Editing Point Arena, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Redirect|Puntas Arenas|other uses|Punta Arenas (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Point Arena
| official_name      = 
| settlement_type    = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
| image_skyline      = Point Arena Lighthouse August 2019.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Point Arena and [[Point Arena Light|its lighthouse]]
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = Mendocino_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Point_Arena_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location in Mendocino County and California
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|California}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in California|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Mendocino County, California|Mendocino]]
| government_type    = [[Council–manager]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Anna Dobbins <ref name="pointarena.ca.gov">{{cite web |title=City Council |url=https://pointarena.ca.gov/government/city-council/ |publisher=Point Arena |accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref>
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date   = July 11, 1908<ref>{{Cite web
 |url         = http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc
 |title       = California Cities by Incorporation Date
 |format      = Word
 |publisher   = California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s
 |access-date  = August 25, 2014
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc
 |archive-date = November 3, 2014
}}</ref>
<!-- Area------------------>| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web |title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_06.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=July 28, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.36
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.36
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 0
| area_note          = 
| elevation_m        = 36
| elevation_ft       = 118
| coordinates        = {{coord|38|54|32|N|123|41|35|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis>{{gnis|1659411}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0657876&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Point Arena city, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=July 28, 2022}}</ref>
| population_total   = 460
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 337.0
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| timezone           = [[Pacific Standard Time|PST]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 95468
| area_code          = [[Area code 707|707]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 06-57876
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = {{GNIS 4|1659411}}
| website            = {{URL|pointarena.ca.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Point Arena''', formerly known as '''Punta Arena''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "Sandy Point")<ref name=gnis /> is a small coastal city in [[Mendocino County, California]], United States. Point Arena is located {{convert|32|mi|km|0}} west of [[Hopland, California|Hopland]],<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|124}}</ref> at an elevation of {{convert|118|ft|m}}.<ref name=gnis /> The population was 460 at the 2020 census,<ref name="Census 2020"/> making it one of the smallest incorporated cities in the state.

Its main street is part of [[California State Route 1|State Route 1]], California's coastal artery. Along with a number of other Mendocino County coastal communities, Point Arena was associated with the [[hippie]] and subsequent [[counterculture]] groups. The economy is largely geared toward serving the summertime tourist industry. The city is near the headquarters of the tribal lands of the [[Manchester Band of Pomo Indians of the Manchester Rancheria]] and adjacent to the recently formed [[Point Arena-Stornetta]] Public Lands National Monument. Hiking trails with coastal prairie and ocean views can be accessed from Point Arena City Hall. At [[Arena Cove Historic District]] and pier, huge oceanfront bluffs show the power of the interface of tectonic plates.

== History ==

The first European to record Point Arena was Spaniard [[Bartolomé Ferrer]] in 1543, who named it ''Cabo de Fortunas'' ("cape of fortunes"). The cape was renamed to ''Punta Delgado'' (narrow point) in 1775 by lieutenant [[Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra]] (commander of the [[schooner]] ''Sonora''), part of a royal expedition chartered by the government of Mexico to map the north coast of [[Alta California]]. Later the point, and the small harbor town south of it, were called ''Barra de Arena'' (i.e. sandbar) and finally ''Punta Arena'' (literally "sand point").

The Punta Arena post office opened in 1858, and was renamed Point Arena in 1889.<ref name=CGN /> The first store at Point Arena opened in 1859.<ref name=CGN /> Point Arena incorporated in 1908.<ref name=CGN />

In 1886, Nellie Welch, an 11-year-old girl, was appointed lead operator and had full charge of the [[telegraph]] office in Point Arena.<ref name="jespen">{{cite book |title=My Sisters Telegraphic: Women in the Telegraph Office, 1846-1950 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bcBUk9LPR0sC&pg=PA60 |first=Thomas C. |last=Jepsen |publisher=Ohio University Press |year=2000 |page=60 |access-date=January 27, 2020|isbn = 9780821413432}}</ref><ref name="abc_clio">{{cite book |title=The Industrial Revolution in America |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QcoM7w3nKfcC&pg=PA105 |first1=Kevin |last1=Hillstrom |first2=Laurie Collier |last2=Hillstrom |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2007 |page=105 |access-date=January 27, 2020|isbn = 9781851097197}}</ref><ref name="telecom_digest">{{cite web |title=19th Century Telegraphers |url=http://telecom-digest.org/archives/history/19th-century-telegraphers |first=Jim |last=Haynes |publisher=[[Telecom Digest]] |date=October 14, 1992 |access-date=January 27, 2020 }}</ref> Operators like [[Western Union]] often hired women because they were cheaper labor than the men.<ref name="telecom_digest" />

