We came here for their Holiday on the Farm event and were so pleasantly surprised by how much there was to do there: - arts and crafts in the Boone house - Glass Museum hours - Santa meet and greet and pictures - Magic show - brass band - face painting - kettle corn, cotton candy vendor - sheepdog/sheep demonstrations - chicken coop - tractor rides - tractor barn - lawn games - gift shop The best part about it all was that it was free (with the exception of tips for the face painter, food for purchase, tractor ride donations)! Love that we came here by chance and left so happy, overjoyed, and full of Christmas spirit. We would definitely come back for their other Saturday events and sheep shearing in April! Lots of parking, and staff are so welcoming. Had an issue with unruly kids and parents, but other than that, it was a pleasant experience all around. read more

This is a quaint little farm in San Ramon that's open to the public (free). We came here with a toddler, who was a bit frighten by the animals at first, but eventually warmed up to them. They are all very gentle and just roaming around in their enclosed area. There is a horse, sheep, lamb, a goat, and some chickens. This is not a petting zoo. We came here on a Saturday and ran into the couple that runs the farm. They were eager to tell us all about the farm, its history, and current events happening at the farm. (Almost) every Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. there is a free event, such as art with corn, ice cream making, rug weaving etc. See their website for schedule of events. They also have a tractor museum with many tractors restored by volunteers. Because we had a toddler with us, we had to cut our visit short and didn't get to check out the gift shop and the tour of the Victorian house (tours Saturdays at 12:00 pm and 1pm). We brought a picnic lunch and sat at one of several picnic tables scattered throughout the farm. It was a fun and educational outing, and we'll probably come back again. read more

See all

Our family had the best time here. We attended the fall fest last weekend and there was great music, we learned more about East Bay Parks and rec Association. We learned a little bit about the history of the farm and we got to do a scavenger hunt. All around we really liked it Unfortunately with the parking somebody dinged your car left their car paint on our car with no cameras around, which was unfortunate for us because now there's a dent and paint from somebody's white car. All in all, the weather was great, the wine was incredible, we wish there was more options for food, but at least the children were able to eat lunch and have fun. read more

Forest Home Farms - Tractor rides - Museums Near Me - San Ramon, California

So fun!! Head over to Forest Home Farms to see some animals and tractors. My little guys enjoyed climbing on tractors and seeing the animals. Tent had some scouts in the barn doing activities and the gift shop was adorable! We definitely will be coming back and we want to attend some events! read more

Forest Home Farms - Tractors - Museums Near Me - San Ramon, California

See all

We came here for a kids birthday party. The space was large with many picnic tables. Our friends hired a taco bar and a soft play kids area - perfect for 2yo and under to play. Plenty of space for people to chat and eat, and loud enough for kids to watch their iPads or play. Kids wanted to explore, so we walked around the farm - learned about harvesting walnuts from reading the signs and seeing the historical harvesting machines, watched the lady feed the horse, and watched her bordie collie herding the ducks (kids enjoyed the collie herding the ducks the most - it was actually entertaining and funny). The farmer confirmed that the border collie was not harassing the ducks and they have a mutual love for each other. They also have really large sheep on the other end of the grassy field - it would have been nice for the kids to see them up close. There was also a garden and a chicken coop for the kids to look inside and see the freshly laid eggs. They learned about chicken facts like females are hens and how the rooster is separated in his own cage, what chickens eat, hens lay up to 260 eggs a year, etc. After viewing the animals, we took a walk on a tiny path to the stream under the walnut trees and take a few photos on the bridge connecting the farm to the "glass house mansion." This would be a great space to rent for a party, reunion, event. I wouldn't call this a farm or petting zoo for kids to meet the animals up close and personal because they do not get to touch any of the animals. However, still a nice place to kill a few minutes to explore the space and walk around. read more

See all

Wow, there's an actual historical farm right here in San Ramon, just a few minutes past Athan Downs Park. Sights, sound, and yes smell of an animal farm. To maximize your enjoyment, review their website for special weekend events and times, and to perhaps schedule a tour where you can enter the farm inside the fence and see the animals up close. We visited outside the event times, so it was a self-guided tour. We saw rusty farm equipment, chickens, ducks, sheep, and horses. The highlight was a border collie systematically herding a team of ducks to an enclosure. It was hilarious to see the collie flank the ducks from both sides and equally funny to see the ducks move lockstep in the same direction. Plenty of free parking and places to wander. The visitor center/gift shop was closed during our visit. read more

