Hayward, California is located next to the San Francisco Bay and is considered a suburb of Oakland. The city is a mix of geographic areas - the bay shoreline, the flatlands (where the city center is located) and the hills that over look the bay. The shoreline is filled with marshland, creating a wonderful natural habitat.
There are plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities in (and around) the Hayward area. The weather is extremely pleasant and these types of activities flourish. Hayward also offers plenty of other entertainment. The Downtown Museum offers exhibits that trace the history of the community. The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center is the perfect place for the whole family - with hiking trails, aquariums and exhibits.
The climate in Hayward is relatively typical for the Bay Area. The winters are mild with lows that rarely reach near freezing. Summers are warm and dry with highs reaching around 70F. The months of June, July and August each average almost no rainfall.
There are cheap flights to Hayward through Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK) all year round. You can find cheap airline tickets from New York with rates starting around $200 US. Flying in from Los Angeles will cost about half as much with cheap airline tickets starting right at $100 US.
You can find cheap hotels in Hayward all around the city. Cheap hotel rooms near the airport can start around $80 US. Cheap hotel rooms near the major attractions will start just over $50 US.