Redwood City, California

History

The earliest known inhabitants of the area that would become Redwood City were the Ohlone, who were present when the Spanish claimed the land and established missions.

Redwood City incorporated in 1867, being the first city in San Mateo County to do so; it has remained the county seat since the county's formation in 1856. The land had been part of the Rancho de las Pulgas granted to the Argüello family in 1835 by the Mexican government. Their control was challenged after the Mexican–American War when California became part of the United States. The family lawyer, Simon M. Mezes, in 1854 defended the claim somewhat successfully and was allowed to buy the part of the estate that is now Redwood City. Mezes sold some of the land to people already squatting on it along the banks of Redwood Creek and named the settlement "Mezesville". Though the city did not keep that name, Mezes Park still exists on land that Mezes had given for open space.

In 1907, Eikichi and Sadakusi Enomoto, Japanese immigrant brothers, grew what may perhaps have been the first commercially grown chrysanthemums in the United States in Redwood City. In 1926, the chamber of commerce proclaimed the city the "Chrysanthemum Center of the World" though the internment of Japanese Americans in 1941 and other factors would contribute to the end of flower growing as a major industry in the city.

Geography

Redwood City stretches from the San Francisco Bay towards the Santa Cruz Mountains between San Carlos to the northwest and Atherton to the southeast with Woodside to the southwest. It is divided by Highway 101 and further inland El Camino Real on the northwest–southeast axis and Woodside Road on the north-northeast/south-southwest axis. Locally, the former two are regarded as north–south and the latter east/west, as 101 and El Camino connects Redwood City to San Francisco and San Jose and Woodside Road runs from San Francisco Bay to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Neighborhoods include Bair Island to the northeast of Highway 101. The northern planned community of Redwood Shores, also to the northeast of Highway 101, 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 San Mateo County. Stretching along Highway 101 to the southeast of Woodside Road is Friendly Acres, further inland and still to the southeast of Woodside Road are Redwood Village and then Redwood Oaks. Most neighborhoods are to the northwest of Woodside Road and southwest of Highway 101. Centennial, Downtown, and Stambaugh Heller are adjacent to 101. Next inland are Edgewood, Mt. Carmel, Central and Palm then Canyon, Eagle Hill, Roosevelt, and Woodside Plaza. Furthest inland is Farm Hills (or Farm Hill).

Neighborhoods associated with Redwood City but not part of the incorporated city include Emerald Lake Hills and Kensington Square inland and to the north and North Fair Oaks to the southeast. 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. Although Redwood City has a large middle class, the southeastern section of Redwood City strongly resembles working-class North Fair Oaks in both demographic makeup and income level.

Downtown

In an attempt to revitalize Redwood City's downtown, city officials decided to consider development. In February 1999, the San Mateo County History Museum opened inside the old San Mateo County Courthouse in downtown Redwood City. The courthouse had been built in 1910 and in the late '30s an addition was built in front of the original structure, obscuring the view. As part of the revitalization, this addition was torn down and 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.

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 two-level underground parking structure.

Climate

Redwood City, along with most of the Bay Area, enjoys a mild warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen 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 was recorded on three occasions, July 14 and 15, 1972, and September 6, 2022. The record lowest temperature of 16 F was recorded on January 11, 1949. Annually, there are an average of 21.6 afternoons with highs of 90 F or higher and 2.8 afternoons with highs of 100 F or higher; there are an average of 1.8 mornings with lows of 32 F or lower.

The normal annual precipitation is 20.56 in, although it has ranged from as little as 6.43 in in the "rain year" from July 1975 to June 1976, to as much as 42.87 in between July 1982 and June 1983. The most rainfall in one month was 12.42 in in February 1998. The record 24-hour rainfall of 4.88 in occurred 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.

|Jan record high F = 78 |Feb record high F = 80 |Mar record high F = 89 |Apr record high F = 97 |May record high F = 102 |Jun record high F = 109 |Jul record high F = 110 |Aug record high F = 105 |Sep record high F = 110 |Oct record high F = 104 |Nov record high F = 88 |Dec record high F = 76 |year record high F = |Jan avg record high F = 68.6 |Feb avg record high F = 72.6 |Mar avg record high F = 79.0 |Apr avg record high F = 85.4 |May avg record high F = 89.1 |Jun avg record high F = 96.9 |Jul avg record high F = 96.3 |Aug avg record high F = 95.3 |Sep avg record high F = 95.5 |Oct avg record high F = 89.6 |Nov avg record high F = 77.0 |Dec avg record high F = 67.2 |year avg record high F= 100.9

|Jan avg record low F = 31.7 |Feb avg record low F = 34.0 |Mar avg record low F = 37.3 |Apr avg record low F = 39.6 |May avg record low F = 44.1 |Jun avg record low F = 47.6 |Jul avg record low F = 50.7 |Aug avg record low F = 51.1 |Sep avg record low F = 48.2 |Oct avg record low F = 42.2 |Nov avg record low F = 35.3 |Dec avg record low F = 31.0 |year avg record low F= 29.8

|Jan record low F = 16 |Feb record low F = 25 |Mar record low F = 29 |Apr record low F = 31 |May record low F = 36 |Jun record low F = 37 |Jul record low F = 40 |Aug record low F = 42 |Sep record low F = 40 |Oct record low F = 33 |Nov record low F = 23 |Dec record low F = 18 |year record low F = 16

| access-date=June 25, 2022}}{{cite web | access-date=August 24, 2022}}

Demographics

2020

The 2020 United States census reported that Redwood City had a population of 84,292. The population density was 4,359.3 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Redwood City was 44.5% White, 1.8% African American, 1.6% Native American, 16.2% Asian, 0.8% Pacific Islander, 21.0% from other races, and 14.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 35.7% of the population.

