Tesoro Adobe

Tesoro Adobe Historic Park Santa Clarita

Welcome to Tesoro Adobe Historic Park

Tesoro Adobe Historic Park, located in Valencia, California, offers a unique glimpse into early 20th-century Western film history. Originally established as a private ranch by actor Harry Carey Sr., the site has evolved into a public park that preserves the legacy of Hollywood’s silent film era.

Historical Significance

Tesoro Adobe Historic Park was home to two renowned families in California.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Harry Carey Sr., a prolific Western film actor, constructed the Tesoro Adobe after a fire destroyed his original home. Situated in San Francisquito Canyon, the ranch became a hub for Hollywood’s Western elite, including John Wayne and William S. Hart. Carey also operated a trading post and hosted Navajo performers, capitalizing on the “wild and wooly West” popularity of the time. Harry Carey is one of IMDb’s top 20 silent film stars of all time and a widely regarded and influential filmmaker of his generation.

The Clougherty family established Farmer John in 1931, transforming it into the West Coast’s leading pork packer. Their products, including the iconic Dodger Dogs, became synonymous with Southern California cuisine. These extra-long hot dogs were a staple at Dodger Stadium, contributing to the cultural fabric of Los Angeles baseball fans.

The Clougherty family’s historical significance in Santa Clarita is intertwined with both the region’s agricultural heritage and the development of the pork processing industry. Their operations, particularly through Farmer John, have left a lasting impact on the local economy and culture.

In 2005, the County of Los Angeles acquired the property from Montalvo Properties LLC, the developer of the surrounding Tesoro residential community and it later came to the City of Santa Clarita to maintain and operate.

Current Use

Today, Tesoro Adobe Historic Park serves as a public space that blends natural beauty with historical education. The Park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and offers free docent-led tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and Saturday mornings at 8:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Visitors can explore the preserved adobe structures, including the main ranch house, stables, and bunkhouses. The Park also features picnic areas, a water fountain, and scenic views, making it an ideal location for outdoor events such as weddings, baby showers, and other gatherings.

For those interested in Western film history or seeking a tranquil outdoor setting, Tesoro Adobe Historic Park offers a compelling destination.

Hours

Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Docent-Led Tours

Please meet at the red wagon wheels at the entrance for Docent-Led Tours on:
Tuesdays or Thursdays at 1:30 or 3:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 8:15 or 9:15 a.m.

Please call to make a reservation for groups
larger than 10 people.

Picnic Reservations

Tesoro Adobe Historic Park is available for picnic reservations for up to 50 people.

Amenities include: 5 concrete picnic tables (seating available for up to 36 people), barbeque, and a large grass area.

Special Events

Tesoro Adobe Historic Park is available for outdoor events such as weddings, events, receptions, and gatherings of up to a maximum of 150 people.

calendar

Calendar

Please check our calendar to stay up to date on closures due to special events at Tesoro Adobe Historic Park.

 

Tesoro Adobe Historic Park
29350 Avenida Rancho Tesoro
(661) 286-4115
TesoroAdobe@santaclarita.gov

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RESERVATION GENERAL INFORMATION 

Picnic Reservation Inquiries

  • Large grass area in front of the main ranch house
  • Five concrete tables (available seating for 36)
  • Barbeque
  • Maximum capacity is 50 people for picnics
  • A four-hour minimum reservation is required
  • Picnics may not start before 10:00 a.m. and must end by sunset due to limited lighting at Tesoro
  • Tesoro Adobe Historic Park does not supply any equipment other than the five permanent picnic tables and chairs and built-in barbeque for picnics

Special Event Reservation Inquiries

  • Large grass area in front of the main ranch house
  • Grass area by the water fountain and amphitheater
  • Flat rate, see fee schedule below
  • Maximum capacity is 150 people. Events that exceed 150 people require approval from the Director of Recreation and Community Services Department
  • Events must end by 10:00 p.m. and clean-up end by 11:00 p.m.
  • Tables, chairs, and lighting to be supplied by the renter
  • Delivery and pick up of tables and chairs must occur on the same day as the event
  • Porter service fee may be charged based on the scale of the event
  • Special Events may serve alcohol with appropriate insurance documentation stating alcohol use and other necessary requirements

General Reservation Inquires (apply to Picnic and Special Events)

  • Submitting a request does not guarantee approval of your reservation. City staff will contact you to verify the details of your request and fees
  • Start and end time of reservation must include set-up and clean-up time
  • All requests must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the request event date and up to 6 months in advance
  • A refundable security deposit is required for all reservations at Tesoro Adobe Historic Park
  • All remaining reservation fees are due within three days of confirmation from the Tesoro Adobe Historic Park office
  • All Tesoro Adobe Historic Park reservations require a General Liability insurance policy of $1 million with an endorsement naming the City of Santa Clarita as additional insured. The insurance document must be received within 3 days after your event has been confirmed by the Tesoro Adobe Historic Park office
  • A staff fee will be charged for all reservations. The number of staff required will be based on the scale of the event
  • Applicant/Organization is responsible for ensuring all current Public Health Orders are followed by their organization, guests, and participants, if applicable
  • Events open to the public will require Special Event fees
  • Any use of inflatable jumpers/bounce houses is strictly prohibited at Tesoro Adobe Historic Park
  • Nerf wars and bubble soccer are prohibited due to the abundance of cacti
  • Only service animals are allowed at Tesoro Adobe Historic Park
  • Open flames of any kind are prohibited (i.e., candles, personal barbeques, fireworks, etc.)
  • The use of fog/smoke machines, rice, confetti, birdseed, or other granular substance is strictly prohibited

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