Nestled between the Silicon Valley and the rolling hills of East Bay, Fremont offers a diverse array of attractions for visitors. From hiking trails to historic sites, family-friendly activities to cultural experiences, there are many things to see and do in this Bay Area city.
| # | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coyote Hills Regional Park | A 1000-acre park with wetlands, hills, wildlife, and over 10 miles of trails. |
| 2 | Forest of Nisene Marks State Park | A state park with 40 miles of trails among redwoods, offering hiking and biking. |
| 3 | Mission San Jose | A well-preserved Spanish mission with a church, museum, and gardens. |
| 4 | Boomerang Bay | A water park with slides, wave pool, and river located next to the Great Mall. |
| 5 | Fremont Sunday Market | A market featuring arts, crafts, food, and music in downtown Fremont. |
| 6 | Don Edwards Refuge | A 30,000-acre wildlife refuge with hiking, biking, fishing, and bird watching. |
| 7 | Central Park Disc Golf | Two 18-hole disc golf courses in Central Park, suitable for all skill levels. |
| 8 | Historic Niles District | A historic district with antique shops, restaurants, and a silent film museum. |
| 9 | Outdoor Movies | Free outdoor movies shown in summer at various parks. |
| 10 | Shinn Historic House and Gardens | A Victorian house museum with a historic rose garden. |
| 11 | Ohlone College Shows | The college’s Center for the Arts offers various performances and events. |
| 12 | Lake Elizabeth | A park with a lake offering boat rentals, fishing, and picnic areas. |
Whether you want to immerse yourself in nature, learn about California’s past, or simply enjoy a day out with the kids, Fremont caters to all interests. Here are the top 12 things to do in Fremont, California:
Explore Coyote Hills Regional Park
Name and Location: Coyote Hills Regional Park, located in Fremont, California
History and Significance: The park preserves and protects the natural habitat and wildlife native to the area. It features over 9 miles of trails through varied terrain with scenic bay views.
What to Expect: Hiking, biking, and horseback riding on trails of varying difficulties. Opportunities to observe wildlife and native plants. Interpretive programs and bay-viewing spots.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 8am-sunset. Entrance fee is $5/vehicle. Leashed dogs permitted. Visitor Center open on weekends.
For breathtaking views and a chance to experience the Bay Area habitats, head to Coyote Hills Regional Park. Spanning nearly 1,000 acres, it contains lush wetlands, rolling hills, and wonderful wildlife watching opportunities.
Hike or bike along over 10 miles of trails and climb to the top of Kelley’s Peak for panoramic vistas. The park also features an interpretive center, replica Ohlone village site, and various guided tours year-round. Entry is free, with optional fees for programs.
Tour the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Name and Location: Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos, California
History and Significance: Over 10,000 acres of diverse habitat, from lush redwood forests to open meadows. Rich history as a 19th century logging area, with some original steam donkey equipment on display.
What to Expect: Hiking, biking, horseback riding through beautiful, varied scenery. Picnic areas. Opportunities to observe wildlife and admire old-growth redwoods.
Visitor Information: Open daily sunrise to sunset. $10 day use fee. Leashed dogs permitted on certain trails. Visitor Center open weekends.
Venture about 10 miles outside town to discover the Forest of Nisene Marks, where you can hike beneath towering redwood trees. Over 40 miles of diverse trails wind through this state park, from creekside paths to steep climbs with ocean views.
Picnic areas, horseback riding, mountain biking, and camping facilities also available. Entrance into Nisene Marks park is free, making it a budget-friendly option for outdoor adventures.
Learn History at Mission San Jose
Name and Location: Mission San José in Fremont, CA
History and Significance: Founded in 1797, it was the 14th mission in the California mission system. Offers a glimpse into California’s Spanish colonial and Mexican periods.
What to Expect: Self-guided tours of the historic adobe buildings. Museum exhibits of mission artifacts and history. Reconstructed rooms showing mission lifestyle.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-5pm, except major holidays. $5 admission, youth under 17 free. Accessible for visitors with disabilities.
