Alameda County Relocation Guide by Christie's International Real Estate Sereno

RELOCATION GUIDE FOR THE COUNTY OF

ALAMEDA SERENO

SERENO

W E LC O M E TO A L A M E DA C O U N T Y

COUNTY MAP A N D OV E RV I E W

A L A M E DA

BERKELEY

CAST R O VA L L E Y

DUBLIN

E M E RY V I L L E

FREMONT

H AY WA R D

LIVERMORE

N E WA R K

OA K L A N D

PIEDMONT

P L E ASA N TO N

SA N L E A N D R O

SUNOL

UNION CITY

Welcome to Alameda Alameda County’s history dates back thousands of years. Native Americans, then Spanish explorers and missionaries, were among the earliest settlers. Some established fishing villages along the shoreline of the San Francisco Bay, which forms the westernmost border of the county, and others were attracted by the fertile soil that supported abundant crops. Some came by ship, and others arrived with the railroads. The most significant population booms occurred when miners—successful and defeated—returned from the Gold Rush of 1849, when San Franciscans headed across the Bay after the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906, and again after World War II, when people who came to the area to serve in or support the military decided to stay and build communities. Today, approximately 1.7 million people live within Alameda County’s 821 square miles.

Alameda is among the most ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse counties in the US, and its residents are socially progressive, welcoming, and inclusive. City profiles range from big and urban (Oakland, with a population of over 425,000) to small and rural (Sunol, with 850 residents over 86 square miles), and each city comes with its own proud history and unique personality. Top-notch schools, charming and walkable downtowns, robust parks & recreation programs, and fun annual events that bring neighbors together all contribute to the good quality of life offered to the families that live here.

Alameda County BERKELEY

EMERYVILLE PIEDMONT OAKLAND

ALAMEDA

SAN LEANDRO

CASTRO VALLEY LIVERMORE

SAN LORENZO HAYWARD

PLEASANTON

UNION CITY

SUNOL

FREMONT NEWARK

Whether you’re a young, single professional, part of a growing family,or a retiree, Alameda County is a great place to call home. Intellectuals and innovators are also drawn to the area. In fact, two cities have been honored with elements on the periodic table: Berkeley (Berkelium [Bk]) and Livermore (Livermorium [Lv]). People come from all over the world for the educational and research opportunities at top-ranked University of California, Berkeley (Cal), and nearby Stanford University, and for employment opportunities in the high-tech, bio-tech, and life sciences industries. Many of the cities in Alameda are bedroom communities, from which workers commute to the county seat in Oakland, and across the Bay to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Their travels are facilitated by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains, ferries, a web of intersecting freeways, and gorgeous bridges. Access to the world is available through Oakland International Airport, nearby San Francisco and San Jose International Airports, as well as a handful of small, local airports. The region benefits from a mild, Mediterranean climate, which made for success as an agricultural region in its early years and continues to help existing botanic, rose, and community gardens thrive. Due to lovely conditions during the summer months, some of the cities got their starts as vacation destinations, for residents of bigger cities who sought respite from the crowded and more hectic conditions where they lived and worked. Peaceful, calm, and laid-back are still terms used to define some of Alameda’s communities. Alamedans value the natural wonders found here, and in recent decades, many of the marshlands, mudflats, and wetlands along the shoreline of the Bay have been reclaimed and are returning to their original states. There are more than 350 parks in the region. Some cities offer fields and facilities for organized play, and all boast access to wide-open spaces with trails for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and exploring. Through dedicated efforts to preserve these treasured environments, all creatures are made to feel welcome here. The hills, parks, and shoreline are exceptionally beautiful places to soak up views of the landscape and observe wildlife, including thousands of migratory birds who stop by on their travels. 4

