Cherry-Guardino - Fremont, CA Area Guide

The Cherry-Guardino neighborhood forms a part of the Central district of Fremont, an area that saw its first large influx of settlers during the Gold Rush. Development took off during World War II, when many people moved to the area to find jobs powering the war effort.

Residents enjoy the lively arts scene of Fremont, which holds many annual festivals. The Fremont Festival, held annually in July, features booths of art from local artisans and live music from local bands. The Fremont Cultural Arts Council sponsors art events throughout the year, including a writing contest, an arts and crafts show in Shinn Park and a juried photography show. Stop by the Olive Hyde Art Guild to view galleries of artwork and rotating exhibitions. You can explore the history of California by visiting the museum at nearby Mission San Jose, one of the iconic Spanish missions in California.

Residents enjoy access to a variety of restaurants due to Cherry-Guardino's close proximity to downtown Fremont. For a quick meal to go, grab a sandwich at Picnic Sandwich Bistro. The menu consists of unique sandwich creations such as the Big Sur, served with chicken, artichoke and chipotle ranch. Pickup up a three-course group picnic package to enjoy a picnic in Fremont Central Park with friends.

For fine French dining, reserve a candlelit table overlooking the bay at Papillon Restaurant. Start the meal off with French onion soup served with a crispy puff pastry on top before diving into a roasted duck as your main dish. The baked Alaska, served with blue flames leaping from the top, makes for an exciting and delectable dessert. An extensive wine list ensures the perfect bottle to pair with your meal.

Start your morning off right with a sausage and cheese croissant at Daily Bagel Cafe. If you prefer a bagel instead, you'll have a whole bakery case of options including cinnamon, onion, and cheese. The lox and cream cheese on bagel is a favorite among locals but as an option not on the menu, you will have to special order it. The small restaurant tends to get cramped around lunchtime, so plan accordingly to avoid the crowds.

Residents also head to Fremont for nightlife options. For a night out, gather up your friends and share hookah with them at Bijan Hookah Bar. The extensive selection of hookah options include unique varieties like white gummy bear and blue mint. You can also grab a drink from the bar or sip on tea or coffee.

A transportation hub located at the edge of the neighborhood facilitates getting around. The AC Transit operates several bus lines that run through the neighborhood, but most residents use personal vehicles to get to work. Bike lanes and sidewalks on many streets making biking and walking options as well for traveling through the neighborhood. Most businesses have free and ample parking for patrons. Uber does not service the area, but you can call a local taxi company for a cab ride.

To leave town, you only need to drive a few miles to reach Interstates 880 or 680. Many people also use BART to travel to nearby cities like Oakland and San Francisco. Board the Amtrak to get a ride to Sacramento on the Capital Corridor.

To spend time in the outdoors, residents head to Fremont central park, located immediately south of the neighborhood. The park encompasses more than 400 acres and contains softball fields, soccer fields and tennis courts that offer recreational opportunities. The two-mile trail also attracts walkers and joggers. Get out on the water by taking a paddle boat or canoe on Lake Elizabeth, an 83-acre lake in the middle of the park. Children enjoy playing on the multiple playgrounds and splashing around in the pools of the Aqua Adventure Water Park. Let your dog run free in fenced off sections designed especially for dogs. The park has activities that everyone can enjoy and is a tranquil oasis in the middle of suburbia.

Even by California standards, living costs in Cherry-Guardino run fairly high, around 14 percent more expensive than in Oakland. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom costs $2,201 and gas prices remain nine percent higher than the national average. Plan to pay around $5 for a pint of beer at a local bar. Getting from Cherry-Guardino to Oakland using BART costs $4.30.

Shopping opportunities are plentiful in Cherry-Guardino thanks to a large complex of retailers just two miles away. Here you will find Fremont Plaza and Fremont Hub, which feature several high value retailers like Marshall's and Ross. Locals also head to the area to shop for groceries at Sprouts, Foodmaxx, and Trader Joe's. To shop for local produce, check out the Irvington Farmers Market, located just three miles from the neighborhood.

Those with a passion for antiquing enjoy searching through the many thrift and antique stores around Cherry-Guardino. For a unique take on this kind of store, stop by Mantiques, which opts for things like Star Wars toys and weird art over the typical inventory of china and porcelain dolls. Rummage through the boxes and shelves to find a unique gift for a vintage toy or comic book enthusiast. The store also attracts a group of die-hard vintage collectors who swap stories about their hunts for rare treasures.

Stop by Beads at Beads to pick up supplies for your next jewelry-crafting project. The store contains beads in every color you can imagine and includes materials like sapphire, jade and pearls. String together your own creation or browse the selection of handmade Indian jewelry to leave the store with a new bracelet or necklace.