For a look into California’s Spanish colonial past, visit Mission San Jose, founded in 1797. It’s one of the best restored Spanish missions in the state. Take a self-guided tour to see the church, living quarters, workshops, and artifacts. Docent guided tours offered as well.
The pretty grounds also contain gardens, a cemetery, and a small museum. Entry is free, with donations welcomed. It’s a quick drive from downtown Fremont.
Ride the Rides at Boomerang Bay
Name and Location: Boomerang Bay at California’s Great America in Santa Clara, CA
History and Significance: Exciting water park adjacent to California’s Great America theme park, opened in 2001. Features thrilling water slides and activities.
What to Expect: Families enjoying thrill rides like the Boomerang Blast, little kids splashing in Great Barrier Reef area, lounging at the lagoon.
Visitor Information: Open seasonally Memorial Day to Labor Day. Separate admission from Great America theme park required. Lockers, towels, cabanas available for rent.
Families with kids will love spending a day at Boomerang Bay water park, located right next to the Great Mall. Speed down seven exciting water slides, splash in the wave pool, or float lazily down a river.
Little ones can stick to the kiddie areas. Dining is available onsite. General admission starts at $29.99 for a full day of water fun. Season passes are available as well at this popular local attraction.
Browse the Fremont Sunday Market
Name and Location: Fremont Sunday Market takes place Sundays in historic downtown Fremont, CA.
History and Significance: Open air market since 1998, featuring fresh produce, artisan goods, food trucks, and live music. Celebrates Fremont’s diversity.
What to Expect: Local farms selling fresh fruits, veggies, flowers. Arts & crafts booths. Ethnic food vendors. Performances by local musicians.
Visitor Information: Every Sunday 8am-1pm. Free admission. Pets welcome. Public parking garages nearby.
On Sundays, head over to the Fremont Sunday Market held in the historic downtown. Stroll the street browsing arts, crafts, produce, food vendors, and more from local sellers. Ongoing since 1986, the market has over 200 booths along four blocks of Fremont Blvd.
Live music and kid zone activities add to the festive atmosphere. Entry is free, costing only what you choose to purchase. A great outing for the whole family.
See Wildlife at Don Edwards Refuge
Name and Location: Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont, CA
History and Significance: Marshland habitat for diverse birds, fish and mammals. Protects largest remaining expanse of South San Francisco Bay wetlands.
What to Expect: Excellent bird watching, views of seals, otters, deer. Miles of trails and observation decks through marshes and wetlands. Interpretive exhibits.
Visitor Information: Open daily sunrise to sunset. Free admission. Visitor Center open weekdays. Leashed dogs permitted on trails.
Nature lovers shouldn’t miss the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge right in Fremont’s backyard. Encompassing 30,000 acres of open bay, salt ponds, marshlands and more, it’s an important habitat for birds and wildlife.
Hiking, biking, fishing and bird watching are popular activities. The Visitor Center offers excellent exhibits and insight. Entry is free and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Play Disc Golf at Central Park
Name and Location: Disc golf course at Central Park in Fremont, CA.
History and Significance: Free 18-hole disc golf course opened in 1999, ADA accessible. Hosts tournaments organized by Bay Area Disc Association.
What to Expect: Bring your own discs and play a round, take lessons, enjoy the park setting. All skill levels welcome.
Visitor Information: Open daily, hours vary by season. Free to play, discs available to rent. Nearby parking. Bathrooms and water fountains accessible.
For a fun outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy together, play a round of disc golf at Central Park. Two free 18-hole disc golf courses wind through the lovely park grounds, with gently rolling terrain. All skill levels welcome.
Bring your own discs or rent them affordably onsite. Picnic tables and playgrounds also available if you need a break. Scorecards can be downloaded online for the unofficial backyard course.
Tour the Historic Niles District
Name and Location: Niles District in Fremont, CA
History and Significance: One of the best preserved historic downtowns in the Bay Area. Quaint shops, restaurants, bronze sculptures along the walkable main street.
What to Expect: Stroll along historic Niles Boulevard. Visit antique and specialty shops. Dine at restaurants serving international cuisine. See a show at Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum.
Visitor Information: Free self-guided tours anytime. Free public parking. Niles Canyon Railway offers train rides certain weekends.
