In the early 1960s a new community began to form. Leslie Salt, Inc. acquired 1400+ acres and the unique area that was to become Redwood Shores had its beginning. The area needed a city to belong to. Both Belmont and San Carlos had no interest. Redwood City said, "Join us!"

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Leslie Salt, Inc. formed Leslie Salt Properties and the work began. Step one was  financing the project. Following in the path of Foster City, a general improvement district known as GID-1-1964 was established with the approval of the California Assembly.

 

From 1966 to 1968 the initial improvements were constructed. On May 20, 1968, the City Council approved the final map for the first housing units. 156 single family homes and 38 attached residences were the beginning of this new and unique community.

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In the spring of 1971 negotiations began for new ownership of Redwood Shores. Mobil Oil Estates, LTD. acquired Redwood Shores on February 29, 1973. At that time there were 570 existing housing units. A new master plan blended housing and commercial projects and was adopted in 1975. The 200 acre lagoon system was soon to be realized.

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The next few years involved the next building phase. Since then, the Redwood Shores real estate market has really grown. In the late 1980s and 90s, significant growth saw the development of several new housing projects.

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More recent community development projects have included the addition of new housing, Redwood Shores Elementary and the Redwood Shores Library.

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