Nicasio, California
Encyclopedia
Nicasio is a census-designated place
in Marin County
, California
. It is located 8 miles (13 km) west-southwest of Novato
, at an elevation of 194 feet (59 m). The population was 96 at the 2010 census.
Nicasio (ni-kash'-oh, or ni-cah'-see-oh) is a contiguous area of unincorporated land in west Marin County. The Nicasio region encompasses approximately 25,000 acres (100 km²) and has no legally defined political boundaries. Geographically it is a hydrologic zone containing the four main drainages of Nicasio Creek up to the ridgelines defining their basin. This includes: the south fork of Nicasio Creek
extending from Moon Hill, along the ridge separating Nicasio from San Geronimo
and Samuel P. Taylor parks, and extending northwest towards the northern end of Platform Bridge Road; the east fork of Nicasio Creek extending from Loma Alta and the ridge on the north side of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
, extending up through Big Rock and up towards Big-Rock Ridge; the Halleck Creek drainage, up to the ridges separating Nicasio from Lucas Valley
and Novato
; the northern drainages extending along the ridgelines of Rocky Ridge, Hicks Mountain and Black Mountain.
A major landmark in the area is the man-made Nicasio Reservoir
. Nicasio is scenically very attractive with forested and open ridgelines surrounding a wide rolling valley. The area along Lucas Valley Road follows a narrow valley with mostly forested hillsides above it. Oak, bay, and fir trees are common in the area, and along some of the creeks stands of redwoods are still found. Wildlife is abundant. Three main roads cross the area: Lucas Valley Road, Nicasio Valley Road, and the Point Reyes-Petaluma Road. Important pieces of public land in the surrounding area include Point Reyes National Seashore
, portions of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
, and Samuel P. Taylor State Park
.
Within the Nicasio area are about 250 homes located on approximately 350 parcels. Much of the land is still used for agricultural purposes including beef and dairy cattle grazing, small-scale truck farming (including organic farming), and the raising of forage. Several small vineyards have also been recently established. Next to Rancho Nicasio within the town of Nicasio is an organic farm, AllStar Organics, owned and operated by Janet Brown and Marty Jacobson; Janet is the vice-president of Marin Organic, Marin County's non-profit organic association. Just north of Nicasio Reservoir is Fairlea Ranch, http://www.fairlealonghorns.com/, where pedigree longhorn cattle are raised. The most significant non-agricultural business within Nicasio is George Lucas
’ Skywalker Ranch
, a part of Lucasfilm
Ltd. Population estimates for the area range from about 600 to about 900 people. According to a 2004 Forbes Magazine real estate survey, Nicasio is the 23rd most expensive zip code in the US.
Centrally located in this area is the small village of Nicasio itself. The village is in area code 415
. The town center has a post office (zip code 94946), a general store, a tiny real estate office, St. Mary’s Church (established in 1867), a baseball field located in the town square, Rancho Nicasio, which is a bar/restaurant/live music establishment, a Druid's Hall, as well as a number of private homes. The town was founded in the early 19th century to support local agricultural, timber, and fishing activities. The town once boasted the twenty-two room Hotel Nicasio, which opened in 1867 but burned down in December 1940. Just north of town on Nicasio Valley Road is a beautiful red-painted one-room schoolhouse that opened in 1871. The building is currently a listed historical landmark. The Nicasio post office opened in 1871, closed in 1899, and re-opened in 1900.
A detailed history of the region was published in 2008. The book is titled: Nicasio; The Historic Valley at the Center of Marin, and was written by Dewey Livingston. It is available from the Nicasio Historical Society, P.O. Box 111, Nicasio, CA, 94946.
was 73.6 people per square mile (28.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.9% White and 2.1% African American. 7.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The Census reported that 100% of the population lived in households.
There were 35 households, out of which 15 (42.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 19 (54.3%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 6 (17.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 3 (8.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2 (5.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6 households (17.1%) were made up of individuals and 4 (11.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74. There were 28 families
(80.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.07.
The population was spread out with 28 people (29.2%) under the age of 18, 5 people (5.2%) aged 18 to 24, 21 people (21.9%) aged 25 to 44, 29 people (30.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 13 people (13.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years. For every 100 females there were 113.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
There were 41 housing units at an average density of 31.4 per square mile (12.1/km²), of which 80.0% were owner-occupied, and 20.0% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%. 81.3% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 18.8% lived in rental housing units.
Nicasio is located in the 3rd Senate
District, represented by Democrat
Mark Leno
, and in the 6th Assembly
District, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman
. Federally, Nicasio is located in California's 6th congressional district
, represented by Democrat Lynn Woolsey
.