The census reported that 97.2% of the population lived in households, 1.2% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1.6% were institutionalized.

There were 30,620 households, out of which 32.2% included children under the age of 18, 50.3% were married-couple households, 8.5% were cohabiting couple households, 23.7% had a female householder with no partner present, and 17.5% had a male householder with no partner present. 23.2% of households were one person, and 8.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68.

The age distribution was 20.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% aged 18 to 24, 33.7% aged 25 to 44, 25.1% aged 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 37.1years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males.

There were 32,373 housing units at an average density of 1,674.2 /mi2, of which 30,620 (94.6%) were occupied. Of these, 46.8% were owner-occupied, and 53.2% were occupied by renters.

The 2020 United States census reported that Redwood City had a median household income of $123,294 and a median house value of $1,424,200.

2010

The 2010 United States census reported that Redwood City had a population of 76,815. The population density was 3,955.5 PD/sqmi. 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.

There were 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 /sqmi, 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%. Further, 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.

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 Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos (District 4), Vice Mayor Kaia Eakin (District 5), Isabella Chu (District 3), Jeff Gee (District 1), Diane Howard (District 6), Marcella Padilla (District 7), and Chris Sturken (District 2). The current City Manager is Patrick Heisinger.

In the California State Legislature, Redwood City is in , and in .{{Cite web | access-date = September 19, 2014

In the United States House of Representatives, Redwood City is in .

According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2025, Redwood City has 45,008 registered voters. Of those, 25,507 (56.67%) are registered Democrats, 6,399 (14.2%) are registered Republicans, and 10,523 (23.38%) have declined to state a political party.

Religion

The city's main Catholic church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, was founded in 1887 with Fr. Daniel O'Sullivan as its first pastor.

Landmarks

• Union Cemetery, State Historical Landmark #816 | access-date = October 21, 2007
• Fox Theatre
• Lathrop House
• Sequoia High School

Parks

Preserves include Bair Island Ecological Preserve (State) and the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge on the shoreline. Edgewood County Park known for its wildflowers is towards the Santa Cruz Mountains with entrances off Edgewood Road and Cañada Road.

City parks include:

• Andrew Spinas Park (1.46 acre) – 2nd Ave./Bay Rd. Established in 1966 and named for Andrew L. Spinas, a longtime Redwood City teacher and school superintendent who served on the Parks and Recreation Commission from 1938 to 1953.
• Dolphin Park (2.36 acre) – Turks Head/Quay Ln.
• Dove Beeger Park (1 acre) – Whipple Ave./Circle Rd.
• Fleishman Park (.63 acre) – Locust St./McEvoy St.
• Garrett Park (6.9 acre) – 3600 Block Glenwood Ave. Named for George L. Garrett Jr., who was a Redwood City police officer killed in 1981.
• Hawes Park (1.59 acre) – Hudson St./Roosevelt Ave. Built in 1934 and named for Horace Hawes, state assemblyman, who in 1864 donated land and money to the city for a new school.
• Hoover Park (10.18 acre) – Woodside Rd./Spring St.
• Jardin de Niños (.31 acre) – Middlefield Rd./Chestnut St.
• Linden Park (.22 acre) – Linden St./Park St.
• Maddux Park (.62 acre) – Maddux Dr./Kensington Rd.
• Mariner Park (6.25 acre) – Tiller Lane/Bridge Parkway
• Marlin Park (11.15 acre) – Neptune Dr./Cringle Dr.
• Mezes Park (1.67 acre) – Warren St./Standish St. Named for Simon Mezes, who donated the land in 1856.
• Palm Park (.9 acre) – Hudson St./Palm Ave.
• Preserve Park (3.5 acre) – 99 Shearwater Parkway
• Red Morton Community Park (31.74 acre) – 1120 Roosevelt Ave.
• Sandpiper Park (11.07 acre) – Redwood Shores Parkway and Egret Ln.
• Shannon Park (1.87 acre) – Davit Lane/Shannon Way
• Shore Dogs Park (.69 acre) – 1300 Block Radio Rd.
• Shorebird Park (3.68 acre) – Marine Parkway/Island Dr.
• Stafford Park (1.62 acre) – King St./Hopkins Ave. Established in 1946 and named for donor Daniel R. Stafford (1870–1948), who had been a Redwood City grocer, city clerk, and mayor.
• Stulsaft Park (42.06 acre) – 3737 Farm Hill Blvd. Established in 1951 and named for real estate developer Morris Stulsaft, who donated the land.
• Wellesley Crescent Park (.75 acre) – Edgewood Rd./Arlington Rd.
• Westwood Park (.25 acre) – Westwood St./Briarfield Ave.