821

SQUARE MILES, 17X LARGER THAN SAN FRANCISCO

1.7

MILLION RESIDENTS IN ALAMEDA COUNTY

CITIES HONORED WITH ELEMENTS ON THE PERIODIC TABLE

350

PARKS IN THE REGION

Alameda Alameda is so charming, it has two main streets! Both Park Street and Webster Street offer strollable areas with ethnically diverse restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, and local businesses that serve this friendly community. Located in a prime spot on the San Francisco Bay, Alameda began its separation from Oakland in the 1850s, when the estuary was first dredged to allow ships access. The estuary was fully dredged in 1913, making Alameda an island, and the city includes Coast Guard Station Oakland–Coast Guard Island and the area known as Bay Farm Island. The main island connects to Oakland via bridges and the Webster Street Tunnel, and to San Francisco via two San Francisco Bay Ferry terminals. Commuters have access to nearby BART stations in Oakland, and long-distance travel is facilitated through the Oakland International Airport, on the city’s border. Home to a diverse population of over 78,500, Alameda offers an urban-suburban feel that appeals to families and single people. Many buildings date back to the late 1800s, and residents enthusiastically decorate their beautifully maintained Victorian homes for the 4th of July and Christmas holidays. Public schools, including Lincoln Middle School and Alameda High School, are highly rated, and the College of Alameda, an accredited community college, offers excellent academic and vocational programs. A 25-mile-an-hour speed limit is enforced throughout the city, making the flat landscape especially safe for walkers and cyclists. Area attractions include the shoreline for beach activities and amazing views of the San Francisco skyline, the monthly Alameda Point Antiques Faire, the Pacific Pinball Museum, and Spirits Alley on the old naval base, where local wineries, breweries, and distilleries offer tastings in the former hangars. World War II history buffs appreciate the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum’s collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

Berkeley Berkeley is best known for the University of California, Berkeley (“Cal”), the alma mater or employer of numerous Nobel Prize recipients, Olympic medalists, and Pulitzer Prize winners. Founded in 1868, the campus has been home to big thinkers and innovators, and is frequently ranked as the #1 public university in the world. Cal offers a number of amenities to the community, including the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the Lawrence Hall of Science, and Cal Performances, where audiences are inspired and entertained by renowned musicians, dancers, and playwrights. But it isn’t just a college town. Berkeley— pronounced “BERK-lee”—is a diverse, progressive, and vibrant community that offers an urban-suburban feel for its more than 121,400 residents. Architecturally significant

homes on tree-lined streets, highly ranked schools within Berkeley Unified School District, an array of ethnic restaurants, and a welcoming and socially conscious populace all draw families into its 17.7 square miles. Ample public transit is provided by AC Transit and BART, and is supplemented by bike lanes and paths. Access to other Bay Area cities is available through I-80 and SR-24. Berkeley is surrounded by a beautiful natural environment that includes Tilden Regional Park and Grizzly Peak, which at 1,754 feet above sea level offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Berkeley Marina is a popular designation for boaters and watersport enthusiasts, while it also appeals to naturalists and others who want a respite from city life with its more than 100 acres of park space, trails, and picnic areas.

Castro Valley Castro Valley celebrates its rural heritage with traditions that date back to the early 1800s, when ranching was the primary industry, and since 1921, this city has been the host of the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo. The annual event kicks off with a parade through downtown and features a chili cook-off, a Cowgirl Picnic to honor the women of the West, and classic rodeo competitions that promote the “great western way of life.” Today, Castro Valley is still home to ranches nestled in the canyons, and this safe and quiet city has a dense-suburban feel. Due to its award-winning schools, clean streets, and homes with large lots, unincorporated Castro Valley is known as a “Bay Area Sweet Spot.” Just over 63,000 people live here, and many take advantage of I-580, I-238, and BART for commutes to work in Oakland, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley. Locals appreciate the access to nature at Five Canyons Open Space and Cull Canyon Recreation Area. At Lake Chabot Regional Park, there are idyllic spots for hiking, bicycling, and picnicking over 3,300 acres of public green space, and for boating and fishing for stocked trout and catfish on the reservoir. The culturally diverse community comes together for many seasonal events, including the Pride Festival in the summer, Fall Festival, and Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. The Castro Valley Arts Foundation attracts local and national acts for live concerts, comedy nights, and dance performances. Downtown, local shops, restaurants, and the Castro Valley Marketplace offer year-round gathering spots and lend to the city’s welcoming, small-town vibe.

