Historical Parks & Facilities

California Nursery Historical Park

36550 Niles Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94536
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Park Hours

Everyday
Sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset

Overview

The 20.1 acre property is the remnant of the California Nursery Company, a once a grand nursery operation that brought notable presence to the East Bay and was significantly associated with the evolution of the nursery industry on a statewide level. The California Nursery Company's history dates back to Jose de Jesus Vallejo (1797-1882) who served as the administrator of the old Mission San Jose and military commander of San Jose. Other notable owners were Jonas Clark (1862), John Rock (1865), Williams Landers (1899) and the George C. Roeding family (1917-1968).

Office Museum
Phone: (510) 790-2049
Hours: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Docent-led Tour every Sunday (weather permitting) at 2:00 p.m.
(closed on holidays)

Rancho Higuera Historical Park

47300 Rancho Higuera Rd.
Fremont, CA 94539
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Hours

Open on tour dates only. See tour information below.

Overview

The Higuera Adobe is located in Rancho Higuera Historical Park at the foot of Mission Peak in the Warm Springs area of Fremont. It is the last of seven adobes built between 1830-1840 on Fulgencio Higuera's ranch. The structure consists of a large main room and two small bedrooms with dirt floors, and a stable. The Adobe has been restored and furnished with handcrafted redwood furniture.

Tour Information

Washington Township Museum of Local History offer tours for 4th grade classes and other groups at the Higuera Adobe Historical Park. Click here for information on tours.

Information panels at the Rancho Higuera Historical Park

Open House

The Washington Township Museum of Local History offers a one open day a year to the public in the Spring time between April and May. Please check here for more information.

The Higuera Adobe is not available to rent.

Overview

Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum is a 4-1/2 acre hidden gem in Fremont. The Big House dates back to 1876 and it is surrounded by large trees and beautiful gardens. More information on the Shinn Estate can be found here. The park restrooms are only opened during private rentals and are not available for public use.

Tours

Mission Peak Heritage Foundation provides group tours of the Shinn House two times a month (on the first Wednesday and the third Sunday), or in conjunction with a reservation. Schools can arrange for tours as well. The facility is ADA accessible. For more information on tours of the Shinn House, please contact Joan Serafino at (510) 795-0891.

Special Events

Mission Peak Heritage Foundation offers two special events each year on the third Sunday in July and October, and a Victorian Holiday event on the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December. The Foundation also offer three tea parties during the year.

The Gardens

The gardens throughout the park are beautifully maintained by volunteers from the Friends of Heirloom Flowers Garden Club. The volunteers garden on Tuesdays from 10:00am to noon. They weed, design, plant, and prune these lovely gardens. The garden club not only gardens, but hosts monthly activities such as field trips to different parks and speakers on gardening topics. For more information, contact Angie Schmidt at (510) 657-4645 or email her at angela_schmidt@sbcglobal.net

Rental Information for Shinn Historic Park and Arboretum

The lawn area in front of the Big House is available for private rentals April through September with a maximum capacity of 200 people. The rental space is an outdoor facility only. Restrooms are open during rentals.

For more information including rates, rules & regulations, and application, please view the Shinn Historic Park Facility Use Packet.

To check the rental availability of Shinn Historic Park and Arboretum, call (510) 790-5541 or email.