Historical and Fun Parks : Locations Combine Attractions and Picnicking

There’s nothing like taking the family out on a picnic. After a short lunch or a leisurely barbecue, you can relax or play with the kids.

But if you want to add some educational spice to the afternoon, go picnicking at a historical park. Some of these have museums, restored adobes or missions; some feature mock battles with authentic weaponry, and others depict life as it was before the turn of the century.

Many of these parks also have hiking trails, playground equipment and activities for children. Before planning your outing, phone ahead for information on special events.

Southern California boasts many historical parks, but not all of them have picnic facilities. Here are 10 that do:

Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, El Toro, (714) 855-2028. Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free guided tours Tuesday-Friday 2 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Orange County’s first historical park, Heritage Hill offers a look at the county’s history from the Mexican rancho period to the beginning of the citrus industry. Its four acres contain four restored early California structures: the 1863 Serrano Adobe, the 1890 El Toro Grammar School, the 1891 St. George’s Episcopal Mission and the 1908 Bennett Ranch House. All have period furnishings and landscaping.

There are 10 tables for picnicking, but shade is limited. Groups wishing to tour and use the grounds must obtain a permit 15 days in advance; groups pay $1 a person. No refreshments or smoking inside the historical buildings.

Serrano Creek Park is adjacent and has a children’s playground, hiking trails and additional picnic spots.

Presidio Park and Junipero Serra Museum, Taylor Street exit off Interstate 8, San Diego. Park information: (619) 236-5717. Museum information: (619) 297-3258. Park hours 9 a.m. to midnight every day. Museum open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays noon to 4:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Museum admission: $2 adults; free for ages 12 and under.

The nearly 50-acre park was a stopping place for Father Junipero Serra’s first California expedition in 1769; here he established the San Diego Presidio and the first California mission, San Diego Basilica de Alcala. The mission was moved five years later, but the presidio remained as a walled settlement for Spanish soldiers and their families.

It was the only settlement in San Diego until the 1820s. Archeological digs are ongoing; one run by San Diego State University under a San Diego Historical Society permit can be viewed Saturday mornings. The museum, atop a 160-foot hill, was built in 1929 as a monument to Father Serra. The historical society runs the museum, which focuses on the pre-American era of San Diego history.

Several small picnic areas are on the hill and in the lower canyon; some have tables, a few have barbecue grills. Large picnic groups and all wedding parties must contact the park office first. There are also modest, unimproved hiking trails.

The park overlooks Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, a popular tourist attraction with limited picnic facilities.

Banning Park and Banning Residence Museum, 401 E. M St., Wilmington. Park information: (213) 548-7776. Museum information: (213) 548-7777. Park open daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Museum open Tuesday-Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays, but visitors may tour the museum only if accompanied by a docent; docent-led tours for individuals or groups start at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Groups of 15 or more must make an appointment. Recreation center open until 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, until 5 p.m. all other days.

The Banning Museum is an 1864 Greek Revival house built by Phineas Banning, a leader in the development of the Wilmington-San Pedro area. Designated a City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Board Landmark, the 23-room house is in the center of the 15-acre park. It is decorated with several pieces of the Bannings’ original furniture and includes a schoolroom.

The picturesque park, often used as the background for wedding photographs, has a large picnic area with tables, benches and built-in barbecue grills. Recreational facilities include a play area with swings, a preschool playground, tennis and basketball courts, a baseball diamond and gym.

Los Angeles State and County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, (818) 446-8251. Open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. Cost: $3 for adults, $1.50 for seniors age 62 and over and students age 13 and over with student identification; 75 cents for children ages 5 to 12; free for children ages 4 and under. During the week, tram tours are at 12:15, 1, 2:15 and 3 p.m. Weekend tram tours start at 10:45 a.m. and run every 45 minutes; last tram at 4 p.m. Minimum 10 people before tram leaves. Cost: $1.50 per seat.

The 127-acre arboretum combines open space, exotic gardens and a bird sanctuary with a central historical area. Once the home of the Gabrielino Indians, the area became the Rancho Santa Anita.

The historical section includes the Hugo Reid Adobe, built in 1839 by the rancho’s first owner, and the Queen Anne Cottage, built in 1884-85 by E. J. (Lucky) Baldwin, the owner at that time. The interiors of both houses can be viewed through special windows and glass alcoves. You can walk through the 1879 coach barn built by Baldwin.

(The 1890 Santa Anita Depot is also part of the arboretum but is on Baldwin Avenue; you do not have to enter the arboretum to see it. Free unscheduled tours of the depot are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Sunday of every month, 1 to 4 p.m.)

The picnic area has about 15 tables; no reservations and no fires. Blanket picnicking is allowed on the lawn area next to the fountain.

Los Encinos State Historic Park, 16756 Moorpark St., Encino, (818) 784-4849. Park hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission. Tour hours: Wednesday-Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Tour cost: $1 adults; 50 cents for ages 6 to 16; ages 5 and under free. The next Living History Day is June 26, 1 to 4 p.m.

The five-acre park is the remainder of a 4,460-acre cattle ranch. Vincente de la Ossa was given the Spanish land grant in 1845 and built a nine-room adobe here in 1849. The restored adobe has furnishings from 1849 to the 1870s and is the highlight of the tour.

The two-story Garnier house, built in 1872, is closed. The inside of a structure that includes a blacksmith shop and shepherd’s hut can be viewed through windows.

On Living History Day, docents portray an 1870s-style picnic, and there are activities for visitors. Benches encircle the park’s fenced duck pond. Duck feed is available for 25 cents a bag.

