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Shadelands Ranch Museum: A Step Back in Time

Step back in time at Walnut Creek's Shadelands Ranch Museum, a preserved 1903 Colonial Revival home showcasing local history and tranquil gardens.

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Experience early 20th-century Walnut Creek at Shadelands Ranch Museum. This beautifully preserved Colonial Revival house, once home to pioneer Hiram Penniman, offers a glimpse into the region's agricultural past with original furnishings and tranquil gardens.

A brief summary to Shadelands Ranch Museum

  • Wednesday 1 pm-4 pm
  • Sunday 1 pm-4 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on a Sunday or Wednesday between February and October for docent-led tours.
  • Check the museum's website for information on special events and seasonal activities.
  • All of the grounds and the first floor of the house are fully accessible to those with physical disabilities.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From downtown Walnut Creek, head east on Ygnacio Valley Road. The museum is located at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, on the right-hand side. Free parking is available in the front lot (approx. 35 vehicles). Additional parking, including handicap parking, is available behind the grounds in a parking lot for the office at 2700 Ygnacio Valley Rd. To reach the lot, turn north at Via Monte Avenue, then make a left turn into the parking lot.

  • Public Transport

    The County Connection Route 1, 7, 92X, 93X and 301 stop near Shadelands Ranch Museum. From the nearest bus stop at Ygnacio Valley Rd & Walnut Blvd, walk east along Ygnacio Valley Road for approximately 0.2 miles. The museum will be on your right. A single ride on County Connection costs $2.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From Walnut Creek BART station, a taxi or ride-share (Lyft/Uber) will cost approximately $15-$25 and take about 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. Direct the driver to 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road.

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Discover more about Shadelands Ranch Museum

Shadelands Ranch Museum, a Colonial Revival house completed in 1903, offers a captivating glimpse into Walnut Creek's past. Originally the family home of Hiram Penniman, an early pioneer who arrived in Walnut Creek in 1850, the ranch encompassed 500 acres of fruit and nut orchards in the fertile Ygnacio Valley. Penniman built the grand redwood-framed residence to provide a secure future for his unmarried daughter, Mary. The house is a testament to the architectural styles of the early 1900s. The wrap-around porch, adorned with classic white columns, invites visitors to imagine life on a bustling ranch. Inside, the house is furnished with many original family pieces, offering an intimate glimpse into the Penniman family's daily life. See the hand-crank Stella music box and Victorian-era silver, glassware, and china. Mary Penniman managed the ranch after her father's death in 1897 and lived in the house until she passed in 1909. The property then passed to Penniman's other daughter, Bessie, and her husband, Albert Johnson. In 1970, the Gospel Foundation donated the house and 2.67 acres of land to the City of Walnut Creek, with the Walnut Creek Historical Society appointed as administrator. Since opening to the public in 1972, the Shadelands Ranch Museum has served as a vital center for preserving and interpreting local history. Visitors can explore the house and grounds through docent-led tours, offered from February through October. The tours provide insights into the Penniman family, the ranching history of the Ygnacio Valley, and the development of Walnut Creek. The museum also hosts events throughout the year, including a Pumpkin Patch in October, Holiday Victorian Teas, and a Holiday Faire in December. The grounds feature fragrant roses, a charming gazebo, and sprawling lawns shaded by mature oak trees.

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