Wonderful large park. Saw various birthday parties being held on same day and plenty of space to…read morenot be in each other's way. But because so many people use this park parking can be a bit challenging. We ended up parking on the street. They have a splash pad and playground with different slides. Kids had fun. We also attended a family event at the community center. Large space that also includes a small playground for the kids. A kitchen area with a refrigerator. Overall great park.

Parking lot small but there's a few street parking Clean…read morespacious organized and well kept Tennis courts kid playground basketball courts BBQ pits seating area and wide grass field for soccer Yeah, I think they got everything here I prob missed some other positives too Try this spot out

This is just for the outside area. I haven't been to the swimming area in ages…read more Most of the time (especially not during summer) you can enter for free, park, walk around, enjoy some nature in the city and relax. There are also a few pokemon gyms located in the area if that is your thing, lol. Great place to have an impromptu picnic with a little privacy from the outside world.

Wow! It's hard to beat having lake/beach vibes that is so local to us. Clean facilities and clean…read morebeaches/water. Plenty of parking but can fill up during the weekends. Cheap prices to get in for parking as well as into the lake itself. Get here early on the weekends otherwise there is an admission limit that can be easily hit during those hot summer days. There are also lifeguards on duty here making sure that everyone is safe. Couple of caveats. Water is supposed to be chlorinated, but do note that there are wild birds that do swim/poop into the water. The shower facilities are not heated so please keep that in mind. In addition, just be aware that though many places online say that they are open till 6pm, the swimming actually ends at 5:30pm so please plan accordingly. I just cannot recommend this place enough for families, your children will love it here!

It's hard to beat having a lagoon/beach so close to home. Between this and the Don Castro…read moreRecreation Area lagoon this would be the better lagoon in terms of size as well as the larger bathrooms/changing area (though both are fantastic!). Get here early as there is a capacity limit. Grills/cabanas are first come first serve. You can also bring your own canopies if you do not want to come early to snag a spot. The water here is supposed to be chlorinated, and the deepest the lagoon goes is 11 feet. There is a roped off area that is safer for little ones. Lifeguards are also on duty as well keeping an eye on everyone. Check this place out if you are looking for local beach/lake vibes in a safe/clean environment!

This was a great place to stop on our drive!we were only there a short time but it was nice to get…read moreout. It was nice and green when we went. The parking is not bad, and they do have an accessible space

Five stars because it costs no yen…read more As far as Japanese gardens go, this one is my least favorite because it is rectangular, with a visible metal fence perimeter, with ugly trash and graffiti visible from across the creek and no opportunities to feed the koi fish. Three things, though, that make it special is that they have memorial plaques, stray cats, and blowtorched wood for an aged and weather-resistant finish. From 1913-1962, the site was a practice site for farming and raising livestock for Hayward Union High. It became a garden by the late 1970s, and when dedicated in 1980, focusing on botany (with plants donated by local Japanese-American nurseries) rather than religion. Every first Saturday at 1pm there's a free lecture/tour. It's not especially beautiful or big (3.5 acres) or exciting (the few people I saw there were on their phones), but it's a peaceful, clean area. I think informational displays could help people enjoy it more. Or phone chargers. Information like, many of the wooden connections (including the main entry gate) have notches instead of notches to fit together like puzzle pieces. This more authentic approach prevents rust. Or, the garden uses the Shakkei technique: when you can stand at the highest point, the surrounding trees are meant to look like distant mountains, with specific plants blended with the Japanese maples and native Oaks to make the garden feel ten timers larger than its actual 3.5 acres. Or, the hand-selected granite boulders from the Sierra Nevadas are buried one-third into the ground so it looks like they are growing, which is why I don't manicure myself often. .

I did not know this place existed until my partner found this and brought his family here…read more It's a nice, serene and scenic short walk with plenty of nice photo spots and benches to sit and take in the greenery. I loved seeing all the koi, bansai and various plants they had in the area. It is well worth a visit to come check it out!

This park is thoughtfully designed for children of all abilities. There's a soft play area for…read morebabies and toddlers, adaptive swings for kids in wheelchairs, and the entire playground is fenced for safety. The roundabout parking prioritizes disabled spots which is a smart and inclusive touch. There are shaded quiet areas, picnic tables for snacks or lunch, and a small free library (though it had little to no books when we visited). The bathrooms are high-tech with audio instructions and a 10-minute limit, but cleanliness was an issue as with most public spaces. Both women's restrooms had toilet seats up with pee on them, no seat covers, and people didn't seem to follow the gender signs. Overall, a great park with good intentions. Shoutout to Make-A-Wish and HARD for creating a space all kids can enjoy.

I've been looking for a park that my 22 month old toddler and my 11 month old crawler can play at,…read moreand this park is probably the only place that suits them both! From slides, swings and rocking climbing area, this area for sure will tire out the little ones! Great place to go have a picnic as well! There are basketball courts, skatepark and an exercise area; good for all ages!

