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Welcome to Los Cerritos, one of the equidistant cities from Downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Orange County. Discover Tree City with some of the city’s top sights.  Follow me for an immersive experience!

A pinch of history

• Originally, the area was inhabited by the Tvonga people.
• Los Cerritos comes from the Spanish “Little Hills”
• First Lady Pat Nixon (Richard Nixon’s wife) grew up in Los Cerritos
• The city was featured in movies and TV shows, including Wayne’s World and Coneheads.

10 AM – Stretch your legs at Cerritos Sculpture Garden

Start your day at Cerritos Sculpture Garden.

Created in 2006, this small park currently displays nine public artworks. As the city continues to commission new pieces, the garden is designed to eventually showcase 20 monuments. Explore this evolving landscape and wander among this quiet ground.

Designed by artist Kathleen Caricof, the first sculpture is a tribute to the victims of the 1986 airplane collision over a residential area in Los Cerritos.

The Statue of Freedom is a replica of the original bronze statue atop the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Location: 183rd St, Cerritos, CA 90703

11 AM – Discover the Wonders of the local Library

Step into Los Cerritos Library for a new literacy experience. What makes it unique? Its futuristic design and interior features a variety of themed spaces. As you enter, you are welcome by a 15,000-gallon aquarium. The children’s section is a magic world, complete with a Tyrannosaurus-Rex replica, a lighthouse, a rainforest tree, and a spaceship. The adult section mixes Shanghai Art Deco and futuristic fiction.

Don’t miss the ten-foot-tall open book standing at the library’s entrance. This Byzantine mosaic sculpture, titled “Illumination,” was designed in 2006 by artist Terry Braunstein. It symbolizes education, culture, and the Tree of Life.

Explore further, and you’ll find additional sculptures and fountains between the library and the sculpture garden.

Location: 18025 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos, CA 90703

Noon – Picnic and Promenade at Los Cerritos Heritage Park

Head to Los Cerritos Heritage Park for a tranquil lunchtime. The 15-acre park features a charming island transporting you back to the 1770s with a replica of a Bostonian village.

At the center, of the church is a playground that boasts a fun tube slide.

Encircling the island is a serene moat home to geese, ducks, and turtles. It’s definitely a memorable lunchtime escape!

Location: 18600 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos, CA 90703

2 PM – Back in time with Rancho Los Cerritos

Experience California’s history as you stroll through Rancho Los Cerritos.

The Tongva Native Americans lived in the region since 5,000 BC. Their village, Tibahangna, was situated near what is now Los Cerritos Ranch. When the Spanish crown claimed California, they granted lands to incentivize settlements. As a result, Spanish soldier Manuel Nieto received 300,000 acres of land in 1784.

The next owner was John Temple, an entrepreneur from Massachusetts. In 1844, he built the present Rancho Los Cerritos adobe and developed a ranch boasting a herd of 15,000 cows. Following a series of tenants, Llewellyn Bixby remodeled and modernized the adobe and garden in 1930.

Since 1955, the historic structure has been a museum dedicated to preserving local history. Wander into the California native garden, orchard, and backyard. Step inside the adobe to discover furnished living quarters, a blacksmith shop, and much more.

Location: 4600 Virginia Rd, Long Beach, CA 90807

4 PM – Sun-soaked at the Beach

While it’s not precisely situated in Los Cerritos, it’s in the neighboring city of Long Beach. It’s just a 10-minute drive from Los Cerritos Ranch, making it a perfect opportunity for a relaxing beach afternoon that you wouldn’t want to miss.

If you want to walk further, don’t miss the Long Beach peninsula and Naples canals.

Ready to explore Los Cerritos?

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Plan your visit:

• Location: Los Cerritos, CA
• More information is available at https://cerritos-001-us.govstack.com/

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