In an unusual location visitors who exit the I-5 Freeway in Lake Forest (between Los Angeles and San Diego) can head for the back of a shopping center parking lot where Heritage Hill Historic Park rolls back the clock on daylight savings time to an era in which there was no daylight savings. Instead, there were horses, sheep shearing, milking the cows, farming, and a simpler life. Yes, there were hardships such as drought and floods — just like now. The park began as the site of an historic adobe but grew to include historic buildings saved from bulldozing. Open Wednesday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (subject to change) you can explore the free admission Heritage Hill Historic Park which contains Mexican Rancho era artifacts and buildings. Tours and admission are usually free except during events such as Fiesta Days or tour groups of more than 7 people. Location: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA. See: ocparks.com/historic/heritage/
Buildings at Heritage Hill Historic Park
Serrano Adobe, circa 1863
El Toro Grammar School, 1890
St. George’s Episcopal Mission, 1891
Harvey Bennett Ranch House, 1908