We always bring our dog to the Dog trail here. Friendly people and has many dogs coming here for…read morewalk. (Unleashed areas) It could be really windy once you get to the top, so please bring a jacket if you can. This is also a great place to watch sunset in the bay area. You can see the whole SF city and bay bridge clearly on some days. You can also watch flights landing at SFO.

"Not as boring as I thought it would be"…read more I often visit Lake Chabot, but decided to try out this location instead. There's plenty of parking on the street close by. There does not appear to be any facilities anywhere in the park. On the map, it looks like just one paved trail going up the hill, but there's a lot more dirt trails as well. When you get close to the top, there's great views of Lake Chabot. Perhaps the highlight of my visit was the historical Nike missile launch site. It's fenced off so you can't get too close, but you can still see some old buildings. It's right next to the amateur radio antenna structure. So while this is still is not one of my favorite parks, it's a decent place to visit, once or twice.

WEEKDAY VISIT REVIEW OF LAGOON…read more HIGHLIGHTS *Free parking *Low entrance fee *Plenty picnic areas with picnic tables *Plenty change rooms *Very clean public spaces *Attentive lifeguards *Free life jackets to borrow ENTRANCE FEES Under 1 free 1-15 $2 15-65 $3 Senior $2 Cash and card accepted You get a wristband once paid. Ten feet deep swimming area requires a test. You need to be able to swim 20 yards. Shallow area fenced off from deep waters. This lagoon water is cold but not super cold. Fun family day place, especially for toddlers, preschoolers and young children.

It's one of those hidden gems. A perfect place to spend…read morehalf a day in open water with kids. Not too far for tri valley resident. There is plenty of areas to lay your mats or raise tents. Shallow waters for little ones. They do provide vests onsite but must be limited. The floaties and tubes are allowed only in certain areas. There are always lifeguards on duty. Limited parking And reservation is per day per person. $6 per person. They close it once they are full. Place is open 11-6. We reached around 11:30 and it was almost full. There are changing rooms, shower and restrooms for both men and women. Life guard was on duty and at one point they did ask everyone to come out. They also have a diving deck which is 11 feet deep. There are picnic areas too. People were having picnic, celebrating birthdays and grilling. Perfect for a hot tri valley afternoon. No food onsite so carry everything. There is 5 min walk from parking lot so you need to drag your beach stuff. Recommend to get one of those beach carts. Only drawback the beach/ sandy part is limited and it was mostly occupied and sand is coarse.

Fantastic park one of the best places to chill relax and swim. I come here normally when I want to…read morefeel away from everything but it only takes 5 dollars the most.

This is just for the outside area. I haven't been to the swimming area in ages…read more Most of the time (especially not during summer) you can enter for free, park, walk around, enjoy some nature in the city and relax. There are also a few pokemon gyms located in the area if that is your thing, lol. Great place to have an impromptu picnic with a little privacy from the outside world.

Nicely shaded. Just wish we knew where the trail starts. A yelper helped by saying the cross…read morestreet of campus and oak. We parked all the way up the hill where the houses were. That was the toughest. The trail was nice and flat or manageable. Shaded. If no shade, super sunny and hot. You can hear the tiny stream. Picnic tables to eat and sit. I took pictures of map. They even have markers on how far you've walked. Next time we will start at the East Ave Park. Hayward has such a cool community.

Five stars for the mostly shaded trail that has trees, little creek, up and down hills for hikers…read moreof all levels, occasional wildlife sightings, and such an enjoyable outing when it's warm. However, either the park/city management does not take trail maintenance job seriously, or visitors/residents of Hayward have no self-respect to keep this little piece of green jewel presentable. There are trash along the trail, what looks like discarded tent/clothes/bedding not far from the trail, and graffiti sprayed around the park. One star for the trail conditions.

