Newark (California)

Newark is unique in that it is completely surrounded by the larger city of Fremont. Newark was to be incorporated into the city of Fremont along with five other townships in the area (Mission San Jose, Niles, Centerville, Irvington, and Warm Springs), but decided to pull out when it was designated to be the industrial area of Fremont. Instead, Newark incorporated in 1955.

Like the other five townships, Newark has a rich history. It was founded as a railroad town in the 1850s. It was a small village with a hotel, church, and school. Newark was also the home to the Carter Brothers company, which manufactured hundreds of train cars for the ever growing train industry, as well as cable cars for San Francisco. The Rose of Sharon church, built in 1880, still stands on Sycamore Street, and the old Carter Hotel still stands on the corner of Thornton avenue and Ash street (there are plans to make it a museum). Newark also boasted a major steel foundry during this time, which manufactured stoves. Today, Newark's major industries are electronics and salt, and has been home to such tech giants as Sun Microsystems and Hewlett Packard. Newark is also home to the Cargill salt company (formerly Leslie Salt).

• 🌍 The Grove. It's outside of the Newpark Mall, and hosts a summer concert series featuring local and other more famous Bay Area artists. Admission is free. 
• 🌍 Don Edwards San Francisco Wildlife Refuge. Although the headquarters for the refuge are on the border of Newark in Fremont, part of the refuge is located in Newark. One can view the wildlife scenery as they travel down Thornton Avenue into central Newark. 
• 🌍 Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. Formerly part of Newark, the Ardenwood farm became part of Fremont when a rezoning occurred. The farm now lies just past the Newark border. A working farm founded in 19th century, the park also features a Victorian mansion, owned by George Patterson, and build circa 1870, a petting zoo environment for the kids, as well as organic produce (it is still an active farm). Demonstrations of 19th-century trades. Tu W Sa adults $2, children $1; Th F Su adults $5, children $4. 

• 🌍 Silliman Family Aquatic Center, 6800 Mowry Ave. Newark is home to the largest indoor aquatic facilities west of the Mississippi. The Silliman center on Mowry Avenue has two large swimming pools, and two water slides. The facility also houses a variety of other recreational facilities, including basketball courts and an exercise center. Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for children. 
• 🌍 The Lake Area. Medium sized man-made lake, great for walking, etc. Home to a huge duck, goose, and Canada geese population. 
• 🌍 Newark Days (at the Newark Community Center Park). Annual four-day festival held every September to celebrate the city's incorporation. Run like a miniature county fair, with carnival attractions and live performances. Average attendance is more than three times the population of Newark. 

• 🌍 NewPark Mall, 2086 NewPark Mall (directly off of Mowry Ave), ☏ +1-510-931-5049. Large enclosed mall that features Macy's, Target, JC Penney, Sears, and Mervyn's. Rarely ever crowded. 

• 🌍 Cousin Cafe (表哥茶餐廳), 39193 Cedar Blvd (at Magazine Ave in Lion City Shopping Center), ☏ +1 510 713-9806. Hong Kong-style cafe cuisine in the heart of Newark. Breakfast, Lunch, and Happy Hours specials. Quite popular with locals. Inexpensive to moderate. 
• 🌍 La Cabaña, 7163 Rich Ave, ☏ +1 510 792-2600. Very tasty Mexican food. Unfortunately, the restaurant is next to an adult book store, but don't let that stop you. Their shrimp dishes, particularly camarones al ajo, are highly recommended. 
• 🌍 Mehran, 5774 Mowry School Rd, ☏ +1 510 668-1111. Very spicy Pakistani food, in a buffet setting. Good, but you will need rice to cut down the spiciness. 

• 🌍 Courtyard Newark Silicon Valley, 34905 Newark Blvd. (turn south on Newark Blvd exit from CA-84), ☏ +1 510 792-5200, fax: +1 510 792-5255. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Great location for walking to food, grocery, and public transit including transit across the bay to Palo Alto and Menlo Park. 
• 🌍 DoubleTree by Hilton, 39900 Balentine Dr (turn west on Stevenson exit from I-880), ☏ +1 510 490-8390, fax: +1 510-651-7828. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The only full-service hotel in the region. 
• 🌍 Homewood Suites by Hilton, 39270 Cedar Blvd, ☏ +1 510-791-7700. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. An all suite hotel equipped with full kitchens and free wireless Internet. Complimentary amenities include a hot breakfast, light dinner with beverages (Monday-Thursday), and a grocery shopping service. 
• 🌍 Residence Inn Newark Silicon Valley, 35466 Dumbarton Ct (turn south on Newark Blvd exit from CA-84), ☏ +1 510 739-6000, fax: +1 510 739-6606. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Great location for walking to food, grocery, and public transit including transit across the bay to Palo Alto and Menlo Park. 
• 🌍 Chase Suite Hotel, 39150 Cedar Blvd, toll-free: +1 888-433-9404. 
• 🌍 SpringHill Suites San Jose Fremont, 46333 Fremont Blvd, ☏ +1 510-929-3100. $129–209. 
• 🌍 Aloft Silicon Valley, 8200 Gateway Blvd, ☏ +1 510-494-8800. A luxury boutique hotel, a stylish and sophisticated retreat, featuring roomy suites with kitchenettes, unique dining, event space. 

Nearby cities include Fremont, Union City, and Milpitas. The Peninsula—including Palo Alto, Stanford University, and several other charming destinations—are across the Dumbarton Bridge, accessible via Route 84 and Thornton Avenue westward. And, of course, don't forget San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.