Our Bay Area day trip series continues with a visit to the sleepy (but extremely quaint) town of Fremont in the East Bay. We were surprised to find trendy coffee, quaint streets, friendly people and more! Keep reading for a full itinerary for your Day Trip to Fremont, CA.
Start with coffee at Devout Coffee
Devout Coffee feels like it was pulled from San Francisco and dropped in Niles (one of Fremont’s neighborhoods). I was pleasantly surprised to find that they use Oatly as their oat milk of choice, and their ambiance is 100%. Another pro? Prices were so reasonable for the Bay Area! A coffee & pastry ended up being ~$7 (anywhere else it would be $10+).
- Address: 37323 Niles Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536
- Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7 AM -6 PM
- Sat & Sun – 8 AM – 7PM
- What we ordered: Oat milk latte, whole milk latte & maple cronut
Still hungry? Have breakfast at Skillet’z Cafe
Skillet’z Cafe, similar to the rest of Niles Blvd. feels like you’ve been dropped into old America. It’s a cafe/ diner and locals RAVE about this spot. We weren’t hungry, but I’ll be back to try this spot next time I’m in Fremont. PS they’re super well-known for their decadent milkshakes.
- Address: 37378 Niles Blvd. Fremont, CA 94536
- Hours:
- Mon 8 AM – 3 PM
- Tues – Sun 7 AM – 3 PM
Antiquing on Niles Blvd.
Burn off your breakfast with a walk down Niles Blvd. This little area is known for being the it-spot for antiquing in the Bay Area. In fact, once a year in August they have a one-day enormous Antique Faire. Pop into different shops, speak with the locals and peruse. You may find something you didn’t know you needed/wanted.
Visit the Niles Silent Film Museum
This quirky historical spot makes for a great stop if you’re looking for something unique to do on your visit. You can learn about the history of silent film and watch a movie.
- Address: 37417 Niles Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536
- Hours: Weekends 12 PM – 4 PM
Check out the San Jose Mission
Hop in the car and head to the San Jose Mission. This is one of the stops along the historic Mission route. They also have a museum onsite to learn more about the area and the history of the mission.
- Address: 43300 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539
- Hours: Daily 10 AM – 5 PM
- Admission: $5 adults, $3 students
Grab Dim Sum at Mingle’s Mango
Mingle’s Mango recently had their soft opening (they relocated from San Jose). They call their food an “immersive dining experience” – so think traditional dim sum meets anime. I especially loved their soup dumplings and noodles.
- Address: 46529 Mission Blvd., San Jose, California 94539
Rent Boats at Central Park (Lake Elizabeth)
Before heading home, rent boats at Central Park if you’re visiting in the summer. Be sure to call ahead to make sure that they’re open. We were so excited to try this, but they were closed that day for maintenance.
- Address: 40000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538
- Hours:
- Weekends & holidays April – August: 12 PM – 5 PM
- Daily mid-June to mid- August: 12 PM – 5 PM
- Admission: $12 per half hour
