Getting to Hercules is fast on weekdays - the WestCAT Lynx bus runs nonstop from San Francisco to Hercules. Scheduled running time is 40 minutes, but when there's no traffic like today, it takes about 25.
There are also buses to El Cerrito all 7 days of the week.

The express bus drops off at the Hercules Transit Center. Not much around here yet, but the surround area is zoned to be a downtown with large apartment buildings and businesses. The bus shelters are quite nice, roughly the size of 500 sombritas

The newest neighborhoods in Hercules are north of San Pablo Avenue, and has townhouses, detached houses, and two large apartment buildings.

One unique thing about this row of townhouses on Sycamore Ave in Hercules is that the homes are designed so that part of the first floor can be used either as a bedroom, or as a business. About half of them had businesses, ranging from tax prep to insurance to wedding planning.

Saw some ebikes and dogs - traffic is very light in the neighborhoods, even the through streets are only one lane in each direction.

This part of Hercules is near the bay, and there are lots of creeks. The vibe is sort of a lower density version of Emeryville, with fewer stores and more parks. (there is no big box retail here, just a few small shops and restaurants)

Only the first couple of the planned buildings on the Hercules waterfront have been built. At full buildout this will have several blocks of apartments, shops, and a train and ferry terminal. https://www.ci.hercules.ca.us/government/planning/hercules-projects/intermodal-transit-center