Families can make adobe bricks, dip candles and churn butter at the annual Rancho Day Fiesta on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Sánchez Adobe in Pacifica.
The free event runs from noon to 4 p.m. San Mateo County Historical Association volunteer docents lead the hands-on activities, which also include stamping leather, making corn husk dolls and learning dances the early Californios performed. The goal: showing visitors what daily life looked like on an 1840s Mexican California rancho.
The county parks department lists the fiesta as an annual September tradition at the site. The City of Pacifica describes the celebration as featuring early Californian music and dance, authentic rancho food and craft demonstrations.
Attendees can reserve a free spot through Eventbrite.
A building older than the county itself
The adobe at 1000 Linda Mar Blvd. sits on the site of a 1786 Spanish mission outpost. Don Francisco Sánchez, former commandante of the San Francisco Presidio and alcalde of San Francisco, began building the residence in 1842 near the center of the 8,926-acre Rancho San Pedro, which the Mexican government granted him in 1839.
The City of Pacifica describes the structure as a fine example of authentic Monterey architecture. The county purchased the adobe and its surrounding 5.46-acre parcel in 1947 and completed a restoration in 1953. The site was designated a National Register Historical District in 1976 and carries the designation California Historical Landmark 391.
The San Mateo County Historical Association operates the site for the county Department of Parks. Outside special events, the adobe is open to the public Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday starting at noon.
If you go
What: Rancho Day Fiesta
When: Saturday, Sept. 19, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Sánchez Adobe, 1000 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
Info: San Mateo County Historical Association, (650) 299-0104, historysmc.org