Dublin Today Dublin is known as “a crossroads of the San Francisco Bay Area” because I-580 and I-680 intersect here, but the roots of the moniker actually go back hundreds—if not thousands—of years. This was once where Native American trading trails crossed, then as time marched on, the area was traversed by missionaries, 49ers in the Gold Rush era, stagecoaches, and travelers via cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. Two local BART stations now also serve modern-day commuters. Incorporated in 1982 with a population of about 14,000, the city of Dublin grew rapidly, and over 61,000 people currently live within its 14.59 square miles. Families are drawn here in part by the excellent schools in the nationally recognized Dublin Unified School District, which offers preschool through adult education programs. Older adults are supported by the Dublin Senior Center, which offers classes, activities, and a meal program. Residents of all ages take advantage of activities, programs, and amenities through the library and Parks & Community Services. Dubliners enjoy access to many local and nearby parks, including Dublin Hills Regional Park, Emerald Glen Community Park, Fallon Sports Park, Dougherty Hills Open Space, and Camp Parks, a former military base that is now home of Dublin Camp Parks Military History Center. Downtown boasts great restaurants in a welcoming, small-town environment. It’s here that the city’s Heritage and Cultural Arts Division brings community members together for family-friendly cultural events, including the Splatter music festival, Picnic Flix movie series, Harvest Fair, and the Ghosts of Dublin tour through the historic Pioneer Cemetery. The biggest event of the year is Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, which draws approximately 80,000 people from across the Bay Area for a parade and festival. 9

Emeryville Although it was “just” incorporated in 1896, Emeryville has been home to humans for thousands of years. Shellmounds—basically, ancient compost heaps of clam and oyster seashells, food waste, and human remains—prove pre-Ohlone fishing villages were in the area before 1250 AD. Europeans settled here staring in the late 1700s, and different phases of development introduced stockyards and slaughterhouses, the Shell Mound Park amusement park, warehouses for the steel industry, a marina, and highrise apartments, condominiums, and office buildings. In recent decades, Emeryville has transformed from an old industrial town into a mixed-use urban center. Nearly 12,000 people now live within Emeryville’s just over 1 square mile, giving the area a dense-urban feel. Niche ranks it #1 for “Best Suburbs for Young Professionals in California,” and certainly part of the appeal is how conveniently it is positioned for commutes to Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco via the nearby interchange of the I-80, I-880, and I-580 freeways. Emeryville 10

is also a destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment, with movie theaters, night clubs, lots of bars and restaurants, and a wide range of retail establishments. Families are well-served by the city’s own school district and city-run programs for toddlers through senior adults. The city manages several small parks, and jointly runs Community Organic Gardens, which is open to the public. Residents also enjoy coastal access to the Bay through Emery Cove Yacht Harbor and Point Emery Park. Emeryville has long welcomed artists, many who have converted old industrial spaces into studios. Creatives are celebrated at the Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, which features poetry workshops, movie nights, Bay Street Live, and performances by local musicians. Since the early 1990s, the city’s most famous resident has been Pixar Animation Studios, creators of classic films including Toy Story and Finding Nemo.

Fremont John C. Frémont, aka “The Great Pathfinder,” helped early settlers find their way to America’s West Coast when he mapped a trail through the Mission Pass in the mid-1800s. He would be pleased to know that the city that was named for him continues to maintain many beautiful parks and trails for hiking. Five, small, independent towns—Centerville, Niles, Irvington, Mission San José, and Warm Springs—joined together in 1956 and incorporated as a new 90-square-mile city. Today Fremont is a thriving urban-suburban mix city that is part of a globally connected economy. There is a proud tradition of tech innovation in Fremont. Apple’s first Mac computer manufacturing plant was located here, and Tesla Motors produces its vehicles in a local factory. The city is perfectly located to offer its more than 235,700 residents access to major universities, work in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and the whole world via the San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco International Airports.

Friendly, safe, clean, and quiet, Fremont is a great place to raise kids. The culturally diverse community boasts good schools, including top-rated Mission San Jose, American, and Irvington High Schools. Downtown’s main street is Capitol Avenue, where locals find authentically ethnic restaurants year-round and gather for special celebrations, including the Burger and Brew Fest, the Fremont Festival of the Arts, the Festival of India and Parade, and Downtown Date Night. Fremont’s landscape is beautiful. Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Lake Elizabeth in Central Park of Fremont, Coyote Hills Regional Park, and Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge are just a sampling of places residents go to enjoy the region’s natural wonders.

