I grew up in Hayward, California. Hayward’s in the eastern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area. And it’s the Bay Area’s ghetto. Okay, it’s not really a ghetto, but it’s not the nicest part of the Bay Area. It’s old, run down and a little crummy.
I don’t remember wanting to leave Hayward while growing up, I didn’t know any different. I suppose it’s like my dad who grew up in San Francisco and thought that the whole world lived under a perpetual overcast sky.
As I got older, and experienced more of the world, however; I knew that I didn’t want to live in Hayward forever. I moved away when I was 21, but in some ways I never left. I moved around a lot in my 20’s and 30’s, but everywhere I went tended to be old, run down and a little crummy.
It’s like you take the girl out of Hayward, but you can’t take Hayward out of the girl. When my husband and I moved to Southern Orange County, however; I knew I’d done it. I’d finally left Hayward. I’ve lived here for a year and a half, and sometimes I still marvel at how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful place.
I snapped a few photos while my husband and I were on a local walk this morning and thought I’d share.
Here’s a photo of the Laguna Beach coffee shop we stopped at for almond milk mocha latte’s. You get a glimpse of me in this photo.
Then we walked around some neighborhoods and I spied this funky pelican mailbox.
When the time was up on our parking meter, we drove to the Montage Resort. Here’s a few photos I took there.
Here’s my hubby, with our dog, Mambo, proudly displaying his Red Sox hat (I guess you can’t take the Boston out of the boy either!).
My husband took this last photo of a sculpture at the Montage Resort.
That’s it! Just another beautiful Southern California morning.
I love your blog, but you are makin’ me sick man….I live in Canada, hey …it is still winter here…but keep blogging!
Hi there Flo! No vegan restaurants and it’s still winter – how depressing! You know, we’ve got an extra bedroom. You’re welcome to come for a visit whenever you want:-)
Greetings from beautiful and sunny Hayward. As you know, I like Orange County!
Hey Sandy! Thanks so much for your comment – I appreciate it! You don’t think I was too hard on Hayward, do you? I felt a little guilty after writing this post, but I know you get my love for Orange County. When are you guys coming out this way again?
Hayward has it’s nice points. It is the heart of the Bay Area and you can’t get much better than that.
I know, I know, I was being hard on Hayward. It’s really not all that bad. It was a great place to grow up, but I still think I like Orange County better.