Redwood Estates, California facts for kids
Redwood Estates is a small, quiet community nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. It's not a city but an "unincorporated area," meaning it's not part of a town or city government. Instead, it's managed by Santa Clara County.
This community is about eight miles from Los Gatos and nine miles from Scotts Valley. The area is known for its towering redwood trees and winding roads.
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Living in Redwood Estates
Redwood Estates is a peaceful place to live. Homes here look very different from each other. The roads are paved but narrow, twisting through the hills. You won't see many grassy lawns; instead, most yards are covered with soft redwood "duff" (fallen leaves and bark).
The area is very natural, with lots of trees and plants. You might even spot some poison oak, so it's good to know what it looks like! There aren't many sidewalks or storm drains, making it feel very much like a mountain retreat. The giant redwood trees are everywhere, and their roots sometimes even create natural bumps in the roads!
Local Businesses and Services
Even though it's a small community, Redwood Estates has a few important places:
- Nonnos Italian Cafe: A spot for delicious Italian food.
- Redwood Estates Store: A local shop for supplies.
- San Jose Water Co.: Helps provide water to the area.
- Santa Clara County Fire Department Redwood Station: Keeps the community safe from fires.
- Redwood Estates Post Office: A central spot for mail and a place where people often meet.
The main road through the area is State Route 17, which connects to other communities.
History of Redwood Estates
Redwood Estates has an interesting past connected to trains. Long ago, until the 1940s, a Southern Pacific Railroad line used to run through this area, connecting to Santa Cruz. This train line passed near a community called Holy City.
The railroad eventually closed because it was too expensive to keep up. During World War II, the entrances to three tunnels along this old rail line were even closed off. This was done to prevent any invading army from using them for cover.
Nearby Places to Explore
Redwood Estates is surrounded by other mountain communities. Some of these include Chemeketa Park, Aldercroft Heights, and Zayante.
There are also some "ghost towns" nearby, which are places where communities once thrived but are now mostly empty. These include Holy City and Wrights (also known as Wrights Station).
Moody Gulch Oil Field
North of Redwood Estates is an old, unused oil field called Moody Gulch oil field. It has about twenty old oil wells that have been sealed up. Some of these wellheads are even buried underground. This oil field is named after Moody Gulch, a small creek that flows into Los Gatos Creek.
Climate in Redwood Estates
Redwood Estates has a pleasant climate. Summers are warm but not too hot, and they are usually dry. The average temperature in the warmest month is below 71.6°F (22°C). This type of weather is called a "warm-summer Mediterranean climate" by scientists.