Hayward In the mid-1850s, after failing to mine his fortunes in the Gold Rush, William Hayward purchased land and opened a general store here. “Haywards” became a popular stop on the road between Oakland and San Jose. Other businesses, cattle ranches, and fruit orchards soon grew up around it, and the area’s temperate climate and fertile soil made for a boon in agriculture. “The Heart of the Garden of Eden” and “Apricot City” were two labels. The city was incorporated in 1876, dropped the “s” from its name shortly thereafter, and experienced a housing boom after World War II. Today Hayward is one of the more affordable and desirable cities to live in the Bay Area. Educational opportunities are provided through Hayward Unified School District, which includes three public high schools, as well as a number of private schools. For higher education, Chabot College, an accredited community college, and California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), have campuses here.

Welcoming, peaceful, and quiet, the city has a lot to offer families. Hayward takes pride in its ethno-racial and linguistic diversity. Local restaurants, Hayward Public Library, weekly farmers’ markets, and an award-winning Mural Program celebrate the many cultures and ethnicities represented in the city’s nearly 159,300 residents. Hayward is also business-friendly and is home to hundreds of biotech, biomed, and life sciences businesses. Two BART stations serve commuters, and Hayward Executive Airport is home to over 400 aircraft, including a number of business jets. There are lovely views of the foothills, miles of hiking trails and cycling paths, and beautiful parks and preserves here. A popular destination is the Japanese Gardens—California’s first Japanese garden. Designed by master gardener Kimio Kimura, it features native trees and plants, and a pond with koi fish and turtles.

Livermore Livermore holds the distinction of having an element named after it. Livermorium (Lv116) was added to the periodic table in 2012 with a name that recognizes the city as home to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. Every May, the city celebrates the students and teachers who contribute to its reputation as a science and technology hub with Livermorium Day. Science and tech aren’t Livermore’s only successful industries. It’s also California’s oldest wine region, where Spanish missionaries planted wine grapes back in the 1760s. World-class wineries and breweries continue to thrive here. The dense-suburban city has a laid-back, rustic, small-town vibe. Fewer than 90,000 people live in its 26.44 square miles, which includes hills and open spaces. Over 45 parks feature acres of open spaces for picnics and nature programs, trails for hiking and bicycling, and opportunities to enjoy wildflowers and wildlife. Locals go to Del Valle Sate Park for swimming, fishing, boating, and

sailing on the reservoir. Horseback riding is a popular activity here, and the Equestrian Center hosts the Annual Livermore Rodeo in June. Families appreciate Livermore’s highly rated public schools in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. Commuters appreciate access to other cities via the intersection of I-580 and SR-84. Other modes of transportation include BART trains, buses, and bicycles. The Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), which is owned by the city, serves private, business, and corporate tenants and customers. The downtown area is very inviting, with boutique shops, restaurants, and farmers’ markets set in a lovely, walkable, garden environment. Outdoor music is provided during the summer, and other annual events include the Downtown Street Festival and the Makers Market. Livermore’s 500-seat Bankhead Performing Arts Center hosts symphony orchestra, opera, dance, and play performances.

Newark Newark is described as a small town with a big heart. This friendly, welcoming, and culturally diverse community is home to just over 47,100 residents.

microorganisms. Since 2003, Cargill Salt, an international food production and marketing company, has been helping to restore some of those ponds to their original tidal wetlands.

Access to the San Francisco Bay attracted early settlers, and the shoreline featured warehouses for wheat, hay, and coal in the mid-1800s. When the South Pacific Coast Railroad was completed in the 1870s, the town quickly grew up around it, with businesses related to agriculture, manufacturing, and the railroads. Newark today benefits from hightech, bio-tech, and health sciences industries. It also boasts the first “green” community college in the nation, Ohlone College Newark Center for Health Sciences and Technology, which opened in 2008.

Newark offers many amenities to families. Nice weather, quiet streets, reliable public transportation, access to big cities, and great parks and open spaces all contribute to Newark’s appeal. Several facilities—including Mel Munes Sportsfield Park, Community Center Park, and George M. Stillman Activity and Family Aquatic Center—provide venues for sports and activities. Lakeshore Park features a charming spot for walking, picnicking, fishing, and birdwatching. Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge is a popular place for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, birdwatching, seasonal hunting, and wildlife photography.

