Overview
Newark is a small community in the East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area region of California. It is an enclave of the larger city of Fremont.
3 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Newark
Don Edwards San Francisco Wildlife Refuge
Although 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
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 mansi…
Newark Days
Annual four-day festival held every September to celebrate the city's incorporation. Run like a miniature county fair, with carnival attractions and live performances. Average attendance is more than three times the popu…
The Grove
It's outside of the Newpark Mall, and hosts a summer concert series featuring local and other more famous Bay Area artists. Admission is free.
Silliman Family Aquatic Center
Newark 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 recreat…
The Lake Area
Medium sized man-made lake, great for walking, etc. Home to a huge duck, goose, and Canada geese population.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Palo Alto)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SQL San Carlos Airport, San Carlos — 12 mi away. Directions
- SJC Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
San Jose (SJC) and Oakland International (OAK) airports are about 20 miles away.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Grove, Silliman Family Aquatic Center
- Lunch Cousin Cafe
- Afternoon The Lake Area
- Dinner La Cabaña
Day 2
- Morning Don Edwards San Francisco Wildlife Refuge, Ardenwood Historic Farm
- Lunch Mehran
- Afternoon Newark Days
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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).
Get in
By plane
San Jose (SJC) and Oakland International (OAK) 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.
Get around
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.
See
See The Grove
It's outside of the Newpark Mall, and hosts a summer concert series featuring local and other more famous Bay Area artists. Admission is free.
See Ardenwood Historic Farm
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.
Do
Do Silliman Family Aquatic Center
Newark 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.
Do The Lake Area
Medium sized man-made lake, great for walking, etc. Home to a huge duck, goose, and Canada geese population.
Buy
Eat
Eat Cousin Cafe (表哥茶餐廳)
Hong Kong-style cafe cuisine in the heart of Newark. Breakfast, Lunch, and Happy Hours specials. Quite popular with locals.
Eat La Cabaña
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.
Eat Mehran
Very spicy Pakistani food, in a buffet setting. Good, but you will need rice to cut down the spiciness.
Sleep
Stay Courtyard Newark Silicon Valley
Great location for walking to food, grocery, and public transit including transit across the bay to Palo Alto and Menlo Park.
Stay Residence Inn Newark Silicon Valley
Great location for walking to food, grocery, and public transit including transit across the bay to Palo Alto and Menlo Park.
Stay Aloft Silicon Valley
A luxury boutique hotel, a stylish and sophisticated retreat, featuring roomy suites with kitchenettes, unique dining, event space.
Go next
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.
Nearby
Fremont
City / town · 45 listings · 2 mi away
Union City
City / town · 9 listings · 6 mi away
Hayward
City / town · 37 listings · 8 mi away
Sunol
City / town · 15 listings · 9 mi away
Mountain View
City / town · 55 listings · 10 mi away
Menlo Park
City / town · 75 listings · 10 mi away
Palo Alto
City / town · 53 listings · 10 mi away
Milpitas
City / town · 18 listings · 10 mi away
My experience
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