CASA CALIFORNIO describes the Hispanic Californian home, especially those descended from Spanish and Mexican settlers of the 17th through 19th centuries in California, before the US annexation. They were primarily adobe structures on large ranchos. These homes, often single-story with limited windows, reflected the ranch lifestyle and the families who owned the land. Often called Adobe or Californio haciendas, they are a blend of Spanish Colonial and Mexican architectural styles, and are characterized by thick adobe walls, red clay roof tiles, white stucco exteriors, and rustic wooden accents, often surrounding a central courtyard. These features contribute to a design that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical for the California climate.