Hayward (is).....on the side of a building that sells motorcycle gear, supplies & parts. It's next…read moreto a self-service car wash. The mural shows 3 young teens around a bubble making machine. Nearby are circles with images of Hayward: -Hayward water tower -Ron Thompson-a local guitarist -apricots & beans-reminders of fruits crops of cherries, berries, pears, plums et al. that once grew here -Ohlone hut of Native Americans that had land here. -an house indicating many landmarked buildings. *many aspects not shown-i.e. Mexican natives who were here when Spain left land to Mexico. Mexico ceded land to America after the Mexican-American War (1846-48). **Mexicans & Native Americans were granted "rights" in treaties. U.S. Congress ignored it... !mural erased history of early inhabitants of Hayward..

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 "sculptural collaboration" located next to the base of the stairs across from the elevator is…read morein Castro Valley Marketplace. this "larger-than-life sized 'Cameraman' using Ed's 45-year-old camera collection and Marc's engineering genius"... the signage elaborates what materials are used along with the unique, artisanal touches to tweak the creation to make it "life like", naturally, there are signs to avoid touching or any physical interaction with "Cameraman". sounds and a "Cameradog" were added by associates.... the sculpture is embedded in plain sight in the decor of the marketplace. creators: Ed Holmes & Marc Ribaud w/Joe Paullno & Maria Chenut from Collection of East Bay Natural Grocers, Inc.

This is such a unique sculpture, by Ed Holmes and Marc Ribaud, featuring not just Cameraman but…read morealso Cameradog! Located in front of the grocery store inside Castro Valley Marketplace, it was cool being able to see this lovely artwork up close and marvel at the range of cameras used to create this interesting piece, some dating back to the 1920's, from colorful toy cameras shaped as feet to brownie hawkeyes along the body of this human-like figure, even a red box camera in place of a heart and old camcorders forming its neck. Cameradog, created by Maria Chenut, is made up of camera cases and even has a little dog bowl. Imaginatively and skillfully put together, this is truly an impressive art display.

This is a beautiful mosaic mural, by Margarita Soyfertis, located on the outside of the building at…read moreCastro Valley Marketplace. You can easily view and admire this artwork while sitting in the outdoor patio of this food hall, enjoying your snacks and beverages. It was created during the pandemic to incite positivity among locals and visitors, with elements of music, nature, and community in the tile design. Such intricate detail, weaving together colors and images that ease the heart. If visiting the marketplace, it's definitely worth a closer look.

this utility box celebrates Cherryland with pinkish cherry blossoms on a green background…read more Cherryland is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Alameda County. the only people who know of this place are the 10,060 people who live here. Ashland is to the North and Hayward is at it's South. creator: Nico Berry

mural with header "East & West at Peace" is on the 151st St. side of an existing liquor store…read more The header is a reference to an old rap rivalry in which Tupac Shakur on the West Coast and Notorious B.I.G. on the East Coast died. Their pics are at the top left and right, respectively. The feud is no longer oncoming. A truce was negotiated. other themes portrayed: -break dancing -bay bridge labeled "Dreams" -Jemco sign a reference to Gemco now Target. -In Loving Memory John Gomes -"welcome to San Leandro" sign -Bal theatre sign -DJ spinning vinyl -Raider fan in gear carrying boombox -teenage female hanging around -smiling Sikh wearing turban -a convenience store -skyline of Oakland downtown skyscrapers.. Creators: Amend, TDK, MERX

one of the locals stopping for a pose while eating her pizza…read more looks like pepperoni on cheese. creator: unknown

On one side of the mural an Indigenuous Religious figure is offering prayer with a small pot to the…read moregods above in the swirling cosmos. witness is a single flower. on the other side, life exists normally in the wild: -rivers flowing with trouts jumping out of the streams for air -a hand raises from the river with a musical percussion instrument. -many strains of flowers, vegetation, and butterflies are enjoying their night out...

this utility box is on the edge of a sidewalk. it's centered between a cafe and it's vacant…read moreneighbor. this box shows an otter swimming upstream, posing for a photoshoot, sunbathing. it could be one otter or with his friends, and or family. it isn't a beaver-no dam, an otter looks cute, a beaver looks like a rat, ottor has long tail, beaver-short round tail with scales. otter has 4 web feet, beaver 2; 0tters more friendly, less destructive to the ecosystem.