$1,287,117Average Value$961Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Rancho Estates appeals to midcentury modern enthusiasts in Long Beach
Rancho Estates, locally known as The Ranchos, is an enclave of midcentury modern architecture in eastern Long Beach. The community was designed in the early 1950s by Cliff May, the father of the California ranch house, making it the largest residential tract he ever created. The neighborhood has seen a major resurgence in popularity in recent years, especially with architecture enthusiasts who value home design over modern comforts. Buyers tend to embrace the quirks of these homes, including smaller floor plans, wood windows and an emphasis on outdoor living space. In addition to the unique architecture, you’ll also find a tight-knit community with easy access to the massive El Dorado Park and nearby freeways.
Midcentury modern homes are common in Rancho Estates.
Ranch homes designed by Cliff May are in high demand
A walk through The Ranchos feels like turning pages in an architectural journal on Cliff May’s midcentury modern vision. “The homes are distinguished from nearby neighborhoods by their post-and-beam construction, slab foundations, floor-to-ceiling windows and terrific indoor-outdoor flow,” says Rochelle Kramer, a local resident and Realtor with SoCal Modern. Many homes have privacy fences that shield outdoor pools, courtyards and private lawns. “The fences make the neighborhood look like a compound, but what it does is truly enable the homebuyer to live indoor-outdoor without feeling like they are walking out their front door,” says Erin Barry, another local resident and Realtor with Seven Gables Real Estate. “When you live in Rancho Estates, a big part of your living area is outdoors.”
Homes in the neighborhood typically sell for between $1 million and $1.9 million. Angie Rebennack, a Realtor with Keller Williams Pacific Estates with experience in the area, says that demand here is high: “The median sale price has been going up around 8% to 15% year over year.”
Rancho Estates has a culture of preservation
There's no historic designation or formal HOA protecting the architecture in Rancho Estates, but preserving these unique homes is a way of life for residents. "The community places a strong emphasis on maintaining the integrity of Cliff May's original design, and that expectation is culturally enforced, even without formal rules," Rebennack explains. She adds that homes in original condition often sell for more than those that were updated without preservation in mind. Barry agrees, noting that buyers should understand the lifestyle these homes offer. Built with single-pane windows and little to no insulation, they won't always be warm in winter or cool in summer. "If you don't love the fact that it's truly indoor-outdoor living… you're missing the point of these houses," Barry says.
There are seasonal activities all around El Dorado Regional Park.
An active community with a few annual traditions
Barry says that one of her favorite aspects of the neighborhood is its community. “It’s a tight-knit neighborhood, but we welcome people in,” she says. “People want to get to know their neighbors. There’s a lot of dog walking and people out with their strollers.” The Ranchos Neighborhood Organization doesn’t have any dues or rules, but it does help foster community events, including a Fourth of July bike parade and The Ranchos Art Crawl. “All the artists in the neighborhood create a little gallery in their houses, and people walk around to view and purchase art,” Barry explains.
El Dorado Park has acres of green space to explore
The neighborhood borders El Dorado Park, a massive city park with over 600 acres of green space, lakes, trails and sports courts. Barry says it's her go-to spot for walking her dogs, and she sees families taking their kids there all the time. Whether you're into sports, nature or just want to get outside, there's plenty to check out:
Two fishing lakes stocked with trout, bass, bluegill and catfish
An 18-hole public golf course, complete with a full-service restaurant
An archery range offering beginner and advanced classes
The El Dorado Nature Center's trails and educational displays at the visitor center
The paved San Gabriel River Trail, which runs 5 miles south to Seal Beach
El Dorado Regional Park is a massive green space around the borders of Rancho Estates.
The driving range of the El Dorado Park Golf Course.
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Millikan High School is highly rated
Although Long Beach offers school choice, the neighborhood's designated schools are among the district’s most highly rated. Younger kids can attend Cubberley K-8 School and then Millikan High School, which is known for its specialized academic pathways in fields like technology, environmental awareness and game art and design.
The entrance of the Cubberley K-8 School.
The school building of the Millikan High School.
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Hop on the 605 to make it to downtown LA
The neighborhood isn’t too far from interstates 605 and 405, so locals can easily hop on the highway for their commute to work. Downtown Los Angeles is 25 miles away, a drive that typically takes 45 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic. Downtown Long Beach is only 8 miles away, but the 20-minute trip can be longer during rush hour.
Local shopping is at Spring Street strip malls near Rancho Estates.
Spring Street has some go-to shopping and dining options
At the corner of the neighborhood, the only restaurant within Rancho Estates is the Eldo, a popular neighborhood tavern known for its South African and American cuisine, with craft cocktails and locally brewed beer. You can head down Spring Street for less than a mile to find strip malls with Stater Bros. Markets, Grocery Outlet and a variety of chain restaurants.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Rancho Estates
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Rancho Estates Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rancho Estates, Long Beach sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Rancho Estates, Long Beach over the last 12 months is $1,353,175, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This move-in ready Cliff May residence in the Rancho Estates offers a highly sought-after combination of four bedrooms, more than 1,850 square feet of living space, and multiple private outdoor areas designed for entertaining, outdoor dining, and everyday relaxation. At the heart of the home is a spacious, light-filled great room that seamlessly integrates an open-concept kitchen with center
The stylish design details of this exceptional Cliff May pool home were inspired by Parker Palm Springs, and the property has the distinctive feeling of a private resort. Built in 1954, this home is the largest of the original Rancho Estates floor plans. The property is located in a quiet interior location within the neighborhood and is elevated from the street for an enhanced sense of privacy.
Sited on an oversized lot in a desirable location within Long Beach’s celebrated Rancho Estates, this Cliff May-designed residence offers a rare combination of expanded living space and exceptional potential. The home was enlarged in the late 1970s through the conversion of the original attached garage, increasing the interior living area to approximately 1,728 square feet. At the same time, a
Welcome to 3062 Lees Ave a meticulously restored 1954 Cliff May Rancho in the heart of Long Beach's coveted Rancho Estates. Originally designed by the father of California indoor-outdoor living, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home has been thoughtfully rebuilt with a Warm Modern aesthetic rooted in zen living, natural materials, and an earthy sensibility that feels both grounding and effortlessly
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
