Redwood City, California
| City of Redwood City | |
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| Motto: Climate Best By Government Test | |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
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| State | California |
| County | San Mateo |
| Incorporated | March 27, 1868 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Rosanne Foust |
| Area | |
| - Total | 34.6 sq mi (89.5 km²) |
| - Land | 19.5 sq mi (50.5 km²) |
| - Water | 15.1 sq mi (39.1 km²) 43.66% |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 79,000 |
| - Density | 3,871.3/sq mi (1,494.7/km²) |
| California Department of Finance Estimate | |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 94059, 94061-94065 |
| Area code(s) | 650 |
| FIPS code | 06-60102 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0277584 |
| Website: http://redwoodcity.org/ | |
Redwood City is a suburb located on the San Francisco Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Redwood City is the county seat of San Mateo County. It was originally part of the Rancho de las Pulgas. As of the 2006 census, the city had a total population of 79,000. The Port of Redwood City is the only deepwater port on San Francisco Bay south of San Francisco.
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.6 square miles (89.5 km²), of which 19.5 square miles (50.5 km²) is land and 15.1 square miles (39.1 km²) (43.66%) is water. A major watercourse draining much of Redwood City is Redwood Creek, to which several significant sloughs connect, the largest of which is Westpoint Slough.
Redwood City's sphere of influence includes the districts of Emerald Lake Hills and North Fair Oaks, which, however, are largely outside the city boundaries and are counted individually for the U.S. census. Palomar Park, just north of Emerald Hills and east of San Carlos' Crestview area, is another Redwood City neighborhood that is formally part of unincorporated San Mateo County. The neighborhood of Redwood Shores is part of Redwood City, although it is not possible to travel by road from one to the other without passing through the neighboring city of San Carlos. Although Redwood City is mainly upper middle-class, the eastern section of Redwood City highly resembles North Fair Oaks and East Palo Alto in demographic make-up and income level.
El Camino Real, a northwest/southeast arterial street and Woodside Road, a north-northeast/south-southwest arterial, run through Redwood City. Locally, the former is regarded as north/south and the latter east/west, as El Camino connects Redwood City to San Francisco and San Jose and Woodside Road runs from San Francisco Bay to the Santa Cruz Mountains. The actual geography is as stated.
Climate
The National Weather Service, which maintains both a forecast center and a cooperative office in Redwood City, reports that December is the coolest month and July is the warmest month. The record highest temperature of 110°F (43.3°C) was recorded on July 14 and 15, 1972. The record lowest temperature of 16°F (-8.8°C) was recorded on January 11, 1949. Annually, there are an average of 21.6 days with highs of 90°F (32°C) or higher and 2.8 days with highs of 100°F (38°C) or higher; there are an average of 10.4 days with lows of 32°F (0°C) or lower.
The normal annual precipitation is 20.16 inches (51.20 cm). The most rainfall in one month was 12.42 inches (31.55 cm) in February 1998. The record 24-hour rainfall of 4.88 inches (12.4 cm) was on October 13, 1962. There are an average of 62.1 days with measurable precipitation. Snow flurries have been observed on rare occasions; there was some minor snow accumulation in May 1935 and February 1976.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2006, there were 79,000 people, 29,870 households, and 17,902 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,871.3 people per square mile (1,494.5/km²). There were 29,870 housing units at an average density of 1,484.8/sq mi (573.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.16% White, 4.24% African American, 1.61% Native American, 10.31% Asian, 1.98% Pacific Islander, 15.57% from other races, and 6.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 39.84% of the population.
There were 28,060 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 37.4% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.
According to a 2006 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $71,628, and the median income for a family was $86,015. Nevertheless, because of the extremely high cost of living in Redwood City, certain jobs (especially in the service industry) pay over $50,000 a year in Redwood City, and in other parts of the country these jobs would be classified as low-income. Disposable income is relatively constant when Redwood City is compared with the rest of the country, however.[2] Males had a median income of $50,345 versus $41,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,042. About 3.9% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
In the state legislature Redwood City is located in the 11th Senate District, represented by Democrat Joe Simitian, and in the 21st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Ira Ruskin. Federally, Redwood City is located in California's 12th and 14th congressional districts, which have Cook PVIs of D +22 and D +18 respectively[3]. The 12th is represented by former State Senator Jackie Speier, who won the April 2008 special congressional election to complete the rest of the term made vacant by the death of Democrat Tom Lantos. The 14th is represented by Democrat Anna Eshoo.
Downtown
In an attempt to revitalize Redwood City's downtown, city officials decided to look into development. In August 2006, a new 20-screen theatre and various shops opened in a prime downtown location. The theatre complex boasts restaurant and retail space at street level and a 2-level underground parking structure.[4]
In addition to the new 20-screen theatre, major improvements were made to the historical courthouse located on Broadway. In the late 30's an addition was built in front of the original structure, obscuring the view. It was torn down as part of the revitalization project. The building has been replaced with a large courtyard flanked by water fountains on either side, leading to the main steps of the courthouse. The courthouse's glass dome is lit at night and changes colors every 11 seconds.
