Know All About Hayward, California

Located close to a popular tourist destination- San Francisco and an economic powerhouse- Silicon Valley, Hayward enjoys a central location and acts as a home base for visitors. The panoramic vistas of the Bay alone are enough to lure visitors into this charming city. The other draws of the city are its exceptional natural beauty, diverse cultural and art scene, and a plethora of other tourist spots. The city offers a surfeit of outdoor pursuits like biking, hiking, boating, birdwatching, picnicking and much more. Hayward has plenty to please each tourist. So, if you’re wondering where to go for next vacation, you surely must think no further than Hayward. 

The early inhabitants on the Hayward area were the Ohlone and Yrgin Indians and they occupied the area for about 3,000 years. About 27,000 acres of land was granted to Guillermo Castro in 1843 by the Mexican government and it stretched from the Bay area to the present-day Hayward, San Lorenzo and Castro Valley. He named the land Rancho San Lorenzo. In 1851, William Dutton Hayward, an explorer purchased several acres of land from Guillermo Castro. That land is now the Downtown Hayward.  Hayward established a small general store at the corner of Mission Boulevard and A Street. This store served as a main stop on the road between San Jose and Oakland. Later, William Hayward built a Haywards Hotel and the surrounding areas were known as “Haywards” after the hotel of William Hayward. In 1868, the South part of Hayward experienced a M7.0 earthquake that damaged almost the whole area. It was called as the “Great San Francisco Earthquake”. In the 19th century, stores, fruits and cattle ranches proliferated on the land and in the early 20th century, the Hayward area was labelled as the “Heart of the Garden of Eden”. In 1860, the post office was first set up in the area. In 1876, the town was official incorporated as “Haywards”. The “s” in Haywards was officially dropped in 1911. In 1919, the first Hayward- San Mateo Bridge was opened, connecting Hayward to the San Francisco Peninsula. The city was named as the “City of Hayward” in 1928. Later, in 1950, it was known as the ‘Apricot City’ and also served as a home to the Hunt’s Cannery. Post WWII, several housing developments occurred in the city replacing the ranches and farms. In the 1950s and 60s, the city experienced growth and also the population increased from 14,000 to 72,000, almost five times. Today, the city has almost a population of 150,000 and is the 6th largest city in the Bay region. Also, it is a flourishing center of manufacturing, trade and commerce. Nicknamed as the “Heart of the Bay”, Hayward has turned into one of the most desirable place for companies and industries. Today, it is one of the Top Ten most diverse cities in the U.S. state of California. 

Hayward is home to several open spaces and parks offering a surfeit of recreational activities. It also has several attractions of all kinds. 

Hayward Area Historical Society: Dive into the rich and diverse history of Hayward at the Hayward Area Historical Society. It features a museum and library that houses art, artifacts and historical information of Hayward.

Japanese Gardens: The Japanese Gardens is more than 3 acres of botanical garden that features bonsai and plants set in traditional Japanese style. It is California’s oldest Japanese garden that is outlined in traditional style. It is a perfect spot for some relaxation and tranquility. 

Don Castro Regional Recreation Park: The Don Castro Regional Recreation Park features waterfront trails and wide variety of wildlife. The park’s lagoon has clear waters. It is a perfect spot for fishing, picnic, wildlife spotting and hiking. 

Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center: The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center features the ecology of the Bay Area. It has interactive exhibits on the Bay, Aquariums, maps, videos and a gift shop. It is an educational tour spot for the local schools where children can learn about nature, aquatic life and other related subjects. Outdoor activities galore here, including picnicking, hiking, birdwatching and fishing. 

Sulphur Creek Nature Center: The Sulphur Creek Nature Center is wildlife rehabilitation and a nature center that features variety of animals and plants. It also has a wildflower garden. Get close to nature and spot diverse wildlife at this spot. It serves as an educational spot for local schools. 

The Douglas Morrison Theatre: Catch a live stage show at The Douglas Morrison Theater. Musicals, concerts and plays are performed here. It can accommodate about 250 people. 

McConaghy House Museum: Peek into the past of Hayward at the McConaghy House Museum.  It is a 12-room farmhouse that features the history of McConaghy family. It is a beautiful treasure filled with artifacts and memorabilia. Docents are dressed in period garbs and tell the story of the family and the city’s past.

 

Meek Mansion:  Take a tour of the historic mansion when in Hayward- The Meek Mansion.  This Victorian mansion is included on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Sun Gallery: Browse the work of arts by the professional and up-and-coming artists at the Sun Gallery. The gallery also hosts art classed for kids. 

Hayward has ethnically and culturally diverse population. Its cultural diversity is prominent in the heritage sites and art facilities. It is a welcoming and friendly city that embraces one and all.  Also, it supports LGBT community. It hosts a gay prom every year, since 1995. The population of the city comprises of White, African American, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islander and several other races.

UTC-GMT Offset: Hayward is GMT/UTC-8hours during Standard Time and GMT/UTC-7hours during Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time Usage: Hayward uses Daylight Saving Time

Time Zone Abbreviation: PST is abbreviated for Pacific Standard Time and PDT is abbreviated for Pacific Daylight Time

Hayward Area code: 510

It is good to visit Hayward, just about anytime, due to its temperate climate. However, the best time to visit Hayward is September through November (autumn season) and March through April (spring season). These seasons are a good bet and offer pleasant and comfortable temperatures. The skies are clear, the days are warm and the nights are crisp. Surprisingly, even summers are not so warm. And if you do not want to elbow your way through the crowd, winter is a good time to visit Hayward.