See all

No "SUPPOSED TO" here!!! We went to the annual sheep shearing and it was great!! Parking was made very easy by an old friend from the engineering world...too funny! His charming wife checked us in, to the tune of $14 bucks. What a bargin!! We went directly to the shearing....sooo cool to see the dogs do their thing...and the guy doing the actual shearing was amazing!!! A real day on the farm in our wonderful valley!! The kids took the babies on a Tractor ride...too cute!! I couldn't stay, but DH informed me that Ramond Lowie actually re- designed a John Deere!! Everyone had a gret time...we will be back! read more

Forest Home Farms - Sheep Shearing - Museums Near Me - San Ramon, California

See all

You have to go here in the spring or early summer when all the little baby lambs are running around. It's incredibly cute to see all the little lambs running in the field. Sometimes they have Border Collies that are trained here. But not today. One time, we walked or border collie around the area. Of course we kept in very tight on a leash. The sheep in the farm never took their eyes off Morgan. He would not have hurt them however. read more

So much fun. Our 2 year old loves it and didn't want to leave. The volunteers are very nice and friendly

Checked out the Oktoberfest that was held here as a benefit to save the old 1850's barn by the San Ramon Historic Foundation. Parking was easy and plentiful in a large dirt lot right below the gift shop. A short walk led to the Oktoberfest grounds - no directions necessary; I just followed my ears to the music! Tickets for adults were $20 that included a commemorative beer stein with your choice from one of three different beers from Schubros Brewery, lunch (wurst, potato salad, pickle slice, cookie) and admission. There was also root beer available, and pretzels for $1. Kids admission $15/$10 depending on age. . Most just relaxed listening or occasionally dancing to Olympia Fields Brass Band's traditional Oktoberfest music, broken up by Polka lessons and a wood chopping dance. An interesting side were the Dachshund Races. There was also raffles to win prizes and a kids play area. If your looking for a family friendly Oktoberfest event to attend, this is it. read more

See all

Always something happening on Saturdays. What a pleasant way to spend a morning. Stop by the welcome center and watch the video on the Boone family, in a nice air conditioned room. Walk around the property, and check out the interesting historical displays. The picnic benches are a cool place to relax under the shade of the trees, by the sheep, goats and chickens. read more

Forest Home Farms - Museums Near Me - San Ramon, California

Went here for a 3rd grade field trip with my daughter and it was seriously my favorite field trip ever. It was fun coming here for a birthday party but the field trip was so interesting. To know so much of their family history and the history of the farm and just the area back then. The people who gave the tour are all unpaid volunteers. They did super fun, interactive things with the kids. They got to cut persimmons to make persimmon jam. Then they got to try tomato jam. They got to learn about composting and try fresh carrots from the garden and fresh local Honey. They got to use an old school drill and got to see holey socks. Which doesn't sound exciting, but they loved it. They then gave them all fresh churned butter, which we then in turn bought heavy whipping cream to make our own at home. My daughter loved it. Great experience and all the volunteers were so patient and kind with all the kids, which is not always easy to do! read more

See all

My kid has gone to various summer camps at Forest Home Farms over the past few years and had a good time every summer (mind you, he would rather play Minecraft all day long, so going to camp where you do non-screen related activities doesn't initially stir much excitement.) I've been to the farm several times and find it really charming, quite authentic and wonderfully preserved (I like history/historical sites...FYI.) The City of San Ramon has done a great job maintaining the farm which was gifted to them by Ruth Boone (the former owner of the farm): "In 1997, Ruth Quayle Boone bequeathed the 16-acre Boone family farm known as Forest Home Farms, at 19953 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, to the City of San Ramon for use as a municipal historic park in memory of her husband, Travis Moore Boone. After Ruth Boone's death in 1998 at the age of 94, the City expanded the memorial to include Ruth, in honor of her generosity to the people of San Ramon and in recognition of the contribution women made to agriculture in the San Ramon Valley." ~ City of San Ramon website I think it's pretty cool that my kid gets to spend time there each summer and that Ruth Boone's generosity and thoughtfulness is doing exactly as she intended - providing future generations a historical park to learn and enjoy. PLEASE check out the City of San Ramon's website to find out more about this awesome place - I can't begin to list all the cool stuff to see and do there (there are no rides, food stands, mind-numbing entertainment or other ridiculous trappings of modern-day society. This is a HISTORIC park and requires more than 10 seconds of attention to absorb, learn and appreciate the past.) My only complaint? The stupid freeway is so dang noisy, it ruins the ambiance of the farm. I love the place anyway. 4.5 stars (the freeway stole a 1/2 star) read more

