El Portal, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
El Portal
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The Old El Portal Schoolhouse
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Location in Mariposa County, California
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 El Portal
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Mariposa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.910 sq mi (4.95 km2) |
| • Land | 1.864 sq mi (4.83 km2) |
| • Water | 0.046 sq mi (0.12 km2) 2.41% |
| Elevation | 1,939 ft (591 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 372 |
| • Density | 199.6/sq mi (77.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
95318
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| GNIS feature IDs | |
| FIPS code | 06-22328 |
El Portal is a small community in Mariposa County, California, United States. Its name comes from the Spanish words for "The Gateway." This is because it sits right at the entrance to Yosemite National Park.
El Portal is about 11.5 miles (18.5 km) west-southwest of Yosemite Village. It is located at an elevation of 1,939 feet (591 meters) above sea level. In 2020, 372 people lived there.
Contents
History of El Portal
Early Days and the First Post Office
The first post office in El Portal opened its doors in 1907. This was an important step for the growing community. It helped people send and receive mail easily.
The Grand Hotel Del Portal
Work on a large, four-story building called the Hotel Del Portal started in late 1907. It was finished in 1908. A company linked to the Yosemite Valley Railroad built this hotel.
Travelers could reach the hotel from Merced by train in about four hours. It was a popular place for visitors heading to Yosemite. Sadly, a fire destroyed the hotel on October 27, 1917. The fire started because of a problem with an attic flue.
Life in El Portal
Location and Community Buildings
El Portal is located along California State Route 140. It sits next to the Merced River, right on the western edge of Yosemite National Park. Part of the community is managed by Yosemite National Park itself.
The town has several important buildings for its residents. These include a post office, a community center, and a small school. For visitors, there are two hotels, a small general store, and a gas station.
Outdoor Fun and Local Connections
El Portal is a great place for outdoor activities. Its closeness to Yosemite National Park means there are many chances to explore nature.
The town was once the final stop for the Yosemite Valley Railroad. This railway brought many people to the entrance of the National Park. In 1978, an old train engine, Hetch Hetchy Railroad no. 6, was brought to El Portal. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Many offices for the National Park Service are located in El Portal. Several other groups that work with the park also have offices here.
Geography and Climate
Where El Portal Is Located
El Portal covers an area of about 1.91 square miles (4.95 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 1.86 square miles (4.82 square kilometers). A small part, about 0.05 square miles (0.13 square kilometers), is water. This water makes up about 2.41% of the total area.
Weather in El Portal
El Portal has a climate with warm summers and mild winters. Here's a quick look at the average temperatures and rainfall:
| Climate data for El Portal, California | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 54 (12) |
56 (13) |
60 (16) |
66 (19) |
75 (24) |
88 (31) |
96 (36) |
94 (34) |
89 (32) |
75 (24) |
63 (17) |
53 (12) |
72 (23) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 34 (1) |
35.5 (1.9) |
38 (3) |
41 (5) |
47 (8) |
54 (12) |
63 (17) |
62 (17) |
55 (13) |
46 (8) |
38 (3) |
33 (1) |
45.5 (7.5) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 6.9 (180) |
5.8 (150) |
5.4 (140) |
2.8 (71) |
1.5 (38) |
0.4 (10) |
0.1 (2.5) |
0.05 (1.3) |
0.2 (5.1) |
1.7 (43) |
2.9 (74) |
5.9 (150) |
33.65 (864.9) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.3 (0.76) |
0.5 (1.3) |
0.7 (1.8) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.9 (2.3) |
2.5 (6.41) |
| Source: prism | |||||||||||||
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, the 2010 United States Census counted 474 people living in El Portal. All of these people lived in homes, not in group housing or institutions.
There were 230 households in El Portal. The average household had about two people living in it. Many people lived alone, and some households had children.
The population included people of all ages. About 15% were under 18 years old. The largest group, about 38%, was between 25 and 44 years old.
See also
In Spanish: El Portal (California) para niños
