KTVU heads to Hayward to cover community life, hidden gems and hot spots

KTVU headed to Hayward on Friday for KTVU the 9 - to highlight hotspots and hidden gems in the city. 

Hayward's History 

Hayward is the sixth largest city in the Bay Area and the third largest in Alameda County.

For about 3,000 years the area was occupied by the native tribes of the Ohlone and Yrgin people. 

Then in 1843, a Mexican soldier named Guillermo Castro was granted nearly 27,000 acres of land from the Bay to beyond the hills, including present day Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Leandro.

It was once a thriving farming community but it's grown after World War II to the sixth largest city in the East Bay.

William Hayward was its founding father. He owned Hayward's Hotel in the 1850's and that apostrophe stuck around for a good 16 years. 

"So when the town was incorporated in 1876 it is incorporated as the town of Hayward's with the 'S.' The 'S' lasted until 1893 when the town formally changes its name to the town of Hayward," said Town Archivist John Christian.

Hayward is all grown up now - boasting over 400 bio-science businesses, and 100 food companies like Shasta and the Annabelle Candy Company.

Hayward is home to four colleges including Cal State East Bay and Chabot College.    

Forty thousand people commute into Hayward each day, while 40,000 commute out. The medium price for a home is just over $700,000. 

Hayward Japanese Gardens

Claudine Wong went on a tour of the Hayward Japanese Gardens. The gardens are about 38 years old and feature peaceful trails and koi ponds. 

Hayward Hot Spots    

Sal Castaneda checked out some of the hot spots in town. 

Hayward Fault 

Claudine Wong went on a tour of the Hayward fault line - showing evidence of the fault throughout the city.