Redwood City is a city on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California's Bay Area, approximately 27 miles (43 km) south of San Francisco, and 24 miles (39 km) northwest of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people to being a port for lumber and other goods. The county seat of San Mateo County, it is the home of several technology companies such as Box, Oracle, Evernote, Wealthfront, and Electronic Arts. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 76,815. The Port of Redwood City is the only deepwater port on San Francisco Bay south of San Francisco. Redwood City is the location of the San Mateo County Jail, for both women and men. The Malibu Grand Prix long time landmark was recently demolished along with the city's only Mini Golf, Go-Kart, Video Game Arcade, and Batting Cages. Malibu Grand Prix's previous location is currently the construction site of a new additional Jail and Inmate housing facility. The city has a motto "Climate Best By Government Test" which is a reference to it being one of the top German scouted scientific climates and the city was one of the locations mapped by them during their testing and data collection. The Hetch Hetchy water pipeline runs through Redwood City and supplies a vast majority of the surrounding area with low grain (+/âˆ' 3 grains) rated water.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 34.7 square miles (90Â km2), of which 19.4 square miles (50Â km2) is land and 15.2 square miles (39Â km2) (43.91%) is water. A major watercourse draining much of Redwood City is Redwood Creek, to which several significant river deltas 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 northern 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, or through Belmont via unincorporated San Mateo County. Although Redwood City has a large middle class, the south eastern section of Redwood City highly resembles working class North Fair Oaks 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.
Climate
Redwood City, along with most of the Bay Area, enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb), with warm, dry summers and cool, relatively wet winters. 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) and was recorded on July 14 and 15, 1972. The record lowest temperature of 16 °F (âˆ'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 20.56Â inches (52.22Â cm). The most rainfall in one month was 12.42Â inches (31.55Â cm) in February 1998. The record 24-hour rainfall of 4.88Â inches (12.4Â 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, January 1962, and February 1976.
Demographics
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Redwood City had a population of 76,815. The population density was 3,955.5 people per square mile (1,527.2/km²). The racial makeup of Redwood City was 46,255 (60.2%) White, 1,881 (2.4%) African American, 511 (0.7%) Native American, 8,216 (10.7%) Asian, 795 (1.0%) Pacific Islander, 14,967 (19.5%) from other races, and 4,190 (5.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29,810 persons (38.8%). Non-Hispanic Whites number 31,982 (40.9%).
The Census reported that 75,268 people (98.0% of the population) lived in households, 408 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,139 (1.5%) were institutionalized.
There were 27,957 households, out of which 10,045 (35.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,642 (48.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,139 (11.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,461 (5.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,818 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 288 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 7,411 households (26.5%) were made up of individuals and 2,401 (8.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69. There were 18,242 families (65.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.26.
The population was spread out with 18,193 people (23.7%) under the age of 18, 5,981 people (7.8%) aged 18 to 24, 24,819 people (32.3%) aged 25 to 44, 19,710 people (25.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,112 people (10.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.7 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.
There were 29,167 housing units at an average density of 1,501.9 per square mile (579.9/km²), of which 14,160 (50.6%) were owner-occupied, and 13,797 (49.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.9%. 37,757 people (49.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 37,511 people (48.8%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
In 2000, there were 75,402 people, 27,423 households and 17,898 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,882.7 people per square mile (1,499.1/km²). There were 29,568 housing units at an average density of 1,522.6 per square mile (550.3/km²). 47.1% spoke English, 39.6% Spanish, 2.4% Chinese or Mandarin, other Indo-European 1.7%, and other language 0.5%, as their first language from estimate census 2009.
There were 27,680 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.62 and the average family size was 4.80.
In the city, the population was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 14.7% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.4 males.
According to a 2009 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $69,679, and the median income for a family was $77,964. Disposable income is relatively constant when Redwood City is compared with the rest of the country. Males had a median income of $47,345 versus $44,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,042. About 8.4% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Redwood City's charter provides for a councilor-manager form of government. The City Council appoints the City Manager and adopts policies, which the City Manager is expected to implement. The City Manager appoints and manages most of Redwood City's department heads (the City Clerk and City Attorney being notable exceptions).
The City Council seats are currently held by John D. Seybert (also the mayor), Ian Bain (also the vice-mayor), Alicia C. Aguirre, Jeffrey Gee, Janet Borgens, Diane Howard, and Shelly Masur. The current City Manager is Melissa Stevenson DIaz.
