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).

By air

San Jose and Oakland International airports are about 20 miles away.

By train

There is a BART station in nearby Fremont. There is also a train station that serves both Amtrak and the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) in nearby Fremont.

By bus

The local AC transit serves the entire city of Newark, and its surrounding communities.

By car

Newark is small, and thus can be traversed quite easily by car

By bike

A bike may be the nicest way to see Newark. You are never far from any single place. Most streets have bike lanes, and there are very few "very busy" streets.

• Silliman Family Aquatic CenterNewark 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 GroveIt'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 RefugeAlthough 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

  address: 34600 Ardenwood Blvd
  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.

• The Lake AreaMedium sized man-made lake, great for walking, etc. Home to a huge duck, goose, and Canada geese population.

NewPark Mall is a large enclosed mall that features Macy's, Target, JC Penney, Sears, and Mervyn's. Rarely ever crowded.

• Cousin Cafe

  phone: +1 510 713-9806
  address: 39193 Cedar Blvd.
  Hong Kong-style cafe cuisine in the heart of Newark. Breakfast, Lunch, and Happy Hours specials. Quite popular with locals.

• Kioku Sushi

  phone: +1 510 796-7088
  address: 6180-V Jarvis Ave
  Great Japanese food.

• La Cabaña

  phone: +1 510 792-2600
  address: 7163 Rich Ave
  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

  phone: +1 510 668-1111
  address: 5774 Mowry School Rd
  Very spicy Pakistani food, in a buffet setting. Good, but you will need rice to cut down the spiciness.

• New Tung Kee Noodle

  phone: +1 510 713-8883
  address: 39029 Cedar Blvd
  Behind Jack in the Box, this chain restaurant offers good hot noodle dishes of all varieties. Unlike other cheap noodle shops, this one accepts credit cards.

• Thai Orchid

  phone: +1 510 797-8911
  address: 6180-A Jarvis Ave
  Good Thai food in a quiet restaurant.

• Vung Tau 3 Restaurant

  phone: +1 510 793-8299
  address: 6092 Mowry Ave
  The smallest of the three Vung Tau restaurants (original in San Jose, another in Milpitas). Fine Vietnamese cuisine.

• Gubera's Pub and Tavern

  address: 5810 Jarvis Blvd
  Nice European style bar. Hosts live musical enterntainment on major holidays.

• Comfort Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 510 795-7995
  address: 5977 Mowry Ave

• Courtyard Newark Silicon Valley

  phone: +1 510 792-5200
  address: 34905 Newark Blvd.
  Great location for walking to food, grocery, and public transit including transit across the bay to Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

• DoubleTree by Hilton

  phone: +1 510 490-8390
  address: 39900 Balentine Dr
  The only full-service hotel in the region.

• Homewood Suites by Hilton

  phone: +1 510-791-7700
  address: 39270 Cedar Blvd
  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.

• Motel 6

  phone: +1 510 791-5900
  address: 5600 Cedar Ct

• Residence Inn Newark Silicon Valley

  phone: +1 510 739-6000
  address: 35466 Dumbarton Ct
  Great location for walking to food, grocery, and public transit including transit across the bay to Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

• Chase Suite Hotel

  address: 39150 Cedar Blvd.

• TownePlace Suites Newark Silicon Valley

  phone: +1 510 657-4600
  address: 39802 Cedar Blvd

• W Silicon Valley Hotel

  phone: +1 510-494-8800
  address: 8200 Gateway Blvd
  A luxury boutique hotel, a stylish and sophisticated retreat, featuring roomy suites with kitchenettes, unique dining, event space.

• Janet's House

  phone: +1 510-494-8800
  address: Ask Mi Pueblo for directions
  Tacos and sadness

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.