I've come for sheep shearing day and wonderful walnut day. The parking is always easy and free. The staff are pleasant, easy-going and the entire place is kid friendly. It's really accessible for strollers, toddlers and bigger kids. I love that it's part of the community and easy to access for the tri-Valley area. I'll be back for more events as my daughter grows and becomes interested in different parts of the farm. read more

We came here for sheep shearing day this past weekend. I really wish I could rate it 5 stars like everyone else, but there were too many speed bumps that made the day a bit annoying with toddlers. My friend emailed one of the organizers regarding cost, and was told that besides the entrance fee of $7/adult and $5/child over 2, there were no additional charges aside from food. Great. When we got there, we were told the same at the entrance. We walked around and enjoyed the sheep shearing, watching the dogs herd the sheep, the tractor museum, etc. Then we saw that tractor rides had a suggested donation of $2/person. Okay, no big deal, it was suggested after all. But then we went a little further and there was a little train from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley (I think?) and they were charging $3/person. We told her what we were told via email AND at the entrance, and she said someone else made the same comment (and we were there very early in the day). A bit annoying that even among themselves there was obviously miscommunication. THEN I went to find some food for my two-year-old, who asked for food. I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and paid. Ten minutes later I went back and they had extension cords in hand and told me they were still trying to fix the press and it will take 20 minutes. Sigh, I just asked for my money back and we left to take my son home. I get it, this is not a regular event that happens often so there are kinks - but there were just too many problems for me to be inspired to come back or give them a great review. read more

Went today to the pumpkin patch they had next to it so decided to stop by. It was 3 pm and they closed at 4. They were out of most food so decided just to get two cups of beer. Told it was going to be $10 got home and realized they charged me $30. They did the same to my brother. Hopefully they give us our money back if not they got us good. Never going to go back it's not worth it. read more

Attended the OKTOBERFEST today. The entertainment, specifically the German dancers were great. The dancers interacted well with crowd and were very good getting teaching people dance steps. The food was good; a good variety of beer. The volunteers very pleasant. However, the oktoberfest was not planned very well. There were not enough glass steins for those who had paid in advance. A wait of over an hour on the side of the barn with nothing to see while waiting for food was tedious. Seating to eat was limited. After waiting so long to get food, then watching the dancing and other entertainment while eating made it so there was not time for a tour of the Glass House. The last tour was held an hour before the end of the oktoberfest. There should have been a schedule of events and tours times placed around the event. read more

Forest Home Farms is an interesting place to check out in the Tri-Valley. When I went on a Saturday morning, there weren't many building open, but it was nice to do a self-guided tour of the grounds and I did get to see the sheep near the entrance along with a few chickens in their coop. Parking is mostly in the large dirt lot nearby. I've read that the farm hosts special events and fun family activities throughout the year, mostly on Saturdays. read more

Best place in San Ramon to check out some old and new tractors, check out the sheep shearing and Civil War re-enactments and to shop at the Saturday Farmers Market. Start your Saturday off with a sweet treat, homemade donuts, a cup of Jo and enjoy all the produce and flowers from local growers. Support your local Farmers by dropping the supermarkets and hitting the Farmers Market instead. Everyones gotta eat, right? San Ramon Farmers Market at the Forest Home Farms opens May 2nd, 2009 Visit one of the East Bay's hidden treasures, a beautiful 16-acre historic farm featuring local growers selling: farm fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, fresh cut flowers, artisan baked goods, California olive mixes and oils, cheeses, jams, french crepes and more. Enjoy live music, arts, crafts and the Whole Foods Market coffee and juice bar on an historic farm while picking up your weekly groceries!!! Farmers Market starts May 2nd thru October, Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Forest Home Farms 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd. South of Pine Valley rd between Bollinger Canyon rd and Alcosta blvd. www.sanramonfarmersmarket.org See you on the Farm!!! read more

It was our first time at Forest Home Farms today and we had a great time showing our son the historic landmark, doing crafts, and watching farm animals. I was impressed by how welcoming the volunteer staff was and how many activities they prepared for the visitors. And it's all free! I plan to go back for the Beer fest in October. read more

The whole family enjoyed the sheep shearing day! It's certainly not as big as Ardenwood, but there was plenty to keep the toddler entertained! We've been to the pumpkin patch and are looking forward to the Farmer's Market opening in May! Plenty of parking and close to home. read more