Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe Park Property

Park Hours

Closed to the public at this time, except by special event or appointment.

Contact Information

(831) 226-9669

Are dogs Allowed?

Reservation Availability

No upcoming camping/lodging reservations at this time.

About Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe Park Property

Two-story adobe hacienda that takes visitors back in time to the Mexican Rancho period of the mid-1800s when it became one of the social centers of the central California coast.

Maps and Park Directions

The Castro Adobe is located at 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville. Take Highway 1 and exit on Buena Vista Drive (exit #428). Drive east on Buena Vista Drive for a half mile until the Larkin Valley Road intersection stop sign. Turn left, then immediately turn right diagonally, going up the hill to Old Adobe Road, a one lane private road. Travel up Old Adobe Road approximately 1 mile. The Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe State Historic Park is on the right side of the road.

By Bus: Take Santa Cruz METRO route 91X Commuter Express to Watsonville. Exit Main & Green Valley. Walk towards Green Valley & Main bus stop for 74S towards Watsonville Hospital. Stay on the bus for 16 stops, then exit Manfre & #309 (Buena Vista). Walk 1.5 miles north on Manfre Road toward Buena Vista Drive, turn left on Buena Vista Drive, Turn right onto Larkin Valley Road, then take a slight right onto Old Adobe Road. The Castro Adobe will be on the right in 1 mile.

Brochures

News and Events

Upcoming Events

Apr 11: OPEN HOUSE

May 3: OPEN HOUSE

Jun 14: OPEN HOUSE

All Events for Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe Park Property

Passes Information

List of all California State Park Passes

Activities and Facilities

EV Information

E-Bike Locations
EV Charger Locations

Day-Use Activities & Facilities

Historical/Cultural Site

Exhibits and Programs

Guided Tours

View our guided hikes and other public programs schedule and make a reservation by visiting our Parks Events page!

Open House Visits

SPRING AT THE CASTRO ADOBE

Celebrate spring at the Castro Adobe’s Open House on Sunday, March 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Create your own cascarónes, a colorful Mexican tradition of eggshells filled with native flower seeds that can be cracked open for good luck. Enjoy live music in the famous Fandango Room and while strolling through our beautiful garden.

Tour of our recently restored 175-year-old, two-story adobe hacienda, explore engaging interpretive exhibits, and chat with knowledgeable docents ready to answer your questions. Be sure to stop by our Friends pop-up Parks Store, featuring unique gifts, books, and more. Come experience a living piece of California history!

Castro Adobe State Historic Park
184 Old Adobe Road, in the countryside of Watsonville. Questions? (831) 226-9669

Since parking is limited, its suggested to register in advance:
www.SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse

This event is made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

This is a free event with limited parking so carpooling is encouraged. Old Adobe Road is a one lane road, so please be considerate of our neighbors, drive slowly and pull over to let oncoming traffic pass. Dogs are not permitted in the park and should not be left in a vehicle unattended.

Get a virtual 360-degree view of the Castro Adobe and see what makes this place so special.

Also, watch the "20 Years of Labor and Love: Restoration at the Castro Adobe" video produced by the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Want to support the Castro Adobe?

Castro Adobe SP Photo 2 Located in the Pájaro Valley, the two-story Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe is a historic rancho hacienda that was built between 1848-49.

Funding for the restoration of the Castro Adobe is provided by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Visit their website to support this project.

Kids2Parks Program

Kids2Parks is an innovative park-equity program to bring students from Title I schools to State Park field trips. The program, a partnership between California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, increases the number of students who have visited a state park or beach by reducing barriers to access. The program offers transportation funding for field trips to select Title I schools in Santa Cruz, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. For more information, and to apply, please visit www.thatsmypark.org/visit/k2p/.

Land Acknowledgement

Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State Historic Property sits on the homelands of the Awaswas speaking Aptos tribe. Their descendants continue their stewardship and presence here, in partnership with State Parks. We would like to recognize the indigenous people past and present, and give our appreciation for the opportunity to teach, work, live, learn, and steward on their traditional homelands.