kids encyclopedia robot

Pacific Shores, California facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Pacific Shores
Pacific Shores is located in California
Pacific Shores
Pacific Shores
Location in California
Pacific Shores is located in the United States
Pacific Shores
Pacific Shores
Location in the United States
Country United States
State California
County Del Norte County
Elevation
20 ft (6 m)

Pacific Shores is a special kind of place in Del Norte County, California. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. Even though maps show many streets laid out, almost no one lives here. In fact, the 2010 census showed that 0 people lived in Pacific Shores! It's located very close to the ocean, only about 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level.

Understanding Pacific Shores

Pacific Shores is a unique area in northern California. It's known for having many streets that were planned out, but very few buildings. This makes it different from most communities you might know.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community is a place where people live, but it's not officially a city or town. It doesn't have its own mayor or city council. Instead, the county government takes care of services like roads and police. Pacific Shores is an example of such a community.

Why is Pacific Shores Undeveloped?

Pacific Shores was planned a long time ago. In 1963, a large area of about 760 acres was divided into many property lots. The idea was for people to buy these lots and build homes. However, most of these lots have never been developed. This means they are still empty land.

The California Coastal Act of 1976

The main reason Pacific Shores remains undeveloped is because of a very important law called The California Coastal Act of 1976. This law was created to protect California's beautiful coastline. It helps keep the beaches and coastal areas natural and open for everyone to enjoy.

The Act makes it harder to build new things near the coast. It requires special permits and reviews to make sure new construction doesn't harm the environment. Because of this law, it became very difficult to build on the lots in Pacific Shores. This protection has kept the area mostly wild and natural.

Location and Geography

Pacific Shores is located in Del Norte County. This county is in the very northern part of California, close to the border with Oregon. The community is right by the Pacific Ocean, which is why it's called "Pacific Shores." Being only 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level means it's very close to the water's edge.

kids search engine
Pacific Shores, California Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.