Education

Redwood City has one state community college, Cañada College.

It has elementary and middle schools operated by both the Redwood City School District and the Belmont – Redwood Shores School District. At the high school level it is part of the Sequoia Union High School District and high schools in Redwood City that are part of this district are 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 another Sequoia Union school, Woodside High School, in the neighboring town of Woodside. The community of Redwood Shores is served by the Belmont - Redwood Shores School District and Carlmont High School.

The Redwood City Public Library, a member of the Peninsula Library System, has a Downtown Library and two neighborhood branch locations: Redwood Shores and Schaberg. The city's first library opened in 1865 and in 1900 the city passed a special tax to support a free public library. In 1904, Andrew Carnegie gave $10,000 for a new library; he gave another $6,000 to rebuild it after it was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. In 1959, the Schaberg Branch Library opened, funded by a bequest in the will of Hannah Schaberg, widow of former County Clerk Herman W. Schaberg. The Redwood Shores Branch Library was completed and opened to the public in 2008.

Transportation

U.S. Route 101 passes through Redwood City as it goes along the Peninsula. Other major thoroughfares include El Camino Real, Route 82; Woodside Rd, Route 84, and I-280, which passes west of the city. Redwood City has a stop on Caltrain, and local bus service is provided by SamTrans.

Slogan

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. The local paper had a contest for a city slogan to attract new residents and Wilbur Doxsee entered "By Government Test, Our Climate is Best" which won the $10 prize money in 1925.

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', or 'in North America', claims which may or may not be accurate. The first verifiable written records of celebrations date to 1861, and 1887 for a parade.

Media

Games

• The 3rd person Action Adventure Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics is based in Redwood City.

Media companies

• Ampex Corporation, a pioneer and major developer of the audio recording, video recording, and data storage industries, headquartered management, engineering, and manufacturing in Redwood City for decades.
• Several DreamWorks animated films (e.g., Antz (1998), Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), and Madagascar (2005)) 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.
• The North American subsidiaries of Konami and Sega were formerly both based in Redwood City until they relocated to Hawthorne and Irvine, respectively.
• ABS-CBN International, a subsidiary of Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation, was headquartered at 150 Shoreline Drive until relocating its headquarters to Daly City.

Economy

BroadVision, DPR Construction, Electronic Arts, GoFundMe, Informatica, iPass, Openwave, Shutterfly, Evernote, Equinix, and YuMe among others are based in Redwood City. In addition to large tech companies, there is also a vibrant small business community in the town.

Cargill salt ponds

Main article: Criticisms of Cargill#Building on restorable wetlands

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.

Top employers

, the top employers in the city were:

Sister cities

• PRC Zhuhai, Guangdong, China, became a sister city in 1993.
• MEX Colima, Colima, Mexico, became a sister city in 1998.
• MEX Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico, became a sister city in 2013.
• PRC Qingyuan, Guangdong, China, became a friendship city in 2015.
• MEX Aguililla, Michoacan, Mexico, became a sister city in 2017, after becoming a friendship city in 2013.

Notable people

Politicians

• Karl W. Hofmann, diplomat, ambassador and president of Population Services International
• Jon Huntsman Jr., American politician and diplomat
• Corrin Rankin, chair of the California Republican Party (2025-present)
• William Royer, mayor of Redwood City (1956–1960)

Sports

• Davante Adams, National Football League (NFL) wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams
• Daniel Aguirre, Liga MX midfielder for club Guadalajara
• Kevin Bass, Major League Baseball (MLB) right fielder for the Houston Astros and the San Francisco Giants
• Joe Biagini, MLB player for the Toronto Blue Jays
• Alexis Blokhina, tennis player
• Geoff Blum, MLB infielder and broadcaster
• Eric Byrnes, MLB outfielder
• Greg Camarillo, NFL wide receiver
• Chris Carter, MLB first baseman
• Jeff Clark, big wave surfer
• Daniel Descalso, MLB infielder
• Julian Edelman, NFL wide receiver, three-time Super Bowl champion, and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Super Bowl LIII
• Daniel Nava, MLB outfielder
• James Outman, MLB outfielder
• Brian Shima, professional inline skater
• Regan Smith, Olympic swimmer, record holder in 200m backstroke and 100m backstroke
• Jenise Spiteri, Olympic snowboarder
• Zach Test, rugby union player
• Matangi Tonga, American football linebacker
• Roy Williams, five-time NFL Pro Bowler
• Lily Zhang, Olympic table tennis player

Entertainment

• Cedric Bixler-Zavala, musician
• Michael Shrieve, musician, producer
• Linda Cardellini, actress
• Bela Lugosi, actor
• Joyce MacKenzie, actress
• Ross Malinger, actor
• Lydia Pense, musician and singer
• Chris Roberts, developer of Wing Commander
• Chelsi Smith (1973–2018), Miss Universe 1995

Military

• Robert D. Walsh, U.S. Army brigadier general

References

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