Orinda, California

Orinda is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 17,643 at the 2010 census, and was estimated in 2019 to have increased to 19,926.[8] In 2012, Forbes ranked Orinda the second-friendliest town in America.[9] The city is just east of Berkeley and is home to many affluent suburban professionals who commute to larger cities in the Bay Area such as Oakland, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek. Its location provides a more rustic landscape, and its many parks and trails make it a destination for Bay Area hikers and naturalists.

City of Orinda
City
The hills of Orinda
Location in Contra Costa County and the state of California
City of Orinda
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 37°52′58″N 122°10′47″W
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyContra Costa
IncorporatedJuly 1, 1985[1]
Government
 • MayorInga Miller[2]
 • State SenatorSteve Glazer (D)[3]
 • State AssemblyRebecca Bauer-Kahan (D)[4]
 • U. S. CongressMark DeSaulnier (D)[5]
Area
 • Total12.87 sq mi (33.33 km2)
 • Land12.85 sq mi (33.29 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)  0.12%
Elevation
495 ft (151 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total17,643
 • Estimate 
(2019)[7]
19,926
 • Density1,550.42/sq mi (598.64/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
94563
Area code(s)925
FIPS code06-54232
GNIS feature IDs1659313, 2411334
Websitewww.cityoforinda.org

History

Orinda is located within four Mexican land grants: Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados, Rancho Acalanes, Rancho El Sobrante and Rancho Boca de la Cañada del Pinole. The area was originally rural, mainly known for ranching and summer cabins. The Moraga Adobe was built in 1841, and is the oldest building in the East Bay. In the late 19th century, the land was named by Alice Marsh Cameron, probably in honor of the poet Katherine Philips, who was also known as the "Matchless Orinda".[10]

In the 1880s, United States Surveyor General for California Theodore Wagner built an estate he named Orinda Park.[11] The Orinda Park post office opened in 1888.[11] The post office's name was changed to Orinda in 1895.[11] Orinda was also the site of Bryant Station, a stop on the failed California and Nevada Railroad around the turn of the 20th century. Later, the area around Bryant Station was known as Orinda Crossroads.[11]

Orinda's popularity as a year-round residence grew after the 1937 completion of the Caldecott Tunnel, which provided easier access to the west. Bisected by California State Route 24 and framed by its rolling oak-covered hills, the city of Orinda was incorporated on July 1, 1985. Its first mayor was Richard G. Heggie. The city has a station on the Antioch–SFO/Millbrae line of the Bay Area Rapid Transit.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.7 sq mi (33 km2), of which 12.7 sq mi (33 km2) of it is land and 0.015 sq mi (0.039 km2) of it (0.12%) is water.

Climate

The area is characterized by a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb) with cool, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. Because Orinda is located in a hilly area, microclimates often dominate temperature differences in short distances. The Oakland Hills often block the cool foggy conditions that can be seen in Oakland and the innerbay. In the summer, fog can spill over the Oakland hills, cooling off the area. Heatwaves from the inland areas can be felt much more in Orinda than in Oakland and the innerbay during the summer. In the winter, Orinda often sees more precipitation than surrounding areas because of its higher elevation. Snowfall is rare but not unheard of. A dusting of snow may occur in any given year because of the elevation. During stable conditions in the winter, mornings can be cold and frosty in downtown and lower-lying areas, while the higher hills surrounding the area may be several degrees warmer.

