Ardenwood Farm

Location

Ardenwood Farm is a historic farm located on the edge of Fremont. The farm is quite large and hosts several public and private events including a zydeco festival and seasonal events. A blacksmith works on site to work on a wide range of ironwork projects. Families can ride in a full sized train car that is pulled by a large horse. Children can participate in regular feedings of farm animals, and receive an ear of popping corn for helping. Ardenwood has a produce stand near its entrance, where public can buy a wide range of fruit and vegetables raised on the farm.

Ardenwood Farm's address is 34600 Ardenwood Blvd in Fremont. The farm can be accessed easily from Highway 84; exit Ardenwood/Newark Blvd, then drive North on Ardenwood a very short distance. Drive towards the produce stand, and down the long curving road into the park, parking at the parking lot at the end of the road. This location is just across the Dumbarton Bridge and near the intersection of Hwy 880 and Hwy 84.

Attractions:

• This farm has a lot of history to it; get a brochure as you enter and take a self-guided tour of the farm, including gardens, the main house, social areas, and farm buildings.
• The farm is fully functional, and children will be impressed by modern working tractors as well as some antique machines including a fire engine.
• Pump some water into a big rectangular pool with a antique-style hand pump.
• Feed sheep, goats, and pigs, and visit the turkeys, chickens, rabbits, and cows, with farm employees and volunteers who can tell you all about the animals and the farm's produce.
• Win an ear of popcorn popping corn for helping to tend to the animals; the corn is grown and dried right on the farm.
• Visit the farm's blacksmith, who will work with metal right in front of you. You can order a horseshoe with your name on it right there, and watch as the blacksmith works to make it.
• Go on a horse-drawn trail ride, a short distance into the farm.
• Watch a naturalist or docent deomonstrate historic craft-making and cooking techniques.
• Tour the historic house.
• Have a picnic in the big meadow by the farm's main house, or sit in the central picnic area at a table.
• Ardenwood is a very popular site for events like Independence Day, Harvest Festival, Cajun/zydeco Festival, and a Victorian Christmas. See the East Bay Regional Parks Website on Ardenwood (see "More Information" below) for more information.