Fremont, California

Each morning as the sun rises over gentle slopes, tender rays of sunlight reflect off of grassy hillsides and illuminate clusters of dewdrops, shimmering from treetops. From an aerial perspective it almost looks as if the very stars of the universe had entered the atmosphere, and fallen to the earth. As the sparkle subsides and the overwhelming yellows and oranges of the morning sun radiate through empty pockets of foliage in tree-lined streets, the morning light reveals my town, tucked away in the corner of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Fremont, California does not possess a world-famous landmark. It is not a tourist destination; luxurious resorts and white sandy beaches are as common as typhoons and tornadoes. Fremont does not boast a professional sports team (although, there has been talk of the Oakland Athletics or San Jose Earthquakes moving-in). The majority of people outside of California could not find it on a map and probably would never even want to. When asked where I am from, I usually respond, "San Francisco," to spare myself the trouble of explaining exactly where Fremont is located. It is just another random town that another random person is hoping will provide a cash-worthy "Welcome to my Town" description. Fremont is insignificant to the world…or is it?

Across the bay from San Francisco, wedged between Oakland and San Jose, Fremont is the heart of one of, if not the most modernized, sought after places to live, the Bay Area.

Although I call it a town, Fremont is the fourth largest city in the Bay area with a population exceeding 200,000 people scattered across some 93 square miles. It has achieved nationwide recognition for a quality of life both businesses and families from all around the world seek. But it has still somehow managed to maintain a small-town charm.

Fremont's allure is permeated by a cultural experience, rich in diversity. Japanese, Korean and Chinese characters are strung across entire shopping centers. The California School for the Deaf attracts students from all around the state. Naz Cinemas (which show Indian films) outnumber the Century Theaters and any ethnic restaurant fathomable can most likely be found somewhere within the city.

To be blunt, the weather is perfect. A few times a year it gets “really hot” (about 90 degrees), or “really cold” (about 30 degrees). But for the most part, an agreeable breeze sweeps under the Golden Gate Bridge to cool down the hot days, or thick fog insulates it from the colder winter nights. The average temperature usually stands at a pleasant 65 to 75 degrees.

Teenagers enjoy most of the same activities that are found in other cities; bowling, ice skating, miniature golfing, and so on. Trails wind through the grassy hills, and on a nice day, behind Fremont's historic mission, one can spend an afternoon climbing Mission Peak. Those who make it to the top are rewarded by a spectacular view of the entire Bay Area. Quarry Lakes, Fremont's newest park, provides swimming, picnicking and fishing. Within just a few miles of Quarry Lakes is Fremont's own version of Central Park. The enormous park hosts an 11-field soccer complex, lighted baseball diamonds, multiple playgrounds, a skate park, tennis courts, volleyball pits, a driving range and a two-mile walking/biking path around Lake Elizabeth.

I imagine many teens in communities across the U.S. share the common complaint of, "There isn’t anything to do in my boring town." I must admit that as a teen, I too used to gripe about the lack of excitement to be found nearby. However, now that I am away at college on the North Shore of Oahu (where there really isn’t anything to do besides surf), I have a newfound appreciation for Fremont and its ideal location. Everything the Bay Area has to offer is accessible to Fremont citizens as our town is bordered by two major freeway's and situated at the southern end of the Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART) route.

Fremont is about two and one-half hours west of the nearest ski resort, forty minutes east of the nearest ocean beach, and about five hours (depending on who is driving) north of southern California's vast array of amusement parks. It is fifteen minutes north of San Jose's roller-coaster attraction, Great America and an hour south (depending on traffic) of San Francisco's nightlife and shopping.

There are art exhibits, museums, aquariums and most bands will include the Bay Area as part of their tour. Fremont is within an hour of two major league baseball teams, two professional football teams, a major league soccer team, a professional hockey team and a professional basketball team.

And after enjoying the countless number of opportunities the Bay Area has to offer, Fremont citizens at any time are able to retreat from the busy city life and return to the peaceful sanctity of their hometown.

John F. Kennedy had a dream for America. He said, "I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty. Which will protect the beauty of our natural environment. Which will preserve the great old American houses and squares and parks of our national past and which will build handsome and balanced cities for our future."

Fremont, the All-American City, has done and will continue to do it's part in achieving this dream for America.

John G

Submitted: Saturday 14th February 2004, 7:26 PM

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