Between San Francisco And San Jose Is A Vibrant Bayside City With A Buzzing Food Scene

San Francisco boasts a storied food scene, but it's far from the only spot in the region offering up trendy restaurants and delicious dishes. A smaller alternative to the big city is Hayward, home to 155,000 residents and located between San Francisco and San Jose. The city is perhaps best known for being the site of California State University, East Bay, though its multi-ethnic community is what truly makes it special.  A study conducted by Filterbuy previously crowned Hayward as the best midsize city to move to for diversity, based on the 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) from the U.S. Census Bureau. 

On Niche, one local explained just how visible this diversity is. "You can see it in the cultural grocery stores, the languages people speak, and the different kinds of small businesses you see all around." Naturally, this includes Hayward's dining options. For reference, Census Reporter states that the city has a predominantly Hispanic and Asian population. As such, visitors can expect to encounter an array of eateries from these cultures. 

In fact, as of this writing, Hayward's only Michelin Guide Restaurant is Los Carnalitos, serving cuisine from Mexico City. The San Francisco Chronicle once named this no-frills spot as having some of the top tacos in the East Bay. The publication mentions Los Carnalitos' suadero (brisket) tacos, though there are plenty of other options on the menu. Popular on Yelp is the Gringa, a pastor (pork) taco stuffed with red pickled onions and cheese. Los Carnalitos is in a strip mall on Industrial Parkway Southwest. However, there are even more yummy bites in Downtown Hayward.

Downtown Hayward is arguably at the center of the city's food scene (plus, the city's multicultural background is celebrated here, with events like the annual Cinco de Mayo festival). One top-rated eatery you'll find here is Aama's Kitchen, rated 4.8 stars on Google based on more than 3,500 reviews. The eatery specializes in Nepalese and Indian fare, offering dishes like biryani and momo. "This is the kind of place that is only an article away from being thrown into the spotlight and needing reservations," states a review. 

At Tasty Szechuan, you can indulge in orange chicken and other Chinese American classics in a colorful space decorated with paper lanterns and bamboo. While this spot is compact, reviewers on Google say its flavors are bold.  "We drive all the way from Oakland and send people from all around the bay to this restaurant," shared a user on Google. Ranked as the best restaurant in Hayward on Yelp is Khao Hom. Stop by for breakfast or brunch; the menu has Asian fusion dishes like ube pancakes with Thai tea syrup and short rib Benedict with a Thai twist. As one Yelp user put it, Khao Hom has "so many interesting things to try!"

The establishments above can be described as casual and relatively affordable. What's more, free parking is available downtown. Note that January is Hayward Restaurant Month, which sees various restaurants offering discounts and other perks to diners. If you're a fervent foodie, you might also be interested in visiting San Mateo, a charming city in the middle of California's Silicon Valley (it's located a 30-minute drive away via the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge). And for something lively, be sure to check out the Hayward farmers market, held downtown each Saturday. Here, you can taste other Bay Area delights, like tamales, empanadas, and pastries.

Before or after you indulge in Hayward's delicacies, consider spending time exploring the natural wonders of this vibrant bayside city. Hayward Regional Shoreline offers bike-friendly trails overlooking saltwater marshes and views of the San Francisco Bay. Visitors will traverse gravel paths and boardwalks as they explore this coastal park, which is home to a variety of bird species.

Garin Regional Park is another hiking destination in Hayward. This green space features bucolic views of rolling hills and has a variety of trails to choose from (it's also adjacent to Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park). One popular option on AllTrails is the 1.2-mile Jordan Pond Loop. "There are a couple of inclines towards the end that will get your heart pumping. Lots of benches along the trail for rest and reflection," reads a review from the platform.

Listed as the city's top attraction on Tripadvisor is the Hayward Japanese Gardens. Its 3.5 acres are adorned with flourishing bonsai trees and other greenery, as well as a sizable pond. Visitors can enjoy this scenery from picture-perfect gazebos. Not only is it free to visit, but according to SFGate, this is the oldest Japanese garden in the Golden State. Without a doubt, avid outdoor enthusiasts will be happy to learn that there are other Bay Area parks near Hayward. You can find them in cities like Pleasanton, a thriving California suburb with a vibrant art scene, and Fremont, an overlooked western gem once named the least stressed city in America.