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 Marin County
Marin County, California
Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2010, the population was 252,409. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is well...
, 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 is located 8 miles (13 km) west-southwest of Novato
Novato, California
Novato is a city located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level . The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about ...
, at an elevation of 194 feet (59 m). The population was 96 at the 2010 census.
Nicasio (ni-kash'-oh, or ni-cah'-see-oh) is a contiguous area of unincorporated land in west Marin County. The Nicasio region encompasses approximately 25,000 acres (100 km²) and has no legally defined political boundaries. Geographically it is a hydrologic zone containing the four main drainages of Nicasio Creek up to the ridgelines defining their basin. This includes: the south fork of Nicasio Creek
Nicasio Creek
Nicasio Creek is an stream in Marin County, California, United States which feeds into Lagunitas Creek. The Nicasio Reservoir, formed in 1961 by Seeger Dam, is located on this stream.-Course:...
extending from Moon Hill, along the ridge separating Nicasio from San Geronimo
San Geronimo, California
San Geronimo is a census-designated place located in the San Geronimo Valley in Marin County, California in the United States. San Geronimo is located southwest of downtown Novato, at an elevation of 292 feet...
and Samuel P. Taylor parks, and extending northwest towards the northern end of Platform Bridge Road; the east fork of Nicasio Creek extending from Loma Alta and the ridge on the north side of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is an east–west arterial road in Marin County, California, running from just west of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to the trailhead for Point Reyes Lighthouse at the end of the Point Reyes Peninsula.It is named for the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, whose...
, extending up through Big Rock and up towards Big-Rock Ridge; the Halleck Creek drainage, up to the ridges separating Nicasio from Lucas Valley
Lucas Valley
Lucas Valley is a valley in Marin County, California, drained by Nicasio Creek.Lucas Valley Road traverses the length of the valley, linking it to Gallinas Valley to the east and Nicasio Valley to the west...
and Novato
Novato, California
Novato is a city located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level . The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about ...
; the northern drainages extending along the ridgelines of Rocky Ridge, Hicks Mountain and Black Mountain.
A major landmark in the area is the man-made Nicasio Reservoir
Nicasio Reservoir
Nicasio Reservoir is a shallow, man-made reservoir in the Nicasio Valley region of Marin County, California, United States. It covers and sits in a drainage basin. It was created by the construction of Seeger Dam on the Nicasio Creek in 1961...
. Nicasio is scenically very attractive with forested and open ridgelines surrounding a wide rolling valley. The area along Lucas Valley Road follows a narrow valley with mostly forested hillsides above it. Oak, bay, and fir trees are common in the area, and along some of the creeks stands of redwoods are still found. Wildlife is abundant. Three main roads cross the area: Lucas Valley Road, Nicasio Valley Road, and the Point Reyes-Petaluma Road. Important pieces of public land in the surrounding area include Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore is a park preserve located on the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, California, USA. As a national seashore, it is maintained by the US National Park Service as a nationally important nature preserve within which existing agricultural uses are allowed to continue...
, portions of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a U.S. National Recreation Area administered by the National Park Service that surrounds the San Francisco Bay area. It is one of the most visited units of the National Park system in the United States, with over 13 million visitors a year...
, and Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Samuel P. Taylor State Park is a state park located in Marin County, California. It contains approximately of redwood and grassland. The park contains about of old-growth forest, some of which can be seen along the Pioneer Tree Trail.-History:...
.
Within the Nicasio area are about 250 homes located on approximately 350 parcels. Much of the land is still used for agricultural purposes including beef and dairy cattle grazing, small-scale truck farming (including organic farming), and the raising of forage. Several small vineyards have also been recently established. Next to Rancho Nicasio within the town of Nicasio is an organic farm, AllStar Organics, owned and operated by Janet Brown and Marty Jacobson; Janet is the vice-president of Marin Organic, Marin County's non-profit organic association. Just north of Nicasio Reservoir is Fairlea Ranch, http://www.fairlealonghorns.com/, where pedigree longhorn cattle are raised. The most significant non-agricultural business within Nicasio is George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
’ Skywalker Ranch
Skywalker Ranch
Skywalker Ranch is the name of the workplace of film director and producer George Lucas. It is located in a secluded, but open area near Nicasio, California, in Marin County. The ranch is located on Lucas Valley Road, although Lucas is not related to the road's namesake, who was a...
, a part of Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm Limited is an American film production company founded by George Lucas in 1971, based in San Francisco, California. Lucas is the company's current chairman and CEO, and Micheline Chau is the president and COO....
Ltd. Population estimates for the area range from about 600 to about 900 people. According to a 2004 Forbes Magazine real estate survey, Nicasio is the 23rd most expensive zip code in the US.
