You will have a good time with the most exciting things to do in Gilroy, the world’s garlic capital. It is a unique travel destination for families, couples, and garlic lovers.
This vibrant city happens to be one of the hidden treasures of Northern California, a place with wonders, festive celebrations, and an inviting community.
Gilroy is located near the bustling city of San Jose and is considered the southernmost city in the San Francisco Bay Area, even though its location is already nearer to Monterey Bay.
One of the characteristics of this town is that it has many sunny days and pleasant weather because of its setting. Another amazing thing to know about Gilroy is the excellent Scenery of its wineries and numerous vineyards that appear along the city’s outskirts.
The favorable and pleasant weather, coupled with the fertile soil of this town, makes them excel in agricultural activities.
So whether you’re a foodie, nature lover, or adventurer, you’ll have something to enjoy while visiting this charming destination.
Check out some of the top things to do in Gilroy:
Fun Things To Do In Gilroy
1. Go Fishing in Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park is a natural attraction that is easy to get to from Gilroy. It is on the hills east of the city.
This far-reaching objective covers 6,695 sections of land, with the immaculate Coyote Lake taking up 449.
This park has evolved into a haven for numerous native species of Northern California because of its unspoiled surroundings.
As a result, keep an eye out for the rare western pond turtle, the Bay checkerspot butterfly, the California tiger salamander, and the majestic bald eagle while you are exploring the trails.
Wildlife and world-class game, including bluegill, Eurasian crappie, and black bass, also abound in the lake.
Nonmotorized and mechanized watercraft are permitted, so you can board whichever you like for calculating ventures.
You can try mountain biking on the lake’s trails if you are not yet ready to get wet.
Address: 10840 Coyote Lake Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
2. Play Sports at Las Animas Park Veterans Park
Another community recreation facility dedicated to soldiers who have served our country is the picturesque Las Animas Park Veterans Park.
It is one of the largest green spaces in the city center, covering 31 acres, making it popular with people looking for a break from their hectic lives.
Additionally, numerous modern attractions and amenities enhance the visitor experience.
You can participate in games on the horseshoe pit, baseball diamond fields, and tennis courts. There is even a well-paved skatepark for those who enjoy shredding on the specific section’s ramps and rails.
However, there are picnic benches and shady spots with views of Llagas Creek if you prefer something more laid-back.
You can remain there as long as you like and enjoy the gurgling waters.
Address: Mantelli Dr, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
3. See Wildflowers at Hunting Hollow
A lesser-known attraction just outside Henry W. Coe State Park is the magnificent Hunting Hollow.
Coyote Creek, a branch of Coyote Lake, is the first creek to meet in this hiking area.
Hikers can travel to the ridges surrounding Hunting Hollow, a small, wooded valley, via one of two trails from here.
Because the slopes are typically covered in teeny-tiny or various colors of wildflowers during the spring, many people visit this location to take in the sights.
Ensure you get here before it gets too crowded because it is a magical sight few people have seen.
Address: Gilroy Hot Springs, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
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Things To Do In Gilroy At Night
1. Dance the Night Away at the Thursday Night Music Series
Each late spring, Gilroy celebrates music with the Thursday Night Music Series.
Locals and tourists alike attend this free event for a fun-filled night filled with performances by local and international artists. In addition, to live entertainment, a kid’s zone is available for your youngster’s enjoyment.
Bring your blankets and folding chairs so you can cuddle up as the sun sets. Or, if you’d rather, get ready to groove the night away with a partner. Join the Downtown Gilroy Thursday Night Music Series.
Address: Downtown Gilroy, CA, USA
2. Catch a Performance at Limelight Actors Theater
Limelight Actors Theater offers its supporters remarkable creations. They give a scope of engaging exhibitions in a comfortable supper club setting.
The audience is brought closer to the action thanks to its “thrust stage” configuration, which places just two tables deep on three sides of the stage.
Additionally, it has an advanced lighting system.
With its “Bring Your Own Dinner & Wine” or catering promotion, you and your companions can interact and enjoy the atmosphere while enjoying food and drink or ordering from a caterer.
It has additionally expanded the number of cocktails accessible to supplement your feast or night at the theater.
To give customers enough time to get there, purchase tickets, and eat or drink before the performance, the theater opens one and a half hours before curtain time.
Address: 7341 Monterey Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
3. Get Pampered at Lavender Luxury Day Spa
You will have the ultimate relaxation experience at Lavender Luxury Day Spa, which will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.
Spa packages and a wide range of treatments are available, and only the best natural ingredients are used during treatments.
