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Las Lomas, California

Las Lomas (Spanish for 'The Hills') is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States. Las Lomas is located 7 mi north-northwest of Prunedale. The elevation is 43 ft. The population was 3,046 at the 2020 census.

History
The town was formerly known as "Hall".

Prior to 1981, the community suffered from grave water contamination and public health problems. Sanitary sewers for the entire area were installed in 1981-82 due to federal grants secured by then Monterey County Supervisor Marc Del Piero.

Geography
Las Lomas is located in northern Monterey County on County Route G12 between Prunedale and Pajaro. The Elkhorn Slough, a 7 mi tidal slough and estuary that flows out in Monterey Bay, is just south of the community.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.0 sqmi, all of it on land.

2010
At the 2010 census Las Lomas had a population of 3,024. The population density was 2,916.2 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Las Lomas was 1,167 (38.6%) White, 37 (1.2%) African American, 93 (3.1%) Native American, 53 (1.8%) Asian, 24 (0.8%) Pacific Islander, 1,490 (49.3%) from other races, and 160 (5.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,696 persons (89.2%).

The whole population lived in households, no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one was institutionalized.

There were 598 households, 393 (65.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 415 (69.4%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 69 (11.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 47 (7.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 35 (5.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 4 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 42 households (7.0%) were one person and 9 (1.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 5.06. There were 531 families (88.8% of households); the average family size was 5.13.

The age distribution was 1,001 people (33.1%) under the age of 18, 368 people (12.2%) aged 18 to 24, 900 people (29.8%) aged 25 to 44, 560 people (18.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 195 people (6.4%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 27.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.3 males.

There were 623 housing units at an average density of 600.8 per square mile, of the occupied units 368 (61.5%) were owner-occupied and 230 (38.5%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.5%. 1,875 people (62.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,149 people (38.0%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 3,078 people, 584 households, and 522 families in the CDP. The population density was 2,708.3 PD/sqmi. There were 596 housing units at an average density of 524.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 48.86% White, 0.81% African American, 1.40% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 43.96% from other races, and 3.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 83.92%.

Of the 584 households 57.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.2% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 10.6% were non-families. 6.8% of households were one person and 2.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 5.26 and the average family size was 5.37.

The age distribution was 35.6% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% 65 or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.2 males.

The median household income was $48,802 and the median family income was $49,293. Males had a median income of $27,778 versus $27,813 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,689. About 9.8% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Las Lomas, California


text:
Marina, California

Marina is a city in Monterey County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,359, up from 19,718 in 2010. The city is located along the central coast of California, 8 mi west of Salinas and 8 mi northeast of Monterey. It is on California State Route 1 between Monterey and Santa Cruz and sits at an elevation of 43 ft.

Marina was incorporated in 1975 and is the newest city in the Monterey area. It includes part of the California State University, Monterey Bay campus, the UC Santa Cruz UC MBEST center, and the Veterans Transition Center (VTC). In 2012, Marina was named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise Alliance. The Fort Ord Station Veterinary Hospital, built in 1941 to provide healthcare for U.S. Army horses and mules, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

History
William Locke-Paddon founded the town on 1500 acre of land he bought for the purpose. The Marina post office opened in 1916. Marina incorporated in 1975. The city's history is intertwined with that of Fort Ord. Fort Ord lands were used as an infantry training center since the Mexican–American War. Major growth took place in 1938 with the first joint Army and Navy maneuvers held in 1940.

Fort Ord was selected in 1991 for decommissioning, and the post formally closed after troop reassignment in 1994. In July 1994, the California State University, Monterey Bay, began its first academic year, and barracks were soon transformed into dorms.

As a result of base closure, some of the last undeveloped natural wildlands on the Monterey Peninsula are now overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, including 86 mi of trails for the public to explore on foot, bike or horseback. In 2012, President Barack Obama designated 14000 acre of the closed base as a national monument managed by the BLM.

Cemex had a sand mining operation in the city along the Monterey Bay coastline that concerned environmentalists and scientists. The California Coastal Commission in March 2016 issued a Cease and Desist order asking for "administration civil penalties", stating that "the operation is narrowing beaches and impacting environmentally sensitive habitat." Cemex denied the allegations and continued to operate. A settlement was reached in 2017, and CEMEX ended mining in December 2020.

Geography
Unlike most other coastal cities in California, Marina's coastline remains undeveloped and protects rare species of butterflies, buckwheat, and sea lettuce. The city plans to adapt to climate change and sea level rise, based on managed retreat, and has been described as an example for other coastal cities.

2010
At the 2010 census Marina had a population of 19,718. The population density was 2,019.6 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Marina was 8,904 (45.1%) White, 1,487 (7.5%) African American, 140 (0.7%) Native American, 2,931 (9.9%) Asian, 544 (2.8%) Pacific Islander, 2,738 (13.9%) from other races, and 1,974 (10.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,372 persons (27.2%).

The census reported that 18,827 people (95.5% of the population) lived in households, 891 (4.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

There were 6,845 households, 2,517 (36.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,126 (45.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,128 (16.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 417 (6.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 517 (7.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships. 1,587 households (23.2%) were one person and 553 (8.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.75. There were 4,671 families (68.2% of households); the average family size was 3.26.

The age distribution was 4,773 people (24.2%) under the age of 18, 2,543 people (12.9%) aged 18 to 24, 5,188 people (26.3%) aged 25 to 44, 4,970 people (25.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,244 people (11.4%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 34.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

There were 7,200 housing units at an average density of 737.5 per square mile, of the occupied units 2,963 (43.3%) were owner-occupied and 3,882 (56.7%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.6%. 7,857 people (39.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 10,970 people (55.6%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,101 people in 6,745 households, including 4,809 families, in the city. The population density was 2,869.8 PD/sqmi. There were 8,537 housing units at an average density of 976.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 43.7% White, 14.3% African American, 0.7% Native American, 16.3% Asian, 2.1% Pacific Islander, 14.8% from other races, and 8.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.2% of the population.

Of the 6,745 households 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 21.4% of households were one person and 6.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.25.

The age distribution was 21.3% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 38.4% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 133.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 142.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,000, and the median family income was $46,139. Males had a median income of $43,139 versus $26,679 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,860. 13.1% of the population and 10.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 18.1% are under the age of 18 and 5.9% are 65 or older.

The military has been a significant part of life in Marina, which is located adjacent to the former Fort Ord, a US Army installation which closed in 1994 during the country's base closure initiative. Many former and retired military personnel reside in the city. The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars are active organizations. The Veterans Transition Center is instrumental in placing numerous US and state flags along Del Monte Blvd. and Reservation Road during the various holidays and special events, creating an "avenue of flags."

Parks and recreation
The Labor Day Parade & Family Festival held the Saturday before the official holiday pays homage to the significant military history of the town.

The annual Otter Fest in August welcomes back students, staff, and faculty to CSU, Monterey Bay. It began in 2010 with a Key to the City presentation to the campus president. It is named after the university's otter mascot.

Earth Day is celebrated in April as a community work party to maintain and improve Locke-Paddon Park. Citizens for Sustainable Marina is the lead planning group for the event.

Marina State Beach

Marina State Beach is a windswept beach area between State Route 1 and Monterey Bay where water recreation, hang gliding and paragliding are popular. There is a boardwalk through the Marina Dunes Natural Preserves.

Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Fort Ord Dunes State Park opened in March 2009 and was formerly an Army practice firing range. Much of the park is located in the neighboring town of Seaside, California. Access for the park is located in Marina. Fort Ord Dunes State Park is a popular place for horseback riding, hiking, fishing and cycling. Fort Ord Dunes State Park abuts Marina State Beach.

Air Sports
Marina is a popular destination for air sports enthusiasts. The tall sand dunes at Marina beaches provide optimal conditions for paragliding and hang gliding. A Marina based skydiving center has become a popular attraction because of its high altitude skydives and proximity to the beach.

Infrastructure
Marina Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport that is owned by the City of Marina. Skydive Monterey Bay conducts skydiving and parachuting activities on the south east side of the airport. In 2021, a manufacturing facility for Joby Aviation was approved at the airport. Joby Aviation is a California-based venture-backed aerospace company, developing an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that it intends to operate as an air taxi service.

Education
Most areas of Marina are served by the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.

Notable people

 * Retired Buffalo Bills linebacker Ty Powell is from Marina.
 * Ron Rivera, NFL head coach of the Washington Commanders and former head coach of the Carolina Panthers, lived in Marina during his high school years.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Marina, California


text:
Moss Landing, California

Moss Landing, formerly Moss, is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States. It is located 18 mi north-northeast of Monterey, at an elevation of 10 ft. It is on the shore of Monterey Bay, at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough and at the head of the submarine Monterey Canyon.