Five stars because it costs no yen…read more As far as Japanese gardens go, this one is my least favorite because it is rectangular, with a visible metal fence perimeter, with ugly trash and graffiti visible from across the creek and no opportunities to feed the koi fish. Three things, though, that make it special is that they have memorial plaques, stray cats, and blowtorched wood for an aged and weather-resistant finish. From 1913-1962, the site was a practice site for farming and raising livestock for Hayward Union High. It became a garden by the late 1970s, and when dedicated in 1980, focusing on botany (with plants donated by local Japanese-American nurseries) rather than religion. Every first Saturday at 1pm there's a free lecture/tour. It's not especially beautiful or big (3.5 acres) or exciting (the few people I saw there were on their phones), but it's a peaceful, clean area. I think informational displays could help people enjoy it more. Or phone chargers. Information like, many of the wooden connections (including the main entry gate) have notches instead of notches to fit together like puzzle pieces. This more authentic approach prevents rust. Or, the garden uses the Shakkei technique: when you can stand at the highest point, the surrounding trees are meant to look like distant mountains, with specific plants blended with the Japanese maples and native Oaks to make the garden feel ten timers larger than its actual 3.5 acres. Or, the hand-selected granite boulders from the Sierra Nevadas are buried one-third into the ground so it looks like they are growing, which is why I don't manicure myself often. .

Review #1000 Me and…read moremy daughter came here on Father's Day for the first time, as this place has been on my list for a while!! Talk about peaceful!! This place is very serene, with all the walkways, gazebos, the pond full of large koi fish and ducks, and benches to sit down and relax. It's so quiet here, even with other people around, this place just makes people talk with a very low volume. It's free to enter, and very small, and it's tucked away in Hayward, very close to Castro Valley!! Parking is free also, and they keep this place super clean. A very relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon, it's almost like a semi retreat coming here!! This is a super chill place for real!!!

Sequoians is an inclusive body-positive space for all ages, genders, and body types (including…read morepost-surgery or modified bodies)! It's an overall pretty chill space with a clubhouse, bocce ball, hiking, and pool/hot tub. It's member-only, and the community is tight-knit and welcoming. We have been members for the last year, and my girls (9,7,5) love going. They are treated with incredible love and respect by all the members and there are currently several families with kids, ranging from 5-14 years old. Yes, it's naked. Yes, you will see naked people. Yes, you will be naked! Kids under 18 do not have to be naked if they don't want to, but adults are expected to be clothes-free most of the time. Let me tell you why Sequoians is walking the walk on inclusivity, and why it isn't creepy. 1) Creepiness is gross and bad for all ages; sexualizing kids is wrong, full stop. 2) Creepiness is bad for business! Getting accused of improper activities is bad for business! Sequoians, and nudists in general, have a vested interest in keeping their spaces safe for everyone. 3) Inclusivity is more fun! More people can be included and feel safe, and that feels good. Therefore: Sequoians makes a big deal of vetting potential members, and everyone is educated about body positivity and etiquette. You see consent engagements in real life, in terms of playing with the kids, hanging out in shared spaces, keeping spaces clean, and working together for the benefit of everyone. Everytime we do out there, my kids say "ohhhhh we love it here!" and I do too. If you are interested in learning more, please read the website. And come visit!

Great judgement free spot!…read more Every member I have met has been friendly, helpful and welcoming. The location is somewhat remote - and no cell service is a bonus. I really enjoy being in nature and hearing nothing but birds and wildlife. That said, it is a bit busier on the weekends, but not rowdy. Wonderful place to remove clothing and be in nature. If you're interested in gawking at naked members of the opposite sex, save your time and go to a strip club.

I have hiked or run on this trail many, many times. It is one of my favorite places to go,…read moreespecially on a hot summer day. However, I must admit this is where I fractured my foot; other than that. Hardly any bones have been broken. One neat feature about this trail is that it connects up to Dublin regional park, which is part of east Bay. regional parks.

Martin Canyon Creek Trail (mcct) is a trail on the west side of Dublin off Silvergate Road. It…read morefollows the creek under oaks, laurels and buckeye trees. Birds fly through the canopy. Occasionally coyote can be seen by the creek. The incline is moderately steep. There is a trash can at the start and dog poop collection bags available. Be sure to pick up after your dog and to throw the poop in the trash can. The trail is popular but usually not too busy.