The Point Arena Cable Station is located in nearby Manchester. Built in 1956 by [[AT&T Corporation]], the cable station serves as the eastern terminus of several [[Submarine communications cable|undersea cables]], including the [[Japan-US (cable system)|Japan-US Cable Network]] and connections to [[Hawaii]] and Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.privateline.com/cablestation/index.html |title=Cable Station Life |publisher=Privateline.com |access-date=July 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523021821/http://www.privateline.com/cablestation/index.html |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Ocean cable measurements of the tsunami signal from the 1992 Cape Mendocino earthquake|date=April 25, 1992 |doi=10.1007/BF00874376 |bibcode=1995PApGe.144..427T |volume=144 |issue=3–4 |journal=Pure and Applied Geophysics |pages=427–440 |last1=Thomson |first1=D. J. |last2=Lanzerotti |first2=L. J. |last3=MacLennan |first3=C. G. |last4=Medford |first4=L. V. |s2cid=128978523 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecentraloffice.com/Microwave/NMW/PARNCA/PARNCA01.htm |title=Point Arena Cable Station |publisher=Thecentraloffice.com |access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref> In 2002, AT&T applied for a permit from the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] to connect an existing [[fiber optic]] conduit to the cable station, since further construction would cause incidental damage to the habitat of the endangered Point Arena [[mountain beaver]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-SPECIES/2002/August/Day-26/e21603.htm |title=Incidental Take Permit and Habitat Conservation Plan for AT&T Corporation&#124; Federal Register Environmental Documents &#124; USEPA |publisher=Epa.gov |access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref>

== Geography ==
The city of Point Arena is located in southwestern Mendocino County at {{coord|38|54|32|N|123|41|35|W|type:city}}.<ref name=gnis /> Its [[ZIP Code]] is 95468. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.4|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/>

[[File:Aerial photo of Point Arena Cove on June 5 2002 photo by Jinx McCombs.png|thumb|This photograph of Arena Cove was taken from a small plane flying along the coast.]]

The city is built around Arena Cove, a small natural harbor, and is about {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} south of the actual Point Arena, a narrow peninsula jutting {{convert|0.3|mi|km}} into the [[Pacific Ocean]]. This is the location of the [[Point Arena Light]], at {{convert|115|ft|m}} the tallest lighthouse on the west coast of the United States. The lighthouse is the closest location on the mainland (excluding [[Alaska]]) to [[Honolulu]], Hawaii, at a distance of {{convert|2353|mi|km}}.

Via [[California State Route 1]], Point Arena is {{convert|5|mi|0}} south of [[Manchester, California|Manchester]] and {{convert|10|mi|0}} north of [[Anchor Bay, California|Anchor Bay]]. [[Boonville, California|Boonville]] is {{convert|29|mi}} to the east across the [[California Coast Ranges]] via Mountain View Road, and [[Ukiah, California|Ukiah]], the Mendocino [[county seat]], is {{convert|50|mi}} to the east.

==Climate==
Point Arena has cool, wet winters and mild, relatively dry summers. According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, it has a cool-summer [[Mediterranean climate]]. The average January temperatures are a maximum of {{convert|56.4|F|C}} and a minimum of {{convert|40.2|F|C}}.  The average July temperatures are a maximum of {{convert|65.2|F|C}} and a minimum of {{convert|49.9|F|C}}.  There are an average of only 0.3 days with highs of {{convert|90|F|C}} or higher and an average of 14.1 days with lows of {{convert|32|F|C}} or lower.  The record high temperature was {{convert|95|F|C}} on August 12, 1947, and September 28, 1966.  The record low temperature was {{convert|22|F|C}} on January 21, 1962.