History
The earliest residents of the Moss Landing/Elkhorn Slough area were the Ohlone people. Evidence from archaeological digs show that they may have lived here as long ago as 4,000 years. The Spanish forced the Ohlone into the mission system in the 1700s from which few survived. "A total of 81,000 Indians were baptized and 60,000 deaths were recorded." After the mission system was secularized, the Spanish government granted vast ranchos to soldiers and others with connections, including the 30901 acre Rancho Bolsa Nueva y Moro Cojo. This grant extended from Moss Landing to present-day Prunedale and south to Castroville.

They farmed the land and ran cattle over the nearby hills. Americans arrived in the mid-1800s and farmers turned the area into cropland.

In the early 1860s Charles Moss, a Texas ship captain, established with the help of a partner a landing and wharf to handle the emerging grain trade in the Salinas Valley.

William B. Post earned a reputation as a skilled bear and deer hunter in the Big Sur region, and he traded in hides and buckskin. This work drew him north to Moss Landing. Post opened one of the first grain warehouses along the coast at Moss Landing. Flat bottom boats brought grain from all over the Salinas Valley to Elkhorn Slough and unloaded at Post's warehouse. W.B. became an agent for the steamship company of Goodall, Nelson and Perkins. The success of the shipping point stimulated the growth of Castroville, one of Monterey County's first municipalities, which served to support Moss Landing commerce.

The location was initially named "Moss", after Charles Moss. The Moss post office opened in 1895 and in 1917 changed its name to "Moss Landing". It became a busy whaling and fishing port and a location for fish processing plants and canneries. The Moss Landing Harbor District, established in the 1940s, dredged channels and built piers. The Moss Landing Power Plant opened in 1950. The California State University system founded Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in 1966 (it was rebuilt nearby after the Loma Prieta Earthquake destroyed the facility in 1989), and in the mid-1990s the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute was moved to Moss Landing from Pacific Grove. In the 1980s, then-Monterey County Supervisor Marc Del Piero secured millions of dollars in federal grants to cure historic and chronic water pollution issues and sanitary sewers were installed.

Geography
Moss Landing is located in northern Monterey County, where Elkhorn Slough becomes an estuary as it flows into Monterey Bay at the head of the Monterey Submarine Canyon. California State Route 1 follows the eastern edge of the community, leading north 8 mi to Watsonville and southwest 18 mi to Monterey.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, of which 0.4 sqmi are land and 0.2 sqmi, or 34.88%, are water.

Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Moss Landing has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Moss Landing had a population of 204. The population density was 338.3 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Moss Landing was 149 (73.0%) White, 7 (3.4%) African American, 1 (0.5%) Native American, 2 (1.0%) Asian, 1 (0.5%) Pacific Islander, 30 (14.7%) from other races, and 14 (6.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 46 persons (22.5%).

The Census reported that 204 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 100 households, out of which 21 (21.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 36 (36.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 11 (11.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 4 (4.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 8 (8.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 41 households (41.0%) were made up of individuals, and 11 (11.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04. There were 51 families (51.0% of all households); the average family size was 2.76.

The population was spread out, with 32 people (15.7%) under the age of 18, 8 people (3.9%) aged 18 to 24, 54 people (26.5%) aged 25 to 44, 84 people (41.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 26 people (12.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.0 males.

There were 108 housing units at an average density of 179.1 /sqmi, of which 55 (55.0%) were owner-occupied, and 45 (45.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.2%. 118 people (57.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 86 people (42.2%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 300 people, 125 households, and 68 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 734.9 PD/sqmi. There were 135 housing units at an average density of 330.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.33% White, 3.00% African American, 0.67% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 21.67% from other races, and 13.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.3% of the population.

There were 125 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.6% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $66,442, and the median income for a family was $66,731. Males had a median income of $41,154 versus $36,691 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,005. About 13.0% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.7% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 or over.

Economy
Located in Moss Landing is the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, a multi-campus research facility of the California State University. Also located here is the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, a sister organization to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

The Moss Landing Power Plant is a natural gas plant and the largest battery storage facility in the world. Located at the intersection of State Route 1 and Dolan Road. It produces 2,538 megawatts, and is wholly owned by Dynegy. It is visible from Santa Cruz, California to the north and Monterey, California to the south on clear days. There is a commercial park adjacent to the power plant, housing manufacturers and laboratories.

While intended as a backup for California's marginal electric grid, the plant could only power the state of California for about two minutes. Three fires have occurred in the last several years, causing a shutdown of the plant and emission of toxic air pollutants from the burning lithium-ion batteries.

Tourism is a large part of the economy in Moss Landing.

Annual cultural events
The Moss Landing Antique Street Fair is held annually on the last Sunday in July and hosts hundreds of antique vendors. It brings over ten times the population of Moss Landing to the area.

Other events include the May opener for rock cod fishing, blessing the fleet May 1, open house at Moss Landing Marine Labs held in April or May, and Nautical Flea Market held in May.

Tourism
Moss landing is most noted as the gateway to Elkhorn Slough, one of the largest wetlands in the state. Elkhorn Slough is a precious resource and is always ranked in the top 10 best birding spots in the US according to the Audubon's annual bird count. There are over 350 species of bird that migrate through the area annually. It is also known as one of the best spots in the world to see sea otters. Moss Landing lies in the northern part of Monterey County and has numerous restaurants, galleries, a bed and breakfast, and is the home port to many fishing and pleasure boats.

Moss Landing Harbor District berths over 600 boats, including 350 fishing boats, 200 pleasure craft, 30 research vessels, and a half dozen tour and charter boats. The harbor's commercial boats land dungeness crab, halibut, king salmon, albacore, rockfish, sablefish, anchovies, sardines, squid, black cod, red snapper, covina, prawns, mackerel, and others. Several maritime businesses support harbor users including a fuel dock. The harbor district also provides two public boat launches and a community park.

Moss Landing is home to the Shakespeare Society of America.

Parks and nature reserves
Moss Landing provides access to state and federal protected lands, including surfing destination Moss Landing State Beach, Salinas River State Beach, Zmudowski State Beach, Moss Landing Wildlife Area, and the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.

title: Moss Landing, California


text:
Pacific Grove, California

Pacific Grove is a coastal city in Monterey County, California, in the United States. The population at the 2020 census was 15,090. Pacific Grove is located between Point Pinos and Monterey.

The city is the location of the Point Pinos Lighthouse, the Monarch Grove Sanctuary and the Asilomar Conference Center. Novelist Robert Louis Stevenson frequented Pacific Grove and wrote of visiting lighthouse-keeper Allen Luce in 1879. Marine biologist Ed Ricketts and his friend, author, John Steinbeck resided in Pacific Grove for a number of years. Later, the area was a filming location for A Summer Place starring Sandra Dee, for Roger Spottiswoode's 1989 film Turner & Hooch, and for the TV series Big Little Lies. In 1974, in Pacific Grove, Gary Kildall demonstrated the first working prototype of the Control Program for Microcomputer. The pioneering microcomputer software company, Digital Research, was located in his house. There are several museums, including the Trotter Museum-Gallery, dedicated to early California paintings from the Monterey Peninsula region and Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Pacific Grove has numerous Victorian-era houses.

History

The first people to inhabit Pacific Grove were members of the Ohlone Rumsen tribe who lived between Big Sur and San Francisco since the 6th century CE. Grinding stones from this tribe still exist in Pacific Grove.

The second group of people to come to Pacific Grove were Chinese immigrants as early as 1853. They established a successful fishing village at Point Alones, an area between Lover's Point and the western edge of Monterey.The Chinese were the first to recognize the potential for commercial fishing in the Monterey Bay. Others quickly saw the benefit, however, and eventually pushed the Chinese from their daytime fishing grounds. Being resourceful, they began fishing for squid in the night, thus beginning California's squid fishery – now one of California's largest fisheries.’ By 1859 the property this village sat on belonged to David Jacks who owned almost the entire area of the Monterey Peninsula. Jacks sold the property to The Pacific Improvement Company which attempted removal of the Chinese American community in 1905 due to several development interests including Stanford University on which Hopkin's Marine Station now sits. In 1906 there was a fire at the village and during the battle to save the village a firehose was suspiciously cut thereby causing it to completely burn down. The families, without a village to call their own, soon dispersed throughout the region.’. The first Chinese American born at the village did receive property restitution elsewhere.The loss is memorialized every year in a Walk of Remembrance in mid-May.