Due to the area’s perfect combination of sun and wind conditions, salt production has been a mainstay of the local economy since the 1850s. At one point, over 16,500 acres were used for salt mining through evaporation ponds, some of which sport vivid colors—magentas and blue-greens—due to the presence of brine shrimp and other

The community comes together for a number of family-friendly events, including Newark Days, the Mariachi Festival, and a summer concert series.

Oakland Oakland is Alameda’s county seat, with all the amenities expected in a big city. Over 425,000 residents enjoy access to the Coliseum (home of the Oakland As) and Oracle Arena (for live concert tours, Golden State Warrior games, and family events like Disney On Ice and Barnum and Bailey Circus). The downtown area, which has been operational since the Gold Rush era, is home to the Civic Center, eclectic musical venues, historic Art Deco and Victorian architecture, and an international array of food offerings. At the intersections of the I-80 (Bay Bridge to San Francisco), I-580, I-880, and SR-24, Oakland is a hub of regional commerce and activity. Jack London Square, a seaport since the mid-1800s, is a gateway to other great cities through its harbor and Amtrak station. Further south, Oakland connects to the world through Oakland International Airport. In a community that supports a rainbow of cultures, ethnicities, and races, Oaklanders are known for their social activism and inclusivity. Annual events include the Chinatown Lunar New Year Bazaar, First Friday Street Festivals, Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival, and Oakland Black Cowboy Parade. Families are drawn here by the Oakland Unified School District, which includes several National Blue Ribbon Schools and California Distinguished Schools, as well as kid-friendly places such as the Oakland Zoo, Chabot Space & Science Center, and Oakland Museum of California, which celebrates the state’s history, art, environment, and people. Natural beauty is in abundance in Oakland. East Bay Regional Park District oversees numerous parks, trails, and open spaces in the county. Moscom Rose Garden is a hidden gem nestled inside a residential area that features more than 6,000 rose bushes. Lake Merritt, a popular destination for people from all over the Bay Area, features Children’s Fairyland, boat rentals, themed gardens, paved trails for walking and cycling, and the Wildlife Sanctuary, the country’s largest wildlife refuge and sanctuary, where thousands of migratory birds delight birdwatchers. 15

Piedmont Piedmont consists of 1.7 square miles of sparse-suburban living. The name means “foot of the mountain” in Italian, which aptly describes this city nestled in the middle of Oakland. In the early 1900s, many artists and writers— including Jack London—lived in small houses in the hills. Piedmont’s population doubled in 1906, as San Franciscans moved across the Bay after the big earthquake, and the city incorporated in 1907. In the 1920s, it was called “City of Millionaires,” a nod to its reputation as home to more millionaires per square mile than any other city in the country. Today, just over 11,300 people live here. 16

Piedmont is still a close-knit and affluent community. Beautiful homes rest on quiet, tree-lined streets. City parks offer amenities for residents of all ages—and their dogs. Education is valued here, and Piedmont Unified School District, one of the highestranking unified school districts in California, sends 95 percent of its graduates to college. While residents utilize nearby freeways and BART stations to commute to work and for restaurants and nightlife in bigger cities, they also gather locally for an Arbor Day Celebration, Fourth of July Parade & Party, and Harvest Festival.

Pleasanton Picturesque, quiet, clean, and safe, Pleasanton lives up to its name. A family-oriented bedroom community, this city of 81,700 residents is described as a place where people—especially those who commute to big cities during the work week—can breathe. Like its neighbor cities, Pleasanton offers multiple locations for outdoor activities. In addition to numerous small parks, community playgrounds and sports fields, and green spaces, there’s over 9,000 acres of open nature at Pleasanton Regional Park. Pleasanton is also home to the Alameda County Fairgrounds. There’s a strong sense of community here, and locals appreciate the nice neighborhoods and highly ranked public

schools. The city is proud of its architectural history, and old buildings feature Victorian, Italianate, Richardson Romanesque, Mission Revival and Colonial Revival, Art Deco, and Craftsman styles. Main Street, at the heart of downtown, attracts visitors from around the Bay Area to its boutique shops, locally owned restaurants, and a charming, strollable environment. Neighbors gather frequently for special events, including the city’s St. Patrick’s Day Brew Crawl, summertime Movies in the Park, Holiday Tree Lighting, and Weekend on Main, when the street closes to automobile traffic and businesses opens up to pedestrians. Pleasanton enthusiastically supports the arts. The Firehouse Arts Center offers exhibits, classroom space, and live performances of music, poetry, theater, comedy, and film.

