San Benancio, California: Difference between revisions

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Coordinates: 36°34′10″N 121°42′31″W / 36.569439°N 121.708529°W / 36.569439; -121.708529
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{{Multiple issues|
{{Citations needed|date=October 2023}}
{{Original research|date=October 2023}}
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{{Short description|Unincorporated community in California, United States}}

{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
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<!--See the Table at Infobox settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info ---------------->
<!-- Basic info ---------------->
|name = San Benancio
| name = San Benancio
|other_name =
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| settlement_type = [[Unincorporated area|Unincorporated community]]
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|settlement_type =[[Unincorporated area|Unincorporated community]]
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| pushpin_map = California
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| pushpin_label_position = bottom
|pushpin_map =California
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location in California
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|pushpin_label_position =bottom
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|pushpin_map_caption =Location in California
<!-- Location ------------------>
<!-- Location ------------------>
| coordinates = {{coord|36.569439|-121.708529|format=dms|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates_region =US-CA
|subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name =[[United States]]
| subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = [[California]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[California]]
|subdivision_type2 =County
| subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = [[Monterey County, California|Monterey County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Monterey County, California|Monterey County]]
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<!-- Politics ----------------->
|subdivision_type3 =
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| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date = 1834
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|<!-- Politics ----------------->
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| elevation_m = 69
|established_title = <!-- Settled -->
|established_date = 1834
| elevation_ft = 226
|latd=36|latm=34|lats=12|latNS=N|
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|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis>{{gnis|1873397}}</ref>
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'''San Benancio''' is an [[unincorporated area|unincorporated community]] in [[Monterey County, California|Monterey County]], [[California]].<ref name=gnis /> It is located in the San Benancio Canyon.
'''San Benancio''' is an [[unincorporated area|unincorporated community]] in [[Monterey County, California|Monterey County]], [[California]]. It is located in the San Benancio Canyon.


==History and etymology==
==History and etymology==
The region was named for San Benancio Gulch which is the small canyon that forms the majority of the region. A map dated 1834 lists the region as “Canada de San Benancio”. The Spanish name most likely refers to one of four Saints venerated with the name Venantius. The region was settled, originally by Spaniards
The region was named for San Benancio Gulch which is the small canyon that forms the majority of the region. A map dated 1834 lists the region as "Canada de San Benancio". The [[Spanish language|Spanish]] name most likely refers to one of four [[saints]] venerated with the name [[Venantius (disambiguation)|Venantius]].


San Benancio was the inspiration for "Las Pasturas del Cielo" the fictional setting in [[John Steinbeck]]’s “Pastures of Heaven”. A Salinas native, Steinbeck spent time in his youth within San Benancio specifically “Castle Rock” near the base of the Canyon and accurately described the region in “Pastures of Heaven”:
San Benancio was the inspiration for "Las Pasturas del Cielo," the fictional setting in [[John Steinbeck]]’s ''[[Pastures of Heaven]]''. A Salinas native, Steinbeck spent time in his youth within San Benancio, specifically Castle Rock near the base of the Canyon, and accurately described the region in ''Pastures of Heaven'': {{blockquote|text=... he saw a long valley floored with green pasturage on which a herd of deer browsed. Perfect live oaks in the meadow of the lovely place, and the hills hugged it jealously against the fog and wind.}}
“. . . he saw—a long valley floored with green pasturage on which a herd of deer browsed. Perfect live oaks in the meadow of the lovely place, and the hills hugged it jealously against the fog and wind.”


==Geography and climate==
==Geography and climate==
While it has no official boundaries, and addresses bear Salinas as the city, the colloquial place name “San Benancio” refers to homes and businesses residing on or directly reached by San Benancio Road. This includes the [[Ambler Park, California|Ambler Park]] and Harper Canyon regions found along the road.
While it has no official boundaries the colloquial place-name “San Benancio” refers to homes and businesses residing on or directly reached by San Benancio Road. This includes the [[Ambler Park, California|Ambler Park]] and [[Harper Canyon]] regions found along the road.


The road itself is located along the Monterey-Salinas highway (Highway 68) approximately 5 miles from Salinas and 15 miles from Monterey. The land falls under the jurisdiction of the Corral di Tierra Oaks Subdivision of Monterey County.
The road itself is located along the Monterey-Salinas highway ([[California State Route 68]]) roughly equidistant from Salinas and Monterey.


The walls of San Benancio Canyon have an elevation of 400&nbsp;ft and run adjacent to Toro Creek, a small tributary to the Salinas River which is located 4 miles south. The canyon is home to a number of California Live Oak Trees and various types of wild sage brush and grass.
The walls of San Benancio Canyon have an elevation of 400&nbsp;ft and run adjacent to [[Toro Creek]], a small tributary to the Salinas River which is located 4 miles south. The canyon is home to a number of [[Quercus agrifolia|California Live Oak Trees]] and various types of wild [[Artemisia tridentata|sage brush]] and grass.


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The canyon is home to a wide array of wildlife as well including [[deer]], [[hawks]], [[condors]], [[feral pig|wild pigs]], California quail and a large population of [[wild turkeys]].
San Benancio enjoys the relatively warm climate of Salinas Valley most of the year, but can experience very low temperatures (for the area) during the winter. Its location within a small canyon engenders the area to late sunrises and early sunsets, but the high hills around the area shelter the homes from winds and San Benancio can often be found at a much higher temperature than urban Salinas on warm days.