It is notable that not only was the Point Alones fishing village the oldest and longest running fishing village on the West Coast, but also had just as many women as men living there. Even through the years of the national Chinese Exclusion Act there were many positive interactions with the summer Methodist Camp, later to be the town of Pacific Grove. The Methodist women taught English at the village and no doubt fish would have been purchased. Also, a lighted boat parade originally put on by the Chinese fishermen at the closing of the Methodist summer camp was a tradition which continued until a few years ago.

The city of Pacific Grove originated as a Methodist Christian seaside resort. In 1874, Reverend J.W. Ross, a Methodist minister and his wife, visited the area and decided it would be an ideal location for a proposed Methodist Retreat. The pine, oak and cypress trees, along with many varieties of wild plants and flowers, made Pacific Grove an attractive place for camping. On June 1, 1875, the Pacific Grove Retreat Association was formed in San Francisco to administer the Christian Seaside Resort in Pacific Grove. The Pacific Improvement Company (which later became Del Monte Properties) and David Jacks provided the land for the Retreat area. This Retreat Area, as surveyed at that time by St. John Cox, covers the area from the Bay up to Lighthouse Avenue and from First Street to Pacific Avenue.

In November 1879, after the summer campers returned home, Robert Louis Stevenson wandered into the deserted campgrounds: "I have never been in any place so dreamlike. Indeed, it was not so much like a deserted town as like a scene upon the stage by daylight, and with no one on the boards."

The Pacific Grove post office opened in 1886, closed later that year, and was reopened in 1887. Pacific Grove incorporated in 1889.

The El Carmelo Hotel was Pacific Grove's first hotel, opening to guests on May 20, 1887. It was sometimes called the sister of Monterey's Hotel Del Monte. It was located on Lighthouse Avenue between Fountain and Grand avenues and owned by the Pacific Improvement Company (PIC). In 1907, the name changed to the Pacific Grove Hotel. In 1917, the PIC decided to dismantle it and use the wood in the reconstruction of The Lodge at Pebble Beach that had burned down on December 17, 1917. The empty block was sold to W. R. Holman in 1919 to open the Holman Department Store.

Thomas Albert Work built several of the buildings in Pacific Grove, including the three-story Del Mar hotel in 1895, at the corner of Sixteenth, and in 1904 he built a commercial block along Lighthouse Avenue to house local businesses, including the two-story Romanesque-style Bank of Pacific Grove.

Pacific Grove, like Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey, became an artists' haven in the 1890s and subsequent period. Artists of the En plein air school in both Europe and the United States were seeking an outdoor venue with natural beauty, and Pacific Grove became a magnet for this movement. William Adam was an English painter who first moved to Monterey and then decided on Pacific Grove for his home in 1906. At about the same time, Eugen Neuhaus, a German painter, arrived in Pacific Grove with his new bride. Charles B. Judson was an artist of aristocratic lineage who painted in Pacific Grove over a long time beginning in 1907; Judson's murals decorate the halls of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

The Asilomar Conference Grounds are located at the western edge of Pacific Grove. Asilomar opened in 1913 as a YWCA summer retreat; it now belongs to the California State Park System. Thirteen buildings on these grounds were designed by architect Julia Morgan, who also designed Hearst Castle.

Taken together, the construction of Holman's Department Store, the Grove Theater, and the Forest Hill Hotel embodied the vibrant optimism of the 1920s. During this era, Pacific Grove witnessed a growing accessibility to automobile tourists and a rising population of year-round residents. Additionally, two of these structures exemplify significant architectural trends of the period, as both the Grove Theater and Forest Hill Hotel feature elements influenced by Spanish-style design. This stylistic shift was echoed in other commercial buildings as well, including the transformation of the Hotel Del Mar. Around the same period, it underwent remodeling to adopt the Mediterranean Revival style, marked by stucco cladding and distinctive red tile embellishments.

For a number of years, John Steinbeck lived in a cottage in Pacific Grove owned by his father, Ernest, who was Monterey County treasurer. The cottage still stands on a quiet side street at 147 11th Street, without any plaque or special sign, virtually overlooked by most Steinbeck fans. Another Steinbeck-related house is at 222 Central Avenue, which was his grandmother's house. A golden statue of Steinbeck in the front yard stood for years before it was removed. In Steinbeck's book Sweet Thursday, a chapter is dedicated to describing a (probably fictional) rivalry that arose among the town's residents over the game of roque.

Local traditions include a Butterfly Parade held in early October to celebrate the return of the monarch butterfly to its wintering habitat. Mid-April, a Good Old Days festival is held downtown, which includes rides, crafts booths, food, entertainment, and a parade. On the last Saturday of July there is a pet parade. Candy Cane Lane is a neighborhood of Morse Dr and Platt Park that is decorated for Christmas each December with an abundance of lights and decorations. Candy Cane Lane has been a local tradition for more than 60 years.

Hopkins Marine Station maintains a campus next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was founded in 1892, originally at the site of Lover's Point, making it the oldest marine laboratory on the US Pacific Coast, and the third-oldest in the US. Created after the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. It was originally named the Hopkins Seaside Laboratory, and was located on what is now Lovers Point. It was relocated to its current site at Point Alones.

In the 1980s, Pacific Grove was the site of the pioneering microcomputer software company Digital Research. Originally located in Gary Kildall's house on the corner of Lighthouse and Willow, it later moved to offices on Central Avenue.

On October 12, 1997, John Denver died when he crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Pacific Grove in his personal plane.

Pacific Grove was the last dry town in California. Due to the city's religious and gated history, alcohol was not served to the public until July 4, 1969, at the grand opening of the Pacific Grove Art Center by ElMarie Dyke, its founder. This caused much controversy because the law was not to take effect until November of that year. Ironically, ElMarie was also a great proponent for keeping the town dry. To this day, Pacific Grove has very strict laws regarding the service of alcohol and has no stand-alone bars.

At the November 6, 2018, general municipal election, Pacific Grove voters approved Measure M, which prohibits short-term vacation rentals in residential districts outside the Coastal Zone.

Geography and ecology

Pacific Grove contains several habitat types, including marine, littoral, pine forest, and mixed-oak woodland. The famed breeding habitat for the monarch butterfly, the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, is situated in the northwest part of town imbedded in residential neighborhoods in mixed oak forests. These monarchs migrate 2000 mi to reach Pacific Grove after their summer in the Rocky Mountains, often soaring as high as 3000 meters.

The black-and-orange monarch butterflies spend much of the fall and winter in Monterey pine and eucalyptus trees, roughly from the autumnal equinox through the spring (or vernal) equinox. Most butterflies are protected in the city's Butterfly Sanctuary. City Ordinance No. 352 makes killing or threatening a butterfly a misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine.

Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area, Lovers Point State Marine Reserve, Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area and Asilomar State Marine Reserve are marine protected areas in the waters around Pacific Grove. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. Monterey Bay is a marine protected sanctuary.

The principal noise source in Pacific Grove is State Route 68. There are approximately 800 residents exposed to sound levels of 60 CNEL or above, making Pacific Grove noticeably quieter than its neighbor Monterey, which has more tourist traffic and more through traffic.

The town sits between its two well known neighbors, Pebble Beach and Monterey. Carmel-by-the-Sea is the next city, 5 mi south, and the community of Big Sur is 30 mi south. Pacific Grove is a favorite vacation getaway for San Francisco Bay Area residents, as it is located two hours south of San Francisco.

The town does not allow development on the waterside of the ocean-front street, so that the beaches and scenic points are unobstructed.

Pacific Grove is on the Pacific Ocean coast between Monterey and Pebble Beach, about 40 mi south of Santa Cruz and about 120 mi south of San Francisco. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 sqmi, and about 2.9 sqmi are land and 1.1 sqmi (28.28%) are covered by water. Asilomar, Lovers Point, and the intervening coastline afford surfing, which is challenging due to near-shore rocks, albeit waves are typically moderate in height.

Climate
Owing to its coastal location, Pacific Grove's climate is mild and fairly consistent throughout the year, essentially the same as in neighboring Monterey, with most of the rain falling from November through April. Extreme temperatures are rare, and fog is common, especially in the late night and early morning, all year.

This region experiences warm and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen climate classification, Pacific Grove has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, Csb on climate maps.

Government
Pacific Grove is governed by a city council consisting of a mayor and six councilmembers, all elected at-large. As of the November 2022 election, the mayor is Bill Peake, and the six councilmembers are: Joe Amelio, Debby Beck, Luke Coletti, Lori McDonnell, Chaps Poduri, and Nick Smith.

At the county level, Pacific Grove is represented on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors by Mary Adams.

In the California State Assembly, Pacific Grove is represented by as part of the 29th Assembly district. In the California State Senate, it is represented by as part of the 17th Senate district.

