Hayward, CA Road Trips

1 Museum of History & Culture (Hayward Area Historical Society), 22380 Foothill Boulevard (Between City Center Dr and Russell Wy), ☏ +1 510 581-0223, fax: +1 510 581-0217, [email protected]. W–Su 10AM–4PM. Beginning with the Ohlone Indians and followed by Spanish settlers and missionaries, Hayward, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley and other communities clustered on the east side of San Francisco Bay, have long been a cultural crossroads. In the wake of the Gold Rush, former miners and new immigrants established homes and businesses, planted orchards and raised livestock setting down roots that grew into communities known for their diverse population, varied industry, and suburban living. The Hayward Area Historical Society tells the region's story at its downtown museum and through tours of historic sites. Free. (updated Sep 2018) 2 The Japanese Gardens, 22373 N 3rd St (At S end of N 3rd St, behind Senior Center), ☏ +1 510 881-6700. 8:30AM-4PM daily. The oldest Japanese gardens in the US designed along traditional lines. Reservations for weddings available. (updated Sep 2018) 3 Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks, 1320 Garin Avenue (entrance and parking at NE end of Garin Ave.), toll-free: +1-888-327-2757 (option 3 extension 4530). Among the number of parks in the East Bay Regional Park system located in Hayward. Beautiful walking trails through natural habitats. once a year in September the park hosts an Apple Festival, with tastings of dozens of apple varieties grown at a former ranch site in the park.

Hayward is home to the CSUEB, the California State University East Bay. The highlight of Hayward is in the beautiful panoramic views of the bay which can be seen from and near the university in the hills. Visitors anywhere in the bay should definitely take this detour. From the Hayward hills, one can see Fremont, Silicon Valley, Oakland and San Francisco at once. The drive from Hayward/Castro Valley to Oakland on Redwood Road is quite beautiful. This road is usually empty, and has the feel of being in a remote area despite the fact that it is near the bay. Beware of the cyclists and the Import racers that frequent Redwood Road. 1 Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Av, ☏ +1 510 670-7270, [email protected]. F-Su 10AM-5PM. A place where children can go to learn about nature, and families can hike on paths through the marshland. Aquariums, an interactive computer exhibit on the Bay, videos, maps, exhibits, a gift shop, and restrooms. Outside an elevated observation platform gives a good view of the surrounding marshlands. Free. 2 Sulphur Creek Nature Center, 1801 D St, ☏ +1 510 881-6747, fax: +1 510 888-0129, [email protected]. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM (Discovery Center until 4:30PM). Outside are enclosures to view larger birds and other animals, including a raven, red-tailed hawk, coyote, owl and vulture. All animals found here are rescued animals (it operates as a rescue and rehabilitation center) who cannot return to the wild. There also is a beautiful wildflower garden.

Although the overall number of restaurants in Hayward is respectable by the standards of most cities in the United States, the choices are disappointing compared to those in nearby gourmet powerhouses Berkeley and Oakland. The advantages here: plentiful parking, lower prices, shorter waits. Most of the Mexican restaurants, especially the taquerias, are excellent inexpensive places to chow down on authentic, if non-gourmet, traditional dishes. If you choose to find a place to eat in Hayward, the city center is normally the best place to go, though many eateries can be found all around Hayward. You can also find food on Mission, Jackson, and Foothill Blvds. There are also the usual chain restaurants including Dominoes, Taco Bell, McDonald's, The International House of Pancakes, and so on. 1 Favorite Indian Restaurant, 24052 Mission Blvd (near the Foothill Blvd curve), ☏ +1 510 583-7550. Daily 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-10PM. A proper Indian lunch and dinner buffet with excellent prices, online ordering and delivery services. Under $20. (updated May 2019) 2 Red Chili, 29583 Mission Blvd (between Overhill Dr and Alquire Pky), ☏ +1 510 881-8593. M-F 11AM-3PM, 5PM-9:30PM; Sa 11AM-9:30PM; Su 11AM-9PM. Cozy spot for Southeast Asian favorites in large portions for very good prices. Under $20. (updated May 2019) Veggie Lee. Chinese Cantonese vegan food, no garlic/onion (Buddhist), near Kennedy Park. (updated Jun 2024) 3 Buon Appetito, 917 A St (near corner of A St and Mission Blvd), ☏ +1 510 247-0120. M=Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-10:30PM, Su 3PM-10PM.

