Our quest for living in California is to visit as many beautiful places as we could while we're…read moreliving here in this expensive state, especially in NorCal. Last weekend we visit Hayward Japanese Gardens. It's not too far from our home in Fremont. We took Mission Blvd all the way to Hayward, we got to see the city, quite nice. The parking lot is designated for the theater but there's no where else to park so we parked there. We're amazed with all the well groomed different types of trees, quite pleasant and unique. The pond with beautiful Koi fishes. It's a huge garden with so many beautiful trees and flowers. It's so well kept and every tree was trimmed to perfection. There are benches to sit to enjoy the sceneries, wedding people came here to take pictures for their albums. It's a gorgeous day in CA for a beautiful garden.

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. .

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

This Hayward streetscape painting is a lovely colorful display of the city, completed in 2009…read more Images include the market, art studio, movie theater, shops, restaurants, animals, musicians, first responders, and ordinary people from all walks of life portrayed beautifully in a playful and harmonious community representing downtown Hayward. According to the artist, Suzanne Gayle, the mural aims to encourage passersby to blend in with the art. It's certainly a great opportunity for photo ops, or just a little amusement for theatre-goers as they trek to and from the cinema along the alleyway off of B Street, near the theater entrance and box office, and adjacent to Rockit Char Grill. The paint is more cracked and faded toward the back end of the alley, but overall, the mural is in good condition (as of Jan 2024), and is a nice feature in this otherwise dull and uninspiring walkway.

Big mural in downtown Hayward. I think what prevents it from being a five star review is the…read morereasoning behind the murals - its not a love for art - it is to try to stop graffiti - and ultimately to save money. If you've ever listened to Hayward city council meetings you quickly see how planning commissioners and city council members think. Planning commissioners are obsessed with art and investors often sweet talk them with their artistic visions. I'd love to see art because of a love for art. That is not what this is here. Its sort of like a person wearing expensive brands that are of cheap quality. All about an image and not about character. Hayward does try to improve things and they mean well. The council members are always listening and quick to give a call back. Downtown is their darling and luckily that is where I live - so my neighborhood gets all the attention. If you ever need help with sleeping - let me invite you to listen to Hayward city council meetings on Youtube. I love to watch the city manager and mayor in action.

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.