Three separate picnic areas with tables are shaded by olive, oak or citrus trees. Groups must make reservations; cost is $10 per table and a special park permit must be obtained.

In an effort to keep the park’s historical integrity, there are several restrictions, including no fires, no amplified music, no balloons, no banners and no pinatas .

Will Rogers State Historic Park, 14253 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, (213) 454-8212. Park summer hours: daily 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Park winter hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ranch house open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Group tours given Monday-Friday at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Polo is played on Saturdays 2 to 4 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (weather permitting). The entire park is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission: $3 per vehicle. Seniors age 62 and over, $2 per vehicle. Dogs, which must be on a leash, are $1 extra.

Once the estate of humorist Will Rogers and his family, this 186-acre park contains Rogers’ ranch house; the house and grounds are being maintained as they were when the family lived there in the 1920s and 1930s. The ranch house has Rogers’ possessions and memorabilia.

The visitors center shows a short movie on Rogers’ life. Hiking trails include a 2-mile nature walk to Inspiration Point. The park connects to Topanga State Park. A picnic area, with about 40 tables, is at the far end of the parking lot. No fires, cooking or amplified music. Groups of up to 150 may reserve tables. Reservations require a minimum of five tables, a maximum of 10; fees range from $50 to $250.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum, 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, (213) 456-8432. Beach open daily, sunrise to sunset; house and museum open Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in summer; Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in winter. There are parking and day-use fees. Admission is $4 per vehicle. House and museum tour free.

There are three sections to this combination beach and park. The lagoon, a quarter of a mile north of the house and museum, is a day-use area with picnic tables. It provides parking and access to the beach.

The lagoon parking lot entrance is on Cross Creek Road off Pacific Coast Highway. No picnic reservations. The lagoon also provides access to the Adamson House via a bridge.

A national historic site and a state landmark, the 1929 house was once owned by Rhoda Rindge Adamson, whose parents were the last owners of the Malibu Spanish land grant. The house is extensively decorated with ceramic tile.

The adjoining museum documents the history of Malibu. A Los Angeles County parking lot is outside the house and museum. Parking at both lots, however, is often full by mid-morning.

The state park also includes the Malibu Pier, one-fourth of a mile south of the Adamson House. No license is required for pier fishing.

Placerita Canyon State and County Park, 19150 W. Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, (805) 259-7721. Park gates open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Christmas. No admission fee.

In March of 1842, California’s first gold discovery was made here, six years before the famous Sutter’s Mill gold strike. A sheepherder fell asleep underneath an oak tree and dreamed of finding gold. Hungry when he awoke, he dug up some wild onions and found flakes of gold clinging to the roots. The first gold coin struck in the United States is supposed to have been made from this gold. The tree, called Oak of the Golden Dream, still stands in this 350-acre oak woodland.

Frank Walker homesteaded the area in 1900 and owned it for 50 years. A cabin built for his family and furnished with 1920s furniture is open to the public on certain weekends; call for exact dates.

The seven hiking trails include a paved one for wheelchair and stroller access. The park’s nature center has dozens of ongoing and special activities for children and families. A large picnic area has about 30 tables. Group reservations can be made; telephone ahead for availability and fees.

Ft. Tejon State Historic Park, Ft. Tejon exit off Interstate 5, Lebec, (805) 248-6692. Summer hours: daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Winter hours: daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Buildings open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Living History Day is the first Sunday of every month year-round, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Re-enactments of Civil War battles are held the third Sunday of every month, April to October. Battles at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. On preceding Saturdays, informal military demonstrations are held 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission: $1 adults, 50 cents ages 6 to 17; ages 5 and under free. Civil War weekend admission: $2 adults, 50 cents ages 6 to 17.

An Army dragoon post from 1854 to 1864, the fort was also the final destination of the U.S. Camel Corps. Part of a wagon road survey party, the camels traveled from Ft. Defiance, N.M., to Ft. Tejon.

There’s a small museum, restored barracks, reconstructed officers quarters and original orderlies quarters.

The fort’s 134th anniversary celebration is Aug. 7 (Living History Day). On these days, volunteers dress in period costumes and re-enact fort life as it was in 1856. You’ll see dragoons, a blacksmith, a carpenter and a cook who bakes bread for visitors. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park’s grassy areas. No food service available, but a small store sells sodas and souvenirs.

La Purisima State Historic Park, 3 miles northeast of Lompoc off California 246. Park information: (805) 733-3713. Guided tour information: (805) 733-1303. Summer open hours 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Upcoming Mission Life Days are June 26, July 16 and Aug. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Upcoming Purisima’s People Tours are Saturday, July 30 and Aug. 27, starting at 1 p.m. Park admission: $1 adults; 50 cents ages 6 to 17; free for ages 5 and under. Self-guided tour brochure is 50 cents.

Of the 21 California Spanish missions, this is the most completely restored. The mission was originally founded in 1787 about 3 miles south of this site and was re-established here after severe earthquakes in 1812 destroyed the original buildings. The oldest restored mission structures are the church, built in 1818, and the bell tower and cemetery, added in 1821. Others include the soldiers’ and padres’ living quarters, pottery shop, grist mill, kitchen, blacksmith shop, Indian barracks and girls’ dormitory.

On Mission Life Days, costumed docents portray mission life as it was in 1820 and demonstrate crafts, such as tortilla making and candle dipping. During Purisima’s People Tours, visitors watch as costumed docents assume the roles of mission residents in the 1820s. Oak trees shade a small picnic area with about eight tables near the visitors center.