Join the Rancho Team
Make a difference in your community as a volunteer at Rancho Los Cerritos, learn new skills, explore new interests, and meet new friends. There are many ways you can get involved at this National, State and Long Beach Historic Landmark – where we connect people with community, history and culture! Please call (562) 206-2040 for information about volunteering at the Rancho.
Follow-a-Tour for potential School Docents (early September) – call to schedule on a Mon, Wed, or Thur morning.
House Docent Training
House Docent sharing history with visitors
People from all over the world visit the Rancho, and our volunteer docents guide them through the old adobe house, and share stories about the people who lived there, their lives, and the historic objects they used. In the training class, new house docents will learn the history of the site and develop techniques for sharing that history with visitors. To enroll, please call 562-206-2040.
Garden Docent Training
Docent showing visitors around the garden
Discover the historic gardens at Rancho Los Cerritos and become a volunteer garden docent. This is a perfect opportunity for garden lovers who want to share their joy of plants with visitors from near and far! The serene 4.7 acres of landscaped grounds include trees from the mid-19th century, historic roses, exotic vegetation, an herb garden, an adobe horno and an old water tower. Learn about the early development of the gardens, their renovation in the 1930s by landscape architect Ralph Cornell, and new garden restoration work as you explore hundreds of varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers in docent training.
You will have the opportunity to work closely with our horticulturist as she takes you on an enlightening, educational experience during the training sessions. Upon completion of the course, you will be equipped with the knowledge to give garden tours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and to teach visitors about the rich history of the Rancho grounds.
Visitor Center Receptionist
Wednesday through Sunday: 1 – 5 p.m.
Visitor center receptionists plays one of the most prominent roles at the Rancho, because their tasks include greeting visitors and providing them with a general orientation to the site; training will be provided on a continual basis.
Docent Training Programs
House Docents in Library
Please also check our calendar section for upcoming training dates and activities. The house docent trainings are held in Winter, the garden docents trainings are held in Spring, and the school & teen docent trainings are held in Fall; call us to reserve your spot! 562-206-2040.
Rancho Los Cerritos Welcomes Your Interest!
Every year, volunteers contribute over thousands hours of communi service to the Rancho Los Cerritos Historical Site. The Rancho’s educational and community programming would not be possible without the help and support of our dedicated volunteers.
We thank you!
Teen Volunteers
We are always looking for enthusiastic and reliable teens. Teens can earn service learning credits while helping with our summer camps; assisting with behind-the-scenes museum needs; and/or joining the Rancho Los Cerritos Teen Docent Program in the Fall. Please contact the Education Office at 562-206-2040 to learn more.
Committee Volunteers
Become an active member of our Curatorial, Gift shop, Garden Crafts, or Hispanic History committees. Come to a meeting to find out more!
Special Event Volunteers
Rancho Los Cerritos hosts many events throughout the year, which mean that volunteers are always needed. Adults and teens make the best candidates to assist with crafts, refreshments, and parking at our festivals and holiday programs. Please call 562-206-2040 for details!