Cherryland - Hayward, CA

As its name suggests, today's Cherryland sits on the former orchards of pioneer William Meek, considered Alameda County's "first farmer." When Meek arrived on the West Coast via the Oregon Trail in 1846, he brought with him seeds and grafted trees that would be the basis for his orchards. Aside from his famous cherries, Meek planted apricots, plums and almonds across 3,000 acres. His elaborate mansion overlooked these vast orchards, and remains today as one of the region's most visited historical sites. Today, the 23-room Meek Mansion opens to visitors for private tours, weddings and other special events. For more information on Meek Mansion and other local history, visit the Hayward Area Historical Society's Center for History and Culture just southeast of Cherryland in nearby Hayward.

For an authentic Mexican meal without the trappings of "Tex-Mex" hard shell tacos, try La Casita Restaurant. With locations in nearby Hayward and on Cherryland's Meekland Way, this family-owned eatery serves the closest thing to a homemade Mexican meal. Locals rave about the chicken and rice soup, claiming cold-curing properties in its tomato-based broth. For those experiencing taco overload, head over to Sushiland. This cozy, 19-seat restaurant offers good food, excellent prices, and a friendly staff. Favorites include the Spanish Bay roll, udon soup, and the chef's choice salad. The salmon rolls are especially tender, the tempura is perfect, and the sushi is fresh. When it comes to nightlife, most Cherrylanders head to nearby Hayward or Oakland, yet a few local gems keep Cherryland nights alive. For a true local hangout, try Shirlene's Iron Horse. This place covers all the dive bar essentials: three pool tables, darts, and strong, cheap drinks. Above all, the friendly staff keeps many residents calling themselves regulars.

Given the area's proximity to major highways like I-580, Cherryland residents commute primarily by car. The drive to San Fransisco takes around 30 minutes, while nearby Oakland takes a mere 20 minutes. Several bay area transit buses service the neighborhood, bringing riders into the city and also towards outerlying suburbs. The Bay Area Rapid Transit, or "BART," runs a subway line from nearby Fremont into downtown San Fransisco, making stops at Hayward and Bay Fair, both fairly convenient for Cherryland residents. Both BART stations have convenient daily and monthly parking options for those looking to leave the car behind. Aside from these parking lots, Cherryland has relatively few public lots, leaving most drivers to park on the street or in home driveways. Hailing a cab proves difficult in residential Cherryland, so most residents reserve cars in advance by calling traditional taxi companies or by way of smartphone app with services like Uber and Lyft. Cherryland upholds the East Bay's reputation as a biker's paradise. With designated bike lanes on Western Boulevard and Meekland Avenue, biking proves a safe and reliable transit option for commuting both within and outside of Cherryland. For shorter commutes, many residents choose to leave the bike at home and simply walk to in-town destinations.

Cherryland's namesake park ranks among the best for children in the area. While older children shoot hoops on the basketball court, younger kids delight in the park's jungle gym, complete with balance beams and slides. Cherryland Park also features a skate park and picnic benches, all surrounded by shady trees. Open daily to the public, local church and school groups also use the park for special events. For an outdoor setting with an incredible view, try Meek Park, the grounds of Cherryland's historic Meek Mansion. Although the mansion itself can only be accessed via private tour, residents are welcome to enjoy the park any time. Picnic tables dot the premises for a truly scenic outdoor meal, and a giant lawn provides visitors with a lush landscape for reading a book or enjoying the company of friends. If it gets too sunny, the gazebo offers a shaded meeting place. As if these free amenities weren't enough, the park also boasts well-maintained public bathrooms for visitors' convenience.

Given its beautiful landscape and proximity to the city, living in Cherryland proves a steal. Compared to San Fransisco's median one-bedroom rental rate of $2,700 per month, Cherryland wins out at just $1,060 per month. The commute also proves affordable, with a one-way BART ticket to San Fransisco costing just $4.60. Gas prices average about 20 percent higher than nationwide price-per-gallon figures. At around $4 to $6 per bottle, beer prices mirror national trends.

The Creekside Center Mall provides the area with big chain retailers like Big Lots and 99 Cent Store, while smaller shops dot the main streets of Mission Boulevard and Western Boulevard. For the best motorcycle outfitter in town, check out Cycle Gear. From vests and boots to tires and helmets, this one-stop bike shop has it all. Further north on Western Boulevard lies Calaveras Tattoo, the area's go-to place for tattoos and piercings. Each of its five resident artists displays a unique style sure to please any customer request. When it comes to groceries, Cherryland residents have several options. Among the full-service supermarkets, Lucky Market in nearby Hayward is conveniently located down the street from the Hayward BART station. Aside from the usual produce and pantry offerings, Lucky has a full on-site pharmacy to better serve its customers. Within Cherryland proper, New Handy Corner Market and Cherryland Grocery offer smaller grocery selections at affordable prices. Each Saturday, Cherryland residents flock to the Hayward Farmers Market on Main Street for the area's freshest produce.