'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."
Geography
Redwood City is located at (37.482887, -122.236006).
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.
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.
One Government Test awarded Redwood City with the best climate. The motto "Climate Best By Government Test" is proudly printed on the ''Welcome To Redwood City'' sign. (See Picture of the ''Western arch'' in the gallery)
Demographics
As of the
census 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.
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.
[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.
Landmarks
★ Union Cemetery
State Historical Landmark #816
★
Motto
Redwood City's slogan,
"Climate Best By Government Test," 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.
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.
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.
Sports
Up until 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
Prominent companies
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.
★
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.
★
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.
★
Ronnie Day, singer-songwriter who has released two albums, is from Redwood City.
Gallery
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
See also
★
Seaport Centre
Redwood City School District
Schools Boundary Map
Notes
External links
Official websites
★
Official website
★
Port of Redwood City
★
City Library
★
Cinema Redevelopment
Historical websites
★
Local History
★
Historical Union Cemetery Association
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