Historic park · Rancho Carrillo
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
A 27-acre historic rancho with roaming peacocks, botanical gardens and Leo Carrillo's 1937 adobe hacienda, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except City holidays, with free guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Its covered picnic area rents for $42 an hour (2-hour minimum, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) for up to 40 people, private 90-minute tours run $150-$450 by group size (up to 45 people; $50 more with an hour of the picnic area), and the hacienda and stables host weddings for up to 300 through Personal Touch Dining. No dogs, and groups of 25 or more need a permit.
Published prices
| Fee | Price |
|---|---|
| Covered picnic area, 3-4 tables - Picnic AreaParks & Recreation fee schedule (Sept 4, 2026) p.2 Individual rate, per hour with a 2-hour minimum; rental time must include setup and cleanup. Max guests: Picnic Area 40. The fee schedule has no Leo Carrillo picnic line; CarlsbadConnect charges $21/half hour (2026 rate), which equals the covered 3-4 tables category. The picnic area 'can accommodate groups up to 40 adults'. | $42 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Covered picnic area, 3-4 tables - Picnic Area - Carlsbad residentcomputed: Individual rate less the fee schedule's 10% resident discount (the City does not print resident prices or define 'resident') | $37.80 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Full Site / Multi-location (non-exclusive use)Parks & Recreation fee schedule (Sept 4, 2026) p.1 Individual rate, per hour, 2-hour minimum. Capacity: not published (Hacienda/Stables listings say up to 300; Rentals page 'capacity up to 60' for meetings). Use: not stated for this line; the Ranch's picnic area is marketed for birthday parties. Kitchen: not published. | $210 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Full Site / Multi-location (non-exclusive use) - Carlsbad residentcomputed: Individual rate less the fee schedule's 10% resident discount | $189 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Upper PatioParks & Recreation fee schedule (Sept 4, 2026) p.1 Individual rate, per hour, 2-hour minimum. Capacity: not published. Use: not stated. Kitchen: not published. | $98 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Upper Patio - Carlsbad residentcomputed: Individual rate less the fee schedule's 10% resident discount | $88.20 / hr (2-hr min) |
| StableParks & Recreation fee schedule (Sept 4, 2026) p.1 Individual rate, per hour, 2-hour minimum. Capacity: not published (CarlsbadConnect Stables wedding listing: 300). Use: weddings/special events via Personal Touch Dining. Kitchen: not published. | $98 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Stable - Carlsbad residentcomputed: Individual rate less the fee schedule's 10% resident discount | $88.20 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Carriage HouseParks & Recreation fee schedule (Sept 4, 2026) p.1 Individual rate, per hour, 2-hour minimum. Capacity: not published. Use: not stated. Kitchen: not published. | $86 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Carriage House - Carlsbad residentcomputed: Individual rate less the fee schedule's 10% resident discount | $77.40 / hr (2-hr min) |
| Private guided tour, 90 minutes, 1-15 peopleCarlsbadConnect 'Party Packages/Tours' tab (not in the fee schedule); resident discount not stated. Tours visit the adobe Hacienda, the 3-tiered Stable with restored bunkroom and the grounds. Book by phone 442-339-5042; the online calendar opens 28-365 days out. Free public tours run Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (groups over 10 should book a private tour). | $150 / tour |
| Private guided tour, 90 minutes, 1-15 people with one hour of picnic-area useCarlsbadConnect 'Party Packages/Tours' tab (not in the fee schedule); same tour and booking details as the first tour row. | $200 / tour |
| Private guided tour, 90 minutes, 16-31 peopleCarlsbadConnect 'Party Packages/Tours' tab (not in the fee schedule); same tour and booking details as the first tour row. | $300 / tour |
