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City in California, United States
Photo: Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hayward is a city in the inner East Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area region of California located next to the San Francisco Bay.
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Hayward Area Historical Society
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.
The oldest Japanese gardens in the US designed along traditional lines. Reservations for weddings available.
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.
The clear blue waters of the Don Castro swim lagoon are a favorite with central Alameda County residents. The lagoon and adjacent lake were created in 1964 when the Alameda Flood Control and Water Conservation District dammed San Lorenzo Creek. Today the lagoon is supplied with water from EBMUD, and a large shallow area is roped off especially for children. The adjacent lake is closed to boating and swimming, but hikers along the shore will discover a surprising wilderness in miniature, where turtles and frogs splash in the water, ducks rest in the reeds and raccoons and deer come down to drink at sunset.
The city has an extensive set of public murals, some of them quite spectacular (if out of the way). they have won a state award for the program that administers them as a joint beautification/graffiti abatement project. Cinema place downtown has 3, and 2 long murals are next to Jackson/92, towards downtown.
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.
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. Interior displays and most events are geared toward younger children, with terrariums at a kids eye level. Monthly programs about animals for a cost of $5–6 per family. Picnic tables, hiking trail. Free.
A celebration of the African-American history associated with the music of the World War II-era community of Russell City.
A Hayward Arts Council Gallery.
A Hayward Arts Council Gallery. Please visit the web site for details on current exhibits.
The most popular park and picnic area in town. The carousel, petting zoo, pony ride, and train ride are usually closed on school days.
A proper Indian lunch and dinner buffet with excellent prices, online ordering and delivery services.
Cozy spot for Southeast Asian favorites in large portions for very good prices.
Chinese Cantonese vegan food, no garlic/onion (Buddhist), near Kennedy Park.
A clean and old-fashioned Italian place with fine art on the walls, quality vino and reasonable prices.
Old fashioned diner with beige vinyl seats and checkerboard floors.
A choice stop for Korean standards and good prices.
A cozy decades-long Mexican fixture of the town, first of a local chain. Reservations for large groups.
Local, friendly hole-in-the-wall pizza and pasta place. Try the linguini verde. (Free) Delivery area: Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Castro Valley
A chill place for lunch and dinner, a good sushi list and everything's fresh.
A vintage burgers, coffee, shakes and fries joint that looks right out of the 1950s.
Formerly Hayward Japan Grill
A standard of the town with a fine brick edifice and a clean sushi bar.
California Cuisine, mid to high end prices, and an excellent wine selection and wine bar. Located in a renovated Victorian house, just off downtown, with beautiful plantings, this is a completely romantic yet stylishly modern restaurant. The food is quite good, and worth the prices (with good portions to boot). House special Mushroom brushetta is excellent, and the chef's use of vegetables is actually something new, like finely sliced, nearly raw, crispy cauliflower on a trout amandine; original texture and flavor contrasts, such as warm marinated olives with orange peel and garlic, in the style of a Tapas bar. Reservations recommended, holidays like Valentine's day fill up quickly. Worth a trip from other parts of the Bay.
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.
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.
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.
Very straight friendly, somewhat Western themed gay bar, with a large, sandy, funky patio area in back. They state they have existed since 1923. Very much a legendary local hangout. Not fancy, nothing to notice from the outside.
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.
A low-cost no-frills hotel with a very basic breakfast; no smoking allowed.
A low cost and clean no-frills hotel located up the street from the Hayward Executive Airport, hence the name.
An executive class hotel at the edge of a major industrial zone. Many amenities from Internet services to meeting and wedding reception spaces.
A clean budget motel that tends to be a frequent stop for truckers on long hauls. Many amenities; discounts for online booking and US military personnel.
Formerly Comfort Inn
Complimentary hot breakfast as well as juice, coffee, milk and tea. Complimentary wifi. Full business center with fax and copy services available. Reservations must be cancelled at least 24 hours before 4PM/24 hours before the first day of your stay.
Formerly Mainstay Suites
A good mid-range hotel with the business-class amenities without the business-class pricing.
Executive-class suites at budget prices. Pets allowed, with $10 fee. Complimentary breakfast and wi-fi. Fully accessible amenities and options.
Hayward does have a lot of traffic in the Downtown area and on Highways. Hayward has several bus systems that serve the city.
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Oakland · International · OAK
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