Redwood Shores was built up from reclaimed land in the marshes of San Francisco Bay in the 1960s, much like its neighbor, Foster City, but the development almost never came to be. The owner of the land, the Leslie Salt Company, filled in soft ground known as "bay mud" formerly used for salt-evaporation ponds, but a significant controversy developed over fears of its susceptibility to serious earthquake damage because the area is between and close to the San Andreas and Hayward faults. The ensuing battle between various government agencies and business interests eventually put Leslie Salt out of business. As a result, Bank of America became the owner of the development in 1972. It was the home of the Marine World/Africa U.S.A., California park from the 1960s to 1986, when the park moved to Vallejo, California. The former location of Marine World has evolved into posh homes and townhomes, condominiums, apartments, parks, preserved land, and Silicon Valleybusiness parks and headquarters, including the headquarters of Oracle Corporation.
Geography
Redwood Shores is located roughly halfway between San Francisco and San Jose, and is bordered by Belmont and San Carlos to the southwest. Foster City lies to the northwest and Bair Island to the southeast; both are separated from Redwood Shores by sloughs. To the northeast is San Francisco Bay.
Climate
Demographics
According to Forbes magazine, Redwood Shores is placed on top of "America's Top Selling Luxury Neighborhoods in 2009".
Economy
Major technology companies maintain headquarters in Redwood Shores, among them Oracle Corporation, Imperva and Electronic Arts. The community also includes a branch of Ernst & Young, the headquarters of Relayware and a hotel.
The community of Redwood Shores is served by the Belmont - Redwood Shores School District which maintains the two schools located in Redwood Shores and 5 more schools in Belmont.
Wildlife
Pacific harbor seals have occasionally been spotted in the waterways/lagoons around Redwood Shores. The areas in and around the community are home to a variety of wildlife including raccoons, skunks, ducks, geese, egrets, great blue herons, clapper rails, harvest field mice, sting rays, jellyfish, and many other species. Canada geese pose a nuisance and the community is actively working on reducing their presence.
