With Hayward Japanese Gardens at the south end of Castro Valley and Lake Chabot Regional Park on the north side, Castro Valley is bookended by natural beauty. Add the parks to the east -- Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area and Don Castro Regional Recreation Area -- and you should pack your hiking (fishing, camping, boating, etc.) gear before moving to Castro Valley; you'll need it. Of course, with Castro Valley's hills, mountain views, and palm trees, you might be content to just sit on your apartment balcony and enjoy the bay breeze.
Located between San Leandro and Hayward, Castro Valley is across the bay from San Mateo, just about 24 miles southeast of San Francisco. Commuters can reach San Francisco via BART (the Bay Area Rapid Transit System) in less than 30 minutes. Because of its convenience and beautiful setting, Castro Valley is one of the region's most populated CDPs. Castro Valley Boulevard provides a variety of shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
