Redwood City

 

city (1990 pop. 66,072), seat of San Mateo co., W Calif., on San Francisco Bay; inc. 1868. Manufactures include commmunications, electrical, electronic, and medical equipment. There is also biotechnology research and development, and salt is harvested from the bay waters. The city's large chrysanthemum industry dates from 1900.

City of Redwood City
The skyline of downtown Redwood City
Motto: Climate Best By Government Test
Location in San Mateo County and the state of California
Coordinates: 37°28′58″N 122°14′10″W / 37.48278, -122.23611
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Mateo
Incorporated	March 27, 1868
Government
- Mayor	Barbara Pierce
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2005)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
	California Department of Finance Estimate
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
- Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
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. 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

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. 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 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. 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 census² 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.

Uncomfortable Moniker

Redwood City is sometimes referred to colloquially as "Deadwood City" by San Francisco Bay Area natives^[1], particularly Redwood City residents;^[2] 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 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.

Landmarks

• Union Cemetery State Historical Landmark #816
• Redwood City Public Library, housed in historic Fire House #1, built in 1921

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]

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

Ampex Corporation Electronic Arts Informatica Corporation Kensington Computer Products Group Oracle Corporation

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 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

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	The Pioneer Store on Main Street	Solar-powered parking meter on Jefferson Avenue
The historical courthouse, built in 1910 and renovated in 2006

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
• Redwood City Public Library's photos on Flickr

See also

• Seaport Centre

Redwood City School District Schools Boundary Map

Notes

External links

Official websites

• Official website
• Port of Redwood City
• Redwood City Public Library
• Cinema Redevelopment

Historical websites

• Local History
• Historical Union Cemetery Association

Coordinates: 37.482887° N 122.236006° W

Municipalities and communities of San Mateo County, California
County seat: Redwood City
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