In the California State Legislature, Redwood City is in the 13th Senate District, represented by Democrat Jerry Hill, and in the 22nd Assembly District, represented by Democrat Kevin Mullin.
In the United States House of Representatives, Redwood City is split between California's 14th and 18th congressional districts, represented by Jackie Speier (Dâ€"Hillsborough) and Anna Eshoo (Dâ€"Atherton), respectively.
Downtown
In an attempt to revitalize Redwood City's downtown, city officials decided to look into development. In February 1999 the San Mateo County History Museum opened inside the old San Mateo County Courthouse in downtown Redwood City. In August 2006, a 20-screen theater and various shops opened in a prime downtown location. The theater complex boasts restaurant and retail space at street level and a 2-level underground parking structure.
In addition to the new 20-screen theater, major improvements were made to the historical courthouse located on Broadway. In the late '30s 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.
Landmarks
- Union Cemetery, State Historical Landmark #816
Parks
- Andrew Spinas Park (1.46 acres) â€" 2nd Ave./Bay Rd.
- Dolphin Park (2.36 acres) â€" Turks Head/Quay Ln.
- Dove Beeger Park (1 acre) â€" Whipple Ave./Circle Rd.
- Fleishman Park (.63 acres) â€" Locust St./McEvoy St.
- Garrett Park (6.9 acres) â€" 3600 Block Glenwood Ave.
- Hawes Park (1.59 acres) â€" Hudson St./Roosevelt Ave.
- Hoover Park (10.18 acres) â€" Woodside Rd./Spring St.
- Jardin de Niños (.31 acres) â€" Middlefield Rd./Chestnut St.
- Linden Park (.22 acres) â€" Linden St./Park St.
- Maddux Park (.62 acres) â€" Maddux Dr./Kensington Rd.
- Mariner Park (6.25 acres) â€" Tiller Lane/Bridge Parkway
- Marlin Park (11.15 acres) â€" Neptune Dr./Cringle Dr.
- Mezes Park (1.67 acres) â€" Warren St./Standish St.
- Palm Park (.9 acres) â€" Hudson St./Palm Ave.
- Preserve Park (3.5 acres) â€" 99 Shearwater Parkway
- Red Morton Community Park (31.74 acres) â€" 1120 Roosevelt Ave.
- Sandpiper Park (11.07 acres) â€" Redwood Shores Parkway and Egret Ln.
- Shannon Park (1.87 acres) â€" Davit Lane/Shannon Way
- Shore Dogs Park (.69 acres) â€" 1300 Block Radio Rd.
- Shorebird Park (3.68 acres) â€" Marine Parkway/Island Dr.
- Stafford Park (1.62 acres) â€" King St./Hopkins Ave.
- Stulsaft Park (42.06 acres) â€" 3737 Farm Hill Blvd.
- Wellesley Crescent Park (.75 acres) â€" Edgewood Rd./Arlington Rd.
- Westwood Park (.25 acres) â€" Westwood St./Briarfield Ave.
Education
Redwood City has one community college, Cañada College.
It has elementary and middle schools operated by the Redwood City School District and several public high schools in the Sequoia Union High School District: the comprehensive Sequoia High School, the charter schools Summit Preparatory Charter High School and Everest Public High School, and the continuation school Redwood High School. Many students from Redwood City attend Woodside High School in the neighboring town of Woodside.
The Redwood City Libraries system, a member of the Peninsula Library System, has four branches in the city: Downtown, Fair Oaks, Redwood Shores, and Schaberg.
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.
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. The first verifiable written records of celebrations date to 1861, and to 1887 for a parade.
Notable people
Government
- Sandra Day O'Connor started her legal career at the San Mateo County courthouse in Redwood City.
Law enforcement
- In 1976, Patty Hearst was held at the San Mateo County jail, as it was the most secure facility in the Bay Area at the time. Hearst, the heiress and granddaughter of the newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and brainwashed into participating in criminal activities.
- 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.
- The Scott Peterson murder trial was held in Redwood City in 2004.
