Ranch Tours

Packing House Tour
The Limoneira Packinghouse, across from both Limoneira’s and Calavo’s corporate headquarters  dates to 1919.  It was designed and built by architects Allison and Allison, who chose a Mediterranean style to complement the area’s climate.  (It’s the same styling chosen for the ranch’s employee housing.)  Once you see the packinghouse’s graceful arches, you’ll understand why the firm won a design award from the Southern California chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 

Every year, the company packs more than 3 million field cartons of lemons that fill 3,000 trucks, which take them on the first leg of a journey that ultimately ends on a tables worldwide.  How these beautiful pieces of fruit—nature’s art—are prepared for that journey is really something to see. 

Catwalks above long conveyors, whirring sorters, stampers, carton fillers, and cleansing baths offer a fantastic view of a surprisingly intricate process that is bound to surprise and delight visitors.  Few, if any, other lemon packinghouses would so enthusiastically invite visitors for this behind-the-scenes glimpse of how lemons get from tree to plate, but Limoneira is proud of its awards for quality and food safety, as this one-hour tour will so enjoyably demonstrate.

Citrus Ranch Tour
Limoneira Ranch Tour Guides' knowledge represents generations of citrus ranch operations and they will explain growing cycles, global farming challenges and citrus trends.  You’ll view our avocado orchards and learn about the intricacies of producing avocados and you’ll also see colorful stretches of row crops – strawberries, celery, cilantro, cabbage and beets;  the mix of color and scents in the fresh country air will delight any visitor.

Our Ranch Photo Gallery provides a photographic history of farm life at the turn of the century. Horse-drawn farming equipment, lodging for farm workers, and the faces of the founding fathers come alive.  Our visitors will also be able to view samples of their farming innovations and original crates exported to Japan in the ‘40s.  Limoneira Ranch Fruit Crate Art symbolizes the history and heritage of California Citrus. Max Schmidt, a native of Germany and founder of Schmidt Lithographers of Los Angeles developed new crate labels for Limoneira which were patented in 1927. These “Santa” and “Paula” labels are on display as well as other labels from Limoneira Ranch history. Both tranquil and interesting, this tour will delight both young and young at heart.

Citrus Ranch Tour Specifics
This is a 1 hour driven tour which may involve limited walking depending on participant mobility. Complimentary refreshments are provided.