Ardenwood Historic Farm

Originally owned by the George & Clara Patterson family from the 1850s, the farm was turned over to the City of Fremont in 1978. Since 1985, the East Bay Regional Park District has operated the property as a fully functioning, turn-of-the-last-century farm, offering visitors a glimpse into the prosperous 19th-century Patterson Ranch with its Victorian mansion and gardens.

The farm grows produce using agricultural practices that span from the 1870s to the present, showcasing the transition from horse-powered to modern farming techniques. Interpretive staff and volunteers, dressed in Victorian clothing, demonstrate farm chores and explain life in the early 1900s, emphasizing the evolution of farming methods over time.

Visitors can experience a journey back in time with guided tours of the Victorian house and farm demonstrations. From December to mid-February, monarch butterflies overwinter at the farm. Daily activities change with the seasons, ensuring a unique visit each time. An entry fee applies, and free parking is available.