Arroyo Grande, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arroyo Grande, California
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 .jpg) .jpg) Top: view of Arroyo Grande; bottom: downtown.
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Location of Arroyo Grande in San Luis Obispo County, California
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | California | ||
| County | San Luis Obispo | ||
| Incorporated | July 10, 1911 | ||
| Named for | Big Dry Creek | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council–manager | ||
| • Body | Arroyo Grande City Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 5.94 sq mi (15.38 km2) | ||
| • Land | 5.94 sq mi (15.38 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% | ||
| Elevation | 118 ft (36 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 18,441 | ||
| • Density | 3,104.55/sq mi (1,199.02/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific (PST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
93420-93421
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| Area code | 805 | ||
| FIPS code | 06-02868 | ||
| GNIS feature IDs | 1660271, 2409734 | ||
Arroyo Grande is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Its name means "Big Creek" in Spanish. It is a friendly place with a mix of history, suburban areas, and rural charm.
Contents
History of Arroyo Grande
The first people to live in the Arroyo Grande Valley were the northern Chumash Indians. They were still living here when the first Spanish explorer, Juan Cabrillo, arrived.
Around 1840, the Mexican government divided the valley into two large ranches. In 1862, the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors officially created the township of Arroyo Grande.
Businesses started to grow along a road called Branch Street. They served the local farms. A railroad depot was built in 1882, making it easier to transport goods. Arroyo Grande officially became a city on July 10, 1911.
The city grew quickly in the 1970s and 1980s. This was partly because a new wastewater treatment plant was built. This plant helped the city manage its growth better.
Exploring The Village
The heart of Arroyo Grande is its downtown area, known as "The Village." This is a popular spot for both locals and visitors. People come here for fun events, festivals, and farmer's markets.
The Swinging Bridge
In the middle of The Village, you'll find Centennial Park. Here stands the famous Swinging Bridge. The Short family first built this bridge in 1875. Their land was split by the Arroyo Grande Creek.
The bridge is 171 feet long and hangs 40 feet above the creek. The city of Arroyo Grande owns and takes care of it. It is the only swinging bridge of its kind in California!
The Village also has many historic buildings. Some of these buildings date back to the 1800s. They show the rich history of the area.
Geography and Climate
Arroyo Grande is a small city located near the coast. It is at coordinates 35°7′15″N 120°35′12″W / 35.12083°N 120.58667°W. The city covers about 5.8 square miles, and all of it is land.
Natural Surroundings
Arroyo Grande is part of a special coastal area in California. It has many different natural places. These include:
- Oak woodlands with coast live oak trees.
- Central coastal scrub, which are areas with small bushes.
- Willow and mixed riparian areas along Arroyo Grande Creek. These are places near water.
- Native bunch-grass grasslands.
- Coastal prairies.
- Dunes and intertidal zones near the ocean.
There are also farms and areas with non-native plants.
Weather in Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande has a mild Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The weather is usually pleasant all year round.
| Climate data for Arroyo Grande, California | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 85 (29) |
90 (32) |
90 (32) |
101 (38) |
100 (38) |
99 (37) |
104 (40) |
108 (42) |
100 (38) |
99 (37) |
91 (33) |
92 (33) |
108 (42) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 60 (16) |
61 (16) |
62 (17) |
64 (18) |
65 (18) |
66 (19) |
66 (19) |
67 (19) |
68 (20) |
67 (19) |
65 (18) |
60 (16) |
64 (18) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 45 (7) |
46 (8) |
47 (8) |
48 (9) |
50 (10) |
52 (11) |
54 (12) |
55 (13) |
54 (12) |
52 (11) |
48 (9) |
44 (7) |
50 (10) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 24 (−4) |
28 (−2) |
23 (−5) |
31 (−1) |
30 (−1) |
37 (3) |
38 (3) |
39 (4) |
35 (2) |
32 (0) |
29 (−2) |
24 (−4) |
23 (−5) |
| Average rainfall inches (mm) | 3.04 (77) |
3.96 (101) |
3.04 (77) |
1.14 (29) |
0.41 (10) |
0.07 (1.8) |
0.03 (0.76) |
0.07 (1.8) |
0.14 (3.6) |
0.87 (22) |
1.52 (39) |
2.73 (69) |
17.02 (432) |
| Source: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0045 | |||||||||||||
Population and People
Arroyo Grande has grown steadily over the years. In 2020, the population was 18,441 people.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 466 | — | |
| 1920 | 760 | — | |
| 1930 | 892 | 17.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,090 | 22.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,723 | 58.1% | |
| 1960 | 3,291 | 91.0% | |
| 1970 | 7,454 | 126.5% | |
| 1980 | 11,290 | 51.5% | |
| 1990 | 14,378 | 27.4% | |
| 2000 | 15,851 | 10.2% | |
| 2010 | 17,252 | 8.8% | |
| 2020 | 18,441 | 6.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Life in Arroyo Grande (2010 Census)
In 2010, about 17,252 people lived in Arroyo Grande. Most people lived in homes, while a small number lived in group housing.
There were over 7,000 households in the city. About 28% of these homes had children under 18. Many households were families, including married couples. The average household had about 2.4 people.
The population included people of various ages. About 21% were under 18 years old. About 20% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was about 45 years old.
Most homes were owned by the people living in them. About 66% of people lived in homes they owned. The rest lived in rented homes.
Notable People from Arroyo Grande
Many interesting people have connections to Arroyo Grande. Here are a few:
- Sally Jane Bruce – An actress who appeared in the movie The Night of the Hunter.
- Zac Efron – A well-known actor.
- Lou Ferrigno – An actor famous for playing The Incredible Hulk on TV.
- Horace Grant – A former professional basketball player.
- Jordan Hasay – A talented middle-distance runner.
- Robert Hunter – A lyricist and singer-songwriter.
- Gladys Ingle – A brave pilot from the early 1900s. She was known for her amazing wing walker and aerial stunts.
- Ken Napzok – A broadcaster, comedian, and author.
- Rita Quigley – A film actress.
- Harry Shum Jr. – An actor, dancer, and choreographer.
- Sheila Varian – A famous breeder of beautiful Arabian horses.
- Robin Ventura – A former professional baseball player and manager.
- Jimy Williams – A former baseball manager.
See Also
In Spanish: Arroyo Grande (California) para niños