Sports
- Davante Adams, Professional Football Wide Receiver for the Green Bay Packers, was born in Redwood City
- Geoff Blum, broadcaster for Houston Astros, infielder from 1999-2012 with Montreal Expos, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox and Astros, homered in 14th inning to win Game 3 of 2005 World Series; was born in Redwood City
- Eric Byrnes, former Major League Baseball outfielder, was born in Redwood City
- Joe Biagini American baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Greg Camarillo, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, was born in Redwood City
- Chris Carter, current Milwaukee Brewers first baseman, was born in Redwood City
- Jeff Clark, one of the most famous big wave surfers who surfed Mavericks alone for 15 years and was credited with starting the Mavericks surf competition, was born in Redwood City
- Daniel Descalso, infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, was born in Redwood City
- Julian Edelman, wide receiver for the New England Patriots, was born in Redwood City
- Don Mossi, Major League Baseball pitcher, lived at 1925 Vera Avenue in Redwood City; during the 1960s, the home was lent to players from the San Francisco Giants while Mossi was on the road.
- Daniel Nava, outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, was born in Redwood City
- Brian Shima, professional inline skater born and raised in Redwood City
- Matangi Tonga, American football player
- Roy Williams, 5x time Pro Bowler in the National Football League was born in Redwood City, California
- Lily Zhang, Olympic table tennis player
Entertainment
- Cedric Bixler-Zavala, singer for progressive rock group The Mars Volta and post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, was born in Redwood City
- Linda Cardellini, actress most famous for her roles in Freaks and Geeks, ER, and Brokeback Mountain, was born in Redwood City
- Bela Lugosi, actor most famous for role as Count Dracula, was married in Redwood City on July 27, 1929
- Joyce MacKenzie, actress who starred in such films as Destination Murder, was born in Redwood City
- Ross Malinger, who starred with Tom Hanks in the film Sleepless in Seattle, was born in Redwood City
- Chris Roberts (game developer), who is responsible for the Wing Commander (franchise), was born in Redwood City.
- Chelsi Smith, winner of Miss USA 1995 and Miss Universe 1995, was born in Redwood City
Media
Films
- Harold and Maude (1971) was filmed at various Northern California locations. One scene, showing Maude liberating a "poor tree that can't breathe", was filmed in front of the San Mateo County Government Center downtown.
- The courthouse scenes of Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) were filmed at the Redwood City courthouse.
Games
- The 3rd person Action Adventure Tomb Raider developer is based in Redwood City.
Media companies
- Several DreamWorks animated films (e.g., Shrek (2001), Shark Tale (2004), Shrek 2 (2004), Madagascar (2005), and Over The Hedge (2006)) 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.
- Formerly the home to the headquarters of the video game hardware/software developer Sega of America.
- ABS-CBN International, a subsidiary of the Filipino media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation is based in 150 Shoreline Drive.
Economy
Ampex, Avangate, BigBand Networks, BroadVision, Crystal Dynamics, Electronic Arts, Informatica, iPass Inc., Jivox, Openwave, Oracle, Shutterfly, Support.com, Evernote, i2c Inc, YuMe, and iCracked is based in Redwood City.
Additionally, All Nippon Airways operates an office in Suite 350 at 555 Twin Dolphin Drive in Redwood City. Until 1999 Sega operated its United States headquarters in Redwood City; during that year the headquarters moved to San Francisco. The 3DO Company, when it existed, had its headquarters in Redwood City. In addition to large tech companies, there is also a vibrant small business community in the town; Redwood city ranked the 7th best place in California for small business.
Cargill salt ponds
Cargill has operated salt ponds in Redwood City, and has proposed development of the ponds, resulting in demands for restoration of some of the land. The plans are currently stalled.
Largest employers as of 2016
- Company â€" number of employees
- Oracle â€" 6,750
- County of San Mateo â€" 2,664
- Electronic Arts â€" 2,367
- Sequoia Hospital â€" 936
- Kaiser Permanente Medical Group â€" 911
- Kaiser Foundation Hospitals â€" 773
- Redwood City School District â€" 763
- Stanford Hospital & Clinics â€" 750
- Equinix â€" 532
Sister cities
- Colima, Colima, Mexico
- Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
See also
- Seaport Centre
- Redwood City School District Boundary Map
Notes
External links
- Official website
- Port of Redwood City
- Downtown Redwood City
- Redwood City Public Library
- Historical Union Cemetery Association
- San Mateo Daily Journal, a local newspaper
- The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's monthly magazine