Expanding city with cultural events adjacent to Silicon Valley
Union City is a growing East Bay suburb. Its name comes from the joining of the towns of Alvarado and Decoto. The combined area was incorporated as Union City in 1959 after housing developments replaced what had been farmland. Over the next 60 years, the population rose from 6,000 to over 70,000, according to the 2020 Census. The city has numerous recreational opportunities, expanding commercial districts and scenic views of the East Bay Hills or San Francisco Bay.
“I’ve lived in almost every city in the Bay Area since I was two, and I still think Union City is great,” says Kathy Vincent, the onsite leasing manager of the Tropics, an age-restricted manufactured housing community. “It’s a very quiet place compared to Castro Valley, but it’s still growing. People are paying attention to what we need here, so slowly but surely, we are getting there.”
Alameda Creek Trail in Union City lets you run or pedal your bike along the trees and streams.
Birdhaus Beer Garden hosts the different events like the annual Meow Mixer event in Alvarado.
The Summertime Sounds concerts at Union Landing have become a beloved tradition for Alvarado.
Eden Landing Ecological Reserve blends ecological beauty in Union City.
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City parks, annual festivals, miles of trails and free seeds
The city oversees 30 parks spanning 136 acres with multiple athletic spaces, four community centers, a dog park, a skate park and numerous playgrounds. Old Alvarado Park features an ornate gazebo, a playground and a walking path. It hosts community events like the Union City Arts and Wine Festival. Held annually in October, this one-day celebration highlights regional artists and wine vendors and has live music and an antique car display. The Union City Farmers’ Market takes place here on Saturdays year-round.
Charles F. Kennedy Park is the city’s largest green space. It contains a playground modeled after the Golden Gate Bridge, climbing walls, log runs and two sets of play equipment. California history is highlighted on surfboards throughout the park. Culture Fest takes place here each March, featuring live music, diverse foods and local art vendors. The East Bay Regional Park District oversees the Garin and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks. Spanning parts of Hayward and Union City, the combined preserve has 35 miles of trails over 5,800 acres.
Alameda County Library-Union City encourages people to enjoy the outdoors through its Seed Library Program. “We’re stocking the seed library with herbs and vegetables. We hope to expand to pollinator seeds soon, but it requires a lot of research to make sure the plants are good for the area,” says Milo Rook, a librarian at the Fremont Branch of the Alameda County Library. “Gardeners can send an email through the library’s Garden Center page with stories or pictures of the crops.”
Relax and play at Charles F. Kennedy Park in Union City, a locals favorite for gatherings.
Every Saturday local vendors offer an array of fresh produce at Union City Farmers Market.
Old Alvarado Park in Union City features an ornate gazebo, a playground and a walking path.
Alvarado residents have easy access to Union City Library.
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Shopping centers, international restaurants and the Station District
Located just off Interstate 880, Union Landing is an expansive shopping center with over 70 big box retailers, chain restaurants and supermarkets. Union City’s incredibly diverse eateries dot the area’s landscape, preparing classic American fare alongside fusion restaurants, Central American bakeries and Vietnamese sandwich shops.
Union City’s downtown area has undergone enormous changes thanks to the city's $82 million investment. Now referred to as the Station District, the area around the city’s BART station has been converted into the Union City Intermodal Transit Station, a mixed-use project with high-density housing, job centers and the Union Square Marketplace. The shopping complex contains clothing stores, salons, and over a dozen international and local restaurants.
The Lion's Mane Barbershop is one of Alvarado residnets' favorite Barber Shop.
Union Landing serves as a convenient place for Alvarado and nearby residents.
The AC Transit and BART connects different neighborhoods in Union City to nearby cities.
Enjoy Sichuan cuisine with a modern twist at Mala Town in Union Square Marketplace.
