Forest Home Farms

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 websiteI 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)

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 localHoney. 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!

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