Glen Eden - Hayward, CA

Glen Eden was once part of the town of Mount Eden, established by Kentucky farmers who moved west during the Gold Rush. Harvesting salt formed a large part of the economy of this small town, as did the shipping industry. The town was incorporated into Hayward in the 1950s, but many places still bear the name Eden as a reminder of the area's history. Visitors can explore this history with a trip to the museum operated by the Hayward Historical Society, which has also preserved many historic buildings in the city.

The Hayward Arts Council operates a number of art galleries that have rotating exhibitions. St. Antonius Coptic Church celebrates Egyptian culture by serving ethnic foods and displaying artifacts at the annual King Tut Festival. The Zucchini Festival showcases every way that zucchini can be prepared, while also featuring live music and local art each year.

Residents of Glen Eden have access to a variety of restaurants, many located just north of the neighborhood, along Hesperian Boulevard. Take-out establishments greatly outnumber fine dining restaurants, so plan to drive little farther, to Union City or Hayward, for a nice sit-down meal.

Glen Eden residents know they can have the best Korean-style chicken wings in town at Chicken On Fire. This hole-in-the-wall eatery serves up crispy wings with soy garlic, the locals' favorite sauce. Sweet potato fries, cole slaw topped with fried ramen noodles and homemade pickled jalapeños make the sides just as tasty as the main chicken attraction. Try a Korean sushi roll if you're feeling more adventurous during your visit.

Residents head over to Dairy Belle Freeze and order a burger topped with melted cheese and a basket of garlic fries to satisfy fried-food cravings. On hot days, cool off with a tower of soft serve ice cream perched on a cake cone, or order the riptide, a blend of ice cream and crushed candies. This restaurant provides a nice local alternative to the fast-food chains located around it.

Taqueria la Placita serves some of the best Mexican food in the area. The grilled corn tortillas - piled high with carne asada and served with sides of rice and refried beans - make for a quick, hearty lunch. Try a daily lunch special, or stop in for a snack of carne asada nachos. Crowds tends to pour in around midday, so plan accordingly for your schedule.

Nightlife options can also be found in the vicinity of the neighborhood. At Chaplin's Sports Bistro, locals get together with friends to enjoy a beer while watching the game on the many televisions lining the walls. The restaurant combines a sports bar with a lounge to create a more upscale atmosphere than a typical sports bar. On NFL Sundays, cheer on your team while enjoying a special brunch menu and drink discounts.

The AC Transit operates several bus lines that run all around Glen Eden. The residential areas provide a nice venue for recreational bike rides, but the lack of bike lanes on major thoroughfares prevents many residents from biking. Although most streets have sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, many locals use personal vehicles to get around, as most businesses are located outside the neighborhood. Parking does not cost anything at most places, but it can be hard to find. Although Uber does not service the area, taxi companies provide cab rides if you call ahead to arrange one.

When you want to visit another city, the proximity of Interstate 880 facilitates travel, as does State Route 92, which runs across the bay to San Mateo. Board a BART train for service to cities all across the bay, including Oakland and San Francisco. To visit Sacramento, ride the Capital Corridor Amtrak train, which has a station in Hayward.

Unlike many other neighborhoods in the area, Glen Eden has preserved a number of green spaces that permit recreational opportunities. Mt. Eden Park attracts people for many different activities, such as children who climb on the monkey bars and zip down the slides of the playgrounds. Basketball courts and lighted tennis courts also draw in those looking to play pick-up games. Shelters and picnic tables make it a popular spot for families to spend a day at the park.

Explore the outdoors by visiting Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, a 6,400-acre complex of restored marshes and salt ponds, previously used for industrial salt harvesting. Bird watchers bring binoculars to catch a glimpse of the many migratory birds that stopover in the park. The three miles of trails throughout reserve attract many joggers and walkers. Hunters row small boats out into the ponds to enjoy a rare opportunity to hunt waterfowl, only allowed a few days each year. The reserve forms part of a massive operation to restore Bay area salt marshes, and is one of the best places to escape the suburbs and immerse yourself in nature.

While still higher than the national average, residents of Glen Eden enjoy relatively low living expenses for the area — eight percent lower than in Oakland. The monthly median rent on a one-bedroom residence runs around $1,445 and you can expect to pay nine percent higher than the national average for gas when you fill up. At a local bar, a pint of beer costs about $5. To get to Oakland from Glen Eden, take a bus for $2.10 to the South Hayward BART Station and then pay a $3.50 fare for the train.

Drive a few miles north on Hesperian Boulevard to find shopping opportunities at Southland Mall, anchored by Macy's and Sears. High-value stores like Target and Home Depot can also be found in the same area. Catch a movie at the theater located at Union Landing, another shopping hub south of Glen Eden, and grab a snack from Krispy Kreme. Within the neighborhood, shop for groceries at Foodmaxx or Costco. Those looking for ethnic groceries can find a number of Asian and Mexican supermarkets.

Enjoy being a kid again by browsing the selection of comic books at Comic & Figure Addict. Vintage toy collectors browse the shop to find the Superman or Captain America figures missing from their collections. An array of posters, statues and games make this the perfect spot to find a gift for a super hero or comic book enthusiast.