Hundreds of people walked back in time this weekend.
Long Beach hosted its eighth annual Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, providing a free hiking experience that also educated participants about local history — about the people, places and events that have shaped the city.
Participants cross Willow Springs Park during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants make their way up Signal Hill near Hilltop Park during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants make their way up Signal Hill near Hilltop Park during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Walkers navigate Municipal Cemetery as part of the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Walkers navigate Municipal Cemetery as part of the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants make their way up Signal Hill near Hilltop Park during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants cross Willow Springs Park during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants pass gravestones during the Municipal Cemetery stretch of the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Steve and Michelle Mason of Long Beach pause for a photo with the city in the background on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, during their nine-mile hike to Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Walkers navigate Municipal Ceremony as part of the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants ascend Signal Hill during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants descend Signal Hill during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Walkers take part in the Ranchos Walk between Rancho Los Cerritos and Rancho Los Alamitos, on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A family ascends Signal Hill during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Participants make their way up Signal Hill near Hilltop Park during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Participants cross Willow Springs Park during the Ranchos Walk on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The walk traveled an urban trail that links Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos. The full 9.4-mile route connected the highest points across Long Beach and Signal Hill, including Longview Point at Willow Springs Park, Reservoir Hill and Hilltop Park. But there was also a 3.5-mile walk that began at Reservoir Hill and a 6-mile walk that began t Willow Springs Park.
The full route, though, began at Rancho Los Cerritos and ended at Rancho Los Alamitos, where participants whiled away the rest of the afternoon enjoying music, games and activities. Food and beverages were available for purchase.
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, meanwhile, is to support active, fun and safe ways for walkers to explore neighborhoods, and discover historic landmarks and vista points, a press release said.