Harder-Tennyson - Hayward, CA

Harder-Tennyson was originally part of Rancho San Lorenzo in 1841 before the 1868 earthquake. This area flourished during the 19th century, due to agriculture and tourism. In addition to the food processing industry, salt from nearby marshes was refined for table use and shipped around the country. In the years hence, Harder-Tennyson has become home to many high-tech companies and some manufacturing, such as Annabelle Candy and the Gillig bus company.

Though Harder-Tennyson has no museums, the McConaghy House and Hayward Area Historical Society have interesting exhibits and educational opportunities to help connect you with the area’s cultural history. The Hayward Arts Council also holds exhibitions of local artwork nearby.

The area’s closest annual event lies in East Hayward, where the King Tut Festival is held each September. Food, kids' activities and music make learning more about this Egyptian king fun for all.

Though this area has no central restaurant location, it has a decent amount of culinary diversity, with Filipino, Chinese, Indian, Cajun, Creole and traditional American fare in the vicinity.

Tins Teapot Bistro on Jackson Street serves traditional dim sum and Cantonese delicacies in a casual setting. With prices this low, you can try several dishes as they come out of the kitchen fresh. Locals say to not miss the chive dumplings, steamed spare ribs and custard buns, perfect for a filling brunch before spending the day in the city.

Hang Ten Boiler at the Southland Mall satisfies cravings for seafood with buckets of crab, mussels, crawfish, clams and shrimp as well as fried items, amazing sides and all kinds of meat for the meat-lovers in the house. Locals say to check out the Cajun fries and garlic noodles with your entree, and grab a beer or glass of wine with your meal.

Resto Kubo Kitchen does Filipino fare right, with beef salpicao, java rice and milk pancit, among other amazing dishes like lumpia, which is handmade and comes with a flavorful sauce. There's no alcohol served in this casual neighborhood gem.

Most of the nightlife in Harder-Tennyson gets going on the weekends and tends to be centered around the eclectic bar scene. The Shar-Ade Cocktail Lounge brings a dive bar vibe to the neighborhood, complete with Taco Tuesdays, karaoke on Wednesdays, comedy on Thursdays, and friendly, fun bartenders every night of the week. Bijou Restaurant and Bar has a French feel, with trendy cocktails. Though it can get pretty pricey, the vibe is elegant and worth dressing up for. Nearby Slapfarm and The Bistro have live music, while Ballroom and Beyond provides dance lessons and performances in Hayward.

The residents of Harder-Tennyson have two ways to get around the area. Most prefer to drive, using the accessibility to Interstate 880, State Route 92 and State Route 238 to accomplish errands. Parking in this area is generally inexpensive and easy to find.

Those preferring to use public transportation can use the Hayward or South Hayward BART light rail stations, or catch one of the many AC Transit buses servicing this area.

Hailing a cab on the street won’t be easy unless you’re near a train station, but you can always arrange a pickup from a local cab company or Uber with little trouble.

Harder-Tennyson is considered somewhat walkable, with most still choosing to drive to their destinations. Since this area also has some bike lanes, it’s considered safe for cyclists.

Harder-Tennyson’s nearest parks include the Sulphur Creek Nature Center, which has a variety of animals and wildlife, from golden eagles and peregrine falcons to coyotes, bunnies and owls. Kids love to learn more about the animals, and parents will find lots of handy parking nearby. Admission is free, but they will accept donations.

Hayward Japanese Gardens has landscaped bonsai trees and manicured lawns, a pond with swimming turtles and small stone temples. Locals describe it as a hidden gem in the city, perfect for a peaceful meditative stint before returning to the real world.

Hayward’s Regional Shoreline provides visitors with great views of the bay as well as walking and jogging paths for fitness buffs and dog lovers. This area can get a little windy, though, so remember to bring a jacket.

Harder-Tennyson’s cost of living sits slightly lower than the Hayward average but higher than the national average. A one-bedroom apartment rents on average for $1,200 per month. It costs $3.20 to get from the Hayward BART station to Oakland’s City Center by train and $2.10 to travel by bus.

A beer at a local pub runs about $6, and gas prices sit about 17 percent higher here than the national average.

As a residential area, Harder-Tennyson doesn’t have a lot of shopping or a central shopping district. Though Hayward and neighboring Castro Valley have some big box stores like Target and TJ Maxx and no real high-end or luxury shopping, Harder-Tennyson and the surrounding areas support a few small boutiques.

Vintage Alley scores with locals for its quality men’s and women’s clothing from the 1930s, ‘40s and ’50s. A super friendly sales staff makes buying vintage fun, and you may even find yourself dancing along with the jukebox.

The Book Shop has local authors, staff picks and a welcoming vibe that’s perfect for picking up something new for yourself or anyone else on your list. Locals love the excellent prices and personalized touch.

Castro Valley’s Gift Express features all kinds of gift items, from home décor and housewares to jewelry, cards and accessories. If you’re a fan of the handcrafted, this place should be a must-stop on your list.

Most of Harder-Tennyson’s grocery store choices are large chains like Lucky, Trader Joe’s and Safeway. But smaller and more personal grocers can also be found in the surrounding areas, such as Al’s Food Market and European Market Deli for sandwiches and cold cuts as well as fresh produce and other grocery items.

The closest farmers' market can be found at Hayward’s City Hall Plaza on Saturdays, providing locals with fresh fruit, veggies and a variety of ethnic foods from local vendors.