Centrally located in this area is the small village of Nicasio itself. The village is in area code 415
Area code 415
North American Area code 415 is the Californian telephone area code for San Francisco and its northern suburbs .-History:415 was one of the original three area codes in California, established in 1947...
. The town center has a post office (zip code 94946), a general store, a tiny real estate office, St. Mary’s Church (established in 1867), a baseball field located in the town square, Rancho Nicasio, which is a bar/restaurant/live music establishment, a Druid's Hall, as well as a number of private homes. The town was founded in the early 19th century to support local agricultural, timber, and fishing activities. The town once boasted the twenty-two room Hotel Nicasio, which opened in 1867 but burned down in December 1940. Just north of town on Nicasio Valley Road is a beautiful red-painted one-room schoolhouse that opened in 1871. The building is currently a listed historical landmark. The Nicasio post office opened in 1871, closed in 1899, and re-opened in 1900.
A detailed history of the region was published in 2008. The book is titled: Nicasio; The Historic Valley at the Center of Marin, and was written by Dewey Livingston. It is available from the Nicasio Historical Society, P.O. Box 111, Nicasio, CA, 94946.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Nicasio had a population of 96. 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 73.6 people per square mile (28.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.9% White and 2.1% African American. 7.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The Census reported that 100% of the population lived in households.
There were 35 households, out of which 15 (42.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 19 (54.3%) 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, 6 (17.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 3 (8.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2 (5.7%) 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 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6 households (17.1%) were made up of individuals and 4 (11.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74. There were 28 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...
(80.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.07.
The population was spread out with 28 people (29.2%) under the age of 18, 5 people (5.2%) aged 18 to 24, 21 people (21.9%) aged 25 to 44, 29 people (30.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 13 people (13.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years. For every 100 females there were 113.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
There were 41 housing units at an average density of 31.4 per square mile (12.1/km²), of which 80.0% were owner-occupied, and 20.0% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%. 81.3% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 18.8% lived in rental housing units.
Notable residents
- José CalistroJosé CalistroJosé Calistro was the last chief of the Coast Miwok community who resided at Rancho Nicasio, which was once a Native American rancho that stretched from present-day Nicasio, California to Tomales Bay....
- Jerry GarciaJerry GarciaJerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...
, guitarist for the Grateful Dead, at time of his death in August 1995 - Peggy RathmannPeggy RathmannMargaret Crosby "Peggy" Rathmann is an award-winning American author and illustrator.She was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota. Her first book, Ruby the Copycat, earned Ms. Rathmann the "Most Promising New Author" distinction in Publishers Weekly's 1991...
, writer of Caldecott MedalCaldecott MedalThe Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children , a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year. The award was named in honor of nineteenth-century English...
-winning Officer Buckle and GloriaOfficer Buckle and GloriaOfficer Buckle and Gloria is the name of the 1995 picture book by Peggy Rathmann that won the 1996 Caldecott Medal.-Plot Summary:A rather boring police officer named Officer Buckle is assigned to take a police dog named Gloria to his safety speech at the local school. Until that time, whenever... - George LucasGeorge LucasGeorge Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
Filming location
- The People (1972), made-for-TV movie starring William Shatner. Locations include St. Mary's Church and the town square.
- Shoot the MoonShoot the MoonShoot the Moon is the title of the fourth album by singer-songwriter Judie Tzuke, released in April 1982. It was Tzuke's first album for Chrysalis Records, after leaving Elton John's label Rocket Records...
(1982), starring Albert Finney and Diane Keaton. - Village of the DamnedVillage of the Damned (1995 film)John Carpenter's Village of the Damned is a 1995 science fiction-horror film directed by John Carpenter. It is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name which is based on the novel The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham. The 1995 remake is set in the United States, while the book and original film...
(1995), locations including Nicasio School and homes and regions in Nicasio.
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...
Nicasio is located in the 3rd 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...
Mark Leno
Mark Leno
Mark Leno is an American politician, representing California's 3rd Senate district, which includes parts of San Francisco and Sonoma County, as well as the entirety of Marin County. He was elected in 2008 and is the first openly gay man to serve in the Senate...
, and in the 6th 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 Jared Huffman
Jared Huffman
Jared Huffman is the assemblyman for California's 6th State Assembly district, which includes all of Marin and southern Sonoma counties...
. Federally, Nicasio is located in California's 6th congressional district
California's 6th congressional district
California's 6th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California that stretches up the Pacific coast north of the San Francisco Bay...
, represented by Democrat Lynn Woolsey
Lynn Woolsey
Lynn C. Woolsey is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes all of Marin County and most of Sonoma County. She is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and its co-chair...
.