Fremont may sometimes be overlooked as just a suburb, but it has its own unique vibes you come to love. While we can relate a lot to the rest of the Bay Area, we do things just a little bit differently here. Whether you're from Niles, Centerville, Irvington, Warm Springs, or Mission San Jose, here are a few signs that you're Fremont through and through.
1. You're a milk tea connoisseur
I tried "bubble tea" when I moved to Alabama, and it just wasn't the same! Growing up in Fremont definitely spoils you with the endless milk tea options. If you're from here you're probably very specific or picky about your milk tea and have a favorite order. My old reliable is coconut milk tea with pearls and no ice!
2. You took an SAT class
I didn't realize that most people don't take SAT classes until I moved away from Fremont. It's pretty much a necessity if you leave here. Along with the classes, you probably also owned one of those giant SAT prep books and would cram through it before the test.
3. You’ve hiked Mission Peak
There's no way you haven't climbed mission peak if you're from Fremont. There's also no way that you didn't take a picture with the pole at the top. It's just something we do.
4. You’re a Warriors fan
Fremont may be split between Oakland and San Francisco in baseball and football, but we all unite under the Warriors and Sharks. The Warriors in particular are an insane phenomenon here. It's hard to go out in Fremont and not see someone representing Golden State.
5. You live five or minutes or less from an Asian shopping center
These are literally everywhere all over Fremont, and I love it. With markets like 99 Ranch and Marina, these centers attract huge crowds every day of the week. They're also a great place to go to for some amazing food and milk tea!
6. You frequented Great America
Great America was pretty much how we would spend our summers in Fremont. If you were lucky your parents would let you get a season pass and drop you off there to spend the day with your friends. When you're 12 years old that's just about the greatest thing ever!
7. You’ve been on BART
If you ever go into the city, BART is pretty much the way to go. I'm sure 99% of people who live in Fremont know about BART, but mention it anywhere outside of the Bay and most people think you're talking about the Simpsons.
8. You say you’re from San Jose or San Francisco
If anyone outside of NorCal asks where you're from, it's pretty much a guarantee you'll have to say "near San Jose" instead of Fremont, so people actually know what you're talking about. If people haven't heard of San Jose, we then resort to "near San Francisco".
9. You complain how boring it is here
One of the most common things that people from Fremont say is how boring it is and that there's nothing to do. We're less than an hour away from exciting places like Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco, and the beach, and yet Fremont itself is pretty much suburbia.
10. At least one of your parents is an engineer or in technology
If you grew up here, you more than likely have a parent who is an engineer or in the tech industry. We are on the outskirts of Silicon Valley, after all!
11. You actually know who John C. Fremont is
Fremont's namesake! Every time I would see John C. Fremont's name in the California history books in class, I would get just a little bit excited. It's not too common to hear Fremont mentioned anywhere, so seeing it written in history books gives a weird sense of pride.
12. You grew up saying hecka or hella
The rest of the world has recently started to adopt the word "hella," but it's something we've heard our entire lives. As a word that originated in Northern California, I can even remember saying stuff as a kid like "Those crayons are hecka cool!"
13. You’re spoiled by good food
Here in Fremont we have just about every food type imaginable, and it’s all good. Burritos, pho, sushi; we have it all. We may get called “food snobs” for this, but we know that the Bay Area has some of the best food in the world.
14. You go to Pacific Commons at least once a week
It’s not called “The Heart of Fremont” for nothing. Whether you’re looking to eat, shop, or watch a movie, Pacific Commons (or Pac Coms) has you covered!
