocks as we were leaving was fun.

Hidden gem not even most locals know about. Bring a picnic lunch. I have never seen so many peacocks even white ones, and observed in a free range environment. The historic ranch is a nod to a by gone era.

Visited with a friend and thought it was lovely. Enjoyed walking the nature trail, seeing all the beautiful flowers and views and loved the beautiful peacocks everywhere.