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Rising property values in a competitive East Bay Area market
Union City consists of midcentury and contemporary single-family homes, modern townhouses and 1980s condominiums. There are also manufactured housing communities, including The Tropics, a classic 1970s-style age-restricted area. Throughout the neighborhood, sidewalks lead past Craftsman and ranch-style homes landscaped with stone paths and colorful flowers and shrubs. The city’s high demand and limited inventory have created a competitive market, with many homes selling above the asking price. Home values rose by 10% annually from 2019 to 2024. Homes sell for an average price of $1.3 million after around 21 days.
Residents of Alvarado enjoy instant access to a variety of outdoor activities and retails.
Experience urban convenience in Union City condos, close to BART and local attractions.
Union City’s contemporary single-family homes offer sleek designs and modern comforts.
Homes in Alvarado neighborhood exhibit a variety of architectural styles.
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Language immersion, robotics and the Union City Family Center
The New Haven Unified School District is a culturally diverse network of 14 schools enrolling a combined 11,000 students. It earned an overall A-minus score from Niche. It’s known for its award-winning athletic and music programs, two-way dual language immersion for Mandarin and Spanish and enrichment activities. The district works with the University of California-Davis to operate the Computing and STEM Education Program. New Haven Unified also works with the Union City Family Center to provide its students with vision and oral health care as well as after-school and summer enrichment programs.
Healthcare options, industrial sectors and the American Licorice Company
Kaiser Permanente is one of the region’s largest healthcare providers, and its presence in Union City is extensive. Its offices host health education courses, a medical testing laboratory and a pharmacy. The closest emergency room is 5 miles away in Hayward at St. Rose Hospital. However, people in Union City can visit doctors of their choosing at Alvarado Medical Clinic, Nakamura Clinic and Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center.
Healthcare is an important industry here, and other prominent industrial sectors include manufacturing, transportation, warehousing and professional services. Employers like the American Licorice Company, Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices, R&S Manufacturing and USK Manufacturing provide most Union City jobs.
St. Rose Hospital, just minutes from Union City, provides healthcare for the community.
Kaiser Permanente in Union City delivers top-notch healthcare for a thriving community.
USK Manufacturing creates quality products while providing valuable jobs in Union City.
Union City is home to American Licorice Company and other key manufacturers.
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Numerous bus routes, bike lanes and BART trains
There are plenty of ways to get around in Union City. AC Transit and Union City Transit operate multiple bus routes throughout the area. Pedestrians can use sidewalks to move about more efficiently, and cyclists have a network of bike lanes and trails. The 880 Freeway bisects the town, and Mission Boulevard, also known as Highway 238, runs to Oakland and Fremont. The Dumbarton Bridge is less than 10 miles away and connects to the San Francisco Peninsula and the 101 Freeway. Part of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, the Union City Intermodal Transit Station’s green line takes passengers nearly 30 miles north to San Francisco or 20 miles south to San Jose. Commuters from Union City typically have a 33-minute one-way journey each day, higher than the national average of 27 minutes. People living near the more extensive roadways and the BART tracks will hear traffic noise at various times of the day. Oakland International Airport is 16 miles away.
Low humidity, natural disaster risks and crime rates
Like much of California, Union City has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters, dry summers and moderate-to-low humidity. There are 265 sunny days here yearly, and the average annual rainfall is 17 to 19 inches. The city has around 19 days of unhealthy air particulates each year when people are advised to wear masks when outdoors.
The Hayward Fault runs along the base of the East Bay Hills and often produces tremors of varying magnitude. The last quake to register over a seven on the Richter scale was in 1868. The city’s wildfire risks increase in the East Bay Hills due to increased vegetation to feed the blazes. Three Alameda County fire stations are spread across the city to reduce response times during these emergencies.
Property crime rates are higher than violent crime rates in Union City. For every 1,000 people in the city, 32 will experience theft or burglary. This is higher than both the national and California averages. However, violent crime rates are below the California average and are even with the national average of four people out of 1,000 falling victim to violent crime.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
