The Story
Few locals realize that there are only four deep water ports in the San Francisco Bay - Redwood City, San Francisco, Oakland and Stockton. Redwood City is historically quite important to the nautical past of the Bay. In the mid-1800's, Redwood City was a thriving seaport, jammed with sailing ships loading and unloading cargo, especially wood. The "Redwood Embarcadero" was the main wharf located at what is now Main and Broadway and was the center of activity for the city. In the past, Redwood City boasted twelve shipyards and produced sailing ships of substantial size.
In the 19th century, all the action was in the coastal mountains, with little development on the Bay except Redwood City. Lumber and shingles were milled and hauled by wagon to Redwood City. Crews worked in the mountains all week and came to Redwood City to carouse on the weekends, before returning to the mountains on Monday. It was bars, boats and brothels. Shipyards were located along Redwood Creek and its two arms, as well as many wharves for loading and unloading goods.
Redwood City has a rich and interesting maritime history. This makes it all the more fitting that Redwood City's Westpoint Slough area becomes the site of a world-class marina and boatyard facility.
