Borges Ranch: A Great Family Outing

Frank Borges bought 700 acres of prime Walnut Creek real estate for $3,100. Of course, that was back in 1899, and Borges had to build his own house, but you can see the financial advantage of living two centuries ago.

Still, the Borges Ranch is now a park and demonstration ranch, and open to the public every day. There are old rusty tractors, tools and implements that farmers, blacksmiths and ranchers once used there, and farm animals. The place is very kid friendly, and there are guided tours on the fourth Saturday of each month at 2 p.m.

Frank lived on the ranch with his wife Mary, whom he met when he was a working cowboy on a ranch in Vacaville. According to the City of Walnut Creek website, Mary contracted malaria and was told to find a better climate. So Borges found the 700 ranch in what was then Concord, and what is now a very exclusive neighborhood.

Borges Ranch, in addition to being an excellent place to take kids, is also a staging area for the Shell Ridge open space trails.

You can find the ranch at 1035 Castle Rock Road.