Hayward, California

Hayward was founded in 1852 by William Hayward, who purchased 40 acres of land encompassing what is now Downtown Hayward. The early Hayward community, with its location at the crossroads of commerce, its temperate climate, and its fertile soil, consisted of a stage coach stop, post office, general trading store, a dairy farm, and one of the area's finest hotel resorts. Hayward experienced tremendous growth during the post-war years, and since the 1960's has grown at a steady and managed pace.

Hayward is a vibrant and diverse community of 123,000 residents, boasting a variety of recreational and cultural attractions -- parks, arts groups and art enrichment opportunities, historical roots and resources -- which help make Hayward a good place to live as well as a good place to work. We have many parks, swim centers, tennis courts, an arts center, performance theaters, a rodeo arena, a nature center, and a greenbelt hiking trail. Skywest, Hayward's professionally rated 18-hole golf course, is "one of the best municipal golf courses in the East Bay" according to the San Francisco Business Times. And we have restaurants to satisfy every taste! There is lots to see and do in Hayward, right here in The Heart of the Bay.  

Hayward has a pedestrian-friendly downtown comprised of two story buildings with a mix of housing, retail shops, offices, and restaurants -- and parking is free! Downtown is the site of the Saturday Farmer's Market and celebrations throughout the year including the Blues and Brew, Celebration of Nations, and Art and Wine Festivals. The City is developing a Civic Center Complex with government offices in City Hall, retail stores, and condominiums adjacent to the downtown BART station. Across from the Civic Center, 83 townhomes, the first phase of 250 new residences, have been built.

Links

City of Hayward
Hayward Chamber of Commerce
Hayward School District
Hayward  Demographics