Some offerings include manicures, facials, waxing, and aromatherapy treatments.
The owner is very nice alongside the staff, and the place is very clean and beautiful, with an impeccable ambiance to give you extra comfort. They also have great customer service.
Additionally, you can select from a selection of soothing massages, such as Swedish, deep tissue, and hot stone massages.
Address: 779 1st St, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
Things To Do In Gilroy For Couples
1. Sample Fine Drinks at Satori Cellars
Satori Cellars, a local business producing numerous award-winning wines, is among the most popular.
Their establishment is a riot of colors when you first walk in, which is part of the fun and friendly atmosphere that the owners have created.
While the vineyards themselves are awe-inspiring, their premium wines are the real treat.
You can sample their whites, merlots, cabernet francs, and other varieties by participating in a tasting tour.
After a few sips of these delicious drinks, you’ll be eager to bring a few bottles home.
Address: 2100 Buena Vista Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
2. Go Hiking at Debell Uvas Creek Preserve
The beautiful Debell Uvas Creek Preserve was once used for sand and gravel mining, but the Gilroy residents noticed how it affected the beautiful surroundings.
So recovery and preservation endeavors were made, bringing about the excellence that is Debell Uvas River Save.
Small areas of forests, meadows, and the winding Uvas Creek crisscrossing the landscape make up the 125-acre greenbelt. Because it irritates the land around it, nature lovers flock to its lush vegetation.
The park has numerous trails that allow visitors to discover hidden treasures.
Therefore, the preserve is your best option if you’re looking for a tranquil destination that’s still close to the city.
Among the stunning sights that are waiting for you here are the wildflowers that are in full bloom in the spring and summer.
Address: Gilroy, CA 95020, USA
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3. Practice Your Swing at Eagle’s Ridge Golf Club
An excellent choice is Eagle’s Ridge Golf Club.
One of Silicon Valley’s best golf courses, Eagle’s Ridge is located in Monterey Wine Country’s foothills and offers a breathtaking round.
Throughout 18 holes, this championship course’s swaying hills and lakes present a challenge to golfers.
It also provides lessons and has two putting greens, a practice bunker, and a driving range.
The hotel’s restaurant and bar serve various dishes and drinks, including a comprehensive wine list.
Address: 2951 Club Dr, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
Things To Do In Gilroy For Kids
1. Play on the Sports Courts at Christmas Hill Park
Christmas Hill Park is one of Gilroy’s most popular gathering places for the local community.
People go to this heavily wooded attraction because it has so many amenities that people can play sports, hold events, and spend time with their families.
Inside the 51-section of the land region, you’d find soccer fields, baseball and softball jewels, and a farm expansion for horseback riding.
On the ranch, there is also an educational center where you can learn more about the wildlife and history of the area.
Check out the multi-use, well-paved trails that lead into the park’s pine forests.
These scenic paths are open to nature walks, jogging, and bicycle rides.
Address: 7050 Miller Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
2. See the Unusual Rides of Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
The peculiar Gilroy Nurseries Family Amusement Park isn’t your ordinary entertainment office.
A one-of-a-kind family-friendly destination, this attraction combines sculptures, thrilling rides, and botanical gardens.
With its motto, “The Tomfoolery Develops on Trees,” the recreation area has integrated its attractions into living plants, giving the deception that the rides really do develop on trees.
As a result, there will be numerous rides with a plant theme, water features surrounded by trees, and other sights.
The sculpted trees, whose trunks have been carefully shaped over time to create unusual shapes, are one of the park’s most distinctive features, perfect for pictures.
Address: 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
3. Bounce All Day at Rockin’ Jump Gilroy
There are still other places you can go that aren’t affected by the weather if the temperatures are too high or if it rains very rarely in Gilroy.
Rockin’ Jump Gilroy is one of these places, and unlike the city’s other seasonal attractions, it is open all year.
Being a roomy jumping center, this office has many segments for different exercises, including skipping and bouncing.
It’s the ideal spot for kids to exercise and have fun at the same time.
The main attraction is the traditional Jump Arena, which is covered in power trampolines in every corner.
A bouncy surface has been added to other sections so that younger children and adults can play dodgeball or basketball.
The rock climbing wall is a great way to test your endurance and upper-body strength if you want something more challenging.
Address: 8787 San Ysidro Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
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Indoor Activities To Do In Gilroy For Adults
1. Tour the Halls of Gilroy Museum
You can stop by the Gilroy Museum to learn about the city’s history and how it relates to other events and festivals.
This unassuming facility preserves Gilroy’s long and storied history by displaying artifacts from various eras of the city.
