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.

Garlic Capital of the World mural off of Monterey Street at Fifth Street in historic downtown Gilroy, Calif.

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.

Ride at Gilroy Gardens

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.

Hiking trail in Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, Gilroy

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.

CordeValle, California

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.

The Old City Hall restaurant is seen on the corner of Sixth Street and Monterey Road in downtown Gilroy, Calif.

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.