Pacifica, California
Encyclopedia : P : PA : PAC : Pacifica, California
Pacifica is a city in San Mateo County, California, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, with a total population of 38,390 as of the 2000 census. According to City Limits signs in the year 2006, the population was 40,400.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.8 km² (12.7 mi²). 32.7 km² (12.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.24%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 38,390 people, 13,994 households, and 9,655 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,173.6/km² (3,038.9/mi²). There were 14,245 housing units at an average density of 435.5/km² (1,127.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.51% White, 3.27% African American, 0.49% Native American, 15.29% Asian, 0.69% Pacific Islander, 4.18% from other races, and 6.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.61% of the population.There were 13,994 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $71,737, and the median income for a family was $78,361. Males had a median income of $50,761 versus $40,261 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,183. About 1.2% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
The oldest person to ever live in Pacifica was Rose G. Rosenthal who was born on April 8, 1901 and is still alive today.
Pacifica is also home to the only Taco Bell restaurant (which was an A&W until the early 1980s) located directly on a beach (Pacifica State Beach); this Taco Bell was rated #9 on The Travel Channel's World Best Fast Food Stops.
The Reverend Herschell Harkins Memorial pier was constructed in 1973 and was designed to carry sewage piping out to sea. it was closed in 1992 due to corrosion of some of the structure, since then the pier has been repaired and is a well known fishing spot, in july 8-9 1995, over 1000 salmon were caught from the pier.
Other features
The city has a number of significant natural features and points of interest. Divided into roughly twelve distinct neighborhoods from Fairmont, Westview (Pacific Highlands) in the north, to Pacific Manor, Edgemar, Sharp Park, Fairway Park, Vallemar, Rockaway Beach, Pedro Point and Shelter Cove in the south west, Linda Mar in the south and Park Pacifica in south east portions of the city.Pacifica is well know regionally as a popular surfing destination with [Pacifica State Beach/Linda Mar Beach] often crowded with surfers. 2006 marked the opening of the top ranked [link] [Pacifica Skateboard Park]. Pacifica is also a popular [mountain biking] destination, with many trails crossing the hillsides that surround the city, including [Sweeny Ridge], part of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. Many people also enjoy hiking in Pacifica, either along the many beaches and bluffs including [Mori Point], or on the hillsides including [San Pedro County Park], and [Milagra Ridge]. Pacifica is also home to the [Sharp Park Golf Course] designed in 1931 by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie.
History
Pacifica was incorporated in 1957, relatively recently in history of San Mateo County, as the union of nine previously separate, unincorporated communities, including Edgemar, Sharp Park, Pacific Manor (or just Manor), Vallemar, Rockaway Beach, Pedro Point, and San Pedro Valley, stops on the short lived [Ocean Shore Railroad]. But Pacifica is also the location of the oldest European history of San Mateo County, [discovered] by Gaspar de Portola October 31st, 1769, and is home of the [Sanchez Adobe] originating in 1785. Prehistorically, Pacifica was home to several Ohlone Indian villages including [Pruristac].School Programs
The school program, now known as Pacifica School District, formerly Laguna Salada School District, consists of Vallemar, Cabrillo, Ingrid B. Lacy, Sunset Ridge, Ortega, and Ocean Shore schools, as well as the administration office adjacent to Vallemar School. Each school enrolls about 550-600 students.Pacifica has two high schools, Oceana High School in the northern part of the city and Terra Nova High School in the south. Oceana's teaching paradigm is geared toward longer classes, senior exhibitions, and mandated community service, while larger Terra Nova is a traditional institution.
Famous Pacificans
- Actor/comedian Rob Schneider grew up in Pacifica, graduating from Terra Nova High School in 1981.
- Jef Raskin, the computer interface expert who launched the Macintosh project for Apple Computer.
- Mary Robinson, former President of the Republic of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, lived in Pacifica in the 1960's as an exchange student.
External links
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