Old Borges Ranch

The Old Borges Ranch is a 1,035-acre Historic District with four contributing buildings in the Northern Diablo Range Diablo Foothills, within the 2,600acre Walnut Creek Open Space in Contra Costa County, California. The former ranch of early Walnut Creek pioneer Frank Borges is the home base for the activities of the nearby Shell Ridge Open Space Area. It is located south of Walnut Creek, at 1035 Castle Rock Lane. The Borges Ranch houses a ranger station, maintenance room, and accommodation for the rangers. The City of Walnut owns and runs the park and the ranch.

Borges Ranch is nestled on the southeast side of Shell Mountain, in the foothills of Mount Diablo. It was built by Francisco Borges and his family in 1899 and is a great example of a cattle ranch in central California in the early 20th century. Many of the original buildings and structures still remain today, including the Borges family home, one of seven structures listed on the National Historic Places Register in 1981. For Borges Ranch past click here. The ranch includes barns, corrals, outbuildings, a blacksmith shop and equipment for ancient farming. A variety of farm animals, including goats, ducks, pigs, and sheep cared for by Pleasant Hill 4-H call the ranch home.

Dogs are allowed at most ranch areas but must be leashed at all times. Animals in the pastures, at activities, tours, or events are not required.

The Old Borges Ranch is listed on the National Historical Places Register and also serves as a ranger station. Completed in 1899, the original Borges family home houses a visitor center with historic, turn of the century displays.

The ranch area is open from 7 am to be seen daily. At sunset, The Ranger Station provides self-guided tour brochures. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, discover what it was like to live and work in a family ranch. Join the Park Ranger once a month to take a guided tour of the Old Borges Ranch. Educational activities for children of school age and community organizations are conducted at the property. Wide group tours are allowed by reservation.

In early 1899, Walnut Creek businessman Frank Borges bought 700 acres (280 ha) for a cattle ranch and his family home. A blacksmith shop, various outbuildings, farm machinery exhibits, and a barn are part of the former ranch complex. The family home in Borges was built in 1901. It is a five-room redwood building, which defied five Borgese’s generations. It was restored as a historic house museum, with period furnishings and artifacts in the room, including a silver and black Stewart stove, and early 1900 historical displays. The Walnut Creek Open Space Parks serve as the Old Borges Ranchhouse and Visitor Center.

When you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, it is also the place to go.