Ardenwood Historic Farm

Fire Truck Day

The “Battle of the Fire Trucks” is one of the most popular activities at Ardenwood’s annual Fire Truck Day special event. In addition to modern and antique fire engines, crafts and music, East Bay regional Parks’ fire fighters give children a chance to grab a fire hose and spray water. For more information on Ardenwood’s programs click HERE.

Check out more videos HERE

About The Park

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.

A visit to Ardenwood is a journey back to the time of the Patterson Ranch - a prosperous, 19th-century country estate including a beautiful mansion and its elaborate Victorian Gardens. Today the Historic Farm exhibits agricultural practices from the 1870s to the present, demonstrating the transition from horse-powered to horsepower.

Since Ardenwood is a working farm, the daily activities change from season to season so no two visits will be exactly alike.

Restoration of the Patterson House is a project of the city of Fremont. Volunteers conduct house tours; phone (510) 791-4196.

Fresh picked organic vegetables are sold just inside the main gate. The stand is open daily from late May through October. For information, visit J. E. Perry Farms website.

Ardenwood Historic Farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, year round, including Labor Day and Memorial Day. There is also a special Christmas program. During the winter months, the grounds are open Tuesdays through Sundays, with no special programs. Ardenwood is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For wedding information, call (925) 426-3055, or see www.ardenwoodaffairs.com. For picnic reservations for groups of 50 people or more, call (925) 462-1400 or see www.picnicpeople.com/parks/ardenwood.html. For groups of up to 50, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1.

There is no parking fee. Dogs are not allowed in the Ardenwood Historic Farm. See also the City of Fremont's Ardenwood Web page. Back to top

Entry Fee

Nov. 21, to April 1 winter entry fees:
Tuesday-Sunday--$2 adults, $1 children (4-17 years)

After April 1:
Tues., Wed. & Sat.--$2/adults (18+ years), $2/seniors (62+ year), $1/children (4-17 years)
Thurs., Fri. and Sun.--$5/adults (18+ years), $4/seniors (62+ year), $4/children (4-17 years)

Special Event Entry Fee

$8/adults* (18+ years), $6/seniors* (62+ year), $5/children* (4-17 years)
*Special event entry fees may vary. Please call (510) 544-2797 for updated information.

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Park Features

Some of the park features include the followings:

• Arden Station and Deer Park Station: Board the horse-drawn train here. The ride takes kids more than 100 years back in time on a ride into the park with docents dressed in period costumes. For information, visit the Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources (SPCRR) website.
• Victorian Garden: The garden area looks much like it did near the turn of the 20th century.
• Patterson House: Home to three generations of the Patterson family. It began as George Patterson's bachelor farmhouse built in 1857. The house was expanded with a Queen Anne addition in 1889 as the family, the farm, and their place in East Bay society grew.
• Animal Farms: At Ardenwood, you will see sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, goats, and cows.
• Blacksmith Shop and Equipment Shed: The blacksmith fires up the forge. Look for vintage equipment, farm animals, and farmcraft demonstrations in the shed. For information, visit Ardenwood Forge website.

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Park Activities

Naturalist Programs

Through Ardenwood's educational programs, visitors can see and participate in many activities common to a turn-of-last-century farm. Weekdays, naturalists provide programs for school classes and other groups by reservation. Call (510) 544-2797 for information. To download school and group reservation form for Naturalist programs, click here.

Non-reservation weekend programs include the planting, tending and harvesting of Ardenwood's organic crops, farm chore demonstrations, and hands-on experiences for the whole family.

Special Events

Special events include an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration, Harvest Festival in October, special music concerts, recreations of Victorian social events, and Ardenwood's Victorian Christmas in December and more. To see a list of upcoming special events, visit EBparks Online to browse programs or register online, or visit Special Events page.

Ardenwood Farm Docents

Share your enthusiasm for history! We're looking for people who want to learn to cook on a wood stove, demonstrate antique farm machinery, and teach historic crafts such as spinning, weaving, and toy making. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help our staff create a welcoming atmosphere for schoolchildren and families. Our five-session training course begins in March. Call (510) 544-2797 or email cgarcia@ebparks.org for an application and details.

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Note: Dogs are not permitted in the park. Modern recreational equipment (i.e. frisbees, footballs, soccer balls), bicycles, balloons, and BBQs are prohibited.

Activity Schedule

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Park Accessibility

The majority of facilities in Ardenwood are wheelchair accessible: Patterson House, Hay Barn, Blacksmith Shop, Train Ride, Granary, Café, restrooms, Produce Stand, and wedding and reception sites. Most of the roads are paved and there is no significant grade changes. Click here for public transit information.

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To Reach The Park

In Fremont, exit Highway 84 at Ardenwood/Newark Boulevard. Go north on Ardenwood Boulevard. The entrance is just north of Highway 84.

Public transportation: Take AC Transit bus #214 from Union City BART to the bus stop on Newark Boulevard under the freeway. Bus runs every 30 minutes weekdays; hourly weekends and holidays. To return, the bus stop is on Newark Boulevard just south of the freeway in front of the shopping center.

Click here for more public transit information or call 511 (TDD/TTY: 1-800-448-9790) to confirm transit information.

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Trail Map

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Park Info

Address

34600 Ardenwood Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94555

Download Brochure

Phone Number

(510) 544-2797

Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4504

Local Weather

Weather Forecast

Photo Gallery

Maps

View Trail Map

Download PDF Map

Google Map

Park Hours

Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Open Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day

Park Events

Click here for upcoming events

Parking Fee

None

Entry Fee

See entry fee

Dog Fee

No dogs allowed

Group Picnic Reservations

Groups of 50 or more:
(925) 462-1400
Groups of less than 50:
1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2, then 1

Wedding Reservations

(925) 426-3055

Naturalist Programs

510-544-2797

Browse programs online

Go to program guide

Download Interpretation brochures

For Educators

Plan a field trip to this park
Related Articles (PDF):

- Crossword Puzzles
- Farm Life
- Laundry; 19th Century
- Scavenger Hunts
- Seeds of Change

Emergency Number

911

EBRPD Headquarters

1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757

Park Update

Visit Ardenwood this Winter!
Christmas at Ardenwood - 2009

The farm will be open Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 4pm.
The weekends are filled with educational programs that are fun
for the whole family! Ardenwood is closed on Christmas day.
Thousands of monarch butterflies are overwintering in our
eucalyptus forest for the next few months. The site is protected and can be viewed through one of our naturalist-led butterfly programs. Pick up a schedule a the Train Station, visit our website, or call for more details.
Bring the whole family for the day and say hello to the farm animals, pack a picnic, and enjoy the peace and quiet of Ardenwood.

Admisision: $2.00/adults, $1.00/children
(Children under 4 are free).

For information concerning other naturalist programs, please call:
(510) 544-2797