city, seat (1856) of San Mateo county, California, U.S. It lies on the western shore of San Francisco Bay, at the mouth of Redwood Creek, 25 miles (40 km) south of San Francisco. Originally inhabited by Ohlone Indians, the area in 1800 became part of a Spanish land grant called Rancho de las Pulgas (Spanish: “Ranch of the Fleas”). It was an early port and had shipbuilding, lumber, and tannery industries. The city was laid out in 1854 by Simon M. Mezes as Mezesville and was later named (1867) for its redwood-timber business. Stimulated by modern deepwater harbour facilities, Redwood City's growth has corresponded with the development of the San Francisco Bay area; it is largely residential and commercial, with a small industrial base and a growing high-technology centre associated with Silicon Valley. The city is the seat of a community college (1968). Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located offshore. Inc. 1867. Pop. (1990) 66,072; (2000) 75,402.