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San Benancio | |
|---|---|
  San Benancio Location in California | |
| Coordinates:36°34′10″N121°42′31″W / 36.569439°N 121.708529°W /36.569439; -121.708529 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Monterey County |
| Established | 1834 |
| Elevation | 226 ft (69 m) |
San Benancio is anunincorporated community inMonterey County,California. It is located in the San Benancio Canyon.
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". TheSpanish name most likely refers to one of foursaints venerated with the nameVenantius.
San Benancio was the inspiration for "Las Pasturas del Cielo," the fictional setting inJohn Steinbeck’sPastures 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 inPastures 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.
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 theAmbler Park andHarper 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 toToro Creek, a small tributary to the Salinas River which is located 4 miles south. The canyon is home to a number ofCalifornia Live Oak Trees and various types of wildsage brush and grass.
The canyon is home to a wide array of wildlife as well includingdeer,hawks,condors,wild pigs, California quail and a large population ofwild turkeys.
At the county level, San Benancio is represented on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors by Supervisor Dave Potter.[1]
In theCalifornia State Senate, San Benancio is inthe 17th senatorial district, represented byDemocrat John Laird. In theCalifornia State Assembly, it is split betweenthe 29th Assembly district, represented byDemocrat Robert Rivas, andthe 30th Assembly district, represented byDemocrat Dawn Addis.[2]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, San Benancio is inCalifornia's 19th congressional district, represented byDemocrat Jimmy Panetta[3]
San Benancio is served by theWashington 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.
Municipalities and communities ofMonterey County, California,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities |
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| CCDs | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county | |