Orinda, California
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
6
 
 
54
34
 
 
4.9
 
 
59
37
 
 
4.3
 
 
61
38
 
 
2.2
 
 
68
42
 
 
1.2
 
 
71
46
 
 
0.2
 
 
77
49
 
 
0
 
 
82
52
 
 
0.1
 
 
81
51
 
 
0.4
 
 
83
50
 
 
1.9
 
 
75
44
 
 
3.2
 
 
65
38
 
 
6.2
 
 
56
36
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Climate data for Orinda Bowman, California (1944–1960)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 69
(21)		 76
(24)		 84
(29)		 88
(31)		 100
(38)		 103
(39)		 107
(42)		 109
(43)		 110
(43)		 101
(38)		 87
(31)		 77
(25)		 110
(43)
Average high °F (°C) 54
(12)		 59
(15)		 61
(16)		 68
(20)		 71
(22)		 77
(25)		 82
(28)		 81
(27)		 83
(28)		 75
(24)		 65
(18)		 56
(13)		 69
(21)
Average low °F (°C) 34
(1)		 37
(3)		 38
(3)		 42
(6)		 46
(8)		 49
(9)		 52
(11)		 51
(11)		 50
(10)		 44
(7)		 38
(3)		 36
(2)		 43
(6)
Record low °F (°C) 15
(−9)		 18
(−8)		 23
(−5)		 28
(−2)		 32
(0)		 35
(2)		 42
(6)		 40
(4)		 32
(0)		 26
(−3)		 22
(−6)		 19
(−7)		 15
(−9)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.99
(152)		 4.86
(123)		 4.31
(109)		 2.16
(55)		 1.22
(31)		 0.18
(4.6)		 0.02
(0.51)		 0.05
(1.3)		 0.41
(10)		 1.85
(47)		 3.24
(82)		 6.24
(158)		 30.53
(773.41)
Average rainy days 11 9 10 5 4 1 0 1 1 4 7 11 64
Source: Western Regional Climate Center[12][13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19605,568—
19706,79021.9%
198016,825147.8%
199016,642−1.1%
200017,5995.8%
201017,6430.3%
2019 (est.)19,926[7]12.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

The 2010 United States Census[15] reported that Orinda had a population of 17,643, The population density was 1,389.5 people per square mile (536.5/km2), The racial makeup of Orinda was 14,533 (82.4%) White-American, 149 (0.8%) African American, 22 (0.1%) Native American, 2,016 (11.4%) Asian-American, 24 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 122 (0.7%) from other races, and 777 (4.4%) from two or more races, Hispanic or Latino of any race were 807 persons (4.6%),

The Census reported that 17,600 people (99.8% of the population) lived in households, 6 (>0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 37 (0.2%) were institutionalized.

There were 6,553 households, out of which 2,361 (36.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,673 (71.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 370 (5.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 159 (2.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 138 (2.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 58 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships, 1,127 households (17.2%) were made up of individuals, and 695 (10.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69. There were 5,202 families (79.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.03.

The population was spread out, with 4,512 people (25.6%) under the age of 18, 729 people (4.1%) aged 18 to 24, 2,741 people (15.5%) aged 25 to 44, 6,111 people (34.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,550 people (20.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

There were 6,804 housing units, at an average density of 535.8 per square mile (206.9/km2), of which 6,553 were occupied, of which 5,876 (89.7%) were owner-occupied, and 677 (10.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.2%. 16,010 people (90.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,590 people (9.0%) lived in rental housing units.

Politics

As of February 10, 2019, Orinda has 14,020 registered voters, with 6,692 (47.7%) registered as Democrats, 3,176 (22.7%) registered as Republicans, and 3,662 (26.1%) decline to state voters.[16]

Education

Public K–12

Orinda has four public elementary schools: Sleepy Hollow Elementary, Wagner Ranch Elementary, Glorietta Elementary and Del Rey Elementary. Orinda Intermediate School is the only middle school. Together, these five schools make up the Orinda Union School District. The town's only high school, Miramonte High School, is a part of the Acalanes Union High School District.

Both districts are noted for their academic excellence. Each is the highest-ranked in California in its category according to the state Academic Performance Index (API).[17],[18] Miramonte High School also has strong athletic teams and has produced NFL players Ken Dorsey, Drew Bennett and Bryan Barker, as well as several Olympians, like women's waterpolo player Heather Petri. Miramonte consistently has a graduation rate of 99%–100%. The community support for education allows the high school to attract and retain very qualified teachers. The annual average teacher salary for the district is $74,135.[19] The average principal salary for the district is $130,819.[19]

Private K–12

Orinda is home to three private educational establishments: Orinda Academy, Holden High School, and Fountainhead Montessori School. Of these, two (OA & Holden) are private high schools, while Fountainhead Montessori School services kindergarten through fifth grade.

