June 8 marks the celebration of World Oceans Day, which reminds us that our actions upstream can have major impacts on our ocean resources. In honor of our relationship with the water, we are taking June to discuss oceans, bays and waterways. 
 
For many of us, this is the season for a refreshing trip to the shore – dipping our toes in the water, breathing in the salty ocean air and enjoying the view across the horizon. A day on the water is synonymous with summertime. But for the Port of Redwood City, this connection with the water is our daily experience. As a seaport, we were created for the purpose of developing our public waterways for the people of California. Every day of the year, we are involved with moving cargo, maintaining public recreational access, and supporting a cleaner and more sustainable waterfront.  
 
Cargo, of course, is at the heart of our mission and our Port connects us with a system of waterways that spans the globe. The Port of Redwood City enjoys an ideal location for maritime trade. Located on Redwood Creek Channel in South San Francisco Bay, we are 18 nautical miles south of San Francisco – making us the only deep-water port in the South San Francisco Bay. As Silicon Valley has grown into a major economic force, our Port has played an important part in building up the region as a gateway for construction materials. We are proud to have this essential role in our economy. 
 
We would not have a vibrant, sustainable and economically diverse port without the hard-working men and women who have built businesses on the water’s edge and dependent upon the water. From cargo trade to recreational boating services, our waterfront teems with activity – which translates to jobs, economic impact and a well-maintained waterway for the public. These businesses depend on the waterfront and waterways to survive, and they also believe in taking good care of our natural resources, maintaining and protecting them for generations to come.  
 
While this summer won’t be like any in recent memory, our Port is still operating and we as individuals can look forward to some of the pleasures of the season: a visit to the bay, a boat ride or a picnic with family. We look forward to welcoming you. 
  
Sincerely,
Kristine A. Zortman
Executive Director, Port of Redwood City 
Spotlight on Slag
What in the world is slag, and how is the Port of Redwood City involved in the circle of slag? The answers may surprise you! You can explore the sources, production and uses of slag – and how it travels the world’s waterways – in our handy new guide .
 
Slag is a byproduct of the steel-making process that has become a valuable construction material used in constructing roads and bridges right here in California. What role does our Port play? The Port of Redwood City is involved in both providing scrap metal used to make slag, AND in importing the finished product. Slag is a great example of a sustainable material made from materials that would otherwise go to waste – and our Port helps it move through the global supply and production chain. We’ve demystified the whole process with an easy-to-follow infographic  that will turn you into an expert on slag!  
Ready for the summer season
Our waterfront is ready to welcome you for summer fun in the sun!  
 
Currently, festivals and events are not being held due to the State of California’s COVID-19 public health orders, but there are plenty of activities that can be enjoyed with a small group of family or friends. With a full mile of waterfront public access, walkways and viewing areas, the Port of Redwood City provides parks with picnic areas, public art and water access for boating. Whether you look forward to fishing from the pier, boating or kayaking, we invite you to experience summer on the water. See a map of public amenities on our  Public Waterfront  page.  
Celebrating world ocean's day
Monday, June 8 is World Oceans Day, part of a global movement to celebrate, protect, and preserve Earth’s life support system. This is an opportunity to reflect on how our Port supports sustainability locally and across our 120 acres of waterfront property – eventually connecting to the Pacific Ocean.  
 
Through responsible and proactive environmental initiatives, the Port of Redwood City works closely with our maritime tenants to serve as environmental stewards of South San Francisco Bay. We are taking action in a multitude of ways to protect our waterways. One of those ways is the Port invests in dredging to remove sediment from our waterways. The dredged "mud" has an environmental value in resiliency efforts to protect, build, and restore wetlands and marshes. To learn more about dredging, read our fact sheet here.