Lake Chabot Regional Park is an absolutely beautiful place and easily one of the most peaceful…read moreoutdoor spaces in the area. From the moment you arrive, it feels like a true escape from the city--quiet, expansive, and surrounded by nature. The scenery alone is worth the visit. The lake is stunning, especially when the light hits the water, and the surrounding hills and greenery make it feel immersive and calming. It's the kind of place that instantly slows you down and helps you breathe a little deeper. One of the biggest highlights is the sheer number of trails available. There are so many options, whether you're looking for a casual walk, a longer hike, or something more challenging. The trails are well maintained and offer a great mix of lake views, wooded areas, and open stretches. It's also a great park because it works for so many different types of outings. You'll see hikers, runners, cyclists, families, and people just enjoying time outdoors. There's plenty of space, so it never feels overcrowded, even when it's busy. Lake Chabot Regional Park is a true gem. The natural beauty, variety of trails, and peaceful atmosphere make it a place you'll want to return to again and again. Whether you're local or just visiting, it's absolutely worth spending time here.

I am writing to formally express my disappointment regarding my recent experience at the park and…read moremarina area. During my visit, my children and I waited nearly two hours to get on a pontoon boat while I observed management allowing other individuals to board boats based on personal relationships or favoritism. This felt unfair and unprofessional In addition the staff behavior inside the café was extremely disappointing and lacked professionalism. The only positive part of the experience was the young men working on the dock, who remained respectful and uplifting once they noticed I was upset. They handled themselves professionally despite the stressful environment around them I also noticed several safety and cleanliness concerns throughout the area. Many of the boats appeared old poorly maintained and dirty From what I observed employees were mainly instructed to spray the boats down quickly with hoses, with little to no proper cleaning supplies being used This does not appear to be an effective or safe maintenance process for equipment being used by families and visitors Another concern was the way some employees were treated by management I witnessed behavior that appeared disrespectful and unprofessional toward staff members. I strongly believe all visitors and employees should be treated with courtesy, fairness, and professionalism at all times, regardless of background or position Overall the lack of organization, customer service, assistance, and maintenance created a very frustrating experience for my family and negatively impacted our visit to the park I respectfully ask that management seriously review these concerns and take appropriate action to improve customer service, employee treatment, safety standards, cleanliness, and overall operations moving forward

It was really just beautiful over there I've never been to Castro Valley in the town at south so…read morethis was the first really enjoyed it recommend you all to go try it out with your family the views up there on the hill to her just beautiful at sunset

Beautiful park with a view of the bay and the SF skyline…read more Perfect spot to walk wolfie. A children's playground is present as is a huge field meant for softball. If you live down the hill take a walk up instead if the treadmill on an incline one day. Better air to breathe and no views like this at some stuffy gym. Get outside and bring a frisbee for your four legged friend.

This is one of the only two parks in Hayward City & Rec that allow a bounce house or inflatable…read morebouncer. The park offers a lot of space, a couple workout areas, and a rundown park for kids. I wish Hayward City & Rec would give more options. This isn't the nicest park to want to host your child's 1st birthday Across the street there is baseball field. There is also a walking trail behind the park area

This is neighborhood park where most people know each other and the laughter of children fill the…read moreair. There's a nice playground at the top of the hill and a very large grassy area below for recreational events, and across the street there is a baseball field. A little known secret is the trail that leads alongside the baseball field that overlooks the canyon with spectacular views. I highly recommend it.

This park is absolutely AMAZING!!!!!…read more Lucky for us, my family moved in this area and Greenwood Park is within walking distances. With it's infamous 3 towering flower structure that offers beauty and shade, you can't miss it!! While there are the typical play structures found at typical parks, Greenwood has a number of musical instruments to play with and enjoy. The park has plenty of seating areas and also has BBQ grills. There are restrooms available but I can't speak on the conditions since I haven't actually used them. The park is spacious, clean, and is the perfect spot to relax with a snack or have a full blown paaaartay!! 5/5 stars, my family and I love everything about Greenwood!!

Probably one of the nicest parks in Hayward. Problem is its just in an unusual hard to find spot…read morethat is almost hidden - unless you are one of the lucky residents nearby. Flowering trees, walkways, little musical instrument for kids, bay friendly rated landscaping, beautiful flower shaped shade artwork, hammock, swings, play structure, small trampoline, basketball hoops... I could go on and on about all the different amenities. There is something for everybody. One beautifully done park... likely from money from the new nearby construction. Big newer homes are on one side and then trailer park homes are on the other side. Its a public park and no matter what you pay for rent or where you live it is here for you to enjoy. The one problem I saw was the basketball hoops. They were like tiny lakes. For whatever reason the concrete contractors messed up. They made little swimming pool instead of flat concrete that doesn't puddle up. I've bounced a ball in a tiny pool of water... and let me tell you - its one way to end the fun. Great little park for all residents of Hayward. Worth a little drive to get to.

This is a hidden gem in Castro Valley. It's kid friendly and pet friendly. The dogs love the trail…read moreand the kids love the playground. The people that attend this place are super friendly and make it even more enjoyable. There's also a full court basketball court which was a nice surprise. The maintenance of the grass could be better but with so much land I understand why it's overgrown in certain areas. I love this place and bring my family here often. You won't be disappointed coming here on a Saturday or Sunday. Lastly, the views of the bay (you'll have to see them to understand)

Cute park with nice views of the bay. It's not a big park made for small kids. It's got some…read moreparking