Hayward is a Charter City of 62.55 square miles and 145,839 residents governed under the Council-Manager form of government. Hayward is known as the “Heart of the Bay” because of its central and convenient location in Alameda County – 25 miles southeast of San Francisco, 14 miles south of Oakland, 26 miles north of San Jose and 10 miles west of the valley communities surrounding Pleasanton. Serviced by an extensive network of freeways and bus lines, Hayward has two BART stations (Hayward and South Hayward), an Amtrak station, and the Hayward Executive Airport, with easy access to San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose airports. Hayward's Executive Airport is a general aviation facility utilized by a multitude of diverse aircraft ranging from corporate jets to flying for enjoyment in small privately-owned aircraft. It is considered by many to be the Bay Area’s premier executive general aviation airport and provides a wide variety of aviation services to aircraft operators. Hayward’s diversity is not only reflected in our residents, but also in the variety of outstanding businesses that have chosen to locate and maintain their enterprises in our community. The investment of business and industry in our community is appreciated and valued. Continued partnerships between business, residents, education, and government are essential to ensure Hayward’s ongoing success as the “Heart of the Bay” and to our growing reputation as being “Open for Business.”