Ardenwood Historic Farm

• About The Park
• Park Calendar
• Park Features
• Park Activities
• Park Accessibility
• To Reach the Park
• Park Map [PDF]
• Trail Map
• Ardenwood Walking Tour
• Interpretive Brochures & Panels

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.

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 functioning, 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.

Since Ardenwood is a working farm, the daily activities change from season to season so no two visits will be exactly alike. Visit our Naturalist Program page for more information and schedules before your next visit.

Ardenwood Historic Farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, year-round, including Labor Day and Memorial Day. Ardenwood is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For picnic reservations call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. There is no parking fee. Dogs are not allowed in the Ardenwood Historic Farm.

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

Restoration and operation of the Patterson House Museum is a project of the city of Fremont. Costumed docents conduct house tours (April-mid-November). For information call (510) 791-4196.

Ardenwood Bird Checklist

Ardenwood Historic Farm is a refuge for birds that feed, roost, nest or just pass through. Over 99 species have been spotted around the park’s orchards, gardens, fields and groves.  This handy checklist includes seasonal information and abundance on everything from red-shouldered hawks and western bluebirds to Nuttall’s woodpeckers and Allen’s hummingbirds. Download: A Guide to the Birds of Ardenwood Historic Farm [PDF]

Entry Fees

April through the Tues. before Thanksgiving:
Tues., Wed. & Sat.--$4/adults (18+ years), $3/seniors (62+ year), $2/children (4-17 years), under 4 years - free.
Thurs., Fri. and Sun.--$6/adults (18+ years), $5/seniors (62+ year), $4/children (4-17 years), under 4 years - free.

January through March, and the Wed. before Thanksgiving through December:
Tues. through Sun.--$4/adults (18+ years), $3/seniors (62+ year), $2/children (4-17 years), under 4 years - free.

Special Event Entry Fees

$8-$30/adults* (18+ years), $6-$30/seniors* (62+ year), $5-$25/children* (4-17 years)
*Special event entry fees may vary. Please call (510) 544-2797 or email awvisit@ebparks.org for updated information.

Wild Plant Guides

• District Wildflower Photo Guide [PDF]
• District Wild Plant Photo Guide [PDF]
• Ardenwood: Calflora Plant List
• Ardenwood: PlantID.net ID Guide 

Park Calendar

Ardenwood Historic Farm is open on Memorial Day & Labor Day.

• Ardenwood Historic Farm - Activity Calendar

Park Features

Some of the park features include the followings:

• Arden Station and Deer Park Station: Board the farm’s train here. It takes you back more than 100 years to a time when railroads connected the East Bay’s farms to towns and cities. The train is operated by Ardenwood’s Railroad Museum with staff and 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.
• Farmyard Cafe: Open on weekends serving Mission Coffee, healthy snacks, delicious lunch options and locally made treats and treasures. Birthday Party Catering offered as well. Please contact Lindsey at 510-754-9877 or email: Lindsey@ardenwoodevents.com. Open from 10:00am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.
• Animal Farms: At Ardenwood, you will see sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, goats, and cows.
  Download: Ardenwood Farm Animals 
  
• Perry’s Pumpkin Patch: (510) 791-0340
• Haunted Railroad: Go to Eventbrite.com and type Ardenwood Haunted Railroad into the search bar. Or, buy tickets after 4:30pm on event days.

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.

Download: School and Group Reservation Form for Naturalist programs [PDF]

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 more. To see a list of upcoming special events, visit the Registration, Facilities and Permits website to browse programs or register online.

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 next docent training date is TBD. Call (510) 544-3285 or email Docents.Ardenwood@ebparks.org for an application and details.

Weddings and Picnics

For more information, see Weddings/Social Events/Business Meetings.

The Pool Site is open for weddings and special events. This gorgeous space is cradled by mature redwood trees, soft wisteria draping the dance floor arbor and bistro string lights hanging overhead to create a magical reception venue. Please contact Lindsey Caravelli at (510) 754-9877 or Lindsey@ardenwoodevents.com. More information: Ardenwood Events.

Activity Schedule: April to November

Ardenwood Historic Farm is closed on Mondays (except Memorial Day & Labor Day).

Wild Plant Guides

• Wildflower Photo Guide [PDF]
• Wild Plant Photo Guide [PDF]
• Ardenwood - Calflora Plant List
• Ardenwood – PlantID.net ID Guide

Park Accessibility

The majority of facilities in Ardenwood are wheelchair accessible: Patterson House, Hay Barn, Train Ride, Granary, Cafe, restrooms, and wedding and reception sites. Most of the roads are paved and there are no significant grade changes. Public transit information.

To Reach The Park

From I-880 in Fremont, take the Decoto Road/Dumbarton Bridge/Highway 84 exit. Go west on Highway 84 toward the Dumbarton Bridge. Take the Ardenwood/Newark Blvd. exit and turn right (north) onto Ardenwood Blvd. The park entrance is ahead, on the right.

Public transportation: Take AC Transit buses #232 or #264 on weekdays and #332 on weekends from Union City BART to the bus stop on Newark Boulevard under the freeway. To return, the bus stop is on Newark Boulevard just south of the freeway in front of the shopping center.

Public transit information or call 511 (TDD (hearing impaired line)/TTY: 1-800-448-9790) to confirm transit information.

Transit & Trails: Ardenwood Historic Farm (transit, biking, and walking directions)

Map

Maps are available at most of the bulletin boards at trailheads in the park, or you can print your own.

Click the map image below to see an enlarged version.

• Park Map [PDF]