184 Old Adobe Rd

Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State HistoricParkCastro AdobeOpen House: Indigenous Peoples on the RanchoSaturday, November 16th from10:30 am to 3:30 pmNovemberis Native American Heritage Month. Join us at the Castro Adobe to learn aboutthe contributions of the Indigenous people as skilled laborers for the Castroson Rancho San Andres. Some of the first cowboys in California were Indigenousand were known as vaqueros! Learn about other roles Indigenous peoplehad as farmers, construction workers, blacksmiths, and cooks, and how theyplayed a vital role in the economy of the ranchos. California State Parksacknowledges the Awaswas-speaking Aptos people, a band of the Ohlone tribes whostewarded the land long before it was called Rancho San Andres.  Listen to live music andenjoy our recently installed interpretive displays.  Reservations for a free 90-minute docent ledtour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669   

Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State HistoricParkCastro Adobe Open House: MexicanIndependence DaySaturday, September 21 from 10:30 am to 3:30pmHappy Mexican IndependenceDay! In 1821, the newly formed country of Mexico gained its independence fromSpain. However, Spanish culture remained on the ranchos of Alta Californiaduring the Mexican rancho period of California history. Come learn about theblending of different cultures at the Castro Adobe, and how the influence ofdifferent cultural groups was evident throughout California, from the saddlesthat vaqueros sat upon to the structure of the Potter-Church Gardenbehind the Castro Adobe. Listen to live music and enjoy our recentlyinstalled interpretive displays.  Reservationsfor a free 90-minute docent led tour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669   

Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State HistoricParkCastro Adobe Open House: Art on the RanchoSunday, August 11 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm August is Art Appreciation Monthand there’s plenty of art at the Castro Adobe to enjoy! Learn about theartistry of the garden behind the adobe, designed by renowned landscapearchitect Thomas Church. Take in the beauty of the two-story adobe haciendaas it has been restored to its original Monterey colonial style. View theporcelain dishes intricately designed in and imported from China, used by theCastros when hosting special guests. See the intricate leather work and learnthe meaning of motifs stamped into saddles used by people in Alta California!  Listen to live music andenjoy our recently installed interpretive displays.  Reservations for a free 90-minute docent ledtour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669   

Rancho San Andres CastroAdobe State Historic ParkCastroAdobe Open House: Alta COWliforniaSaturday, June 8 from 10:30am to 3:30 pmHoly cow! As summerapproaches it’s time for the matanza! This annual slaughter of cattletook place in the summer and was extremely important in Alta California. Whywere cows so important? Californios like Juan Jose Castro made their wealth inthe cow hide and tallow trade, which produced goods like soap, candles, andeverything leather. Learn about the importance of the vacas in AltaCalifornia and how cows allowed the Castros to build their dream home we callthe Castro Adobe. Ninos, come to the kids’ table and learn how to make an adobebrick!  Listen to live music andenjoy our recently installed interpretive displays.  Reservations for a free 90-minute docent ledtour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669  NOTE:  Continuous rain will cancel event.                                   

Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State HistoricParkCastro Adobe Open House: Spring Is in theAirSaturday, May 18 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pmYayfor May flowers! Plants were important on the rancho in the 1800s as food,tools, construction materials, and more. Can you guess which one of these wassometimes eaten by both people and their livestock: redwood trees, cactus, ortule grass? The other two plants had important uses at the Castro Adobe too!Come discover the answer and learn more about how the people of Alta Californiaused the natural world around them. Listen to live music andenjoy our recently installed interpretive displays. Reservations for a free90-minute docent led tour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669  NOTE:  Continuous rain will cancel event.                                  

Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State HistoricParkCastroAdobe Open House: Life on Rancho San AndresSunday, April 21 from 10:30am to 3:30 pm Hoorayfor April showers! Rain, rain, don’t go away! Water on the rancho was criticalto its success. Land granted to prominent Californios like the Castros alwayshad water sources, including springs, creeks, and rivers to ensure life on therancho thrived. The people who lived on the rancho were dependent on the cropsthey grew and the animals they raised for their survival, which both neededplentiful water to live. Come learn about life on the rancho and how reliantearly Californians were on the land called Rancho San Andres. Listen to live music andenjoy our newly installed interpretive displays.  Reservations for a free 90-minute docent ledtour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669  NOTE:  Continuous rain will cancel event.                                  

Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State HistoricParkCastro Adobe Open House: Dia de LasSeñorasSaturday, March 16 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pmAs we celebrate women’shistory and their contributions in the month of March, come to our monthly openhouse and learn all about the women of the rancho and their various roles inthe 1800s. Hear stories about Rita Castro and her role within the Castro familyas owner of Rancho San Andres. See the cocina, the space where Indigenouswomen prepared meals while they looked after their children. And enjoy thesmell and taste of one of Alta California’s food favorites, tortillas!  Listen to live music andenjoy our newly installed interpretive displays.  Reservations for a free 90-minute docent ledtour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse.Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.Formore information call (831) 226-9669   NOTE:  Continuous rain will cancel event.                                                                  

Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State Historic ParkCastro Adobe Open House: Romance on the RanchoSunday, February 18 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pmLove is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches. Come visit the adobe home that belonged to Juan Jose and Rita Castro, and their 12 children! Learn how gentlemen wooed young ladies on the dance floor in the fandango room and see how romantic life on the rancho really was (and wasn’t). This will also be the first opportunity for the public to enjoy our newly installed interpretive displays and there will be live music. Reservations for a free 90-minute docent led tour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669  NOTE:  Continuous rain will cancel event.