Average annual precipitation is {{convert|41.28|in|mm}}.  There are an average of 83 days with measurable precipitation.  The wettest year was 1983 with {{convert|83.34|in|mm}} and the driest year was 1976 with {{convert|21.23|in|mm}}.  The most precipitation in one month was {{convert|21.99|in|mm}}.  The most precipitation in 24 hours was {{convert|5.09|in|mm}} on January 24, 1944.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca7009 |title=Point Arena, California – Climate Summary |publisher=Wrcc.dri.edu |access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Point Arena
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 76
| Feb record high F = 80
| Mar record high F = 79
| Apr record high F = 83
| May record high F = 83
| Jun record high F = 85
| Jul record high F = 89
| Aug record high F = 95
| Sep record high F = 90
| Oct record high F = 92
| Nov record high F = 79
| Dec record high F = 74
| Jan high F = 56.4
| Feb high F = 57.2
| Mar high F = 57.8
| Apr high F = 59.1
| May high F = 61.1
| Jun high F = 63.0
| Jul high F = 65.2
| Aug high F = 65.7
| Sep high F = 66.7
| Oct high F = 64.9
| Nov high F = 60.7
| Dec high F = 57.2
| year high F = 61.3
| Jan low F = 40.2
| Feb low F = 42.0
| Mar low F = 42.4
| Apr low F = 43.1
| May low F = 46.0
| Jun low F = 48.6
| Jul low F = 49.9
| Aug low F = 50.5
| Sep low F = 49.8
| Oct low F = 47.2
| Nov low F = 43.3
| Dec low F = 41.4
| year low F = 45.4
| Jan record low F = 22
| Feb record low F = 25
| Mar record low F = 26
| Apr record low F = 28
| May record low F = 30
| Jun record low F = 34
| Jul record low F = 38
| Aug record low F = 38
| Sep record low F = 33
| Oct record low F = 28
| Nov record low F = 25
| Dec record low F = 24
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 7.73
| Feb precipitation inch = 6.89
| Mar precipitation inch = 5.55
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.94
| May precipitation inch = 0.93
| Jun precipitation inch = 0.29
| Jul precipitation inch = 0.12
| Aug precipitation inch = 0.3
| Sep precipitation inch = 0.72
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.91
| Nov precipitation inch = 5.65
| Dec precipitation inch = 7.26
| year precipitation inch = 41.28
| Jan precipitation days = 12
| Feb precipitation days = 12
| Mar precipitation days = 12
| Apr precipitation days = 7
| May precipitation days = 5
| Jun precipitation days = 2
| Jul precipitation days = 1
| Aug precipitation days = 1
| Sep precipitation days = 3
| Oct precipitation days = 6
| Nov precipitation days = 10
| Dec precipitation days = 12

|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca7009 |title=Point Arena, California (047009) |access-date=November 18, 2015 |publisher=Western Regional Climate Center }}</ref>
|date=November 2015
}}

==Geology==
[[File:Point Arena from Stormetta.JPG|thumb|Point Arena pier and cove from [[California Coastal National Monument|Stornetta Public Lands]]]]
The [[San Andreas Fault]] runs out to sea at Alder Creek near Manchester, about {{convert|6|mi|0}} north of Point Arena. The [[1906 San Francisco earthquake]] was strongly felt at Point Arena and irreparably damaged the Point Arena Lighthouse, which was then torn down and rebuilt.

==Ecology==
{{see also|Northern California coastal forests}}
A variety of fauna and flora occur in the Point Arena area which is a range demarcation for occurrence of some species. For example, the [[California giant salamander]] occurs to the south while the [[Pacific giant salamander]] occurs to the north.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Good |first1=D. A. |title=Hybridization and cryptic species in ''Dicamptodon'' (Caudata: Dicamptodontidae). |journal=Evolution |date=1989 |volume=43 |issue=4 |pages=728–744 |doi=10.1111/j.1558-5646.1989.tb05172.x |pmid=28564189 |publisher=The Society for the Study of Evolution |language=en|doi-access= }}</ref>  It is also the type locality for the Point Arena [[mountain beaver]], ''Aplodontia rufa nigra'', which is federally listed under the [[Endangered Species Act]] as endangered, and is considered a mammalian species of special concern by the State of California.<ref>{{cite web |title=Point Arena Mountain Beaver Aplodontia rufa nigra |url=https://www.fws.gov/arcata/es/mammals/mtnBeaver/mtnbeaver.html |website=AFWO |publisher=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Arcata Office |access-date=July 10, 2019}}</ref> According to the [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]], the habitat for this subspecies of mountain beaver lies only within a {{convert|24|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} area around Point Arena. The biggest threat to the PAMB is loss of habitat, and it was officially listed as an [[endangered species]] on December 12, 1991. Much local folklore revolves around this mysterious creature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fws.gov/arcata/es/mammals/mtnBeaver/mtnbeaver.html |title=Point Arena Mountain Beaver Species Profile |publisher=Fws.gov |access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref>

The [[Point Arena State Marine Reserve & Point Arena State Marine Conservation Area]] are two [[marine protected area]]s that extend offshore from Point Arena. [[Sea Lion Cove State Marine Conservation Area]] and [[Saunders Reef State Marine Conservation Area]] lie south of Point Arena. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.

