La Selva Beach, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Selva Beach
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Location of La Selva Beach in Santa Cruz County, California.
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 La Selva Beach, California
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Santa Cruz |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.297 sq mi (13.718 km2) |
| • Land | 5.297 sq mi (13.718 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 151 ft (46 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,531 |
| • Density | 477.82/sq mi (184.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
95076
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| Area code(s) | 831 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2583053 |
La Selva Beach is a small community in Santa Cruz County, California. Its name, La Selva, means "The Forest" in Spanish. This area is called a census-designated place (CDP).
La Selva Beach is located about 151 feet (46 meters) above sea level. In 2020, about 2,531 people lived there. It is one of several small towns near Aptos. It is close to Seascape, Corralitos, and Watsonville. When it was first settled, thick forests surrounded this beach community.
Contents
Exploring La Selva Beach's Location
La Selva Beach is located in California. It covers an area of about 5.3 square miles (13.7 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Earthquakes and the San Andreas Fault
This community is near the San Andreas Fault. This is a very long crack in the Earth's crust. La Selva Beach was also close to where the big 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake happened in 1989.
The History of La Selva Beach
La Selva Beach was first started in 1925. A real estate developer named David Batchelor founded it. He called the community Rob Roy.
How La Selva Beach Got Its Name
In 1935, a new developer, Edward Burghard, changed the name. He renamed it La Selva Beach. Most of the houses you see there today were built in the early 1960s. In the 1970s, residents asked the state to remove "Beach" from road signs. However, its official name is still La Selva Beach.
Population and People
The population of La Selva Beach has changed over time. In 2010, there were 2,843 people living there. By 2020, the population was 2,531.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 2,843 | — | |
| 2020 | 2,531 | −11.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in La Selva Beach
In 2010, most residents, about 84.4%, were White. About 4.1% were Asian, and 0.8% were Native American. About 13.1% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino background.
The average age of people in La Selva Beach in 2010 was 46.5 years. About 21.5% of the population was under 18 years old. About 15% of the people were 65 years or older.
Fun Things to Do in La Selva Beach
La Selva Beach is next to Manresa State Beach. Here, you can go fishing, surfing, and boogie boarding. The waves here are not as crowded as other places in Santa Cruz County. La Selva Beach has public access to the beach. There is also public parking nearby.
Triangle Park: A Community Hub
The main park in La Selva Beach is called Triangle Park. It has a unique triangular shape. The park also features a triangular structure with flags from around the world. You can also find a horseshoe pit there.
The 4th of July Parade
Every summer, children practice for the La Selva Beach 4th of July Parade. They work on baton-twirling and building floats. This parade is shorter than the "World's Shortest Parade" in Aptos, California, which happens at the same time.
Schools Near La Selva Beach
The closest schools to La Selva Beach are Rio del Mar Elementary School and the Monterey Bay Academy. The Aptos Academy was a private school in the area. It operated from 1999 until June 2013.
Famous People From La Selva Beach
Some notable people have lived in La Selva Beach:
- Aaron Bates, a professional baseball player.
- Don Bunce, a star quarterback in the Rose Bowl and an orthopedic surgeon.
- Jason Jessee, a professional skateboarder.
See also
In Spanish: La Selva Beach para niños