==Government==
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The canyon is home to a wide array of wildlife as well including deer, hawks, condors, wild pigs, and a large population of wild turkeys, which, at their own peril, traverse San Benancio Road in the early mornings.
At the county level, San Benancio is represented on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors by [[Dave Potter (politician)|Supervisor Dave Potter]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Monterey County Supervisorial District 5 Map (North District 5)|url=http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/cob/sup_maps/district5-1.pdf|publisher=County of Monterey|access-date=21 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701050525/http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/cob/sup_maps/district5-1.pdf|archive-date=1 July 2012}}</ref>


In the [[California State Senate]], San Benancio is in {{Representative|casd|17|fmt=sdistrict}}. In the [[California State Assembly]], it is split between {{Representative|caad|29|fmt=adistrict}}, and {{Representative|caad|30|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |title=Statewide Database |publisher=UC Regents |access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref>
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==Education and Recreation==
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San Benancio’s lone educational institution is [[San Benancio Middle School]] which serves a little over 300 students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The school was rated 9 out of 10 by the “Great Schools” website in 2007.


In the [[United States House of Representatives]], San Benancio is in {{Representative|cacd|19|fmt=district}}<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|19|accessdate=January 1, 2023}}</ref>
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The region is also served by Titus Park, a private Swim and Tennis club located along San Benancio Road. The pool remains open daily from June to September and hours are dictated by weather. The unique location of the club within the canyon walls makes for ideal pool weather during this time.

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==Education and recreation==
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San Benancio is served by the [[Washington Union School District]]. San Benancio Middle School which serves a little over 300 students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, is located in San Benancio. The school was rated 9 out of 10 by the “Great Schools” website in 2007.

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The region is also served by Titus Park, a private Swim and Tennis club located along San Benancio Road. The pool remains open daily from June to September and hours are dictated by weather.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
1. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=116:3:1083081856516542::NO::P3_FID,P3_TITLE:1954402%2CSan%20Benancio%20Canyon
* http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=116:3:1083081856516542::NO::P3_FID,P3_TITLE:1954402%2CSan%20Benancio%20Canyon
2. http://www.monterey.k12.ca.us/~sbenanci/sbms/sbms.html
* https://web.archive.org/web/20020206195628/http://www.monterey.k12.ca.us/~sbenanci/sbms/sbms.html
3. http://www.placenames.com/us/p1873397/


{{Monterey County, California}}
{{Monterey County, California}}


{{authority control}}
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[[Category:Populated places in Monterey County, California]]

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[[Category:Unincorporated communities in Monterey County, California]]
[[Category:Salinas Valley]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in California]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in California]]

Latest revision as of 20:44, 1 January 2024

San Benancio
Unincorporated community
San Benancio is located in California
San Benancio
San Benancio
Location in California
Coordinates: 36°34′10″N 121°42′31″W / 36.569439°N 121.708529°W / 36.569439; -121.708529
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyMonterey County
Elevation
226 ft (69 m)

San Benancio is an unincorporated community in Monterey County, California. It is located in the San Benancio Canyon.

History and etymology[edit]

The region was named for San Benancio Gulch which is the small canyon that forms the majority of the region. A map dated 1834 lists the region as "Canada de San Benancio". The Spanish name most likely refers to one of four saints venerated with the name Venantius.

San Benancio was the inspiration for "Las Pasturas del Cielo," the fictional setting in John Steinbeck’s Pastures of Heaven. A Salinas native, Steinbeck spent time in his youth within San Benancio, specifically Castle Rock near the base of the Canyon, and accurately described the region in Pastures of Heaven:

... he saw a long valley floored with green pasturage on which a herd of deer browsed. Perfect live oaks in the meadow of the lovely place, and the hills hugged it jealously against the fog and wind.

Geography and climate[edit]

While it has no official boundaries the colloquial place-name “San Benancio” refers to homes and businesses residing on or directly reached by San Benancio Road. This includes the Ambler Park and Harper Canyon regions found along the road.

The road itself is located along the Monterey-Salinas highway (California State Route 68) roughly equidistant from Salinas and Monterey.

The walls of San Benancio Canyon have an elevation of 400 ft and run adjacent to Toro Creek, a small tributary to the Salinas River which is located 4 miles south. The canyon is home to a number of California Live Oak Trees and various types of wild sage brush and grass.

The canyon is home to a wide array of wildlife as well including deer, hawks, condors, wild pigs, California quail and a large population of wild turkeys.

Government[edit]

At the county level, San Benancio is represented on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors by Supervisor Dave Potter.[1]

In the California State Senate, San Benancio is in the 17th Senate District, represented by Democrat John Laird. In the California State Assembly, it is split between the 29th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Robert Rivas, and the 30th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Dawn Addis.[2]

In the United States House of Representatives, San Benancio is in California's 19th congressional district, represented by Democrat Jimmy Panetta[3]

Education and recreation[edit]

San Benancio is served by the Washington Union School District. San Benancio Middle School which serves a little over 300 students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, is located in San Benancio. The school was rated 9 out of 10 by the “Great Schools” website in 2007.

The region is also served by Titus Park, a private Swim and Tennis club located along San Benancio Road. The pool remains open daily from June to September and hours are dictated by weather.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Monterey County Supervisorial District 5 Map (North District 5)" (PDF). County of Monterey. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 1, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  2. ^ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "California's 19th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
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