Redwood City, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Redwood City | |
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| Motto: Climate Best By Government Test | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States of America |
| State | California |
| County | San Mateo |
| Incorporated | March 27, 1868 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Barbara Pierce |
| Area | |
| - City | 34.6 sq mi (89.5 km²) |
| - Land | 19.5 sq mi (50.5 km²) |
| - Water | 15.1 sq mi (39.1 km²) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - City | 76,000 |
| California Department of Finance Estimate | |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| 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. As of the 2005 census, the city had a total population of 76,000. The Port of Redwood City is the only deepwater port on San Francisco Bay south of San Francisco. Redwood City's main street is known as Broadway, although it also has an actual Main Street, which Broadway intersects. On Broadway, at the western and eastern entrances to the city's downtown, there are arches over the roadway emblazoned with the city's name and the slogan, "Climate Best by Government Test."
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[edit] Geography
Redwood City is located at (37.482887, -122.236006).GR1
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 89.5 km² (34.6 mi²). 50.5 km² (19.5 mi²) of it is land and 39.1 km² (15.1 mi²) of it (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. 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 East Palo Alto in demographic make-up and income level.
El Camino Real (California), 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Landmarks
- Union Cemetery State Historical Landmark #816
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2005, there were 76,000 people, 28,060 households, and 17,902 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,494.5/km² (3,871.3/mi²). There were 28,921 housing units at an average density of 573.2/km² (1,484.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.16% White, 3.24% African American, 1.61% Native American, 10.11% 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 35.84% 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.
The median income for a household in the city was $66,748, and the median income for a family was $73,798. 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.
[edit] 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 locations. The theatre complex boasts restaurant and retail space at street level and a 2-level underground parking structure below. Success has varied, but most residents would agree that the downtown shopping center is an improvement. [1]
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 20 seconds.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Prominent companies
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[edit] Notable residents and natives
- Ruben Barrales - Deputy Assistant to the President and Director, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
- Kevin Bass, former member of the San Francisco Giants.
- Cedric Bixler-Zavala, lead singer of the progressive rock band The Mars Volta and former lead singer of the post-hardcore band At the Drive-In.
- Geoff Blum, who hit the game-winning home run in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series, is a Redwood City native.
- Michael Diaz, Famous for his role as a Oompa-Loompa in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
- Eric Byrnes, professional baseball player for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Linda Cardellini, actress, most famous for role in the 2002 live-action motion picture, Scooby-Doo.
- Abraham Mendoza, started his soccer career in Redwood City and is currently playing with Manchester United in the English Premier League as a left midfielder.
- Mike Nolan, current coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Brian Shima, notable professional inline skater was born in Redwood City.
- John Straley, detective fiction writer born in Redwood City
- Gary Beban, attended Sequoia High School and later won the 1967 Heisman Trophy, considered the most prestigious award in American college football. He beat out O.J Simpson for the award.
- Roy Williams, Pro Bowl strong safety of the Dallas Cowboys
- Jeff Clark, one of the most noteworthy and respected big wave surfers was born in Redwood City.
- Brady Sullivan, owner of one of the largest Spider-Man collections.
[edit] Trivia
[edit] Motto
Redwood City's slogan, "Climate Best By Government Test," is based on an obscure 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.
[edit] Independence Day Parade
Redwood City's Independence Day Parade sponsored by the Peninsula Celebration Association, 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.
[edit] "Deadwood City"
Redwood City is sometimes referred to colloquially as "Deadwood City" by San Francisco Bay Area natives, particularly Redwood City residents;[1] 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, than the present. In an effort to completely lose this reputation among its citizens, several major projects are underway in the downtown area. Such projects include among other things the restoration of the historical courthouse and a new cinema complex, including shops, at the intersection of Middlefield Road and Jefferson Avenue.
[edit] 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.[2]
The ShotSpotter is a gunshot location system designed to work in an urban area. It works via an array of acoustic sensors placed on roof tops and utility poles. It was tested in Redwood Village in April of 1996. The manufacture touts the device as addressing issues, but local officials were split as to its effectiveness. In the end, it did not account for a single conviction. However, it was effective in reducing random gunfire. Surveys conducted for the DOJ showed it was most effective as a "perception" of action.
[edit] Sports
Up until the mid-1990s the San Francisco 49ers football team used to hold workout practices at Red Morton Park, located near the Redwood City Veteran's Memorial Center.
[edit] Media
Harold and Maude filmed at various Northern California locations, features a scene of Maude liberating a "poor tree that can't breathe." This is filmed in front of the San Mateo County Government Center in downtown.
Animated movies made by DreamWorks (i.e Over The Hedge, Madagascar, Shark Tale, Shrek 2, Shrek, etc.) were all made in Redwood City, and their "PDI Northern Campus" which mostly consists of their animation department is based here. It is also the home of video game company Electronic Arts, famous for making the Madden NFL series and the The Sims series.
[edit] Gallery
 The clock tower at Broadway and El Camino Real |
 City Hall (surrounded by redwood trees) |
 The now-demolished 1939 Facade of the Redwood City Court House. |
 Western arch. |
 Eastern arch. |
 Redwood City Public Library on Middlefield Road. |
 The Pioneer Store on Main Street. |
 Solar-powered parking meter on Jefferson Avenue. |
 The historical courthouse, built in 1910 and renovated in 2006. |
[edit] External galleries
- Historic Photos of Redwood City provided by the Local History Collection at the Redwood City Public Library.
- Creeks Winter, 2005-2006
- Scott Peterson Trial Media Circus Nov, 2004
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Joan Levy. What happened to the Fourth of July Rodeo? (see paragraph 3), San Mateo Daily Journal, July 3, 2006
[edit] External links
[edit] Official websites
[edit] Historical websites
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
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San Mateo County, California County Seat: Redwood City |
|---|---|
| Incorporated places |
Atherton • Belmont • Brisbane • Burlingame • Colma • Daly City • East Palo Alto • Foster City • Half Moon Bay • Hillsborough • Menlo Park • Millbrae • Pacifica • Portola Valley • Redwood City • San Bruno • San Carlos • San Mateo • South San Francisco • Woodside |
| CDPs |
Broadmoor • El Granada • Emerald Lake Hills • Highlands-Baywood Park • Montara • Moss Beach • North Fair Oaks • West Menlo Park |
| Other unincorporated communities |
Kings Mountain • La Honda • Ladera • Loma Mar • Los Trancos Woods • Middleton Tract • San Gregorio • Sky Londa |