In the United States House of Representatives, Pacific Grove is in.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Pacific Grove had a population of 15,041. The population density was 3,758.1 people/sq mi (1,451.0/km2). The racial makeup of Pacific Grove was 84.5% White, 1.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 5.8% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 3.1% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 10.7% of the population.

The Census reported that 14,686 people (97.6% of the population) lived in households, 140 (0.9%) lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters, and 215 (1.4%) were institutionalized.

Of the 7,020 households, 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present. About 5.0% were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0.8% were same-sex married couples or partnerships. About 37.2% were made up of individuals, and 14.4%had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.09; the average family size was 2.74.

In the city, the age distribution was 16.5% under 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 48.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The 8,169 housing units averaged 2,041.1/sq mi (788.1/km2), of which 3,205 (45.7%) were owner-occupied, and 3,815 (54.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.4%. 7,071 people (47.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 7,615 people (50.6%) lived in rental housing units.

Over 1300 structures were listed on the town's historic register, giving Pacific Grove the largest number of historic homes and structures for its size on the West Coast.

2000
As of the census of 2000, 15,522 people, 7,316 households, and 3,972 families were residing in the city. The population density was 5,399.2 people/sq mi (2,088.2/km2). The 8,032 housing units averaged 2,793.9/sq mi (1,080.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.04% White, 1.14% African American, 0.55% Native American, 4.50% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 1.78% from other races, and 3.73% from two or more races. About 7.14% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 7,316 households, 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.7% were not families. About 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10, and the average family size was 2.75. The age distribution was 17.8% under 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,254, and for a family was $59,569. Males had a median income of $43,897 versus $35,924 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,277. About 3.0% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

 * Isabella Abbott, educator
 * William Adam (artist)
 * Bruce Ariss, painter
 * Alice Bailey, theosopher, writer
 * Lawrence Rogers Blinks, biologist
 * Ernest K. Bramblett, politician
 * Samuel Bolton Colburn, painter
 * Tom Craft, football coach
 * Peter S. Fischer, writer
 * Anne Hadden, librarian
 * Ben Jealous, NAACP president (2008–2013)
 * Gary Kildall, scientist and founder of Digital Research
 * George Mattos, pole vaulter
 * M. Evelyn McCormick, painter
 * Julia Platt, mayor
 * Arthur Porges, science-fiction writer
 * Clark Ashton Smith, writer
 * Steve Hauk, writer, gallery owner
 * Ed Ricketts, marine biologist
 * John Steinbeck, author
 * Chauncey Thomas Jr., rear admiral
 * Bill Walsh, football coach
 * Ward Moore, science fiction writer
 * Thomas Albert Work, banker

Media
Local radio station KAZU-FM - 90.3 was created by Don Mussel in 1977 in Pacific Grove, but is now located in Seaside, California. Television service for the community comes from the Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz designated market area. Local newspapers include The Monterey County Herald and the Monterey County Weekly.

title: Pacific Grove, California


text:
Pajaro, California

Pajaro (Spanish Pájaro 'bird') is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California. It is located on the south bank of the Pajaro River 5 mi northeast of its mouth, at an elevation of 26 ft. The population was 2,882 at the 2020 census, down from 3,070 in 2010. The school district is in Santa Cruz County.

Geography
Pajaro lies in the Pajaro Valley, with the Pajaro River forming the community's and the county's northern boundary. The city of Watsonville is across the river to the northwest, Santa Cruz County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Pajaro CDP has a total area of 0.9 sqmi, all of it land.

History
The Pajaro post office operated from 1872 to 1873 and from 1882 to 1888.

The oldest building in the community is the Porter-Vallejo Mansion. Constructed in the 1840s and remodeled multiple times, it was acquired in 1991 and converted into a public library/senior citizen center. It also houses a day-care facility for the children of migrant farm workers. Supervisor Marc Del Piero, a Pajaro native, also secured major federal grants to acquire and completely rebuild the public water system in 1984, and transferred it to the newly created Pajaro Community Services District.

On Monday, May 11, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt stopped in Pajaro for a ten-minute whistle-stop address on his way to Santa Cruz. He arrived in his special train via the Southern Pacific at 8:50am and left at 9:00am.

The town was heavily flooded in 1995, 1998, and 2023.

Transportation
A proposed Pajaro/Watsonville station is expected to be built at Watsonville Junction for Caltrain and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Pajaro had a population of 3,070. The population density was 3,312.2 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Pajaro was 1,451 (47.3%) White, 15 (0.5%) African American, 78 (2.5%) Native American, 53 (1.7%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 1,281 (41.7%) from other races, and 192 (6.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2,889 persons (94.1%)

The Census reported that 2,979 people (97.0% of the population) lived in households, 91 (3.0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 621 households, out of which 444 (71.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 409 (65.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 86 (13.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 57 (9.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 41 (6.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 3 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 46 households (7.4%) were made up of individuals, and 19 (3.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.80. There were 552 families (88.9% of all households); the average family size was 4.82.

The population was spread out, with 1,067 people (34.8%) under the age of 18, 432 people (14.1%) aged 18 to 24, 970 people (31.6%) aged 25 to 44, 471 people (15.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 130 people (4.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 124.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 134.3 males.

There were 655 housing units at an average density of 706.7 /sqmi, of which 141 (22.7%) were owner-occupied, and 480 (77.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.2%. 620 people (20.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,359 people (76.8%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,384 people, 634 households, and 571 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,614.1 PD/sqmi. There were 667 housing units at an average density of 712.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 42.94% White, 0.47% African American, 1.65% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.35% Pacific Islander, 48.29% from other races, and 4.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 94.24% of the population.

There were 634 households, out of which 66.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.9% were non-families. 6.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 5.28 and the average family size was 5.25.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 39.6% under the age of 18, 15.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 10.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 119.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,315, and the median income for a family was $37,083. Males had a median income of $17,384 versus $17,917 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,893. About 20.4% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure
Some public services in the Community of Pajaro are provided by the Pajaro-Sunny Mesa Community Services District (PSMCSD) which was organized by North County (District 1) Supervisor Marc Del Piero and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1984. PSMCSD, a non-profit, governmental agency, provides public water services, public sewer services, park services, and street lighting services to the community. PSMCSD has also significantly expanded its service areas to provide water services to the Prunedale, Elkhorn, and Moss Landing communities of North Monterey County. Between 1984 and 1990, Supervisor Marc Del Piero secured federal grant funds that re-constructed and expanded major portions of the Pajaro County Sanitation District sewer system. This remedied multiple public health problems and extended services to the Bay Farms, Fruitland, and Las Lomas neighborhoods.

title: Pajaro, California


text:
Prunedale, California

Prunedale is a unincorporated community in Monterey County, California, United States. It is located 8 mi north of Salinas at an elevation of 92 ft. The population was 18,885 as of the 2020 census, up from 17,560 in 2010. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Prunedale as a census-designated place (CDP). Plum trees were grown in Prunedale in the early days of its founding, but the trees died soon after due to poor irrigation and fertilizer.

History
One of the area's earliest settlers was Charles Langley, a Watsonville banker, who also operated the Prunedale post office, which opened in 1894, closed in 1908, and re-opened in 1953. Langley helped establish the Watsonville post office mail service in Prunedale. Langley Canyon Road in Prunedale is named after the Langley family. It was around the time of Prunedale's founding that the plum orchard failed due to a lack of irrigation and fertilizer, yet the name Prunedale was retained. The unincorporated area maintains a rural feel in most areas.

A major development in the area's history occurred when U.S. Route 101 was rerouted through Prunedale between 1931 and 1932. U.S. Highway 101 had previously run directly from Salinas to San Juan Bautista. That old route is now known as San Juan Grade Road. In 1946, Highway 101 was widened to four lanes. As Prunedale has grown, increased traffic congestion made Route 101 through Prunedale a Traffic Safety Corridor and a double traffic fine zone in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with reduced speed limits to 55 miles per hour. Detailed plans to build a 101 bypass of Prunedale did not develop. After Caltrans purchased the land for the bypass, it was resolved to improve the highway through Prunedale by adding a San Miguel Canyon overpass, improving the Highway 101 and Highway 156 interchange, making more turn and merge lanes, and making several other improvements on the roadway. These improvements were completed in the early 2000s. In the last few years, with a decline in traffic fatalities, the speed limit was increased to 60 miles per hour via state traffic formulas.

One of the original businesses to inhabit Prunedale was Glenn's. In the 1970s, the Prunedale Shopping Center was built. The Prunedale Senior Citizens' Center was built in 1989 with grant funds secured by then Monterey County Supervisor Marc Del Piero. Meals for seniors and public assistance programs, including a bi-weekly food bank giveaway, continue to be operated from that facility.

