Long Beach will host its eighth annual Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, providing a free hiking experience so residents can explore an urban trail that links Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos.

This year, the Ranchos Walk will focus on Long Beach’s history and the city’s transformation over the years.

The 9.4-mile route connects the highest points across Long Beach and Signal Hill, including Longview Point at Willow Springs Park, Reservoir Hill and Hilltop Park.

Ranchos Walk attracts hundreds of community members each year, with more than 500 people participating in 2025, according to a press release.

The Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos land holdings once comprised all of present-day Long Beach. Before the ranchos were established in the late 18th century, each site had been the location of significant villages of the Tongva, the indigenous people of Long Beach and the Los Angeles region.

The goal of Long Beach’s Ranchos Walk is to support active, fun and safe ways for walkers to explore neighborhoods, and discover historic landmarks and vista points, the press release said.

“Ranchos Walk spans across Long Beach neighborhoods, highlighting some of our most notable historical, cultural and natural features,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “This event is a testament to the strides the city has made thus far to support safe and walkable infrastructure. I encourage our residents to take advantage of this unique guided exploration of Long Beach.”

The walk will begin at 8 a.m. at Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road.

Participants will have rest stops and vista points at Willow Springs Park and Reservoir Hill, and then conclude the walk with a celebration at Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 E. Bixby Hill Road. A detailed map with turn-by-turn directions will be provided at each start location.

At the rancho, participants can enjoy an afternoon of music, games and activities. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

If the full 9.4-mile urban hike is daunting, people can also participate in shorter hikes. The 3.5-mile walk will start from Reservoir Hill and the 6-mile walk will start from Willow Springs Park.

This year’s local history theme will educate walkers about the people, places and events that have shaped the city, the press release said.

“We are proud to welcome Ranchos Walk participants again this year as they journey through the Fifth District,” Councilmember Megan Kerr, who represents District 5, said in a statement. “Participants over the years have experienced how our city has grown and evolved. The city is committed to safety, livability and accessibility in our neighborhoods, and I appreciate how Ranchos Walk showcases the improvements that have been made and creates mobility education opportunities for our residents.”

The event takes place in September because it coincides with California Pedestrian Safety Month, and supports the city’s Safe Streets Action Plan by providing free education and resources that work to prevent pedestrian- and bicycle-related injuries. Ranchos Walk is also part of the city’s broader efforts to advance traffic safety.

Over the past year, the California Office of Traffic Safety, Caltrans Active Transportation Program and Port of Long Beach have provided money to help the city expand traffic safety education and outreach, reaching more than 8,300 community members through school presentations, youth programs, community events and safety demonstrations, the press release said.

The Public Works Department’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program is currently addressing neighborhood traffic concerns through data-driven improvements and launching its Speed Safety System, a five-year pilot program to use automated speed safety cameras in areas such as school zones and on high-injury streets to “encourage safer driving and reduce speeding along some of the city’s highest-need corridors,” city officials said.

Ranchos Walk will also have shuttle services available at Cal State Long Beach’s Lot E6, 1305 Palo Verde Ave., to take people to and from the 9-mile point. Parking at the university will cost $10.

Led by the city’s Office of Climate Action and Sustainability, the Ranchos Walk is sponsored in part by the Port of Long Beach and supported by various city departments, including Health and Human Services and Public Works, as well as Walk Long Beach.

Participation is free with online registration. Registration and more information about the event are available at lbcity.info/rw. For an audio tour with navigation instructions and historical information along the route, participants can download the IZI travel app, available for download on Apple and Android devices.

Event schedule

 Shuttle service for the full Ranchos Walk at Cal State Long Beach at Lot E6 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Full Walk check-in at Rancho Los Cerritos from 8 to 9 a.m.
6-mile Ranchos Walk check-in at Willow Springs Park, 2745 Orange Ave., from 9 to 10 a.m.
3.5-mile Ranchos Walk check-in at Reservoir Hill, E. 19th St., from 10 to 11 a.m.
Celebration at Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 E. Bixby Hill Road.
Ranchos Walk 2026 concludes at 2 p.m.