Fremont is located near Silicon Valley and perfectly combines natural landmarks and historical heritage. Lovers of beautiful scenery can visit the hilly terrain of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge or enjoy the calm waters of Lake Elizabeth in Central Park.
A tour with the Niles Canyon Railway is a great solution if the stay is short. Movie buffs are a must-see for the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, and history buffs have a rich choice between Ardenwood Historic Farm, Shinn Historic Gardens, and Dumbarton Bridge.
There are many family-friendly accommodations, picnic, and relaxation areas around. Here are 15 of the most famous things to do in Fremont.
1. Fremont Central Park
The park is located around Lake Elizabeth and features a 2-mile winding trail suitable for long walks. There are many opportunities for outdoor activities, picnics, and sports. One of the summer attractions is Aqua Adventure Water Park, and Fremont Skate Park is an ideal way to have fun with children.
The park welcomes pet travel and has a special Central Park Dog Park. As one of the most popular Fremont places to visit Central Park provides the opportunity for a pedal boat ride on the lake.
| 🖥 Website | www.fremont.gov/317/Central-Park |
| 🏠 Address | 40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
2. Coyote Hills Regional Park
Coyote Hills Regional Park is a 978-acre park located in Fremont, California, United States. The park is situated on a peninsula that juts into the San Francisco Bay, and offers visitors a chance to explore the park’s diverse natural habitats and learn about the area’s rich cultural history.
One of the most popular activities in the park is hiking. The park has a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy, flat walks to more challenging climbs. The Bayview Trail is a 2.7-mile loop trail that offers stunning views of the bay and is a great option for hikers of all skill levels. The Alameda Creek Trail is another popular trail that runs through the park and connects to several other regional parks in the area.
In addition to hiking, Coyote Hills Regional Park also offers a variety of other outdoor activities, including birdwatching, fishing, picnicking, and biking. The park is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including several species of raptors, waterfowl, and shorebirds.
One of the unique features of Coyote Hills Regional Park is its rich cultural history. The park was once home to the Ohlone people, who lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The park has several exhibits and interpretive panels that provide insight into the Ohlone way of life, as well as the history of the area’s early settlers.
| 🖥 Website | www.ebparks.org/parks/coyote_hills |
| 🏠 Address | 8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont, CA 94555, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
3. Dumbarton Bridge
The Dumbarton Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the San Francisco Bay, connecting the cities of Menlo Park and Fremont in California, United States. The bridge has a total length of 1.6 miles (2.6 km) and was opened in 1984, replacing the original bridge that was built in 1927.
The Dumbarton Bridge is a vital transportation link in the Bay Area, providing a direct connection between the East Bay and the Peninsula. The bridge carries approximately 61,000 vehicles per day, including cars, buses, and trucks.
In addition to its transportation function, the Dumbarton Bridge is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The bridge has a pedestrian and bike path that offers stunning views of the bay and the surrounding mountains. The path is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) long and is a great option for anyone looking for a scenic walk, jog, or bike ride.
| 🖥 Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbarton_Bridge_(California) |
| 🏠 Address | Fremont, Menlo Park, Newark |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
4. Mission Peak Regional Preserve
Mission Peak Regional Preserve is a 3,100-acre park located in Fremont, California, United States. The park is known for its challenging hiking trails and stunning views of the Bay Area.
The park’s most popular trail is the Mission Peak Trail, which climbs to the summit of Mission Peak and offers panoramic views of the Bay Area, including the cities of San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco. The trail is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) round trip and is considered to be a strenuous hike, with steep inclines and rocky terrain.
The park also has several other hiking trails that cater to a variety of skill levels, including the Hidden Valley Trail, the Eagle Trail, and the Peak Meadow Trail.
Mission Peak Regional Preserve is also home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including several species of raptors, coyotes, and bobcats. The park is a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it is home to several species of hawks, falcons, and eagles.
| 🖥 Website | www.ebparks.org/parks/mission |
| 🏠 Address | 43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
5. Alameda Creek Regional Trail
Alameda County definitely has sights worth seeing, and this promenade is perfect for a long walk. The 12-mile Alameda Creek Regional Trail is ideal for long walks, cycling or jogging (no vehicles) and will take you to attractions such as the Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area and Coyote Hills Regional Park.
| 🖥 Website | www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/alameda_creek |
| 🏠 Address | Alameda Creek Trail, Fremont, CA 94536, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
6. Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum
Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum is a 4-acre park located in Fremont, California, United States. The park is a designated California Historical Landmark and offers visitors a chance to explore the area’s rich agricultural history and natural beauty.
The park is named after James and Lucy Shinn, who were prominent farmers in the area in the late 1800s. The park includes the Shinn House, a Victorian farmhouse that was built in 1876 and has been restored to its original condition. The house is open for tours and features exhibits on the history of the Shinn family and the development of the local agricultural industry.
The park also has several historic outbuildings, including a barn, a blacksmith shop, and a carriage house. These buildings have been restored and are open for visitors to explore.
