Encino's Encinos

A Tour of Los Encinos State Historic Park

Tour and dine outdoors at Los Encinos State Historic Park

Los Encinos State Historic Park captivates as an authentic vestige of the San Fernando Valley’s ranching past. The five-acre park, just off Ventura and Balboa Boulevards in Encino, includes 19th-century ranch structures, beautiful grounds, and a patio restaurant overlooking the spring-fed pond. It's what remains of Rancho Los Encinos, once a sprawling 4,460-acre ranch created after the Mexican government dissolved the California missions in 1834 and granted this acreage to three Mission Indians.

The grounds are lovely for a stroll, picnicking, and birdwatching. The pond, constructed in 1874, is shaped like a Spanish guitar and fed by a natural spring—a water source that attracted human settlers for millennia. Wading birds are perennial here, and feeding is encouraged. Coots, mallards, and notably aggressive geese all compete for flung pellets, available on-site. Pepper and olive trees surround the water and, true to the park’s name, a few oaks are scattered about as well.

There's a Californio-style adobe, built by ranch owner Vicente de la Ossa in 1849, and a two-story limestone house built later in a French provincial style. Inside there are ranch artifacts—including a wedding dress and leather saddle—and displays detailing the lives of the various ranch families and vaqueros who lived here during the ranch’s cattle-grazing days. Many displays feature illustrations by famed Uruguayan-American artist Jo Mora. An outfitted blacksmith shed stands alone in a far corner of the property.

EAT LOCAL: Done feeding the birds? Now it’s your turn to get fed—and you don’t even need to leave the premises. Dine at The Oaks at Lakeside, located at the far side of the pond. Currently (September 2020) the The Oaks is first come, first served, no reservations accepted. Combining Ventura Boulevard’s sophisticated culinary scene with the rancho’s Old California charm, the kitchen’s menu emphasizes California cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. Have a seat on the rustic patio and choose from favorites like Chilean sea bass, ribeye steak, and black linguine, or go vegetarian with a beet salad or veggie burger.

Take the 101 Freeway to Encino and exit onto Hayvenhurst Ave. Head south to Ventura Blvd. and turn right. Turn right at La Maida St., then left on Moorpark, where you'll see the main entrance to Los Encinos on the left. You can park for free anywhere along this block. The park is free and open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Hiker taking a photo of sunset at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

    Sunshine and Skyline

    Head to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve for a 4-mile out-and-back hike on the Bay Area Ridge Trail that offers a front-row seat to spectacular sunsets.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View