The
Los Rios District
lies directly across the railroad tracks
from the Capistrano
Depot and is the oldest neighborhood
in California. The forty homes that remain
here include three original adobe structures.
The Montanez, the Rios, and the Silvas
are all that remain of the adobes that
housed the builders of the mission and
the mission ranch workers in the late
1700's and early 1800's. During these
early years, as the Great Stone Church
was being built, the mission
was prospering as the center of the economy
for the Spanish and the Acjachemen Indians
who were beginning to merge their cultures.
Many of the other homes here were built
by European immigrants in the late 1800's
and early 1900's.
 Today,
although most of the homes are private
residences, there are many businesses
open to the public during business hours.
This provides a relaxing and enchanting
experience for locals and tourists alike.
To walk the streets of the Los Rios District
is to recapture the tranquillity of the
slower pace of life that existed before
the turn of the century and before. It
was not long ago that the streets were
still dirt. Willow trees grow among eucalyptus
and palm. Cactus and wildflowers grow
beneath sprays of bouganvia. You can hear
the hum of insects that a writer in the
1800's wrote about and feel the haunting
presence of those who lived in that time.
As
trains come in and out of the station,
visitors cross the tracks to visit Zoomars
Petting Zoo where children can ride
the ponies and feed and pet rabbits, goats
and other animals. Many come to Hummingbird
Cottage to treat themselves to gifts,
unusual collectibles or a soda. Other
attractions include Apple Rose Cottage,
Ramos House Cafe, The Tea House on Los
Rios, Lemon Drop Grove (gifts shop), Ito
Nursery and The O'Neill Museum where visitors
can learn more about early California
history as it all began here years ago.
Written by Christina Duane Based on an
article written by Jan Bolen and Sheree
Ito
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