Step back in time wandering through the historic Niles district, centered around Niles Blvd. Old-fashioned storefronts now contain antique shops, restaurants, and cafes. The district dates back to the 19th century as a railway hub.
Be sure to see the historic Niles Silent Film Museum and bronze Charlie Chaplin statue commemorating Niles’ role in cinema history. The charming neighborhood makes for a nice day of browsing, dining, and sightseeing.
Catch an Outdoor Movie
Name and Location: Free outdoor movie screenings in Fremont, CA hosted by various locations
History and Significance: Community events allowing residents to gather for free entertainment under the stars.
What to Expect: Bring blankets and chairs to watch family-friendly movie outdoors. Food trucks onsite. Enjoy a fun community experience.
Visitor Information: Various parks and venues host throughout the summer. Check online calendar for upcoming showtimes and locations.
During summer months, Fremont hosts free outdoor movies at various neighborhood parks. Cozy up on the grass or bring foldable chairs and snacks to enjoy family-friendly flicks under the stars. Movies usually start around dusk on select Friday and Saturday nights.
Christ Presbyterian Church also shows movies on an inflatable screen on certain summer Sunday evenings. Check the city’s calendar for the outdoor movie schedule.
Tour the Shinn Historic House and Gardens
Name and Location: Shinn Historic House and Gardens in Fremont, CA
History and Significance: Elegant Victorian house museum built in 1894 showcasing life of pioneering Shinn family. Features historic furnishings and heritage gardens.
What to Expect: Docent-led or self-guided tours of 19th century home. Walk through calming heritage gardens. May include light refreshments.
Visitor Information: Open Friday-Sunday 12pm-4pm. Admission $3-5. Group tours available by reservation.
History buffs will appreciate this 1898 Queen Anne Victorian house museum, containing 17 rooms of preserved 19th century splendor. Explore the furnishings and artifacts while learning about Fremont’s founding pioneers, the Shinns.
The half-acre grounds also encompass California’s oldest rose garden. Tours are free, with small fees for special programs. Operated by the non-profit Ardenwood foundation.
See a Show at Ohlone College
Name and Location: Ohlone College in Fremont, CA
History and Significance: Thriving community college hosting public arts and entertainment events in state-of-the-art performance spaces.
What to Expect: Enjoy student and guest performances in music, dance, theater. Smith Center features HD film screenings.
Visitor Information: Event calendar online. Ticket prices vary. Parking available on campus.
The Ohlone College Center for the Arts offers music, dance, comedy, talks and more from acclaimed artists and speakers. Performance season runs August through May. While some shows charge admission, there are also dozens of excellent free events to take advantage of throughout the year.
Offerings range from faculty recitals to artist residencies to community theater. Check their online calendar for upcoming free shows.
Picnic at Lake Elizabeth
Name and Location: Lake Elizabeth in Fremont, CA
History and Significance: Lovely man-made lake completed in 1962, surrounded by landscaped municipal park. Popular spot for walks, fishing, and picnics.
What to Expect: Idyllic setting for a picnic. Paved trail circling the lake perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. Lakeside fishing on weekends.
Visitor Information: Park open daily 6am-10pm. No entrance fee. Bathrooms, playgrounds, and parking onsite. Electric barbeques available.
Escape from the city at Lake Elizabeth, a lovely green retreat with walking trails encircling the lake. Rent a pedal boat, toss a fishing line, or spread out a picnic on the grassy banks under shady trees.
The lake is also connected to Central Park via trail. Additional amenities include playgrounds, tennis courts, dog park, and free parking areas around the 42-acre lake. A scenic spot for an afternoon out.
Conclusion
From the natural beauty of Coyote Hills to historic sites like Mission San Jose, Fremont provides hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Families will stay entertained all day at Boomerang Bay water park while market lovers can browse the Fremont Sunday bazaar.
Outdoor enthusiasts have endless recreation at parks like Lake Elizabeth and Nisene Marks. Fremont also offers plenty of free options like the Don Edwards wildlife refuge, Niles historic district, and theater shows at Ohlone College. With this list of top things to do, visitors can make the most out of their Fremont getaway.