Olema, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Olema
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View northbound on SR 1 at Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
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 Olema
Location in California
Olema
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Marin County |
| Elevation | 69 ft (21 m) |
| ZIP code |
94950
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| Area codes | 415/628 |
| FIPS code | 06-53630 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1659297 |
Olema is a small place in Marin County, California. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city. The name Olema comes from the Coast Miwok people, who were the first inhabitants of this area. Their word for this place meant "coyote valley."
You can find Olema along State Route 1, where it meets Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. It's on the eastern edge of the Point Reyes Peninsula. Olema is located near Olema Creek, about 2.25 miles (3.6 km) south of Point Reyes Station. It sits about 69 feet (21 meters) above sea level.
Olema and the Great Earthquake
Olema is very close to the San Andreas Fault. This is a huge crack in the Earth's crust where two large land plates meet. Because of this, people once thought Olema was the center, or "epicenter," of the famous 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
You can still see large cracks in the ground near the fault line around Olema. There are even historical signs and references to the earthquake in local shops and restaurants. However, scientists now believe the actual epicenter of the 1906 earthquake was offshore, near Daly City.
A Bit of History
The Olema post office first opened in 1859. It closed for a short time in 1860 but then reopened in 1864.
Olema was also mentioned in a country-rock song from the late 1960s. The band The Youngbloods released a song called "Hippie from Olema." It was a playful response to another popular song at the time.
Things to See and Do in Olema
Even though Olema is a small community, it has some interesting places to visit. You can find a few shops, two restaurants called Sir and Star and Due West, and a lodge. There are also several bed and breakfasts where visitors can stay.
Nearby, you'll find a large campground, perfect for outdoor adventures. There's also a big retreat center for the Vedanta Society, which is a branch of Hinduism.
A popular starting point for exploring the Point Reyes National Seashore is the Bear Valley Visitor Center. It's just a short distance from Olema on Bear Valley Road. Inside the center, you can see exhibits about the area and buy books. Outside, there are picnic tables, a horse ranch with Morgan horses, and a special place called Kule Loklo. Kule Loklo is a reconstructed village that shows what a traditional Miwok village might have looked like long ago.
