From Hawthorne, Centinela Adobe offers a close-up look at the history of the neighboring Centinela Valley: it is a historic complex centered on an adobe built in 1834, with a former land office and a heritage and research center. Its buildings and collections trace the area’s past.
- Location: Midfield Avenue, Los Angeles
- Typical hours: Open Sunday; closed Monday to Saturday
- Admission: Check with the site before visiting
The history of Centinela Adobe
Centinela Adobe began as a ranch house built by Ignacio Machado in 1834. The Centinela Adobe Complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
The site includes more than the adobe itself. The Daniel Freeman Land Office, built in 1887, has displays about regional history, including poultry, chinchilla farming, brick manufacturing and aerospace. The Heritage and Research Center also includes remnants of Daniel Freeman’s mansion, demolished in 1972.
The Historical Society of the Centinela Valley formed in 1964. This nonprofit volunteer organization leases the complex from the City of Inglewood and presents its collections there. The city identifies the site as a museum, with a restored adobe house and a restored Victorian land office.
Visiting the historic site
Centinela Adobe is a multi-building historic site, so you can see the adobe alongside the land office and Heritage and Research Center. The latter holds photographs, books and other memorabilia; the Historical Society describes its photograph collection separately from the center’s broader holdings.
Opening hours
- Sunday: 2 PM–4 PM
- Monday to Saturday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Tours, hours and admission
The City of Inglewood gives Sunday hours as 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; a separate city facility schedule also includes Wednesdays at those hours. Weekday tours are by appointment.
Call 310-412-2812 or 310-649-6272 to ask about hours and arrange a weekday tour. Admission and parking details should also be confirmed directly. Check the official site before you go.
How do you get to Centinela Adobe from Hawthorne?
From El Rancho Inn, Centinela Adobe is about an 11-minute drive away. While there, pair the adobe visit with the Daniel Freeman Land Office and the Heritage and Research Center, both part of the complex.
A wider local outing can include other stops around Hawthorne.
The complex address appears differently across City of Inglewood pages: 7643 Midfield Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045; 7634 Midfield Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045; and 7635 Midfield Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90045. Confirm the location with the city or Historical Society before setting out.
The Hawthorne transit guide explains local routes that may help you plan a public-transport trip to the site.
FAQs
What is Centinela Adobe?
It is a historic complex that includes an adobe built in 1834, the Daniel Freeman Land Office and the Centinela Valley Heritage and Research Center.
When is Centinela Adobe open?
Open Sunday; closed Monday to Saturday. Tours are by appointment, so confirm before visiting.
Is Centinela Adobe a museum?
Yes. The City of Inglewood identifies the complex as a museum and describes restored historic buildings at the site.
Do you need to pay admission?
Confirm admission details with the site before your visit.