Geography
Prunedale is located in northern Monterey County at 36.77583°N, -121.66972°W. It is bordered to the northeast by San Benito County, to the north by the community of Aromas, and to the west by the community of Elkhorn. Via U.S. Route 101, Salinas, the county seat, is 7 mi to the south, while Gilroy is 20 mi to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 46.2 sqmi, of which 0.1 sqmi, or 0.31%, are water. Langley Creek flows by Highway 101 through Prunedale, and is visible at the intersection of Highway 101 and Tustin Road, and again at the intersection of Prunedale South Road and Blackie Road.

2010
At the 2010 census Prunedale had a population of 17,560. The population density was 380.1 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Prunedale was 11,771 (67.0%) White, 177 (1.0%) African American, 199 (1.1%) Native American, 672 (3.8%) Asian, 58 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 3,639 (20.7%) from other races, and 1,044 (5.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7,322 persons (41.7%).

The census reported that 17,552 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 2 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 6 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 5,703 households, 2,130 (37.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,607 (63.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 513 (9.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 323 (5.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 340 (6.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 54 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 923 households (16.2%) were one person and 367 (6.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.08. There were 4,443 families (77.9% of households); the average family size was 3.45.

The age distribution was 4,348 people (24.8%) under the age of 18, 1,575 people (9.0%) aged 18 to 24, 3,933 people (22.4%) aged 25 to 44, 5,647 people (32.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,057 people (11.7%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.

There were 6,047 housing units at an average density of 130.9 per square mile, of the occupied units 4,352 (76.3%) were owner-occupied and 1,351 (23.7%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.8%. 13,101 people (74.6% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 4,451 people (25.3%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 16,432 people, 5,440 households, and 4,292 families in the CDP. The population density was 356.3 PD/sqmi. There were 5,591 housing units at an average density of 121.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 76.97% White, 1.27% African American, 1.03% Native American, 3.60% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 11.65% from other races, and 5.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.01%.

Of the 5,440 households 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.1% were non-families. 15.5% of households were one person and 5.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.33.

The age distribution was 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.4 males.

The median household income was $62,963 and the median family income was $69,341. Males had a median income of $48,863 versus $34,542 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,318. About 6.0% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over. Most of Prunedale's residents live in single family detached homes with individual or shared wells and leach fields.

Transportation
Prunedale is served by Monterey–Salinas Transit, with connections to Amtrak at San Jose Diridon station. Caltrans has a park and ride at the intersection of US Route 101 and California State Route 156.

Environmental
In the hills above Prunedale is one of the few known colonies of Yadon's piperia, an endangered species of wild orchid. Royal Oaks Park and Manzanita Park, owned by Monterey County, offer nearby recreation. Much of Prunedale's land is oak reserve to protect the California's native trees.

title: Prunedale, California


text:
Salinas, California

Salinas (Spanish for "Salt Flats") is a city in the U.S. state of California and the seat of government of Monterey County. With a population of 163,542 in the 2020 Census, Salinas is the most populous city in Monterey County. Salinas is an urban area located along the eastern limits of the Monterey Bay Area, lying just south of the San Francisco Bay Area and 10 mi southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River. The city is located at the mouth of the Salinas Valley, about 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and it has a climate more influenced by the ocean than the interior.

Salinas serves as the main business, governmental, and industrial center of the region. The marine climate is ideal for the floral industry, grape vineyards, and vegetable growers. Salinas is known as the "Salad Bowl of the World" for its large, vibrant agriculture industry.

It was the hometown of writer and Nobel laureate John Steinbeck (1902–68), who set many of his stories in the Salinas Valley and Monterey. Salinas has a high Hispanic proportion, which at 79.6%, is the highest proportion of Hispanic Americans out of any city in California, and 8th largest overall in the nation. The city also has a sizable Asian-American population, with a large and historic Filipino population. The city once also had the 2nd biggest Chinatown in the nation behind only San Francisco.

History
The land that Salinas sits on is thought to have been settled by Native Americans known as the Esselen prior to 200 AD. Between 200 and 500 AD, they were displaced by the Rumsen group of Ohlone speaking people. The Rumsen-Ohlone remained as the inhabitants of the area for approximately another 1,200 years, and in the 1700s, were the group of native inhabitants contacted and recorded by the first Spanish explorers of the Salinas area.

Upon the arrival of the Spanish, large Spanish land grants were initially issued for the Catholic Missions and also as bonuses to soldiers. Later on after Mexican independence, smaller land grants continued to be issued for ranchos where mostly cattle were grazed. One of the many land grants was the Rancho Las Salinas land grant, part of which included the area of modern-day Salinas. As a result of the many new cattle ranches, a thriving trade eventually developed in cattle hide shipments, shipping primarily out of the Port of Monterey.

Before the transition to American administration, Monterey had been the capital of California. For a short while after the transition, California was ruled by martial law. On September 9, 1850, California was admitted to the Union and became a State, celebrated as California Admission Day.

In the 1850s a junction of two main stage coach routes was located 18 miles east of Monterey and along the big bend of what is locally referred to as the Alisal Slough. In 1854, six years after becoming a part of the United States, a group of American settlers living in the vicinity of this route-junction opened a post office at the junction, naming their town "Salinas," apparently a reference to the original "Rancho Las Salinas" name for the area, which in turn was named in Spanish for the salt marshes of the area around the central Salinas slough, which was drained. Soon thereafter, in 1856, a traveler's inn called the Halfway House was opened at that junction in Salinas. (The nearby Salinas River, was apparently only later named by an American cartographer, after the nearest town of Salinas in 1858. Previously that river had gone by the name: "Rio de Monterey."). The streets of Salinas were laid out in 1867, and the town was incorporated in 1874.

The conversion of grazing land to crops and the coming of the rail road in 1868 to transport goods and people was a major turning point in the history and economic advancement of Salinas. Dry farming of wheat, barley, and other grains as well as potatoes and mustard seed was common in the 1800s. Chinese labor drained thousands of acres of swampland to become productive farmland, and as much early farm labor was done by Chinese immigrants, Salinas boasted the second largest Chinatown in the state, slightly smaller than San Francisco. Irrigation changed farming in Salinas to mainly row crops of root vegetables, grapes and sugar beets. Many major vegetable producers placed their headquarters in Salinas. Driven by the profitable agricultural industry, Salinas had the highest per capita income of any city in the United States in 1924.

During World War II, the Salinas Rodeo Grounds was one of the locations used as a temporary detention camp for citizens and immigrant residents of Japanese ancestry, before they were relocated to more permanent and remote facilities. One of seventeen such sites overseen by the Wartime Civilian Control Administration, the Salinas Assembly Center was built after President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, authorizing the removal and confinement of Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. The camp opened on April 27, 1942, and held a total of 3,608 people before closing two months later on July 4. Of the 300 Japanese-American families in Salinas before the war, only 25 returned following internment.

Following World War II major urban and suburban development converted much farmland to city. The city experienced two particularly strong growth spurts in the 1950s and 1960s, and again in the 1990s and early 2000s. Aerial photographic interpretation indicate such major conversion of cropland to urban uses over the time period 1956 to 1968, while the city annexed the adjacent communities of Alisal and Santa Rita during this time. The Harden Ranch, Creekbridge and Williams Ranch neighborhoods constituting much of the city's North-East were built almost exclusively between 1990 and 2004.

Salinas was also the birthplace of writer and Nobel Prize laureate John Steinbeck. The historic downtown, known as Oldtown Salinas, features much fine Victorian architecture, and is home to the National Steinbeck Center, the Steinbeck House and the John Steinbeck Library.

Major development took place in the 1990s, with the construction of Creekbridge, Williams Ranch, and Harden Ranch.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.2 sqmi, 99.84% of it land and 0.16% of it water.

Prior to mass agricultural and urban development, much of the city consisted of rolling hills bisected by wooded creeks and interspersed with marsh land. Today, the city is located mostly on leveled ground, with some rolling hills and wooded gulches with creeks remaining in the north-eastern Creekbridge and Williams Ranch neighborhoods, as well as the Laurel Heights section of East Salinas. The natural ecosystems accompanying the area's topography and environment have been recreated in Natividad Creek Park and adjacent Upper Carr Lake.

The city rests about 18 m above sea level, and it is located roughly eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. The Gabilan and Santa Lucia mountain ranges border the Salinas Valley to the east and to the west, respectively. Both mountain ranges and the Salinas Valley run approximately 90 mi south-east from Salinas towards King City.

