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El Granada - Real Estate
(The Banana Belt)

2005 Average Home Sales Price: $847,300*
Population: 6,185**
3.5 miles North of the Town of Half Moon Bay

The area of El Granada was developed at the direction of the Ocean Shore Railroad in 1906 to be its showplace. They hired the renowned Daniel Burnham, Chicago architect, city planner and the designer of the 1893 Columbian Exposition, to design and showcase the real estate of El Granada. However, the area was first settled by the Ohlone Indian tribe that arrived around 500 AD and the Spanish Missions and Land Grants in the 1800's.

The El Granada was laid out in grand avenues of concentric circles to match the curve of the Half Moon Bay coastside. Hundreds of thousands of trees were planted and curbs and concrete sidewalks were in place by 1907, improving the real estate potential. Building lots were offered for sale from $250 to $600. The original name was Granada (changed from Balboa) and the "El" was added by the postal service in 1909.

One of the three micro-climates on the coastside, El Granada real estate has more sunshine, less wind and fog than Montara/Moss Beach to the north and the town of Half Moon Bay to the south. Thus the name "the banana belt." Ocean Shore Railroad expected casinos, hotels and bathing pavilions to line the coast. However the grand real estate dream was not meant to be, although El Granada still has its charm even today.

Part of this grand real estate development included the Hotel El Granada. Beginning business in 1908 with rooms for $2.00 per day and a large ballroom it was the towns first commercial business. During prohibition the hotel gained notoriety as a speakeasy and later on a dormitory for a local girls camp. Fire destroyed the hotel May 25, 1954. Look for the two steps that remain near the existing plaque in "downtown El Granada."

*Source: San Mateo Board Of Realtors
**Population based on zip code 94018 2000 census

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