With 150,000 residents, today the City of Hayward is the sixth-largest city in the Bay Area and a thriving regional center of commerce, manufacturing activity and trade. Known as the "Heart of the Bay," Hayward has capitalized on its unparalleled location to become one of the most desirable business locations for companies in advanced industries.

The City continues to plan for the future, maintaining a balance between the needs of our diverse residents and a growing business community. The City works hard to balance the needs of our growing population with the preservation of open space and an aggressive economic development strategy.

A perfect day in Hayward takes you from the hills to the shoreline with innumerable delights in between:

Start your day with a ridgeline hike at sunrise with 360 degree views of the entire Bay Area. Challenge yourself at one of three quality golf courses showcasing the region’s unique topography. Enjoy an early dinner at one of the United States’ first brewpubs, then walk a few steps for a different kind of Zen meditation in California’s oldest Japanese garden. Wend your way back through a historic downtown with buildings that trace their roots back to the 1860s, then spend the twilight strolling along the pristine shoreline, surrounded by native wildlife as the sun dips below the San Francisco skyline on the horizon.