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Tons of tourists\u00a0opt to set up base camp in the San Francisco Bay Area when visiting Northern California. Of course, a good chunk of them choose to stay right in the heart of Fog City, probably drawn by all the iconic landmarks and world-class eats. But Union\u00a0City makes for a far better anchor, especially if you want to experience more of the region as a whole.\u00a0The community of about 65,000<\/a>\u00a0people sits right at the crossroads of several major Bay Area cities. Straddling the Interstate 880 corridor in the East Bay, Union\u00a0City is only about 30 miles from\u00a0San Francisco (to the north) and roughly 20 miles to San Jose (to the south).\u00a0<\/p>\n Both cities\u00a0have international airports,\u00a0though Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) is a bit\u00a0closer and\u00a0is one of the least crowded airports in America<\/a>.\u00a0Once you arrive, you should feel right at home. The community is full of friendly, family-oriented neighborhoods and is among “the most diverse cities in California,” according to the city’s website<\/a>.\u00a0The Alameda County suburb\u00a0prides itself on being a “compassionate city,” and the residents definitely seem to reflect this welcoming spirit.\u00a0“I’ve never had a bad experience living here,” one local wrote on Niche<\/a>, adding that Union\u00a0City is\u00a0“a pretty nice easy-going place” with lots to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just like San Francisco, eating is definitely one of them. You can find a delicious mix of international cuisines\u00a0scattered across town, from old-school Mexican fare to authentic\u00a0Thai street food. With colorful gardens and a slew of public parks within reach, Union City is also big on outdoor fun. Safe to say, you won’t have any trouble keeping your itinerary \u2014 and stomach \u2014 full around here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Explore Union City’s stunning greenspaces<\/p>\n There’s fun for the whole family at Charles F. Kennedy Park, one of the more popular\u00a0greenspaces in\u00a0Union\u00a0City. Located\u00a0steps away from the Union City BART station, the recreation area\u00a0has a short walking path that loops around the grounds, plenty of\u00a0grassy areas\u00a0for picnics,\u00a0and even a California-themed playground complete with a small replica of the Golden Gate Bridge, a true West Coast landmark<\/a>. “It’s a lively and welcoming place for families!” shared one\u00a0visitor<\/a>.\u00a0“The BART trains zipping by overhead every five minutes is a real treat for young kids.”<\/p>\n There are more wilds to explore at\u00a0nearby\u00a0Dry Creek Pioneer and Garin Regional Parks, which sit side by side\u00a0on the east side of town. The\u00a0former 1800s-era ranchlands\u00a0stretch across\u00a0almost 6,000 acres<\/a>, with miles of pastoral trails that weave across beautiful rolling hills. Cattle still roam the land, so don’t be surprised if you see a few cows\u00a0grazing in the meadows. Dry Creek\u00a0Pioneer also has a little two-acre garden that blooms with nearly 200 different kinds of plants throughout the year. Unfortunately, the Dry Creek Garden, as it’s called, was damaged in a storm and is currently closed. However, if you happen to visit in the spring, you can stroll through the park’s seasonal Iris Garden,\u00a0which is home to\u00a0more than 2,500 varieties<\/a> of irises.\u00a0<\/p>\n More colorful gardens await at\u00a0California Nursery Historical Park and Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum. These are located just a short drive away in the neighboring city of Fremont, an overlooked Western gem with incredible parks<\/a>.\u00a0California Nursery Historical Park spans\u00a020 acres<\/a> and is beloved for its\u00a0stunning seasonal rose garden, while\u00a0Shinn Historical Park covers\u00a0just over 4.5 acres\u00a0and features a lovely Japanese garden.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Eat your way around Union City<\/p>\n Once you’ve worked up an appetite, tuck into some of Union City’s tastiest eats, which showcase the community’s incredible diversity. As one local shared on Niche<\/a>, the melting pot of cultures and global flavors helps\u00a0make the city “feel very welcoming and open to anyone and everyone, regardless of their background.” Enjoy\u00a0fresh Mediterranean bites at Greens N Grills<\/a>, which has solid reviews online. The restaurant serves a variety of healthy dishes, including Algerian wraps and salads.<\/p>\n If you’re in the mood for Thai food, try\u00a0authentic street fare at\u00a0Kapow Thai Eatery<\/a>.\u00a0At the time of writing, it’s\u00a0the top-rated restaurant in town on\u00a0Yelp<\/a>, where past patrons have raved about the delicious food and friendly service. “It’s small, cozy, and welcoming,” wrote one person<\/a>. “Our waitress was attentive and brought such warm, positive energy to the visit.” Menu highlights include noodle bowls, savory soups, and comforting rice plates. The eatery also has a few meat-free options for vegans and vegetarians.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mexico Tipico<\/a> is\u00a0another local favorite. Feast on an array of Mexican staples, from tacos and flautas to enchiladas and chimichangas, all wrapped in house-made tortillas.\u00a0“The burritos are absolutely massive and paired with a genuinely delicious salsa that elevates the whole meal,” shared one diner<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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