Shelter Cove, California
Encyclopedia
Shelter Cove is a census-designated place
in Humboldt County
, California
. It lies at an elevation of 138 feet (42 m). Shelter Cove is on California's Lost Coast
. Lying where the King Range
meets the Pacific Ocean
, it is a principal population center in the Lost Coast region. A 9-hole golf course
surrounds the one-runway Shelter Cove Airport
at the center of Shelter Cove's commercial district. Utilities are provided by the Humboldt County Resort Improvement District #1 and boating access to the sea is managed by the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation & Conservation District
. The population was 693 at the 2010 census.
Shelter Cove shares a ZIP code (95589) with the hamlet of Whitethorn
, California, located to the southeast. The community is inside area code 707
. Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
is about 6 miles (10 km) south of Shelter Cove on the coast. There are also state parks such as Black Sands Beach, Mal Coombs Park, Seal Rock Picnic Area and Abalone Point. Much of the land around Shelter Cove belongs to the Kings Range National Conservation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management
. The nearest supermarket and other amenities not available in Shelter Cove are in the towns of Redway
and Garberville
in the U.S. 101 corridor, about twenty miles (32 km) of winding county roads to the east.
s known as the Sinkyone people.
Because of the very steep terrain on the coastal areas surrounding Shelter Cove, the highway builders constructing State Route 1
(the "Pacific Coast Highway") decided it was too difficult to build the coastal highway along a long stretch of what is now the Lost Coast. As a result, the small fishing village of Shelter Cove remained very secluded from the rest of the populous state, despite being only 230 miles (370.1 km) north of San Francisco, and is accessible by boat, via small mountain road, or by the small Shelter Cove Airport
.
As a result of its seclusion, the Shelter Cove area has become a popular spot for those seeking quiet vacation respite or retirement area. Popular activities in the area include fishing
, whale watching
, hiking, diving for abalone
, and other outdoor activities.
The Cape Mendocino Light
, a lighthouse
from Cape Mendocino
, was moved by helicopter to Mal Coombs Park in 1998 http://www.sheltercoveca.info/.
A post office operated at Shelter Cove from 1892 to 1933, moving in 1898.
was 118.9 people per square mile (45.9/km²). The racial makeup of Shelter Cove was 630 (90.9%) White, 3 (0.4%) African American, 5 (0.7%) Native American, 7 (1.0%) Asian, 1 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 13 (1.9%) from other races
, and 34 (4.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 47 persons (6.8%).
The Census reported that 693 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 348 households, out of which 76 (21.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 127 (36.5%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 28 (8.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 26 (7.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 47 (13.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 3 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 132 households (37.9%) were made up of individuals and 32 (9.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99. There were 181 families
(52.0% of all households); the average family size was 2.48.
The population was spread out with 118 people (17.0%) under the age of 18, 25 people (3.6%) aged 18 to 24, 214 people (30.9%) aged 25 to 44, 234 people (33.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 102 people (14.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females there were 118.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.6 males.
There were 631 housing units at an average density of 108.2 per square mile (41.8/km²), of which 248 (71.3%) were owner-occupied, and 100 (28.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 10.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 13.8%. 499 people (72.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 194 people (28.0%) lived in rental housing units.
Shelter Cove is located in the 2nd Senate
District, represented by Democrat
Noreen Evans
, and in the 1st Assembly
District, represented by Democrat Wesley Chesbro
. Federally, Shelter Cove is located in California's 1st congressional district
.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Humboldt County
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It lies at an elevation of 138 feet (42 m). Shelter Cove is on California's Lost Coast
Lost Coast
The Lost Coast is a mostly undeveloped section of the California North Coast in Mendocino and Humboldt Counties, which includes the King Range. It was named the "Lost Coast" after the area experienced depopulation in the 1930s...
. Lying where the King Range
King Range, California
The King Range is a mountain range located on the California North Coast entirely within Humboldt County. Part of the Northern Coast Ranges, the King Range runs parallel to the coast, and its western slopes fall steeply to the Pacific Ocean...
meets the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, it is a principal population center in the Lost Coast region. A 9-hole golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
surrounds the one-runway Shelter Cove Airport
Shelter Cove Airport
Shelter Cove Airport is a public airport located one mile west of Shelter Cove, serving Humboldt County, California, USA. This general aviation airport covers 50 acres and has one runway....
at the center of Shelter Cove's commercial district. Utilities are provided by the Humboldt County Resort Improvement District #1 and boating access to the sea is managed by the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation & Conservation District
Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation & Conservation District
The Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation & Conservation District, created in 1972 by local voters, manages the Port of Humboldt Bay, and the Port of Eureka, the primary city of the region, and much larger facilities on the shore of the adjacent peninsula, known as Samoa...
. The population was 693 at the 2010 census.
Shelter Cove shares a ZIP code (95589) with the hamlet of Whitethorn
Whitethorn, California
Whitethorn is an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California. It is located southwest of Garberville, at an elevation of 1024 feet . Whitethorn shares a zip code with Shelter Cove, California. It is located along California's Lost Coast...
, California, located to the southeast. The community is inside area code 707
Area code 707
North American area code 707 is a Californian telephone area code which covers Napa, Sebastopol, Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Fort Bragg, Crescent City, Eureka, Clearlake, Vacaville, Ukiah, and northwestern California. It was split from area code 415 on March 1, 1959...
. Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is a state park in Mendocino County, California. The wilderness area borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and the King Range National Conservation Area to the north. The nearest settlement is the unincorporated town of Leggett...
is about 6 miles (10 km) south of Shelter Cove on the coast. There are also state parks such as Black Sands Beach, Mal Coombs Park, Seal Rock Picnic Area and Abalone Point. Much of the land around Shelter Cove belongs to the Kings Range National Conservation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
. The nearest supermarket and other amenities not available in Shelter Cove are in the towns of Redway
Redway, California
Redway is a census-designated place in Humboldt County, California, United States. Redway is located northwest of Garberville, at an elevation of 538 feet...
and Garberville
Garberville, California
Garberville is a census-designated place in Humboldt County, California. It is located on the South Fork of the Eel River south-southeast of Eureka, at an elevation of 535 feet . The population was 913 at the 2010 United States Census...
in the U.S. 101 corridor, about twenty miles (32 km) of winding county roads to the east.
History
The area around Shelter Cove was originally home to Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
s known as the Sinkyone people.
Because of the very steep terrain on the coastal areas surrounding Shelter Cove, the highway builders constructing State Route 1
California State Route 1
State Route 1 , more often called Highway 1, is a state highway that runs along much of the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. It is famous for running along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, leading to its designation as an All-American Road.Highway 1 does not run...
(the "Pacific Coast Highway") decided it was too difficult to build the coastal highway along a long stretch of what is now the Lost Coast. As a result, the small fishing village of Shelter Cove remained very secluded from the rest of the populous state, despite being only 230 miles (370.1 km) north of San Francisco, and is accessible by boat, via small mountain road, or by the small Shelter Cove Airport
Shelter Cove Airport
Shelter Cove Airport is a public airport located one mile west of Shelter Cove, serving Humboldt County, California, USA. This general aviation airport covers 50 acres and has one runway....
.
As a result of its seclusion, the Shelter Cove area has become a popular spot for those seeking quiet vacation respite or retirement area. Popular activities in the area include fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, whale watching
Whale watching
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and other cetaceans in their natural habitat. Whales are watched most commonly for recreation but the activity can also serve scientific or educational purposes. A 2009 study, prepared for IFAW, estimated that 13 million people went whale watching...
, hiking, diving for abalone
Abalone
Abalone , from aulón, are small to very large-sized edible sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Haliotidae and the genus Haliotis...
, and other outdoor activities.
The Cape Mendocino Light
Cape Mendocino Light
Cape Mendocino Lighthouse is a lighthouse in California,United States, off Shelter Cove near Point Delgado, California. The tower had the highest focal plane at in the U.S....
, a lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
from Cape Mendocino
Cape Mendocino
Cape Mendocino located on the Lost Coast entirely within Humboldt County, California, USA, is the westernmost point on the coast of California. It has been a landmark since the 16th century when the Manila Galleons would reach the coast here following the prevailing westerlies all the way across...
, was moved by helicopter to Mal Coombs Park in 1998 http://www.sheltercoveca.info/.
A post office operated at Shelter Cove from 1892 to 1933, moving in 1898.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Shelter Cove had a population of 693. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 118.9 people per square mile (45.9/km²). The racial makeup of Shelter Cove was 630 (90.9%) White, 3 (0.4%) African American, 5 (0.7%) Native American, 7 (1.0%) Asian, 1 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 13 (1.9%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 34 (4.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 47 persons (6.8%).
The Census reported that 693 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 348 households, out of which 76 (21.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 127 (36.5%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 28 (8.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 26 (7.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 47 (13.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 3 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 132 households (37.9%) were made up of individuals and 32 (9.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99. There were 181 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(52.0% of all households); the average family size was 2.48.
The population was spread out with 118 people (17.0%) under the age of 18, 25 people (3.6%) aged 18 to 24, 214 people (30.9%) aged 25 to 44, 234 people (33.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 102 people (14.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females there were 118.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.6 males.
There were 631 housing units at an average density of 108.2 per square mile (41.8/km²), of which 248 (71.3%) were owner-occupied, and 100 (28.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 10.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 13.8%. 499 people (72.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 194 people (28.0%) lived in rental housing units.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Shelter Cove is located in the 2nd Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Noreen Evans
Noreen Evans
Noreen Evans is an American politician in the California State Senate. She is a Democrat representing the 2nd district, encompassing Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, and Napa counties, as well as parts of Sonoma and Solano counties....
, and in the 1st Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Democrat Wesley Chesbro
Wesley Chesbro
Wesley P. Chesbro is a Democratic politician from California. He is currently the Assembly member for the 1st Assembly district in California. Previously, Chesbro served as a State Senator from California's 2nd district from 1998 until 2006...
. Federally, Shelter Cove is located in California's 1st congressional district
California's 1st congressional district
California's 1st congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California and presently consists of the northern coastline and includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties and parts of Sonoma and Yolo counties.The district is currently...
.
External links
- Humboldt County Resort Improvement District #1
- Information on the Sinkyone peoples, California Coastal Conservancy
- Shelter Cove/Lost Coast Wilderness, Bureau of Land Management - US Dept. of the Interior.
- Lost Coast Connections at Shelter Cove