Here’s how to plan a trip to Gilroy, California.
Your nose will tell you.
The scent of fresh garlic, as you pass field upon field of growing plants, is unmistakable.
Mural in Gilroy, California.Credit:Scott Strazzante/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
But there will also be other indicators that youre nearing somewhere special.
(The Central Valley as a whole provides about25 percent of the U.S.s produce.)
When I first moved there, I was thinking, Wow, my neighbor is an amazing chef.
Amusement park ride in Gilroy Gardens.Courtesy of Gilroy Gardens
It’s just that the aroma of Gilroy really is garlic.
The city leans into that agricultural legacy.
The citys most famous attraction, Gilroy Gardens, is a theme park with a distinctly farm-grown vibe.
Nature trail in Gilroy, California.Sundry Photography/Getty Images
Other Things to Do
Sundry Photography/Getty Images
Go hiking or horseback riding in Mt.
There’s a fantastic hiking trail system over Mt.
Madonna, Mailman said.
Courtesy of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Explore historic downtown Gilroy.
The revitalized city center has historic buildings and gorgeous murals tucked away in side streets telling the citys story.
Travel the Road to Garlic.
Exterior of The Old City Hall Restaurant in Gilroy, California.Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Taste through the Santa Clara Valley wineries.
TheSanta Clara wine mapwill guide you on your tasting journey.
Enjoy the local bounty.
Shop for locally-grown fruits and vegetables or grab some baked goods.
Its Californian-Italian restaurant Il Vigneto ages its own meats.
Hilton Garden Inn Gilroy has king and double queen hotel rooms and offers free parking and free Wi-Fi.
The hotel also has an on-site restaurant.
The extensive menu serves a mix of elevated comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Although it has a charming, small-town feel, its close to a lot of marquee locations.
