Built in 1852–53, it is a well-preserved but late example of Spanish-Mexican colonial architecture, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.

Rancho Guajome Adobe is located in the northwestern part of Vista, on the south side of North Santa Fe Avenue.

[3] The arches on the veranda are not original to the house, however; they were added in the 1920s during the height of Mission and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

It was built with the profits from the cattle boom of the 1850s, when many California ranchos supplied the Gold Rush miners and associated new American immigrants with meat and leather.

[5] Couts was appointed sub-agent for the native Luiseño people (San Luis Rey Mission Indians) in 1853.