Public libraries

The Contra Costa County Library has a branch in Orinda.

Sports, recreation, and the arts
The Orinda Theatre at night

Film festivals

In 2002, Orinda began hosting the Orinda Film Festival, an annual regional film festival at the Orinda Theatre managed by Randy Holleschau. In 2005, actor William Hurt attended the festival to promote the film The Blue Butterfly, in which he played a leading role. The festival was last held in 2005. The theater's bright lights are visible for miles at night.

In August 2009, the California Independent Film Festival announced it would make the Orinda Theatre its new home.[20] CIFF held its first event in Orinda on September 18, 2009, a screening of The Birds attended by actress Tippi Hedren. The 12th Annual CIFF was the first time it was held in Orinda, opening on April 22, 2010.

The California Shakespeare Theater

The internationally known California Shakespeare Theater (a.k.a. "Cal Shakes") performs from June to October at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater on land leased from EBMUD in the hills north of Highway 24. The Theater's conservatory operates year-round, featuring programs for children, teenagers, young actors, teachers and adults. The artistic director is Jonathan Moscone, son of the late San Francisco mayor.

Swimming and water polo

Several Orinda summer-league swim teams compete for a championship cup in mid-August every year. Over 2,000 individual swimmers typically participate. Orinda is also home to the popular year-round swim team Orinda Aquatics. Orinda has raised numerous competitive swimmers, and waterpolo players from Orinda have gone on to compete for major colleges and in the Olympics. Notables include Kirk Everist '86 (US Olympic Team '92 and '96), Heather Petri '96 (Gold: 2012 Olympics; Silver: 2000 Olympics, 2008 Olympics; Bronze: 2004 Olympics), and Michael Sharf (NCAA All-American, 2007 US National Team Member).

Tilden Regional Park

Orinda borders Tilden Regional Park, a 2,079-acre (841 ha) park that contains hiking trails, a golf course, Lake Anza and a Merry Go Round. The park is accessible via the Wildcat Canyon Road exit off of Camino Pablo (when traveling west).

Notable people

Neighboring cities

See also
  •  San Francisco Bay Area portal

References
  1. "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on October 17, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  2. "City Council". The City of Orinda. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  3. "Senators". State of California. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  4. "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  5. "California's 11th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  6. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  9. Brennan, Morgan. "Orinda, CA - pg.3". Forbes.
  10. History of Orinda, Orinda Historical Society
  11. Durham, David L. (November 1998). "Part Five - San Francisco Bay Region". California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Word Dancer Press. p. 676. ISBN 978-1-884995-14-9. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  12. "ORINDA BOWMAN, CALIFORNIA Period of Record General Climate Summary - Temperature". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  13. "ORINDA BOWMAN, CALIFORNIA Period of Record General Climate Summary - Precipitation". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Orinda city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  16. https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ror/ror-odd-year-2019/politicalsub.pdf
  17. "Achievement - Test Scores". Orinda Union School District. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
  18. "AHUSD Ranks First in California". Acalanes Union High School District. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
  19. "2010‐11 School Accountability Report Card". Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  20. "CIFF Newsletter". Caiff.org. 2009-08-19.
  21. Martin, Douglas (August 3, 2001). "Poul Anderson, Science Fiction Novelist, Dies at 74". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  22. Richards, Sam (2010-07-08). "John Hampton, co-founder of Toys for Tots, dies at 103". Contra Costa Times. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  23. Michael Steven Green. "Hans Kelsen and the Logic of Legal Systems". Scholarship.law.wm.edu. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  24. Daniels, Lee a (24 September 1992). "William P. Mott Jr. Is Dead at 82; Directed the National Park Service". Nytimes.com.
  25. "Nicolle Wallace » About Nicolle". Nicollewallace.com. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
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