The Salinas River runs the length of the Salinas Valley and empties into the Pacific Ocean at the center of the Monterey Bay. During the summer months the river flows partially underground and it is this extensive underground aquifer that allows for irrigation of cropland in an area without much annual rainfall.

Climate
Salinas has cool and moderate temperatures, due to the "natural air conditioner" that conveys ocean air and fog from the Monterey Bay to Salinas, while towns to the north and south of Salinas experience hotter summers, as mountains block the ocean air. Thus, Salinas weather is closer to that of the Central Coast of California, rather than that of inland valleys, and thus has a mild Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) with typical daily highs ranging from 62.4 °F in December to 74.7 °F in September. The record highest temperature was 107 °F on September 2, 2017. The record lowest temperature was 22 °F on January 12, 1963, and January 13, 2007. Annually, there are an average of 5.8 days with 90 °F+ highs, and an average of 7.1 days with lows reaching the freezing mark or lower.

Between 1958 and 2018, the coldest measured daytime high in Salinas was 42 F on December 21–22, 1990. The warmest night during the station's operation was 67 F on September 2, 2017.

In 2015 Salinas was in the top ten American cities for cleanest air quality, The difference between ocean and air temperature also tends to create heavy morning fog during the summer months, known as the marine layer, driven by an onshore wind created by the local high pressure sunny portions of the Salinas Valley, which extend north and south from Salinas and the Bay.

The average annual rainfall for the city is approximately 15.38 in. The wettest "rain year" since records at the present station began in 1959 was from July 1997 to June 1998 with 34.63 in of precipitation, and the driest from July 1971 to June 1972 with 7.29 in. The most precipitation in one month was 11.10 in in February 1998. The record maximum 24-hour precipitation was 2.96 in on January 23, 2000.

2020
The 2020 United States census reported that Salinas had a population of 163,542. The racial makeup of Salinas was 32% White (12% non-Hispanic White), 1% African American, 6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian and Alaska native, and 7% of twoor more races. 79% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race.

The median household income was $67,914, and the median income per capita was $23,707. About 14% of the population lived below the poverty line.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Salinas had a population of 150,441. The population density was 6,479.8 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Salinas was 68,973 (45.8%) White, down from 90.3% in 1970, 2,993 (2.0%) African American, 1,888 (1.3%) Native American, 9,438 (6.3%) Asian, 478 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 59,041 (39.2%) from other races, and 7,630 (5.1%) from two or more races. There were 112,799 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race (75.0%).

The Census reported that 147,976 people (98.4% of the population) lived in households, 658 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,807 (1.2%) were institutionalized.

There were 40,387 households, out of which 21,435 (53.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 21,380 (52.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 6,835 (16.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 3,300 (8.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 3,271 (8.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 271 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6,895 households (17.1%) were made up of individuals, and 2,587 (6.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.66. There were 31,515 families (78.0% of all households); the average family size was 4.05.

There were 47,180 residents (31.4%) under the age of 18, 18,049 (12.0%) aged 18 to 24, 44,978 (29.9%) aged 25 to 44, 28,976 (19.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 11,258 (7.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.8 males.

There were 42,651 housing units at an average density of 1,837.1 /mi2, of which 18,198 (45.1%) were owner-occupied, and 22,189 (54.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%. 65,108 people (43.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 82,868 people (55.1%) lived in rental housing units. The majority of residents were living in single-unit detached homes, built between 1950 and 2000, while one third of the housing stock had three or more units per structure.

2000
The 2000 United States Census reported that Salinas had a population of 151,060. The population density was 7,948.4 PD/sqmi. There were 39,659 housing units at an average density of 2,086.8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 65.2% 49.1% White, 6.2% Asian American, 3.3% African American, 1.3% Native American, 38.7% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. 65.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino, of any race.

49.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.69 people, and the average family contained 4.08 members.

The age distribution was 33.0% under the age of 19 or younger, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.7 males. For every 102 females age 18 and over, there were 117.4 males.

The median household income was $43,728, and the median family income was $44,669. Males had a median income of $35,641 versus $27,013 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,495. About 12.8% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Household incomes in the city tended to be significantly higher alongside the city limits, especially in the northern Harden Ranch and Creekbridge neighborhoods. East Salinas and the downtown area suffered from a very low median household income as well as high crime rates. South and North Salinas featured roughly the same level of median households income with the latter being home to city's wealthiest newly constructed neighborhoods.

Crime
Salinas has a significant, but declining problem with organized street gangs, such as Nortenos, Surenos, and Crips and the associated violent crime. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, the city's overall violent crime and homicide rates are above those for California and the nation overall. However, the violent crime rate in Salinas has declined by almost 75 percent since 2015. Gang activity and violent crime are focused in Central and East Salinas and exacerbated by the city's comparatively low tax base and consequently limited policing resources. A hypothesis to explain the city's particularly intense problem with gang related violent crime cites the city's proximity to Salinas Valley State Prison. The prison was an early launch pad for street operations of the notorious prison gang, Nuestra Familia. This in turn, is seen as having spawned a legacy of multi-generational gang membership among the poorer and less educated residents of East Salinas.

Economy
Major employers in Salinas include Taylor Farms, Tanimura & Antle, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Natividad Hospital, Mann Packing, Hilltown Packing, Newstar Fresh Foods, Matsui Nursery and Monterey County.

Salinas is known for its AgTech industry, and is known as the emerging AgTech Capital of the nation and a global hub for agricultural technology. Its close proximity to Silicon Valley and large number of agricultural employers give forth to an ideal location for developing high tech agricultural innovations.

Forbes AgTech Summit
Since 2015, Forbes has hosted the yearly Forbes AgTech Summit in Salinas. The event draws agricultural technology entrepreneurs from around the world and includes speakers, group discussions, tours, on site demonstrations.

North Salinas

 * Harden Ranch
 * Santa Rita
 * Northridge
 * Santa Lucia Village
 * Sherwood Gardens
 * Creekbridge

East Salinas

 * Sunset
 * Alisal
 * Monte Bella
 * Williams Ranch

South Salinas

 * Maple Park

West Salinas

 * Laurelwood
 * Boronda is an incorporated community in close proximity to the Westridge neighborhood.
 * Westridge

Downtown

 * Old Town

Arts and culture

Salinas has an emerging arts scene led by the First Fridays Art Walk and the innovative use of non-traditional or business venues to exhibit art and host live local music. The oldest gallery in Salinas, the Valley Art Gallery, has been active for over 30 years. The Hartnell College Gallery hosts world-class exhibitions of art during the school year. The National Steinbeck Center has two galleries with changing exhibits, and the city's newest @Risk Gallery features humdrum exhibitions. The Art Walk, held in the downtown area, features 50 venues.

Live theater companies in Salinas include ARIEL Theatrical located in the Karen Wilson's Children's Theater in Oldtown Salinas, and The Western Stage, based at Hartnell College.

Live local music is available at many restaurants in the downtown area, and during the First Fridays Art Walk. Concerts are held at the historic Fox California Theater, Steinbeck Institute for Arts and Culture and the Salinas Sports Complex, as well as at Hartnell College.

Salinas is home to many public murals, including work by John Cerney which can be viewed in the agricultural fields surrounding the city. Claes Oldenburg placed his sculpture, Hat in Three Stages of Landing, in Sherwood Park at the center of the city.

The city contains several art deco buildings, including the Monterey County Courthouse and the Salinas Californian Building.

El Grito
El Grito is a free annual event held every September in the Alisal Neighborhood of Salinas. The event draws up to 65,000 people and features a parade, performances, vendors, Mexican cuisine, and cultural exhibits. El Grito is a celebration of the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence.

Founders Day
Salinas Founders Day is an annual event held since 1869, that celebrates the history of Salinas. The 2017 event was held at the Salinas Train Station Plaza in downtown Salinas, and included tours of the First Mayor's House and the Monterey and Salinas Valley Railroad Museum, music, and historical talks.

Ciclovía Salinas
Ciclovía Salinas is an annual event that has taken place in the Alisal neighborhood of Salinas since 2013, and features a 1.5 mile stretch of Alisal Street that is closed off to automobiles, and exclusively for use of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation. The goal of the event is to promote youth leadership, walking, biking, and other recreational activities that promote a healthy lifestyle.

The event is led entirely by Salinas youth volunteers and in 2018, it featured a 3-kilometer run, Cross Fit activities, soccer, zumba, boxing, community created murals, disc golf, folklorico dancing, and Oaxacan cultural dancing.

California Rodeo Salinas
As the host of a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, Salinas is a major stop on the professional rodeo circuit. The California Rodeo Salinas began in 1911 as a Wild West Show on the site of the old race track ground, now the Salinas Sports Complex. Every third week of July is Big Week, when cowboys and fans come for the traditional rodeo competitions, including bull riding. Rodeo-related events held in Salinas and Monterey include cowboy poetry, wine tasting, a carnival, barbecues and a gala cowboy ball.