| Private guided tour, 90 minutes, 16-31 people with one hour of picnic-area useCarlsbadConnect 'Party Packages/Tours' tab (not in the fee schedule); same tour and booking details as the first tour row. | $350 / tour |
| Private guided tour, 90 minutes, 32-45 peopleCarlsbadConnect 'Party Packages/Tours' tab (not in the fee schedule); same tour and booking details as the first tour row. | $450 / tour |
| Private guided tour, 90 minutes, 32-45 people with one hour of picnic-area useCarlsbadConnect 'Party Packages/Tours' tab (not in the fee schedule); same tour and booking details as the first tour row. | $500 / tour |
| Inflatable party jump fee (per inflatable, City-approved vendor only)Fee schedule p.4 'Inflatable Party Jump (excludes ANAC)'. Inflatable must come from a City-approved vendor (list valid as of 9/28/26), be no larger than 15x15 ft, have no water features; the generator must be rented from the approved vendor. | $20 / inflatable |
| Insurance processing fee (only when the City requires liability insurance)Fee schedule p.4: 'Insurance Processing' $50 per rental, or $35 with City-offered insurance ('Insurance Processing (city offered)'). Insurance is required 'when applicable' with the amount set by the Risk Manager (Use Regulations p.1); the City does not publish when it applies to a birthday picnic. $2M liquor liability if alcohol is permitted (Council Policy 28 G.9). | $50 / rental |
| Rental modification fee (per change)Fee schedule p.4. For Leo Carrillo Ranch the fee schedule footnote uses 90 days: cancellations and modifications made more than 90 days ahead get full credit, 50% credit if less. The 2025 Use Regulations refund policy instead says a cancellation with at least 90 days' notice gets 50% of the rental holding fee back and the City keeps the whole holding fee with less notice (holding-fee amount not published) - the two City documents disagree. No deposit is published for ordinary rentals. | $10 / change |
Bookable areas (6)
- Picnic Area - up to 40 guests (covered)
- Full Site / Multi-location (non-exclusive use) - capacity not published; $210/hr Individual (fee schedule p.1); booking method not published - call 442-339-5042
- Upper Patio - capacity not published; $98/hr
- Stable - capacity not published (wedding listing: up to 300); $98/hr
- Carriage House - capacity not published; $86/hr
- Hacienda and Stables weddings/special events - up to 300 guests, managed by Personal Touch Dining (858-638-0672); CarlsbadConnect shows 2026 'Personal Touch Fee' blocks from $1,876 (Stables Sun-Thu) to $4,109 (Hacienda Saturday), or an hourly Personal Touch fee of $411 - not in the fee schedule
Private 90-minute tours for 1-45 people, with an optional hour of picnic-area use
At a glance
- Capacity
- 40 guests (picnic area; weddings of up to 300 go through the Ranch's caterer)
- Setting
- Outdoor
- Hours
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (City page); closed on City holidays (2026: Jan 1, Jan 19, Feb 16, May 25, July 3-4, Sept 7, Oct 12, Nov 11, Nov 26-27, Dec 25 and Jan 1, 2027) and closing at 2 p.m. on Nov 25, Dec 24 and Dec 31 (Parks & Recreation 2026 holiday schedule); subject to closure in wet or muddy weather. Picnic-area rentals 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (CarlsbadConnect). Hacienda and Stables event listings say Tue-Sun 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., but their 2026 rate blocks run noon-8 p.m. - ask Personal Touch Dining.
- Parking
- Available
- Run by
- City of Carlsbad
Amenities
- Restrooms
- Playground (no)
- Picnic tables
- BBQ grills · not listed
- Sports fields (no)
- Beach access (no)
- Dogs allowed (no)
- Accessible (ADA) · not listed
Rules
- Alcohol
- Only as your approved permit allows: 'Alcohol consumption is limited to the terms of the approved permit' (Park & Facility Use Regulations Summary, 9/9/25, p.1). If security is required the City arranges it and the renter pays ($45/hr, fee schedule p.4). Only the responsible person or a licensed caterer may bring alcohol, no alcohol at any celebration for someone under 21 (such as a child's birthday party), and $2M liquor liability insurance is required (Council Policy 28, section G). This park is not one of the places where CMC 8.44.040 bans open containers outright.
