Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
|
|
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a marine reserve on the Pacific Ocean, located just north of Pillar Point Harbor and Mavericks in the San Mateo County town of Moss Beach, California. Moss Beach is located approximately 20 miles south of San Francisco, California and 50 miles north of Santa Cruz, California.
History
The site of the current Fitzgerald Marine Reserve was originally settled by Native Americans approximately 5,800 years ago.
The explorer Gaspar de Portola was visited and was entertained as a guest by local Native Americans in the mid-18th century on the site.
In 1908, the Ocean Shore railroad extended through the town of Moss Beach, effectively creating the town as a tourist destination.
The site has long been a source of research and materials for marine biologists and collectors, so much so that, in 1969, San Mateo County urged the State of California to designate the site as a state reserve to protect the remaining flora and fauna. On August 5, 1969 the site was officially designated as a state reserve and was named after James V. Fitzgerald.
External links
- County of San Mateo website (http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/)
- County of San Mateo: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/smc/department/home/0,,5556687_12305999_12328451,00.html)