The park’s arboretum features a variety of native and exotic trees, as well as several gardens and walking paths. The park is a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it is home to several species of birds, including hawks, owls, and woodpeckers.
| 🖥 Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinn,_Fremont,_California |
| 🏠 Address | 1251 Peralta Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
7. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
You can reach these 30,000 acres of pristine nature through the famous Dumbarton Bridge. In addition to a huge variety of birds, you will also find marshes, mudflats, ponds, and vernal pools.
Fishing is one of the main activities for visitors, along with photography and hiking.
| 🖥 Website | www.fws.gov/refuge/Don_Edwards_San_Francisco_Bay |
| 🏠 Address | 2 Marshlands Rd, Fremont, CA 94555, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
8. Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area
You will find this recreational area among 19th century remains. You can take a walk in the surroundings, swim in the permitted areas, or picnic in nature.
If you take the six-mile trail you can see the heritage preserved here from the 19th century.
| 🖥 Website | http://www.ebparks.org/parks/quarry_lakes |
| 🏠 Address | 2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont, CA 94536, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
9. Ardenwood Historic Farm
This attraction is a great choice of what to do in Fremont if you are a lover of history and architecture. The mansion dates back to the early 19th century, and in its center is a massive Victorian building.
The garden is also arranged in Victorian style, and around you will find many farm animals, which exactly recreates the life of those days. After a walk here, you can visit the Railroad Museum or stop at a nearby café.
| 🖥 Website | www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood |
| 🏠 Address | 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA 94555, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
10. Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
The museum presents a wide variety of artifacts from silent cinema – posters, cameras, photos, and belongings of famous actors from silent cinema such as Charlie Chaplin, Lillian Gish, Laurel and Hardy.
Every Saturday, films are screened here to the accompaniment of a piano, which takes viewers back several decades. The cinema itself is built on land owned by Niles Essanay Studios.
After your tour here, you can also explore the Niles Canyon Railway and Depot across the street, representing another side of Fremont’s historic life.
| 🖥 Website | https://nilesfilmmuseum.org/ |
| 🏠 Address | 37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
11. Niles Canyon Railway
This history museum is dedicated to the history of the Pacific Coast from 1910 to 1960. Here, you can see different train cars, including freight, passengers, and motor ones. The biggest attraction here is that you can ride one of them yourself.
The tours are themed and you are accompanied by specially dressed actors, which literally takes you back in time. Some of the most famous tours are “Romance on the Rails” and “Moonlight Train Rides.” In December, the “Train of Lights” tour, accompanied by celebrations and Christmas decorations, becomes a favorite of tourists.
| 🖥 Website | www.ncry.org |
| 🏠 Address | 6 Kilkare Rd, Sunol, CA 94586, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
12. Old Mission San Jose
Another favorite Fremont place to visit is Mission San Jose, built on the Ohlone people’s land. In 1868, most of the buildings here were destroyed by an earthquake, but in the 1980s they were restored to their original form by the Franciscan missionary community.
The place has become a mandatory stop for local fourth-graders as part of their education. Everyone can visit the museum here, full of artifacts and various exhibitions. There is also a convenient parking lot for tourists.
One of the most iconic buildings here is The chapel of Mission San Jose.
| 🖥 Website | www.missionsanjose.org |
| 🏠 Address | 43300 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
13. Museum of Local History
For a place with such a rich history, it is inevitable to have a museum dedicated solely to the historical events and development of the Washington Township and Tri-City area. Built in 1994, the Museum of Local History presents artifacts from the time when the community here was mainly a farm land to the time when a thriving community was established.
Exhibitions here come from the Mission Peak Heritage Foundation and the Washington Township Historical Society, and museum tours can be solo or guided and are often part of the training of local students.
| 🖥 Website | museumoflocalhistory.org |
| 🏠 Address | 190 Anza St, Fremont, CA 94539, United States |
| 📌 Map | Open in Google Maps |
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
14. Aqua Adventure Water Park
Located in Central Park, the water park is a great choice for what to do in Fremont if you are traveling with children.
The park opened in 2009 and is becoming a major entertainment for tourists and locals. It has two open and two closed slides, reaching a height of 40 feet above the pools, a lazy river circling the complex, water sprays and jets, and an Oasis Pool.
| 🏨 Accomodation | Booking.com |
15. SVCC Temple
In 2013, the Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Cultural Center, Inc., dedicated to Hindu culture, opened its doors. The temple offers religious services and education to the local population (and to anyone interested in this culture).
The temple also supports families and children in need by cooperating with local organizations on initiatives for blood donation, food collection, and more. The temple is open to visitors seven days a week and offers a different perspective on religion, beliefs, and cultural differences.
Conclusion
Fremont is a region rich in culture, managed to successfully preserve its historical heritage and today in an interesting way to present it to tourists.
In addition, the place will surprise you with amazing natural views, places for walks and picnics. There are often a lot of people here, but with good planning, you can avoid the crowds. The attractions are diverse and you will surely find something for every taste here.
