5 Reasons to Move to Hayward, CA
By Sean Creamer on July 21, 2022
Folks relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area have plenty of great cities to choose from.
There are urban areas like Oakland and San Francisco and secluded enclaves like Atherton and Saratoga, where privacy is paramount. Finding the right fit is crucial when buying a home in the Bay Area, and Hayward, California, is a great place to set down roots.
This small city packs a big punch in the East Bay. There is a strong culinary culture and a dedication to nature and the arts. Plus, it is near the tech hubs of San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco.
To help buyers learn about this slice of the Bay Area, the team at Prevu Real Estate put together a guide on the top reasons people choose to move to Hayward, CA.
Easy access to the whole Bay Area
There are many bedroom communities in the Bay Area, but Hayward holds a candle above the rest. The city motto is "heart of the bay" and it is easy to see why, considering how easily you can reach the rest of the Bay Area from Hayward.
The city sits on the shores of the East Bay and the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge provides an easy route to reach the West Bay cities. The 92 runs over the bridge and can take you to the 280 near the College of San Mateo on the west side. This same highway connects the small Pacific City of Half Moon Bay to the rest of the peninsula.
Those driving to Oakland or San Francisco can head north on 880 or 580 highways to reach the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The 880 is better for folks who need to get to Oakland International Airport or stop locally in Oakland.
Conversely, the 580 is great for avoiding inner-city traffic, as the highway hugs the hills east of Oakland. If you have to head south toward San Jose, your best bet is taking the 880, as it cuts through Milpitas and runs into the heart of Silicon Valley.
And if driving is not to your liking, there are two BART stations on the eastern side of town. One is next to California State University, East Bay, and the other is in South Hayward.
Many people choose to live in Hayward for the ease of travel but end up falling in love with the unique identity of the city.
Happening downtown
While Hayward is one of the smaller Bay Area cities, it has a tight-knit community. Each weekend there are plenty of activities to do, ensuring you do not have to leave Hayward to have a great day.
Many folks head downtown to kick off their day, taking in the beautiful murals brightening the walls of the restaurants and boutiques lining Mission Boulevard. There are over 200 murals in Hayward, and the city sponsors many of them. And there is even an interactive map to help locals find tile and paint murals off the beaten path.
In the heat of the summer, folks usually retreat to the Hayward Plunge, a local indoor pool and park maintained by the city. Another popular spot is the Century Theater, right on Foothill Boulevard near downtown. And folks who want to learn about Hayward's pastoral and industrial history can go back in time by visiting the Hayward Area Historical Society, just up the street from Century Theater.
There are plenty of grocery stores on Mission, and you can spice up your shopping each weekend by stopping in at the farmers' market. Hayward comes alive at night, and many residents wind their night down at City Hall Plaza, where the city hosts a summer concert series each Saturday.
If music is not your muse, you can grab some great grub at the yearly Hayward Zucchini Festival. This eclectic festival is where locals gather to see farmers compete over who grew the best zucchini, and there is even a competition to see who has a zucchini that looks the most like Ronald Regan.
While there is plenty to do during the day in Hayward, the city comes alive after hours, too.
Hayward keeps the night alive
Despite being a bedroom community, there is plenty to keep busy with after dark in Hayward.
The nearby CSU East Bay campus means there is a steady supply of students ready to party, and local bars and restaurants are happy to provide food and entertainment. Between Foothill Boulevard and Mission Boulevard is a collection of lounges and bars, making it a popular nighttime destination.
The World Famous Turf Club hosts game nights and has live music on the weekends. Just around the corner from the Century Theater is the Dirty Bird Lounge, another happening haunt with funky designs and live music for night owls to enjoy. You can even play cards with your friends at the Palace Poker Casino, which is open 24 hours a day.
Yet downtown Hayward is not all drinks and music. There is plenty of great food to sample just minutes from these happening venues.
Diverse food options abound
Hayward has been a welcoming port for immigrants coming to the United States for years.
Many came chasing after manufacturing and food-canning jobs, the dominant industry until the 1980s. Today, that diverse footprint remains and manifests itself in restaurants and shops dotting downtown Hayward. While nearby Fremont is known for Afghani food, Hayward reigns supreme for Spanish and Mexican dishes.
One famous eatery is La Piñata, which has served hungry clientele for over 30 years. While the restaurant is small, the owners make do and even bring in a mariachi band on Thursday nights. Taco Uruapan is another staple of the community, as it originally began as a food truck 30 years ago and is now a full-service restaurant.
While Spanish food is a local favorite, there are many holdovers from the '50s that could easily fit into the background of your favorite scene from the movie Grease. Hayward's Vintage Alley is a goldmine of memorabilia, and after doing some shopping, you can head to Val's Burgers to grab a bite in this classic 50s'-era diner.
One of the best ways to work up an appetite in Hayward is by taking in the natural beauty of this waterside city nestled in the foothills of the San Leandro Hills mountain range.
Fun from sea to summit
Many Bay Area cities are near nature, but Hayward threads the region's natural beauty into its fabric.
Near the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge is the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, a salt marsh wetland where folks go hiking and look for seabirds that come to roost here. As you move closer to downtown, you will come across the illustrious Hayward Japanese Gardens, the first of its kind in California, featuring a tea house, koi pond, and iconic pine trees that transport you to a peaceful place.
Yet if you want to explore the hills above Hayward to get views of the entire San Francisco Bay, you should trek over to Jalquin Vista Park, where you can look out over the bay without needing to hike for miles.
But if summiting peaks is your thing, then the Ridgeline Trail off Santos Ranch Road is for you. Miles of crisscrossing trails make hardened hikers work hard for great views, making this a challenging but worthwhile trip.
Houses for sale in Hayward, CA
Prevu Real Estate, Inc. is a licensed real estate broker in California, license number 02134758.
