Methods to Go to Gilroy, California

As you drive towards Gilroy, you received’t want indicators to tell you that you just’re approaching the “Garlic Capital of the World.” Your nostril will let you know. The scent of recent garlic, as you move subject upon subject of rising vegetation, is unmistakable. However there may also be different indicators that you just’re nearing someplace particular. The roads into town are dotted with fruit stands, promoting berries picked that day, freshly baked pies, and produce — generally 10 avocados for $1 — that may make you wonder if you’re dreaming. Though town is known for its affiliation with the “stinking rose,” and there are some very uncommon methods to expertise garlic once you’re there, there’s much more to Gilroy than simply these bulbs.

A metropolis of slightly below 60,000 folks, Gilroy and its surrounding space develop over 100 million kilos of garlic yearly, about half of what America consumes. (The Central Valley as an entire supplies about 25 p.c of the U.S.’s produce.) “After I first moved there, I used to be pondering, ‘Wow, my neighbor is an incredible chef. The air exterior simply smells just like the cooking from her window,’” Erika Mailman, a journey journalist and former Gilroy resident, advised Journey + Leisure. “It took me a few week to determine that she wasn’t cooking this excellent Italian meals. It is simply that the aroma of Gilroy actually is garlic.”

Town leans into that agricultural legacy. Gilroy’s historic downtown is stuffed with murals and public artwork celebrating its greatest export and wonderful eating places serving up garlic for each meal. Town’s most well-known attraction, Gilroy Gardens, is a theme park with a distinctly farm-grown vibe. Initially began as a leisure space for locals to take pleasure in uncommon bushes and vegetation, it’s now a theme park devoted to the native bounty. Earlier than you ask: Sure, there’s a garlic journey, and sure, it’s as quirky and pleasant because it sounds.

Gilroy Gardens

A theme park that grew out of a love for inexperienced areas, Gilroy Gardens isn’t your common curler coasters-and-popcorn attraction. The park is stuffed with lush gardens, with waterfalls spilling into lagoons and unusually stunning bushes — some with trunks grown into intricate patterns — casting blissful shade on walkways beneath. However make no mistake: Whereas there’s undoubtedly a botanical ingredient to the park, it’s additionally filled with rides, a lot of that are domestically themed. Some are simple and enjoyable, just like the Strawberry Sundae, the place company climb into big strawberry-shaped swings that glide round in a mild circle, and South County Backroads, which permits little drivers to take a tour of the Santa Clara Valley because it was a century in the past in antique-looking journey automobiles.

Some are extra thrilling, just like the Quicksilver Categorical Mine Coaster, which has a journey queue adorned with historic photos and tidbits in regards to the space’s mining historical past, and the Banana Break up, an unlimited swinging banana that catapults riders excessive into the sky. Absolutely the spotlight, although, is the Garlic Twirl, the place riders climb into “James and the Big Peach”–sized bulbs of garlic and switch a central submit to make the bulb rotate because it twirls round on a big plate within the floor. Simply the pure kitsch issue would make it enjoyable, however the journey actually does offer you spin. Different highlights embrace a water splash pad space, duck paddle boats, and, in fact, probably the most intensely flavored garlic fries you’ll ever eat.

Different Issues to Do

Go mountain climbing or horseback driving in Mt. Madonna County Park.

“There is a incredible mountain climbing path system over Mt. Madonna,” Mailman mentioned. “It’s an superior day journey to go up there, hike, and get pie at Gizdich Ranch,” the place they’ve tables so that you can sit and benefit from the view as you eat your selfmade pie.

Discover historic downtown Gilroy.

The revitalized metropolis middle has historic buildings and beautiful murals tucked away in aspect streets telling town’s story. Vintage buying is particularly good downtown, with well-curated shops like Ashford’s Heirlooms (the household has owned a enterprise in that very same spot since 1951) and Garbo’s Antiques & Collectibles. In case you can’t get sufficient historical past, cease by the Gilroy Museum, housed within the unique 1910 library, to see how town was based and the way it turned so garlicky.