Kiddie Kapers Parade
The Kiddie Kapers Parade began in 1930 and is an annual parade with only children in costume, held in conjunction with "Big Week" and the annual Rodeo.

Salinas Asian Festival

The Salinas Asian Festival is a free annual event in Salinas held since 2009 that celebrates the culture and history of Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese immigrants in Salinas. The Salinas Buddhist Temple, the Salinas Chinese Association, and the Filipino Cultural Center of Salinas are open to tour. The event includes food, demonstrations of tai chi, Filipino folk dancing, kendo, and a bonsai display. The 2017 festival the Salinas Chinatown Virtual Walking Tour.

John Steinbeck House
The John Steinbeck House was the birthplace and childhood home of author John Steinbeck, and is now home to a restaurant. The house was built in 1897 and is a Queen Anne style Victorian.

Boronda Adobe History Center
Just outside the official city limits, the restored adobe dwelling constructed in 1844 by José Eusebio Boronda, rests on one of the original Mexican land grants. The Boronda Adobe is a California Historical Landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places and holds a museum of early Salinas and California history. Other historic buildings are located here, including the Lagunita School house John Steinbeck wrote about in the Red Pony. The site also holds the official archive of Monterey County, open to researchers by appointment.

Santa Lucia Highlands American Viticultural Area
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is nearby so the area is becoming a destination for wine tasting.

School districts
Salinas has seven public school districts serving the city core and adjacent unincorporated areas. The largest school district in Salinas is the Salinas Union High School District (grades 7–12) with 13,578 students enrolled in 10 campuses. The Salinas City Elementary School District is the largest elementary school district in Salinas, with 13 schools and 7,954 students. Other districts include Santa Rita Union Elementary School District, Graves Elementary School District, Washington Union School District, Lagunita School District, and Alisal Union School District.

Private Catholic schools in the city include Palma School and the all-girls Notre Dame High School.

Higher education
Hartnell College, as well as a satellite campus of California State University, Monterey Bay, are located in Salinas.

Media
Local newspapers include The Salinas Californian, Monterey County Weekly and Monterey County Herald.

Local radio stations include:
 * KION/1460
 * KTGE/1570
 * KHDC/90.9
 * KPRC-FM/100.7
 * KDON-FM/102.5
 * KRAY-FM/103.5
 * KOCN/105.1
 * KSQL/99.1
 * KBRG/100.3
 * KVVF/105.7

Television service for the community comes from the Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz designated market area (DMA). KSMS-TV Channel 67, KION-TV Channel 46 and KSBW Channel 8 provide news for the area as the area's Univision, CBS, NBC and ABC affiliates.

Highways and roads
U.S. Route 101 is the major north–south highway in Salinas, linking the city to the rest of the Central Coast region, San Francisco to the north, and Los Angeles to the south. California State Route 68 heads west to Monterey, while California State Route 183 runs northwest to Castroville.

Rail
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, serves Salinas. Its Coast Starlight train runs daily in each direction between Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, stopping in Salinas.

The Salinas Rail extension aims to provide weekday rail service to Gilroy and San Jose Diridon station by 2024.

Bus
Public transportation via bus is provided by Monterey–Salinas Transit (MST). Public buses take passengers throughout the county, as well as San Jose and Gilroy. Buses to San Jose and Gilroy connect to Caltrain and Amtrak in those cities.

Greyhound operates from the Salinas Amtrak station with service to other California cities and throughout the United States.

Airport
Salinas Municipal Airport is located on the southeastern boundary of the City of Salinas, 3 mi from the city center. It is a general aviation facility occupying 763 acre, with two runways serving single and twin engine aircraft and helicopters, as well as an increasing number of turbopropeller and turbine-powered business jets.

The airport has an air traffic control tower in operation twelve hours a day, seven days a week. The airport terminal is located on Mortensen Avenue and houses airport office staff as well as professional offices. Salinas Airport Commissioners agreed to a proposed project that would bring a 100-room hotel, offices and hangars to a vacant lot in front of the Salinas Municipal Airport terminal. The Salinas Jet Center would include a national chain hotel, 80000 sqft of office space, four large complexes combining more offices with airplane hangars and a 24-hour, full-service aircraft fueling station. The project would also include a taxiway to allow planes to access the new hangars.

The airport has full Instrument Landing System (ILS) and VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) located on the airport. The ILS has a Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System, with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights. The VOR approach has Runway End Identifier Lights. All but the ILS runway, RWY 31, have Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASIs).

The airport is the site of the California International Airshow, set annually in the late summer or early autumn. The event draws thousands of visitors to Salinas over its three-day run.

Hospitals
Salinas and its surrounding towns are served by Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and Natividad Medical Center, both located in Salinas. Natividad is one of the University of California, San Francisco's teaching hospitals and is owned and operated by Monterey County. Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and Healthcare System is a public district hospital run by an elected board of directors.

Natividad Medical Center, through its affiliated Natividad Medical Foundation, offers trained medical interpreters for speakers of several Oaxacan languages (including Triqui, Mixteco, and Zapotec) as well as Spanish.

Facilities
The Monterey County Jail is located in North Salinas and the Monterey County Juvenile Detention Center is located in the north side as well.

Notable people

 * Monica Abbott, 2008 Olympic softball pitcher
 * Everett Alvarez Jr., U.S. Navy pilot and prisoner of war
 * Jodi Arias, convicted murderer of Travis Alexander, was born in Salinas
 * Dustin Lance Black, Academy Award-winning screenwriter
 * Ernie Camacho, Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Jose Celaya, boxer
 * Doug Chandler, Hall of Fame motorcycle racer, Grand Slam winner, World Superbike champion
 * Ramiro Corrales, former Major League Soccer defender with the San Jose Earthquakes
 * Cordell Crockett, bass guitarist with band Ugly Kid Joe
 * Chris Dalman, National Football League offensive lineman and coach
 * Drew Dalman, National Football League offensive lineman with the Atlanta Falcons
 * Harold Davis, athlete in National Track and Field Hall of Fame
 * Amy Díaz-Infante, visual artist and educator
 * Evan Dietrich-Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman, Super Bowl XLV champion (2011 with Green Bay Packers), Salinas High School graduate, class of 2004
 * Nick Duron (born 1996), baseball pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization
 * David Esquer, head coach of the Stanford Cardinal baseball team, graduate of Palma High School
 * David Estrada, UCLA soccer player (midfield, forward), drafted in first round (11th overall) of 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Seattle Sounders FC
 * Verna Felton, actress
 * Michael Gasperson, NFL wide receiver
 * Susan Gerbic, skeptical activist
 * Brandi Glanville, fashion model, television personality in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
 * Jackie Greene, singer-songwriter and blues musician
 * Sammy Hagar, singer, former member of Van Halen, now in bands Chickenfoot and Waboritas
 * Noah Harpster, actor
 * Alvin and Calvin Harrison, twins, 1996 Olympic track and field athletes
 * Vanessa Hudgens, singer and actress, High School Musical
 * Ernie Irvan, race car driver and winner of the 1991 Daytona 500
 * Joe Kapp, quarterback for University of California, Berkeley in College Football Hall of Fame, 1969 NFL champion
 * Marie D. Kassing, organization founder
 * Slim Keith, socialite
 * Craig Kilborn, television personality
 * Rick Law, Disney artist and producer
 * Howard H. Leach, businessman and diplomat
 * Sacheen Littlefeather, actress and activist for Native American rights.
 * Herbert Mullin, serial killer
 * Xavier Nady, Major League Baseball player, Salinas High School graduate, class of 1997
 * Carl Nicks, offensive linemen, Super Bowl XLIV champion (2010), North Salinas High School graduate
 * Kassim Osgood, National Football League wide receiver, Pro Bowl, North Salinas High School
 * Van Partible, cartoonist, creator of Johnny Bravo
 * Ernie Reyes Sr., American martial artist, actor and fight choreographer
 * Mike Rianda, writer and director of The Mitchells vs. the Machines
 * Monty Roberts, horse tamer and author of The Man Who Listens to Horses
 * Del Rodgers, NFL running back
 * Gary Shipman, artist, comic book illustrator and creator of Pakkins' Land
 * Brendon Small, actor, composer, musician, known as creator of the animated series Home Movies and Metalocalypse
 * Edward Soriano, retired United States Army Lieutenant General
 * Sam Spence, NFL Films composer
 * John Steinbeck, author and Nobel laureate, author of The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, among others
 * Rita Taggart, actress
 * Anthony Toney, NFL running back
 * Sean D. Tucker, aerobatic stunt pilot
 * Elliot Vallejo, NFL offensive lineman, Palma High School
 * Cain Velasquez, UFC heavyweight champion, mixed martial arts fighter and former collegiate wrestler

In popular culture

 * Marilyn Monroe, actress and Twentieth Century Fox starlet, was honored as the Diamond Queen of Salinas on February 20, 1948.
 * Salinas is mentioned in various John Steinbeck novels, and is the setting of his monumental novel East of Eden.

