About San Ardo CDP, California
San Ardo is a census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States. The population was 1,646 at the 2010 census, up from 1,617 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Salinas Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The town’s name is derived from the Spanish words for Saint Andrew and Saint George, the patron saints of Spain.
San Ardo was founded in 1894 as a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The town originally served as a shipping point for cattle and other agricultural products.
In recent years, San Ardo has become known for its wines and olive oils. The climate and soils of the region are well-suited for these crops, and several wineries and olive oil producers have set up operations in or near the town.