A great trail on the west side of Lake Chabot!!!…read more I'm lucky I live a quick drive away from here. This is one of my go to trails when I want to get a quick mid week hike in and I don't have a lot of time. I access this trail through Chabot Park, this trail is to the left. It's all dirt, small rolling hills until you get to the camp grounds. This trail doesn't always run right next to Lake Chabot, lots of curving in and out from the lake and back with small inclines and declines along the way. This trail is mostly used by walkers and bike riders, and it's a good way to just get away from it all, at least for a little while, or as long as you feel like it!!

MY PHOTOGRAPHS. (1) View to the south, of a deep canyon. At the top of my photo, you can see the…read moreBay-O-Vista neighborhood in San Leandro. (2) Later on, you pass a little peninsula of land, where people sometimes go fishing. Here and there by the water's edge there are thick patches of tall reeds. (3) Further along on Bass Cove Trail, there is a transition in the trail, where long branches from thousands of trees cover the entire trail, like a tunnel. (4) Gulch that is covered with arching trees, where the tree are covered with bright green moss. (5) Further along on Bass Cove Trail, you will encounter a second trail sign at a fork in the trail. The sign indicates the direction to Bass Cove, and the direction of Goldenrod Trail. I am posing in this photo. (6) Close up photo of one of the thousands of trees covered with bright green moss. (7) View of a beautiful little bay, located at the western edge of Lake Chabot. As you can see from this photograph, Bass Cove Trail is now about 200 feet above the Lake Chabot. (8) Photograph of several ducks. The ducks are swimming at the northern-most part of Bass Cove. BASS COVE TRAIL. The most direct access to Bass Cove Trail is by starting at the parking lot at the end of Estudillo Ave. The initial part of the hike is uphill and, once beyond the dam, it remains mostly level, where you are taking a clockwise route around Lake Chabot. Early in your hike, you will encounter a chain linked fence at the right side of the trail. Just beyond this fence is a very steep hill (almost a cliff) where a canyon resides at the bottom of the cliff. The view of the trees growing near the bottom of this canyon is beautiful. Dramatic photographs can be taken from the top of the very steep hill. Further along Bass Cove Trail, hikers will encounter a beach that has thick clusters of reeds. On occasion, one or two fishermen practice their fishing hobby near these reeds. A tiny restroom is at the edge of Bass Cove Trail, next to this beach. DISTINCTIVE STYLE OF BASS COVE TRAIL. From the beach with reeds, all the way to the northern-most area of Bass Cove, the trail consists of about 20 loops that loop inland and away from the lake, and about 20 loops that loop towards the lake. The trail loops inland where there is a gulch (the gulch is like a notch in the mountain, and the trail takes you through this notch). The trail loops towards the lake, wherever a narrow hill extends from the mountain to the west. This extending hill is sort of like an arm reaching out from the mountain to the west (here, the trail allows you to skirt this arm, and to walk around the extending arm). When hiking northwards, the gulches to your left provide opportunities for taking photographs of moss-covered trees and bushy clusters of ferns. To the right side of the trail, which is filled with gnarly-looking trees, some of them covered with electric-green moss. Because the brightly-lit waters of Lake Chabot are in back of the gnarly trees, the outlines of the gnarly trees are easier to see. DUCKS. My 300 millimeter telephoto lens enabled me to take several photographs of the ducks that make their home at the northern-most area of Bass Cove. This northern-most area had another cluster of reeds. Once at this northern-most area, hikers have the choice of continuing their clockwise hike around Lake Chabot, or continuing in the northwards direction on a straight trail (not a loop trail) that follows along Grass Valley Creek. HUMOR WHILE HIKING. Near the end of my return hike, I noticed two women walking uphill towards me, and one of them was wearing a long coat with an unusual color. I paused in my walk and said, "Can you tell me the color of your coat? I know that it is not pink or scarlet." Then, the woman with the brightly colored coat answered, "It is fuchsia ! ! !" Within a blink of an eye, I replied, "Oh, I was so CONFUCHED ! ! !" The two ladies responded with a cascade of merry laughs. Then, I continued my walk, and I was glad that their response had made my day.