Uncomfortable moniker
Redwood City is sometimes referred to colloquially as "Deadwood City" by San Francisco Bay Area natives[5], and particularly by Redwood City residents;[6] it is both a term of (ironic) endearment and derision. As a judgment it was more reflective of an earlier time, when the city's downtown was in decline. Several major projects are underway or finished in the area.[7] Some projects include the restoration of the historical courthouse and a new cinema and shopping/restaurant complex (completed) at the intersection of Middlefield Road and Jefferson Avenue. Nightlife is returning to downtown and the open area in front of the courthouse is used for night time outdoor movies and bands.
Landmarks
- Union Cemetery, State Historical Landmark #816[8]
Motto
Redwood City's slogan, emblazoned on arches across Broadway at the east and west entrances to downtown, is "Climate Best By Government Test". This is based on a climatological survey conducted by the United States and German governments prior to World War I. The area centered on Redwood City tied for the world's best climate with the Canary Islands and North Africa's Mediterranean Coast.[9]
Independence Day parade
Redwood City's Independence Day parade sponsored by the Peninsula Celebration Association,[10] held continuously since 1939, has been billed variously as 'The largest Independence Day Parade in California', 'West of the Mississippi', 'in North America', claims which may or may not be accurate. What is accurate is that Redwood City has been holding Four of July Celebrations since 1850. To that, the first verifiable written records of celebrations start in 1861, and 1887 for a parade.
Law enforcement
The Scott Peterson trial was held in Redwood City.
In 1976, Patty Hearst was held at the San Mateo County jail — the same facility that housed Scott Peterson — as it was the most secure facility in the Bay Area at the time. Hearst, the heiress and granddaughter of the legendary newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped by a radical group, the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), and made national headlines when she joined the group in a series of crimes.[11]
Author Ken Kesey spent time in the San Mateo County jail in 1967 for possession of marijuana. During his incarceration he wrote Kesey’s Jail Journal.[12]
Sports
Through the late 1980's the San Francisco 49ers football team held workout practices at Red Morton Park, located near the Redwood City Veteran's Memorial Center.
Media
Harold and Maude was filmed at various Northern California locations. There is a scene of Maude liberating a "poor tree that can't breathe" which was filmed in front of the San Mateo County Government Center in downtown.
The courthouse scenes of "Mrs. Doubtfire" were filmed at the Redwood City courthouse.
Several DreamWorks animated films (i.e Over The Hedge, Madagascar, Shark Tale, Shrek 2, Shrek, etc.) were made by PDI/Dreamworks (the Northern California branch of Dreamworks Animation), which moved to Redwood City from nearby Palo Alto (Park Drive) in October 2002. Video game publisher Electronic Arts is based in the Redwood Shores neighborhood of Redwood City.
Economy
Largest Employers
- Company - Number of Employees
- Oracle Corporation - 8,000
- San Mateo County - 2,200
- Electronic Arts - 1,826
- Kaiser Permanente - 1,800
- Sequoia Hospital - 1,154
- Redwood City School District - 1,050
- Informatica Corporation - 1,000
- Openwave Systems - 900
- BroadVision - 759
- Sequoia Union High School District - 700
- City of Redwood City - 607
- Tyco Electronics - 400
- PDI/Dreamworks - 400
- Canada College - 380
- Ampex Corporation -300
Source: 2006 Community Guide and Membership Directory, Redwood City Chamber of Commerce
Notable residents and natives
- Ruben Barrales - Deputy Assistant to the President and Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
- Kevin Bass, former San Francisco Giant.
- Cedric Bixler-Zavala, lead singer for The Mars Volta and former lead singer for At the Drive-In.
- Geoff Blum, hit game-winning home run in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series.
- Eric Byrnes, player for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Linda Cardellini, actress.
- Mike Nolan, Former coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Brian Shima, notable professional inline skater.
- John Straley, writer.
- Gary Beban, attended Sequoia High School and later won the 1967 Heisman Trophy.
- Roy Williams, Pro Bowl strong safety of the Dallas Cowboys
- Jeff Clark, big wave surfer
- Owen Ashworth of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
- Gil Fronsdal, guiding Buddhist teacher at the Insight Meditation Center.
- Jose Prado,Revolutionary
Gallery
See also
- Seaport Centre
Redwood City School District Schools Boundary Map
Notes
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
- ↑ ""On Broadway" Retail-Cinema Project". Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ↑ Judge weighs lawyer's lawsuit: Plan to redevelop downtown challenged, by Will Oremus, Redwood City Daily News. Quote page 7, paragraph #3, '... for a city that has been saddled with the moniker "Deadwood City" in the past.'
- ↑ Levy, Joan (July 3, 2006). "What happened to the Fourth of July Rodeo?". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ↑ "Redevelopment". Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ↑ "State Historical Landmark #816". Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ↑ ""Climate Best By Government Test"". Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ↑ "Peninsula Celebration Association". Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ↑ "Redwood City recovers from Peterson trial" (Dec 14, 2004). Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ↑ "Ken Kesey’s journal from jail published" (Jan 20, 2004). Retrieved on 2007-12-10.
External links
- Official website
- Redwood City Community Website
- Port of Redwood City
- Redwood City Public Library
- Historical Union Cemetery Association
- San Mateo Daily Journal, the local newspaper
- Redwood City, California is at coordinates
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