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 estled in a quiet valley against tree covered rolling hills, Castro Valley businesses, residents, and visitors enjoy a "rural" atmosphere at the hub of California's economical, cultural, and recreational heartland. This steadily growing community, 13 miles south of Oakland and 27 miles southeast of San Francisco, boasts such natural amenities as an extensively developed park system, swimming lagoon, 315 acre lake, and a beautiful 18 hole golf course.
History
Coastanoan Indians lived in the area before the arrival in the 1800s of Don Guillermo Castro, from whom the community got its name. Castro, a soldier and surveyor with the Mexican army, received a land grant of 27,000 acres. The grant encompassed what is now Castro Valley and Hayward. Castro was forced to sell his land to pay his gambling debts, after which he sailed for Chile in 1864. Among those who purchased large tracts from Castro were William Mattoz and Methodist minister Zachariah Hughes. In addition, several families who settled in the area operated huge cattle and poultry ranches. That rural atmosphere remains today. There is a continued interest in horse breeding, showing, and riding for fun and profit. Flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens are plentiful, and several neighborhoods still lack sidewalks and boast oversize lots. All this helps retain the ambiance of a bygone era.
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