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La Senora

Research Institute

Preserving the Heart of Santa Monica Canyon’s Heritage

Safeguarding the heritage of Rancho Boca de Santa Monica and Santa Monica Canyon

- IMPORTANT NOTICE -

Our website was undergoing renovation as we prepared for the 2025 Education Season when the Palisades Fire struck. Thankfully, the Hacienda was spared, but firestorm winds blanketed the property in soot and ash. Volunteers quickly moved collections off-site for cleaning. We are working toward restoring the Hacienda and are deeply grateful to the volunteers making this possible. And our renovated website is now live!

Our Mission

La Señora Research Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles committed to preserving and interpreting the rich history of the Rancho Era in Southern California. Through research, public education, and community engagement, we protect and honor the stories, people, and traditions of the 1839 Mexican Land Grant Rancho Boca de Santa Monica.

From Rancho Roots to Community Renaissance

La Señora stands at the crossroads of history and community revival, celebrating the rich heritage of Southern California’s Rancho Era while inspiring contemporary cultural connections. Through preservation, education, and vibrant programming, we bridge the legacy of the past with the promise of our community’s future. Join us as we journey together from historic roots toward a thriving cultural renaissance.

Historic Preservation

La Señora preserves Southern California’s Rancho Era heritage through careful restoration of historic structures, inspiring future generations and connecting our past with today’s community.

Cultural & Community Events

La Señora hosts concerts, film screenings, dance salons, lectures, and festive gatherings, celebrating heritage and creating memorable community connections.

Research & Archives

Our archives preserve manuscripts, photos, films, and oral histories, inviting scholars and the community to explore California’s rich Rancho heritage.

How You Can Get Involved

Volunteers

La Señora is run entirely by dedicated volunteers and interns whose diverse roles—from event staffing and administrative support to research and graphic design—ensure the professional quality of our programs. Even routine tasks essential to our organization rely on their generosity.

We deeply value our volunteers and continually strive to better recognize their contributions publicly and in our communications.

We welcome volunteers of all ages and especially encourage local students and young adults passionate about community engagement and historical research.

Please Contact Us to learn more about volunteer opportunities!

Membership

Why join? Membership isn’t just about perks—it’s a partnership. Members play a crucial role in: We deeply value our volunteers and continually strive to better recognize their contributions publicly and in our communications.

We welcome volunteers of all ages and especially encourage local students and young adults passionate about community engagement and historical research.

Please Contact Us to learn more about volunteer opportunities!

Donations

La Señora’s on-going operating programs of Research, Education, and Historic Presentations of Music or Film are critical to our basic Mission. While all Key Management Positions are completely Volunteer, earnings of our work/study Interns from five local universities are reliant upon your generosity to support educational work here.

Our Location

La Señora is located in the serene Santa Monica Canyon where lies the creek from which the City of Santa Monica took its name. Legend tells that a Spanish Solider with the first exploration party drank from the meandering creek running through our Canyon and exclaimed that: “The water is as sweet as the tears of St. Monica”.

Address

565 Dryad Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402