The hills behind Hayward rise steeply from the flat bay plain, and Fairview sits right on top of them, a semi-rural community of ranches, winding lanes and houses with long views across San Francisco Bay. On a clear day, you can see the bridges, the city skyline and the Peninsula hills beyond. It is a peaceful spot above one of the busiest urban areas in the country.
For riders, the area is a gateway to some of the best backroads of the East Bay. Palomares Road twists through a narrow canyon of oaks and sycamores towards Niles Canyon, where Highway 84 follows Alameda Creek through a gorge with an old railway line. Further east, Calaveras Road and the roads towards Sunol and Livermore offer more curves and quiet. The hills turn green in winter and spring after the rains, then golden brown in the dry summer, when the smell of dry grass and bay laurel fills the air.
These are narrow, technical roads with blind corners, gravel, and often cyclists, so ride with care. Fog can roll in from the bay in the morning, while summer afternoons inland can be hot. Watch for deer and cattle on the rural stretches, and for fast local traffic on the main roads.
Fairview itself is residential with few services. For fuel and food, head down to Hayward or Castro Valley, where there is plenty of choice, from gas stations to taquerias and diners. From here, the routes lead north towards Marin and Point Reyes, or south towards Big Sur, two of the great rides of California. Fill up below, enjoy the view from the top, and pick your direction.