The downtown area has enough odd little hangouts and events, one can easily perambulate on a Friday night and pick up on blues or other music at the Music Depot (944 B St.), "pub" crawl, see a movie at Cinema Place. Always plenty of parking. 1 The Bistro, 1001 B St, ☏ +1 510-886-8525. M-Th 11AM-midnight, F-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su noon-10PM. A comfortable corner bar that is really the only place to hear live music in the area on a consistent basis almost every night. They usually have open mic on Mondays. Never a cover charge, and the music ranges from 1920s, blues, jazz, and rock on any day of the week. It's a small place on B street that's worth checking out if you're there after all the downtown shops close down. They serve salads and sandwiches and have tables that flow outside the establishment. No hard liquor, wines and 12 microbrews on tap, and good coffee. (updated Sep 2018) 2 Buffalo Bill's Brewery, 1082 B St (near corner of B St and Foothill Blvd), ☏ +1 510 886-9823. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight. Among the very first of the state's active brewpubs, serving the usual favorites of poppers and pizza late into the evening. Kitchen closes an hour before closing, last call is 15 minutes before close. $15-30. (updated Apr 2019) 3 The Funky Monkey, 22554 Main St (between A St and B St), ☏ +1 510 733-2334. Daily 10:30AM-1:30AM. A local favorite dive bar that serves a variety of beers and ales as well as mixed drinks. Crowded during football season on Monday nights. Weekly live DJ, dropping quality hip-hop beats. Under $20.

1 Best Western PLUS Inn of Hayward, 360 West A St (corner of West A St and Happyland Ave), ☏ +1 510 785-8700, toll-free: +1-800-367-2378, fax: +1 510 782-0850. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A nice, clean business-class hotel near the freeway in an otherwise suburban residential area. Cable sat TV, phones and dataports with high-speed Internet. Full meeting and banquet facilities, pool, full complimentary breakfast. Free parking. All rooms require $100 deposit above and beyond rental price and must be 21 or older to rent. Not pet-friendly. $120-150. (updated May 2019) 2 Mission Inn & Suites Hayward, 24400 Mission Blvd (between Pinedale Ct and Highland Blvd), ☏ +1 510-423-0267. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A low-cost no-frills hotel with a very basic breakfast; no smoking allowed. $58 (Oct 2023). 3 Days Inn by Wyndham Hayward Airport, 450 West A St (near corner of West A St and S Garden St), ☏ +1 510-670-0555, toll-free: +1-800-225-3297. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A low cost and clean no-frills hotel located up the street from the Hayward Executive Airport, hence the name. $100-120. (updated May 2019) 4 Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Oakland Hayward, 25921 Industrial Blvd (near corner of Industrial Blvd and Cryer St. and an offramp from Hwy 92), ☏ +1 510 782-5000, fax: +1 510 782-5222. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. An executive class hotel at the edge of a major industrial zone. Many amenities from Internet services to meeting and wedding reception spaces. $200-300. (updated May 2019) 5 Motel 6, 30155 Industrial Parkway Southwest (near Whipple Rd.

As is the case in most of the U.S., you will find it easiest to get to and around Hayward by car. That being said, there are several options for arriving by public transport. Amtrak runs multiple trains per day on its Capital Corridor route between Sacramento and San Jose, via Oakland. Long distance trains calls at 1 Hayward Amtrak station, located at 22555 Meekland Ave. Commuter rail is provided by BART, which serves serves Hayward via its Warm Springs/South Fremont–Daly City line with two stops within city limits. 2 South Hayward at 28601 Dixon St and 3 Hayward station at 699 B St, the latter one within walking distance to many shops and restaurants in the city centre. There are buses run by AC Transit, but these do not go to all parts of Hayward.

Hayward does have a lot of traffic in the Downtown area and on Highways. Hayward has several bus systems that serve the city. AC Transit and All Nighter Bus Network provide bus service and Union City Transit provides service in the Southern Hayward Area along the Union City Border. SamTrans service was discontinued in 1999. The HillHopper Bus System provides service to CSUEB. BART Has two stations (Downtown, South Hayward) with BayFair and Castro Valley BART stations nearby. Hayward has an Amtrak station in the Burbank District.

Like most cities in the United States, Hayward does have its rougher areas. Most of these are small areas right off of the five main streets in Hayward that run east to west. (A St, Winton Ave, Jackson St, Tennyson Ave, and Industrial Blvd.)