Where it is: 1035 Castle Rock Road, about 1/2 mile past Northgate High School (map)

What it offers: The former ranch of early Walnut Creek pioneer Frank Borges is the home base for Walnut Creek's Shell Ridge Open Space activities. The ranch complex includes a blacksmith shop, numerous outbuildings, and farm equipment displays. It also features a barn and covered trellis available for group reservations. The Borges family home, built in 1901, houses historical displays of the early 1900’s. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Click here for the history of Borges Ranch.

Today, Borges Ranch serves as a ranger station, maintenance facility, and ranger residence. The ranch is also home to numerous animals cared for by the Pleasant Hill 4-H, including goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens. Cattle graze on the hillsides and the corrals are still used for round-ups.

Just below the ranch is the Bob Pond Activity Area, with a seasonal pond, restrooms, lawn, picnic tables, and amphitheater. These amenities are available for group reservations.

Dogs? Permitted, but must be leashed at all times. Pets are not permitted at programs, tours, or events.

Hours: The ranch area is open for viewing daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the Ranger Station. Tours. Free Weekend Tours. Learn what it was like to live and work on a family ranch in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Join the Park Ranger for a guided tour of the Old Borges Ranch. Meet at the Hanna Grove Activity Area parking lot on the fourth Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. Educational Programs are conducted at the ranch for school-aged children and civic groups.

Educational Programs are led by interpretive staff and include: Ranch Tour, Special Activity, and Living History Program. Ranch Tour: $75 per class. Tour traverses through the ranch complex, taking time to experience the outbuildings, corral, barn, historic house, animal area, and a few chores!

Special Activity: $85 per class. Clay making, cornhusk art, leather art.

Living History Program: $80 per student. Three days. One overnight. A hands-on experience designed to augment California history studies. Program includes arts and crafts, ranch demos, nature hikes, farm chores, games, some meals, and more.

Educational Program reservations and information: Call Ranger Dan Bylin, 925-943-5899, ext. 2162

GROUP USE INFORMATION:
Bob Pond picnic area (entire site) $200 per day
Borges Ranch Barn and trellis area with grill: $250 per day
Group Camping: $3 per person per night, $25 minimum. A surcharge may be applied to large groups.
Alcohol permit (beer and wine): $50
Amphitheater: $75 when rented by itself, $35 when rented in conjunction with group picnic area

Group use reservations and information: Call 925-943-5899, ext. 2162