Upper B Street - Hayward, CA

The Native American Ohlone people first inhabited what is now Hayward. Later, after European settlement, the neighborhood underwent several name changes and ultimately became Hayward, named after William Hayward, a local hotelier. The city became incorporated in 1876.

Hayward saw many cultural and economic shifts over the past century. The neighborhood served as a large agricultural hub for many years, with numerous canneries throughout the city. During World War II, factories in the area manufactured war materials to meet the rising demands.

To learn more about the area's detailed history, head over to the Hayward Area Historical Society, located near Upper B Street. If you're an arts and humanities buff, be sure to also check out the nearby C.E. Smith Museum of Anthropology.

On the northeast end of Upper B Street, where Kelly Street begins, you will find Val's Burgers. This burger joint makes their patties from scratch every single morning and blends the meat with its top-secret spice blend. You can order a "Mama" or slightly larger "Papa" burger, but make sure you definitely save room for Val's onion rings. Many consider these onion rings to be the best onion rings in all of the Bay Area.

Curly's Place, located on Upper B Street between Kelly Street and Center Street, draws in local night owls with its juke box, affordable beer, and welcoming environment. While Curly's has an extensive selection of beer, many choose Curly's for the friendly bartenders and congenial crowd.

If you're in the mood for something a little more artisanal, head over to the Bistro. Located at 1001 B Street, this cozy pub will tempt your senses with a selection of ever-changing craft brews and live music entertainment. Try to go to the Bistro on an open mic night, fun for both singers and onlookers alike.

Century Theater at Hayward is a terrific movie theater that many consider the nicest in the area. It is located near several restaurants for dinner-and-a-movie night. Find the theater on B Street, south of California State Route 238.

Nearly everyone who lives in Hayward drives, although AC Transit bus stops dot Upper B Street. If you're coming from a surrounding city, the nearest Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations are Hayward Station, to the west, and Castro Valley Station, to the north.

You will be hard-pressed to find a taxi cab on the spot, so call ahead to make a reservation. Another more cost-efficient option would be to use your smartphone to call an Uber and Lyft.

Upper B Street has ample parking space for locals and visitors alike. You can find street parking, meters, and large lots. You'll find easy access to California State Route 238 and Interstate 580, as well. Paved sidewalks provide adequate walking space along Upper B Street.

San Felipe Community Park, Carlos Bee, and Don Castro Regional Recreation Area are the four parks closest to Upper B Street. San Felipe Community Park on D Street provides patrons a place to barbecue, picnic, and play. It's an ideal park for family outings. Carlos Bee Park has similar amenities but in a smaller space.

Don Castro Regional Recreation Area is the largest of the three parks. Patrons visit this park primarily to picnic, swim in the lagoon, fish, and walk the park's trails. This park doesn't charge for entry, but you have to pay a fee to use the beach as well as pay $2 if you wish to bring your dog. Parking in the lot costs $5 on weekends and holidays. This park, with its numerous paved, scenic trails, is perfect for active people who enjoy running and hiking. It, like the previous two, is also ideal for children who can play in the open area and on the many structures.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the King Tut Festival, which takes place every year during the summertime. Held in a church, this festival appeals to all ages because of the range of offerings. At the festival, you will find an open-air bazaar, food booths, a play area, a photo booth, and more. Fans of the festival rave about the food and compare it to food you might find at a Greek restaurant. Though tiny, this festival should not be overlooked.

Upper B Street's cost of living runs slightly lower than the citywide average. Living on Upper B Street costs around $1,200 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Traveling to Upper B Street from the city center via BART costs only about $3 to $4. If you ride a bus, expect to spend only $2 for the 90-minute trip, which includes transfers.

Grabbing a cold one in this area won't break the bank either. Beer sells for pretty cheap, at about $3 to $4 a pint. On the other hand, gas in Upper B Street costs about nine percent more than the national average.

Upper B Street has a very quiet shopping scene. Most of the nearby stores are on Lower B Street, south of California State Route 238. Most of the stores include big-name chain stores and resale shops.

2525 Vintage & Modern Resale Clothing, located at Foothill Boulevard and B Street, earns four and a half Yelp stars for the store's overwhelming selection. Customers drive out of their way to come to this store. Nowhere else can you find such a large selection of cowboy boots, flannel, and '80s prom dresses.

Vintage Alley is another funky vintage shop a few doors down. Unique to this store, though, is that it also operates as a salon. You can go to Vintage Alley for both new threads and a new 'do.

Grocery Outlet East Hayward is Upper B Street's main grocery store. There, you can find top name brands at bottom-of-the-barrel prices. On Saturdays, you can pick up some groceries for the week from the Hayward Farmers' Market. Located between A and B Street on Main Street in Hayward, the market runs year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.