Go to Gilroy, California

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

A metropolis of slightly below 60,000 individuals, 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 offers about 25 p.c of the U.S.’s produce.) “Once 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, instructed Journey + Leisure. “It took me a couple of week to determine that she wasn’t cooking this glorious Italian meals. It is simply that the aroma of Gilroy actually is garlic.”

Town leans into that agricultural legacy. Gilroy’s historic downtown is filled 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 crops, it’s now a theme park devoted to the native bounty. Earlier than you ask: Sure, there’s a garlic experience, 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 filled with lush gardens, with waterfalls spilling into lagoons and unusually stunning bushes — some with trunks grown into intricate patterns — casting blissful shade on walkways under. However make no mistake: Whereas there’s positively a botanical component to the park, it’s additionally filled with rides, lots of that are regionally themed. Some are simple and enjoyable, just like the Strawberry Sundae, the place company climb into large strawberry-shaped swings that glide round in a delicate 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 experience autos.

Some are extra thrilling, just like the Quicksilver Categorical Mine Coaster, which has a experience queue adorned with historic photos and tidbits in regards to the space’s mining historical past, and the Banana Break up, an infinite 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 Large Peach”–sized bulbs of garlic and switch a central publish 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 experience actually does provide you with an excellent spin. Different highlights embrace a water splash pad space, duck paddle boats, and, after all, essentially the most intensely flavored garlic fries you’ll ever eat.

Different Issues to Do

Go mountaineering or horseback driving in Mt. Madonna County Park.

“There is a implausible mountaineering 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 lovely murals tucked away in facet streets telling the 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. For those who can’t get sufficient historical past, cease by the Gilroy Museum, housed within the authentic 1910 library, to see how the 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 the town indicators — so after all, there are a number of methods to immerse all of your senses in it. Go to Gilroy compiled a Street to Garlic: an inventory of the eating places, farm stands, and meals retailers the place you possibly can expertise garlic in all its kinds, together with desserts.

Style by way of the Santa Clara Valley wineries.

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

Benefit from the native bounty.

Gilroy has an extended, virtually 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 selection 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 Accommodations

The Finest Western Forest Park Inn is an inexpensive possibility with fire rooms and a big pool with a scorching tub. Hilton Backyard Inn Gilroy has king and double queen resort rooms and gives free parking and free Wi-Fi. The resort additionally has an on-site restaurant. Gilroy’s Hampton Inn & Suites gives king and double queen resort 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 every little thing has garlic in it, however among 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 the town.

Previous Metropolis Corridor Restaurant

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

Tacos Ameca

There may be a lot wonderful Mexican meals in Gilroy that the town has its personal taco path, however Tacos Ameca is so well-liked that it has two areas on Monterey Street. The open kitchen churns out grilled meats and contemporary tortillas by the a whole bunch, 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 may arrive by Caltrain, however Gilroy is the southernmost terminus of the system and solely has service throughout commuter hours on weekdays. For those who do select public transportation, when you’re in Gilroy, the historic downtown is definitely walkable, together with the 1918 practice 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 an enthralling, small-town really feel, it’s near a number of marquee areas.  “One of many issues I believe is de facto uncommon is it has this unbelievable entry to Silicon Valley, and but it is actually an agricultural neighborhood,” Mailman mentioned.