San Leandro San Leandro is a growing foodie hotspot. Courtesy of the city’s ethnically diverse population, locals enjoy cultural offerings at a wide range of restaurants and toast to the good life at a couple of craft breweries. Just over 90,000 people reside in this friendly and welcoming community, which is also known for its historic homes, tree-lined streets, and urban-suburban mix feel. Commuters travel to work from two BART stations and on the I-580, I-880, I-238, and SR-185 freeways. San Leandro Marina provides access to the Bay and offers berths, a boat launch, and two yacht clubs. Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline, part of the East Bay Regional Park District, is a popular spot for picnicking, taking in incredible views

of the Bay, and observing wildlife, including marsh hawks, black-shouldered kites, red-tailed hawks, and shorebirds. Golfers head to the shoreline to tee off at Marina Golf Course and Tony Lema Golf Course, and day hikers head for the trails that run along the waterfront on the San Francisco Bay to the west and reach into the hills to the east. In a nod to its agricultural history, the city hosts an annual Cherry Festival in San Leandro Plaza, the “heart” of the city. This event dates back to 1909 when local farmers decided to celebrate a bumper crop. The first festival—complete with a parade, grand ball, and carnival games and booths—attracted over 45,000 visitors who consumed 25 tons of cherries!

Sunol Measuring 86 square miles, Sunol is about the same size as San Francisco—yet it is home to just 850 residents. This unincorporated rural area, tucked between Pleasanton and Fremont, is quiet, peaceful, and laid-back, and once was a popular vacation destination. After World War II, many of the log cabins that had served as summer retreats became full-time residences due to the demand for housing in the Livermore-Amador Valley. Prior to that boom, the land was owned by the Sunol family of ranchers, then grew in the latter half of the 19th century as gold miners moved into the valley to start farms. The town’s historical connection with the railroads from that period continues to be honored today by the Niles Canyon Railway, run between the Sunol Station and Niles Station (in Fremont) as a living history museum.

Locals continue to value the mostly untouched Sunol Regional and Ohlone Wilderness areas, with over 15,000 acres of open space plus

trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Naturalist programs are also popular here. Sunol is a close and vibrant community. There’s just one school in Sunol Glen Unified School District. Sunol Glen School, a California Distinguished School, serves approximately 250 students in K–¬8. Sunol Repertory Theatre, a community theater group founded in 1982, contributes some of its proceeds to support the school. Sunol is best known for two quirky things: bed races and one infamous mayor. Sunol Bed Races, a tradition that began in the 1990s, involve teams of four pushers and one rider on a 200-foot-long course. The mayor in question is Bosco Ramos, who beat out two opponents to win the honorary position in 1981 and served until he passed in 1994. Bosco was a dog— specifically a black Labrador and Rottweiler mix. A statue honoring him stands in front of Sunol’s post office today.

Union City A true bedroom community, Union City sees over 90 percent of its workforce travel outside its borders—via BART, I-880, and the Dumbarton and San Mateo Bridges—to jobs in surrounding cities. When not at work, the more than 74,700 residents enjoy the small-town, densesuburban feel in this in this culturally diverse, 19.3-square-mile community. There’s just one high school here—the highly rated James Logan High School, which has excellent sports and music programs—so people are closely connected. The city is known to be calm and quiet, with affordable as well as upscale housing in charming neighborhoods. More than half of Union City’s land is open space for hiking, bicycling, kite-flying, horseback riding, and other popular outdoor activities. What was once cattle ranches and

fields of grain is now parkland. Shorty Garcia Park features athletic fields, Seabreeze Park features a cricket pitch, and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park (managed by East Bay Regional Parks) is the site of the Garin Apple Festival. Community members come together for several family-friendly events, including Family Drive-In Movie Nights and the Annual Superhero 5k/10k Fun Run, for which participants dress up in superhero costumes. Union City also has a more serious side, as it is home to a Flight 93 Memorial in Sugar Mill Landing Park. Every five years, the city holds a ceremony to remember the heroic crew members and passengers who gave their lives when the plane was hijacked on 9/11.

NOTES:

THIS GUIDE IS A COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE SERENO S E R E N O.CO M

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