Sunol
Sunol (formerly, Sunolglen) is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Alameda County, California, United States. The population was 1,332 at the 2000 census.
The small, rural town of Sunol located along Niles Canyon is well known for its historic railroad system, on which the tourist railroad Niles Canyon Railway makes an in-town stop and the Altamont Commuter Express passes en route to San Jose and the Central Valley.
History
The first Sunol post office opened in 1871 and the name was changed to Sunolglen the same year.[1] The name reverted to Sunol in 1920.[1] The town's name is in honor of Antonio Suñol, part owner of the historical Rancho Valle de San Jose land grant that once contained the site of the town.[1]
Geography
Sunol is located adjacent to two railroads and lies near the crossroads of Interstate 680 and State Route 84. These connect Sunol with Fremont to the south and west, Pleasanton to the north, and Livermore to the northeast. Sunol sits 17 miles (27 km) north the center of San Jose and 32 miles (51 km) southeast of San Francisco.
The town lies near Alameda Creek at the northwest edge of the Sunol Valley. The San Antonio Reservoir lies 3 miles (5 km) to Sunol's east, and the Calaveras Reservoir lies 8 miles (13 km) south of the town.
North of the town is the locale of Kilkare Woods, accessible only through Sunol.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Sunol CDP has a total area of 32.8 square miles (85.0 km²), of which, 32.8 square miles (85.0 km²) of it is land and 0.03% is water. |