Sister cities
Salinas' sister cities are:
 * Cebu City, Philippines (1964)
 * Ichikikushikino, Japan (1979)
 * Jerécuaro, Mexico (1996)
 * Guanajuato, Mexico (2007)
 * Drogheda, Ireland (2012)
 * Söke, Turkey (2015)
 * Seogwipo, South Korea (2018)

title: Salinas, California


text:
San Ardo, California

San Ardo, formerly known as San Bernardo (Spanish for "St. Bernard"), is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States. San Ardo is located 18 mi southeast of King City at an elevation of 449 ft. The population was 392 at the 2020 census, down from 517 in 2010.

History
The owner of the San Bernardo land grant, M.J. Brandenstein, laid out the town when the railroad reached his land in 1887. The San Bernardo post office opened in 1886, and changed its name to San Ardo in 1887. The former name of San Bernardo was changed to avoid confusion with San Bernardino, California.

Geography
San Ardo is near the point where the broad Salinas Valley has its southeastern terminus and pinches out within the converging portions of the California Coast Ranges, including the Santa Lucia Mountains on the west and the Cholame Hills and the Diablo Range on the east. U.S. Route 101 passes west of the town, leading northwest to 18 mi to King City and 66 mi to Salinas, the Monterey county seat, while to the southeast it leads 33 mi to Paso Robles.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all of it land. The Salinas River flows northward along the west side of the community.

Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, San Ardo has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

Economy
The huge San Ardo Oil Field is about 5 mi south of town. Much of the local economy is based on agriculture (including farming and ranching), and servicing the oil field.

2010
At the 2010 census San Ardo had a population of 517. The population density was 1,150.7 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of San Ardo was 252 (48.7%) White, 1 (0.2%) African American, 3 (0.6%) Native American, 5 (1.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 245 (47.4%) from other races, and 11 (2.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 363 people (70.2%).

The whole population lived in households, no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one was institutionalized.

There were 140 households, 76 (54.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 82 (58.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 16 (11.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 13 (9.3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 6 (4.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 22 households (15.7%) were one person and 9 (6.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.69. There were 111 families (79.3% of households); the average family size was 4.13.

The age distribution was 185 people (35.8%) under the age of 18, 66 people (12.8%) aged 18 to 24, 139 people (26.9%) aged 25 to 44, 83 people (16.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 44 people (8.5%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 26.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 129.0 males.

There were 158 housing units at an average density of 351.7 per square mile, of the occupied units 47 (33.6%) were owner-occupied and 93 (66.4%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.6%. 145 people (28.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 372 people (72.0%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 501 people, 157 households, and 110 families in the CDP. The population density was 1,114.6 PD/sqmi. There were 167 housing units at an average density of 371.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 47.90% White, 0.40% African American, 2.40% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 46.91% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 65.67%.

Of the 157 households 41.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 24.2% of households were one person and 7.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 3.82.

The age distribution was 35.3% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% 65 or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.6 males.

The median household income was $25,208 and the median family income was $31,500. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $14,375 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,379. About 15.4% of families and 24.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.5% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: San Ardo, California


text:
San Lucas, California

San Lucas (Spanish for "St. Luke") is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States. It was founded in 1886 and named after the Rancho San Lucas, which was granted in 1842. The post office was first established in 1892.

San Lucas is located in the Salinas Valley, on the Salinas River 8 mi southeast of King City, at an elevation of 410 ft.

The population was 324 at the 2020 census, up from 269 in 2010.

History
The Southern Pacific Railroad reached the place in 1886 and named it for the Rancho San Lucas Mexican land grant. The San Lucas post office opened in 1887 (having been transferred from Griswold).

Geography
San Lucas is located in southeastern Monterey County at 36.12889°N, -121.02056°W, on the east side of the Salinas Valley. U.S. Route 101 runs along the western edge of the community, leading northwest 8 mi to King City and 55 mi Salinas, the county seat, while leading southeast 42 mi to Paso Robles. California State Route 198 leads east from San Lucas across the San Andreas Rift Zone and the Diablo Range 48 mi to Coalinga.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the San Lucas CDP has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all of it land.

The San Lucas AVA (American Viticultural Area) is located in the area.

Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, San Lucas has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that San Lucas had a population of 269. The population density was 682.5 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of San Lucas was 113 (42.0%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 4 (1.5%) Native American, 6 (2.2%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 127 (47.2%) from other races, and 19 (7.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 224 persons (83.3%).

The Census reported that 269 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 67 households, out of which 38 (56.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 46 (68.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 8 (11.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 3 (4.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 4 (6.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 7 households (10.4%) were made up of individuals, and 2 (3.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.01. There were 57 families (85.1% of all households); the average family size was 4.23.

The population was spread out, with 87 people (32.3%) under the age of 18, 38 people (14.1%) aged 18 to 24, 74 people (27.5%) aged 25 to 44, 58 people (21.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 12 people (4.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.6 males.

There were 76 housing units at an average density of 192.8 /sqmi, of which 36 (53.7%) were owner-occupied, and 31 (46.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 11.4%. 132 people (49.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 137 people (50.9%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 419 people, 90 households, and 81 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,092.9 PD/sqmi. There were 97 housing units at an average density of 253.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 38.66% White, 0.24% Black, 1.19% Native American, 1.67% Asian, 55.37% from other races, and 2.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 86.16% of the population.

There were 90 households, out of which 63.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.9% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 8.9% were non-families. 5.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.66 and the average family size was 4.71.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 44.2% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 12.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,538, and the median income for a family was $30,536. Males had a median income of $27,000 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $7,834. About 23.3% of families and 29.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.2% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government
San Lucas is served by the San Lucas Water District.

title: San Lucas, California


text:
Sand City, California

Sand City is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, located on the shores of Monterey Bay, and surrounded on most sides by the larger city of Seaside. Sand City is located 2 mi northeast of Monterey, at an elevation of 72 feet (22 m). The population was 325 at the 2020 census. The city is predominantly a business community, and has a number of larger retail stores. The West End area of Sand City, once an industrial area, hosts a growing artists' colony. Every August, the artists of Sand City and neighboring areas hold a street fair called the "West End Celebration".

Geography
Sand City is located at 36.61722°N, -121.84833°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.9 sqmi, of which 0.5 sqmi are land and 2.4 sqmi, or 81.21%, are water, where the city limits extend into Monterey Bay.

History
Sand City incorporated in 1960. The Sand City post office opened in 1961, but has now been combined with the Seaside post office and shares Seaside's ZIP code (93955) as well. The city is mostly industrial.

2010
At the 2010 census Sand City had a population of 334. The population density was 114.2 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Sand City was 223 (66.8%) White, 13 (3.9%) African American, 3 (0.9%) Native American, 16 (4.8%) Asian, 1 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 61 (18.3%) from other races, and 17 (5.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 123 people (36.8%).

The census reported that 291 people (87.1% of the population) lived in households, 43 (12.9%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

There were 128 households, 37 (28.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 43 (33.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 12 (9.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 4 (3.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 16 (12.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 42 households (32.8%) were one person and 3 (2.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27. There were 59 families (46.1% of households); the average family size was 2.98.

The age distribution was 59 people (17.7%) under the age of 18, 33 people (9.9%) aged 18 to 24, 147 people (44.0%) aged 25 to 44, 86 people (25.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 9 people (2.7%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 34.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 124.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.1 males.

There were 145 housing units at an average density of 49.6 per square mile, of the occupied units 18 (14.1%) were owner-occupied and 110 (85.9%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 10.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%. 45 people (13.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 246 people (73.7%) lived in rental housing units.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 261 people in 80 households, including 33 families, in the city. The population density was 463.5 PD/sqmi. There were 87 housing units at an average density of 154.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 71.26% White, 4.98% African American, 3.07% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 14.56% from other races, and 4.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.59%.

Of the 80 households 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.5% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.8% were non-families. 41.3% of households were one person and 10.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.42.

The age distribution was 16.1% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 39.8% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 151.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 154.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,375, and the median family income was $37,500. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,455. About 17.9% of families and 27.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 50.0% of those sixty five or over.

title: Sand City, California