Sound levels in Point Arena are relatively quiet, with many locations at night-time dominated by natural sounds, such as those of the surf. The firm of Earth Metrics Inc., who prepared the ''Noise Element of the Point Arena General Plan'', found that, even considering the presence of logging trucks on main city streets, composite sound levels rarely exceed 55 L<sub>eq</sub>.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111005061541/http://www.cityofpointarena.com/General%20Plan-LCP/General%20Plan/08-Noise%20TR.pdf ''Noise Element of the Point Arena General Plan '', Earth Metrics Inc]}}</ref> The maximum acceptable sound level specified in that General Plan Element is 60 [[Sound level meter#LAT or Leq: Equivalent continuous sound level|L<sub>eq</sub>]] for residential areas.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
|1880= 198
|1890= 709
|1910= 497
|1920= 394
|1930= 385
|1940= 374
|1950= 372
|1960= 596
|1970= 424
|1980= 425
|1990= 407
|2000= 474
|2010= 449
|2020= 460
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Point Arena Mercantile CA.JPG|thumb|Downtown and the Point Arena Mercantile, 2012]]
[[File:Groshen House Point Arena CA.JPG|thumb|Groshen House, Point Arena 2012]]

===2010===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] Point Arena had a population of 449. The population density was {{convert|332.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Point Arena was 305 (67.9%) White, 2 (0.4%) African American, 1 (0.2%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 118 (26.3%) from other races, and 23 (5.1%) from two or more races.  Hispanic or Latino of any race were 150 people (33.4%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0657876|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715032536/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0657876|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Point Arena city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref>

The whole population lived in households, no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one was institutionalized.

There were 192 households, 57 (29.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 62 (32.3%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 25 (13.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 13 (6.8%) had a male householder with no wife present.  There were 20 (10.4%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 3 (1.6%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 71 households (37.0%) were one person and 28 (14.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34.  There were 100 families (52.1% of households); the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 112 people (24.9%) under the age of 18, 31 people (6.9%) aged 18 to 24, 116 people (25.8%) aged 25 to 44, 132 people (29.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 58 people (12.9%) who were 65 or older.  The median age was 40.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.8 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

There were 225 housing units at an average density of 166.7 per square mile, of the occupied units 87 (45.3%) were owner-occupied and 105 (54.7%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%.  189 people (42.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 260 people (57.9%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 474 people in 191 households, including 109 families, in the city.  The population density was {{convert|348.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 218 housing units at an average density of {{convert|160.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 73.63% White, 1.05% African American, 3.80% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 18.78% from other races, and 2.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.48%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

Of the 191 households 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 32.5% of households were one person and 8.4% were one person aged 65 or older.  The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.30.

The age distribution was 32.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% 65 or older.  The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.7 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.5 males.

The median [[income]] for a household in the city was $27,083, and the median family income  was $32,885. Males had a median income of $21,042 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,591.  About 24.1% of families and 26.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 36.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The city has three high schools: [[Point Arena High School]], South Coast Continuation High School, and the Pacific Community Charter High School. Students are allowed to cross-enroll and take courses at both the Point Arena High and Charter High schools, granting Point Arena students access to a broad curriculum from which to choose. Several feeder schools bring students through grammar school before sending them to Point Arena High School or the Charter School, meaning that the schools draw from a large pool of students in southern Mendocino and northern Sonoma counties.

==Government==
Point Arena is governed by an elected five-member [[city council]] which includes the mayor.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cityofpointarena.net/#!city--council/cg4s |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112605/http://www.cityofpointarena.net/#!city--council/cg4s |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title = City Council|publisher=City of Point Arena |access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>

In the [[California State Legislature|state legislature]], Point Arena is in {{Representative|casd|2|fmt=sdistrict}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators |title=Senators |access-date=March 10, 2013 |publisher=State of California}}</ref> and {{Representative|caad|2|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |title=Members Assembly |access-date=March 2, 2013 |publisher=State of California}}</ref>

Federally, Point Arena is in {{Representative|cacd|2|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|2|access-date=March 1, 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Point Arena Hot Springs]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikivoyage|Point Arena}}
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Cities of Mendocino County, California}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in California]]
[[Category:Cities in Mendocino County, California]]