The Ardenwood Historic Farm is located across the Dumbarton Bridge from Palo Alto, over near Fremont. It has a variety of farm animals, a horse-drawn train, and a blacksmith shop and equipment shed. The entry fees vary based on the day, the age of the visitor, and time of year. During the warmer months Tues., Wed. & Sat are the best days to visit. And I found out that if I come over the Dumbarton bridge toward Palo Alto (it’s a bridge with a one-way toll) between 5 a.m.-10 a.m. or 3 p.m.-7 p.m. using a FastTrak pass with at least 2 people in the car the toll is $2.50 instead of $5.00.

When we went we walked in for free (it was close to closing time) and the animals were the only thing we were able to experience. That was cool with T1, he was just as happy running through the trees and yelling at squirrels.

And pushing the stroller.

On this visit he saw an employee mowing the lawn using a John Deere mower. Because T1 spent the summer with my parents he now identifies all things John Deere with this Papa (grandpa) and he thought the person on the mower was his papa. He took off running as fast as he could toward the mower and was pretty heartbroken when I revealed that it was a nice lady we didn’t know cutting the grass. I like taking him here because it reminds me a little bit of where I grew up. A college friend just moved over the bridge from us and she has a son close to T1 in age (and a baby only 2 months older than T2!). Something tells me we’ll be spending a lot more time at Ardenwood this summer.