- Question: Why is Gilroy known as the world's garlic capital?
- Answer: Gilroy is sometimes called the world’s garlic capital. Located in the northern region of California, the city makes for an easy day out from the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Question: What attractions can visitors enjoy in Gilroy?
- Answer: Attractions include a family amusement park, several wineries, parks, and great restaurants.
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1. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Enjoy family-friendly rides, explore beautiful gardens and fun attractions.
The Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park boasts a number of rides and attractions throughout the amusement park designed for the entire family. Rides in the theme park include South County Backroads, the Gilroy Gardens railroad, and the Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster which is themed to resemble an abandoned local mine. There are also a few exhibits in the park, such as the Learning Sheds and the park’s collection of Circus Trees that have become famous throughout the world. The Gilroy Gardens also are home to six grand gardens featuring a variety of plants, as well as water play areas.
3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, Phone: 408-840-7100
2. Christmas Hill Park
Walk scenic trails, enjoy picnics and outdoor fun with family.
Christmas Hill Park, Gilroy, California is a community park that spans across fifty-one acres of southwestern Santa Clara County. The city-owned park offers trails for bicycling, hiking, and jogging. There are also soccer fields, softball/baseball diamonds, and several picnic areas. Adjoining the east side of the park is the Christmas Hill Park Ranch Site, which provide additional sport facilities and an environmental education center. The Christmas Hill Park is also the site of the city’s Garlic Festival every year.
7050 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020, Phone: 408-846-0460
3. Kirigin Cellars Winery
Savor handcrafted wines, enjoy peaceful vineyard views and tastings.
Kirigin Cellars Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the state of California. It has been a lasting part of the state’s wine country since the year 1016. Kirigin Cellars exudes old world charm with its Tuscan-style Clubhouse, wine-tasting areas, and old buildings. The winery maintains a tradition of providing old-fashioned hospitality and unpretentious, complimentary wine tasting experiences. The wines produced here are made in small batches with grapes grown on property. Eleven types of wine grapes are cultivated: Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Malvasia Bianca, and Pinot Grigio.
11550 Watsonville Rd, Gilroy,CA 95020, Phone: 408-847-8827
4. Satori Cellars
Taste bold wines, relax in a vibrant, colorful outdoor setting.
Fifteen acres of pampered, happy Santa Clara grapes surround the outdoor wine tasting cabana at Satori Cellars, which is open every weekend from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The main focus at the winery is estate-grown, award-winning reds. These include Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Merlot. Wine tastings feature four red wines and one white wine. Satori Cellars also offers wine by the glass, occasionally their own special-recipe, homemade sangria, and mimosas. The winery is group-friendly, family-friendly, kid-friendly, and dog-friendly. Visitors can relax and enjoy the laid back vibe with a picnic, wine, and more.
2100 Buena Vista Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020, Phone: 408-848-5823
5. Martin Ranch Winery
Enjoy Italian-inspired wines, admire scenic mountain views during tastings.
The Martin Ranch Winery on Redwood Retreat Road is home to seventeen acres of secluded vineyards in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyard today cultivates rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grapes and produces nearly ten thousand cases of wines under three award-winning wine labels: Thérèse Vineyards, Soulmate, and J.D. Hurley. Wine tastings are available at the winery on the first and third Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of the month.
6675 Redwood Retreat Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, Phone: 408-842-9197
6. Hecker Pass Winery
The Hecker Pass Winery is open to guests for wine tastings and exploring the vineyard seven days a week, from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Wine tastings offer visitors a chance to taste the winery’s devotion to producing fine Italian wines, and include a tasting of five different wines. These wines are traditional and stay true to the customs and practices of the Hecker Pass Winery’s viticulture ancestry. The winery is located far enough away from the city for guests to enjoy a tranquil country setting, but close enough to get back to town for a nice dinner.
4605 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, Phone: 408-842-8755
7. Fortino Winery
Savor classic wines, enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with historic charm.
The Fortino Winery was established back in the year 1970 after Marie and Ernest Fortino bought a vineyard that had already been growing grapes since the beginning of the 1930’s. Ernest Fortino was drawn to purchasing the vineyard due to the surrounding land being very reminiscent of Calabria, Italy, his hometown. Knowledgeable hosts in the Tasting Room guide visitors through a tasting of the winery’s handcrafted, award-winning wines, or guests can choose to simply buy a bottle of their favorite wines. It’s also likely that visitors may run into one of the members of the Fortino family.
4525 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, Phone: 408-842-3305
8. Solis Winery
Taste elegant wines, admire stunning vineyard views and warm hospitality.
The Solis Winery has been all about great wine for over one hundred years. All of the wines produced by Soli are made from grapes grown at the Vanni Estate Vineyard, located in the heart of California’s Santa Clara Valley, the oldest continuous wine growing area in the state. The tasting room offers visitors with a chance to try several of the winery’s quality wines. Guests can sip a glass of their favorite wine from the back porch at Solis Winery as they take in the beautiful views of the vineyard with the Gabilan Mountain Range in the background.
3920 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020, Phone: 408-847-6306
9. Sarah's Vineyard
Sip handcrafted wines, enjoy a romantic, relaxing vineyard experience.
Sarah's Vineyard is one of the most popular destinations for wine tasting in the Silicon Valley. Situated in the rural and scenic Hecker Pass region west of the city of Gilroy, the vineyard offers inviting hospitality combined with beautiful vineyards in a peaceful setting. The tasting room at Sarah’s Vineyard is open every day, and helpful staff are more than happy to introduce visitors to old favorites, new discoveries, and special products only available at the vineyard. The scenic property boasts amazing views, picnic area, a summer concert series, and bocce ball courts. Most wines produced here are made in small batches.
4005 Hecker Pass Rd, Gilroy, CA, 95020, Phone: 408-847-1947
10. Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
Hike scenic trails, enjoy camping and wildlife sightings.
The Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park is a 6,695-acre recreational area situated in the hills just outside of Gilroy. Among the features of the park is a 449-acre lake that is great for boating and fishing. Coyote Lake is known for its black bass population, along with Eurasian carp, black crappie, and bluegill. 219 different bird species have been spotted in the park, making it an ideal place for birdwatching. Visitors may also spot turkeys and black-tailed deer. The park also contains more than 33 miles of trails and 73 campsites for tents and RVs.
10840 Coyote Reservoir Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, Phone: 408-842-7800
| Best Time to Visit | Places to Stay | Tips for Visiting |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) – Mild weather and blooming wildflowers. | Hilton Garden Inn Gilroy – A comfortable stay with modern amenities. | Visit Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch Park – Enjoy scenic hikes and wildlife spotting. |
| Summer (June-August) – Warm and great for outdoor events. | Best Western Plus Forest Park Inn – A well-rated and convenient option. | Attend the Gilroy Garlic Festival – Experience delicious garlic-infused dishes and entertainment. |
| Fall (September-November) – Pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. | Hampton Inn & Suites Gilroy – A cozy stay near local attractions. | Explore Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park – A fun spot for families with rides and gardens. |
| Winter (December-February) – Cool but mild, great for a relaxed getaway. | Days Inn by Wyndham Gilroy – A budget-friendly and convenient choice. | Shop at Gilroy Premium Outlets – Find great deals on designer brands. |
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