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Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Ardenwood Historic Farm

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United States
Fremont, CA
Ardenwood Historic Farm

We demonstrate how farms provide vital resources, drive innovation, and bring communities together.
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George Washington Patterson came west in 1849 to seek his fortune in the goldfields of California. Instead he "struck gold" in the fertile farm fields of southern Alameda County. This farm was originally owned by the George & Clara Patterson family from the 1850s. It was turned over to the City of Fremont in 1978, and the East Bay Regional Park District has operated the property as a fully functio

ning, turn-of-the-last-century farm since 1985. A visit here is a journey back to the time of the 1850s Patterson Ranch--a prosperous, 19th-century country estate with a beautiful Victorian mansion and elaborate Victorian Gardens. The farm still grows the same kind of produce that was grown in the region in the last 100 years, utilizing agricultural practices from the 1870s to the present, demonstrating the transition from horse-powered to horsepower farming. The interpretive staff and volunteers, attired in Victorian clothing, guide guests through the Victorian house, demonstrate farm chores, and explain what life was like in the early 1900s. From December to mid-February monarch butterflies overwinter here.

08/27/2026

September brings fresh apples, seasonal traditions, and plenty of reasons to spend a day at Ardenwood Historic Farm!

As summer winds down, come enjoy some of the activities that make this time of year special. Join us and press some fresh apple cider, eat some farm-grown popcorn, and celebrate the coming autumn season by making traditional mooncakes. Explore the farm after hours with a special Evening on the Farm program on Saturday, September 26th (registration required)!

Make a day of it, bring the family, and enjoy a little fall fun on the farm!

08/19/2026

Frederick has shed his train! Frederick is currently our only peacock at Ardenwood and he is officially done trying to impress our chickens for the season. Peacocks normally shed their long and wondrous tail feathers in late summer or early fall, replacing them with a healthy and vibrant new set just in time for mating season in spring. We have also been hearing much less of his honks and shrieks in the past few weeks, another signal that he is ready to take a break from his ongoing search for a mate.

Frederick can be found wandering around various locations throughout the park throughout the day. Keep your eyes on the café rooftop and near the Patterson house windows, where he can often be found gazing longingly at his own reflection. Make sure to give him at least 10’ of personal space when you find him, and make sure to remind him of how pretty he is, even without his feathers.

08/08/2026

Unfortunately tomorrow, Sunday 8/9/26, the train at Ardenwood will not be running. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to have things up and running next week!

07/25/2026

August is filled with hands-on history and late-summer fun at Ardenwood Historic Farm!

Press some fresh apple cider, turn up the heat with Hot Hot Peppers, and cool down with We All Scream for Ice Cream! Along the way, meet the farm animals, explore the gardens, and enjoy interactive activities the whole family will love. And don't forget our Ardenwood Family Movie Night on 8/22 at 8:00pm where we will be watching Zootopia 2!

Whether you're visiting for the first time or making another trip to the farm, there's something happening every weekend.

Check out our August schedule below and start planning your visit!

07/08/2026

The wheat is ready, and it's time to harvest!

Join us at the farm this Sunday to discover the journey from wheat to flour. Watch our farmers operate a historic threshing machine, then try your hand at threshing, winnowing, and grinding wheat with historic hand tools.

Along the way, enjoy whole wheat chocolate chip and butter cookies baked in our woodstove, explore the grains we grow at Ardenwood, tour the Patterson House, ride the train, meet our farm animals, and more.

🌾 Wheat Harvest
📅 Sunday, July 12
🕙 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

We hope to see you at the farm!

07/01/2026

July is packed with hands-on history and summertime fun at Ardenwood Historic Farm!

Churn butter, make old-fashioned ice cream, meet the chickens, gather blackberries, explore the wonders of pollinators, stroll through the gardens, learn how wheat becomes flour, and much more. Plus, don't miss our Independence Day Celebration on this Saturday, July 4, and Wheat Harvest on next Sunday, July 12!

Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning for another adventure, there's something happening almost every weekend.

Check out our July schedule below and start planning your visit!

06/26/2026

How did communities celebrate Independence Day more than a century ago?

By gathering for music, races, games, contests, crafts, and good old-fashioned fun.

Join us at Ardenwood Historic Farm as we continue that tradition at our annual Old-Fashioned Independence Day! Try your hand at competitions like cherry seed spitting, nail driving, potato sack races, and tug-of-war. Enjoy live music and magic shows, make crafts, tour the Patterson House, ride the narrow-gauge train, and experience a working historic farm near the edge of the Bay.

Saturday, July 4
10 a.m.–4 p.m.

We encourage purchasing tickets in advance using the link below. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the park on the day of the event.

See the flyer and schedule below for all the day's activities. We hope you'll celebrate with us!

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/activity/search/detail/59495?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

06/17/2026

Join a Naturalist at Ardenwood during one of its most peaceful hours—sunset.

On Saturday, June 27, we’ll host Evening at the Farm, a free, family-friendly program for ages 7 and up (adult supervision required). We’ll walk at a casual pace and discover how the farm changes as daytime gives way to evening.

Along the way, we’ll pay attention to the plants, animals, and other lives that share this place with us. Dusk is one of the most beautiful times at the farm—and one that few people get to experience.

When: 8:00–9:15 p.m.

Entry fee waived | Registration required
To sign up, call 1-888-EBPARKS (option 2) or register online below.

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/activity/search/detail/58955?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

06/07/2026

Would you like to experience being a farmer for a day?

Join us next Sunday, June 14, for our annual Hay Harvest! Ride a wagon pulled by a tractor into the field, use hay forks to load loose hay, help operate historic farm equipment, build a giant hay pile, and then jump into it. 😊

These photos show park staff practicing with the hay boom and Jackson fork that visitors can help us operate during the event.

You can also press hay into bales, make straw dolls, watch our blacksmith at work, and feed the farm animals.

The event takes place from 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and offers a hands-on glimpse of how farm communities brought in the harvest before modern machinery.

Check out our Facebook event page for details.

05/27/2026

Looking for simple ways to slow down and connect this June?

Join us at the farm for Hay Harvest, hands-on activities, peaceful walks, farm animals, woodstove cooking, crafts, stories, and more. Help churn butter, make ice cream, feed the animals, explore birds and chickens, ride out to the hay field, or experience the farm at dusk.

See the full June schedule below!

Address

34600 Ardenwood Boulevard
Fremont, CA
94555

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

(510)5442797

Website

http://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood

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