- Bounce houses
- Allowed with your park permit: the inflatable must come from a City-approved vendor (list valid as of 9/28/26), be no larger than 15x15 ft and have no water features; $20 fee per inflatable; the generator must be rented from the approved vendor (Approved inflatable vendor list and rules; CMC 11.32.030(29)). Water slides, slip-and-slides, dunk tanks, merry-go-rounds and climbing walls are prohibited unless the City Manager permits them (Use Regulations p.1). CarlsbadConnect does not say whether the Ranch picnic area has room for a bounce house; ask when booking (442-339-5042).
- Amplified sound
- Renters must control any amplified sound, including radios, so it does not disturb other groups or the surrounding neighborhood; the event may be cancelled if noise is not controlled or police are called (Use Regulations p.1). No decibel limit, hours or sound permit is published.
- Canopies
- City code requires written City permission for any temporary structure in a park (CMC 11.32.030(12)), and the City doesn't say whether a small pop-up canopy at a picnic rental counts, so ask when booking. A Fire Department tent permit ($274 for a single tent, FY 2026-27 citywide fee schedule) is required above 400 sq ft with sidewalls or 700 sq ft canopy-only (Special Event Reference Book, rev. 8/12/26, p.37).
- Other rules
- Groups of 25 or more need an approved park and facility use permit (Use Regulations p.1; CMC 11.32.030(18)). Book on CarlsbadConnect 14 to 365 days ahead (the City recommends applying at least 30 days ahead); every rental is per hour with a 2-hour minimum, the time must include setup and cleanup, fees are due 30 days before the event, and the applicant must be on site with a copy of the permit. No glass containers (CMC 11.32.040), no smoking or vaping (CMC 11.32.110), no dogs except in dog parks (CMC 11.32.030(11),(23)), no balloon releases (CMC 6.26.030), no handing out single-use plastic beverage bottles of 1 liter or less at City facilities (CMC 6.22.040). Fires only in City-designated grills (CMC 11.32.030(2)); bringing your own grill is not addressed. No deposit is published for ordinary rentals. Ranch rules: no dogs or other pets, no smoking, children must be supervised, stay on trails, do not feed or harass the peafowl; commercial activity or groups of 25 or more require a permit; professional or group photography needs a pre-approved permit (allow two weeks). Uneven terrain and stairs - wear appropriate shoes. Cancellations: 90 days' notice for Leo Carrillo rentals (fee schedule footnote; Use Regulations refund policy keeps the whole holding fee under 90 days). Subject to closure in wet weather. Any vendor you hire for the rental (for example an entertainer, caterer or rental company) must show proof of general liability insurance and hold a valid City of Carlsbad business license (CarlsbadConnect rental rules).
How to book
Reserve an area on CarlsbadConnect, the City's booking system, 14 to 365 days ahead (the City recommends applying at least 30 days ahead), by emailing rentals@carlsbadca.gov, or in person; for help, call 442-339-2510. Requests stay tentative until staff approve them (usually within three business days) and you've paid in full; fees are due 30 days before the event, or right away if you book less than 30 days out. Private tours: 442-339-5042 or carrilloranch@carlsbadca.gov.
Location
6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92009 · Pin from the street address (OpenStreetMap). Get directions
Nearby
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Prices change; confirm with the venue before you book. Something out of date? Tell us.
- carlsbadca.gov/departments/parks-recreation/parks-community-centers/leo-carrillo-ranch-historic-park
- carlsbadca.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/48/7400
- carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/2006/639241133888370000
- ca-carlsbad.civicrec.com/CA/carlsbad-ca/catalog
- carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/2004/637433863363600000
- carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/3970/639240332506700000
- carlsbadca.gov/departments/parks-recreation/rentals
- carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/14820/638427316118470000
- ecode360.com/44007387
- ecode360.com/44005777
Abbreviations: CMC: Carlsbad Municipal Code (City code) · ANAC: Alga Norte Aquatic Center · FY: fiscal year