Redwood City

TOP 5 REASON TO LIVE IN REDWOOD CITY

1. CLIMATE BEST BY GOVERNMENT TEST

Redwood City is rumored to have some of the best weather on the Peninsula. In the early 1920ÿs, the City government set out to prove this and gathered information from German and US meteorological data. The result? Redwood City was deemed to be in the center of one of the worldÿs three best climates. Today, Redwood City averages 20 inches of rainfall per year, and has an average high temperature of 77° from April through September, and 63° from October

through March, with over 160 sunny days per year.

2. Entertainment and Culture

Redwood City has become the Peninsulaÿs center for entertainment and cultural events. The revitalization of the Fox and Little Fox Theaters has paved the way for orld-class concerts and performances on a regular basis. Past

performers include Joan Baez, Bill Cosby, and Ravi Sankar. The opening of the new ´On Broadway¡ cinema this summer will give Redwood City residents access to the big screen in their own backyards, further expanding entertainment and cultural events.

3. History

Historically, Redwood City has an interesting and diverse background that residents rave about. The area has been inhabited by the Ohlone, Spanish Conquistadors, wealthy

landowners and businessmen. Redwood City was chosen to be the County Seat in 1856 and became the first incorporated city in San Mateo County on March 27, 1868. This history and that of the County is recorded at the San Mateo County History Museum located in downtown Redwood City.

4. Revitalization of Downtown Redwood City

The downtown area is in the midst of a major revitalization project that has brought new life in the City. The plan includes a major retail and cinema complex, a new underground parking garage, restoration of the historic

Courthouse, and construction of a plaza in front of the historic Courthouse. The plan also includes renovation of many streets to make them more pedestrian-friendly and attractive. The result? Redwood City is once more

becoming the Peninsulaÿs entertainment and cultural center.

5. City Government

The City has a reputation for being one of the most progressive and forward-looking governments on the Peninsula. The new downtown revitalization project is just one example of this. Additionally, residents rave about how

user-friendly and responsive the government is to their needs and concerns.

Redwood City: City of the Arts

County Seat, for many years it was known as a sleepy bedroom community rather than a mover and shaker of the Peninsula. In the past few years, the City has turned itself around to become the Peninsulaÿs center for culture,

arts and entertainment. ´Redwood City is becoming known as a focal point for music and culture,¡ said Realtor John Shroyer. ´The center of this is the Fox Theater and new

downtown area.¡

This change is due in part to the revitalization of Redwood

Cityÿs historic Fox and Little Fox Theatres. Originally opened in 1929, the Fox Theatre has been a focal point for the City, both culturally and musically. In recent years, the Theatre was split into two: the Little Fox and Fox Theatres. This change, along with a revitalization plan, has attracted worldclass music including concerts by Emmy Lou Harris, Taj Mahal and Ravi Shankar; as well as performances such as the Nutcracker ballet and comedy by Bill Cosby. ´The change is incredible. The Theatres have a whole new

look,¡ said Realtor Marianne Rush Zanone.

The other component to Redwood Cityÿs recent success is the renovation of its downtown area. The renovation includes plans for a new shopping/cinema complex, underground parking, renovation of the historic Courthouse

and creation of a new plaza in front of the Court. Redwood Cityÿs new downtown has a vibrant feel and is attracting people from across the Peninsula. ´Weÿve had a lot

of changes in the past 10-15 years,¡ said Redwood

City Mayor Barbara Pierce. ´Redwood City is becoming an entertainment destination.¡

Redwood City is located on the Peninsula, nestled between the San Francisco Bay and the Town of Woodside. It is readily accessible via the 101 and 280 highways and is a heartbeat and a skip away from both San Francisco and

San Jose.

As the County Seat, Redwood City has a rich historical background. The first inhabitants of the area belonged to a Native American tribe: the Ohlone. In 1776, Spanish Colonel

Juan Bautista de Anza and his men became the first Europeans to pass through Redwood City on their way up the peninsula. Since then, the land has passed through the hands of numerous families and has changed with each one. But thanks to its booming business, Redwood

City was chosen to be the County Seat in 1856

and became the first incorporated city in San

Mateo County on March 27, 1868.

´Redwood City is a very old city?it is one of the first on the Peninsula. Our long history is cherished by many?there is a connection between our past, who we are now and who we will be in the future,¡ said Mayor Pierce.

The Cityÿs history and that of the County are recorded and exhibited and the San Mateo County History Museum located in downtown Redwood City.

The County government is also well known for being progressive and user-friendly. It looks to the future and is constantly thinking about how to improve itself. ´The City

government is one of the most user-friendly governments of the Peninsula,¡ said Shroyer. ´It looks after its citizenÿs concerns and is very open-minded.¡

Shroyer is a member of the San Mateo County Association of Realtors (SAMCAR), a professional trade organization that organizes Realtors on the Peninsula. The Association provides members with opportunities for community involvement and access to a network of professional resources and business contacts. Realtors must abide by a

strict code of ethics and participate in additional training above and beyond state real estate license requirements.

Families love Redwood City because of the many possibilities offered by the school system. The City is home to a number of magnet schools so kids and parents can choose their area of interest and thrive from it. If Redwood

City is a City of growth and progression, then its schools

are no exception. The schools are constantly working to improve themselves and provide a better education.

´The schools do a good job of working with students and

helping them succeed. Our schools have made some of the biggest improvements of any in the State because of this,¡ said Mayor Pierce.

On weekends, families take advantage of the extensive parks and other recreational activities in Redwood City. The City has 30 parks including a skate park and a dog park;

two pools and five community centers. There are also sports, art and personal improvement classes offered by the City.

Another plus of living in Redwood City? Better weather. Redwood City has an average temperature of 77 degrees April through September and gets more than 160 sunny days each year. It also gets enough rain for fertile and green land: around 20 inches of rain fall on the City each year. This translates into more outdoor time for Redwood City residents.

As a progressive city, Redwood City is quickly transforming itself into a center for culture and is upping the standards for good living.