Journey the Street to Garlic.

Garlic is so deeply ingrained in Gilroy’s identification that there’s a bulb drawn into the “G” in Gilroy on all town indicators — so in fact, there are loads of methods to immerse all of your senses in it. Go to Gilroy compiled a Street to Garlic: a listing of the eating places, farm stands, and meals retailers the place you may expertise garlic in all its varieties, together with desserts.

Style by means of the Santa Clara Valley wineries.

Gilroy is a part of the Santa Clara Valley AVA, and there are lots of tasting rooms and vineyards inside metropolis limits, like Cinnabar Vineyard and L&M Winery, with extra simply exterior of town. The Santa Clara wine map will information you in your tasting journey.

Benefit from the native bounty.

Gilroy has an extended, nearly year-round rising season, and it’s simple to search out seasonal roadside fruit stands, particularly alongside main thoroughfares like Freeway 101 and State Route 152. Store for locally-grown vegetables and fruit or seize some baked items. If simply garlic bulbs alone received’t scratch the Gilroy itch, cease on the Garlic Shoppe or Garlic World; each have meals with near-infinite makes use of of garlic, from sauces, spices, oils, and rubs to ice cream.

Locations to Keep

CordeValle

Simply exterior of Gilroy in San Martin, CordeValle is a luxurious alternative for vacationers exploring the area. The property, subsequent door to a winery, has an 18-hole golf course and expansive views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its Californian-Italian restaurant Il Vigneto ages its personal meats.

Nationwide Chain Motels

The Finest Western Forest Park Inn is an inexpensive possibility with fire rooms and a big pool with a sizzling tub. Hilton Backyard Inn Gilroy has king and double queen lodge rooms and gives free parking and free Wi-Fi. The lodge additionally has an on-site restaurant. Gilroy’s Hampton Inn & Suites gives king and double queen lodge rooms and suites; all rooms have microwaves and fridges and embrace free parking, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast.

Locations to Eat

Garlic Metropolis Cafe

Garlic Metropolis Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; not all the pieces has garlic in it, however a number of the restaurant’s hottest signature dishes are cream of garlic soup, the Garlic Metropolis Burger (which comes topped with a dozen or so roasted garlic cloves), and actual, honest-to-goodness garlic ice cream, which is a signature providing of town.

Outdated Metropolis Corridor Restaurant

Housed in Gilroy’s former metropolis corridor constructing, Outdated Metropolis Corridor is an unmissable landmark on Monterey Street. The in depth menu serves a mixture of elevated consolation meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As you’d anticipate, there’s loads of locally-grown garlic in dishes like entire Gilroy roasted garlic with crostini, roasted garlic hen vegetable soup, and garlic citrus hen.

Tacos Ameca

There’s a lot wonderful Mexican meals in Gilroy that town has its personal taco path, however Tacos Ameca is so fashionable that it has two places on Monterey Street. The open kitchen churns out grilled meats and recent tortillas by the tons of, and the restaurant serves an outrageous michelada garnished with grilled shrimp.

Getting There

Gilroy is lower than an hour’s drive from San Jose Worldwide Airport (SJX) and about 90 minutes from San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO). You’ll be able to arrive by Caltrain, however Gilroy is the southernmost terminus of the system and solely has service throughout commuter hours on weekdays. In case you do select public transportation, when you’re in Gilroy, the historic downtown is definitely walkable, together with the 1918 prepare station.

Nevertheless, a part of the enjoyment of a Gilroy journey is simply getting within the automotive and exploring the close by mountains and Monterey Bay. Though it has a captivating, small-town really feel, it’s near loads of marquee places.  “One of many issues I believe is actually uncommon is it has this unbelievable entry to Silicon Valley, and but it is actually an agricultural group,” Mailman mentioned.