Rancho Estates, Long Beach, California
Rancho Estates | |
|---|---|
  Rancho Estates  Rancho Estates  Rancho Estates  Rancho Estates  Rancho Estates | |
| Coordinates: 33°48′54″N 118°05′46″W / 33.815°N 118.096°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| City |  Long Beach |
Rancho Estates, also known as Lakewood Rancho Estates, in Long Beach, California, is a neighborhood of homes built between 1953 and 1954.[1] Designed by architects Cliff May and Chris Choate, it was the largest tract designed by May, who became well known for his California ranch style houses.[1][2] The neighborhood of three- and four-bedroom houses was built by developer Ross Cortese, who also developed nearby Rossmoor and Leisure World.[3][4][1] There are 700 homes in the neighborhood.[2][5]
Architectural features
The L-shaped houses designed by Cliff May combine a rustic rancho design with modern use of floor-to-ceiling glass, and feature the patio as an integral part of the home.[6][5] They were built using pre-fabricated panels developed by Choate.[3] Low-pitched gabled roofs with wide overhangs helped to keep the homes cool during the summer.[3][6]
Original features of the homes included:[7]
- Western Holly gas range
- Day & Night 70,000 BTU forced air heater
- Birch kitchen cabinets
- Formica counter tops and sinks
- Exposed beam ceiling
- Birch paneling
- Redwood exterior
Popularity
The ranch homes in Lakewood Rancho Estates originally cost $7,500 to build and sold for around $11,000.[5][8] The 700 homes sold out within two years, leading Cortese and the team to build more two similar tracts in Anaheim.[5]
In 2021, a Cliff May house in Rancho Estates sold for $1.95 million.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Rancho Estates". Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- ^ a b Weinstein, Dave. "The Cliff May Ranchos of Rancho Estates - Long Beach". CA Modern Magazine. Eichler Network. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ a b c Lane, Barbara Miller (2022). Houses for a New World: Builders and Buyers in American Suburbs, 1945–1965. Princeton University Press. pp. 89–90. ISBN 9780691246420 – via Google Books.
- ^ Parker, Maynard L. "Lakewood Rancho Estates". hdl.huntington.org. The Huntington Library.
- ^ a b c d Strawther, Larry (2012). A Brief History of Los Alamitos-Rossmoor. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781614237747 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Patios Big Feature of Lakewood Unit". Independent Press-Telegram. June 27, 1954. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "Lakewood Ranchos sales booklet" (PDF). Robert Perine.
- ^ Grobaty, Tim. "A $1.495 million two-story home in the Ranchos is an eye-catching rarity • Long Beach Post News". lbpost.com.
- ^ Grobaty, Tim. "This Cliff May Rancho wasn't for sale—until someone offered almost $2 million • Long Beach Post News". lbpost.com.