Photographs, collections, and other items tell the story of Gilroy, from the first settlers to the present, in the 1910 Carnegie Library Building.
In addition, given that the museum is housed in an old library, you can anticipate finding many books and other reading materials that provide in-depth accounts of various significant events.
There is a tiny little paradise among the shelves for history enthusiasts.
Address: 195 5th St, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
2. Visit the Exhibits of Gallery 1202
Emily McEwan-Upright opened Gallery 1202 in the San Francisco Bay Area in the fall of 2019.
The gallery is at the Neon Exchange, a women-only coworking space in the heart of Gilroy’s historic downtown. It participates in four to five annual art fairs across the United States, its eight annual in-gallery, and six annual online exhibitions.
The gallery’s mission is to provide a welcoming and secure setting for the local community while showcasing internationally underrepresented artists.
The gallery aims to make women, people of color, working artists with young children, and other underrepresented groups more prominent.
It also helps people who use unconventional methods or look into topics or points of view that aren’t common.
You can view each of its actual displays in 3-D beginning in the summer of 2020.
Address: 7363 Monterey Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
3. Sample Local Beer at Promised Land Brewing Company
The Promised Land Brewing Company has a taproom and brewery in a business park north of Highway.
There are 17 different beers to choose from, including experimental combinations of flavors from other cultures, ales, and lagers.
The Promised Land Brewing Company is, in fact, quite small.
Nonetheless, downtown Gilroy has no better location for excellent local, fresh beers.
Whether you’re in the state of mind for a hoppy, smooth, or fruity blend, this bottling work takes care of you.
They will provide a water bowl for your dog if you bring one, so you can enjoy your beverages in peace.
When people visit food trucks, they can always get something new and delicious.
Address: 7419 Monterey Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
Romantic Things To Do In Gilroy
1. Try Garlic Ice Cream During the Gilroy Garlic Festival
The jubilant Gilroy Garlic Festival draws crowds of people from all over the country to the city in the middle of summer.
This three-day occasion is one of the most notable food celebrations in the nation, drawing in countless guests yearly.
Because who wouldn’t want to try this one-of-a-kind garlic ice cream?
Although most people who have tried it found the flavor profile to be extremely tasty, you might think that the pungent herb should never be placed near a frozen treat.
During the festival, in addition to ice cream, other dishes with a garlic twist include fries, pasta, bread, and even drinks!
In addition, there are a lot of booths selling costumes, furniture, costumes with a garlic theme, and braids made of the best garlic.
Address: Gourmet Alley, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
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2. Marvel at the Petroglyphs of Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park
Another natural attraction in Gilroy is the stunning Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park, close to the city’s northwest borders.
It is a small, 4.5-acre location with some open areas for sightseeing and trees.
However, Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park, in contrast to the other, more developed parks in the city, is left undeveloped to preserve its culturally significant attractions.
Bedrock mortars and petroglyphs from thousands of years ago are two examples.
The park has been the focus of extensive conservation efforts because a few other regional locations have similar features.
By following a specific path that winds around these artifacts, you can view them.
Address: 10001 Watsonville Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
3. Go Camping at Henry W. Coe State Park
Morgan Hill is the primary entry point to Henry W. Coe State Park, although portions of this magnificent mountain attraction extend into Gilroy.
It is 89,164 acres in size and is a part of the Diablo Range.
You would find vast wilderness, high-elevation lakes, picturesque trails, stunning waterfalls, and commanding ridges with excellent views of the region within the expansive region.
If you’re brave enough or have enough experience to explore the dense forests, it’s one of the best places to go backcountry camping.
Address: 9000 E Dunne Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, United States
Free Things To Do In Gilroy
1. Spot Rare Deer and Other Wildlife at Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
Partake in an alternate untamed life seeing at Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Farm District Park.
A sanctuary for birds and other mammals, including turkeys, black-tailed deer, and the western pond turtle, this diverse regional park covers almost 7,000 acres.
There is also a 449-acre lake on the property, where many fish and boats.
The location is also well-known for large group gatherings thanks to its two docks and family picnic areas.
Multi-use trails wind through oak canyons and offer a clear view of the Santa Clara Valley in some parts of the park, like the Bear and Mendoza Ranch.
Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park’s general admission is free, but additional activities like camping and boating cost money.
This park can be found on Coyote Lake Road, but you can also get to it from different streets and entrances, like Roop Road and San Martin Avenue.
Address: 10840 Coyote Lake Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
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2. Enjoy Free Wine Tasting at Kirigin Cellars Winery
A visit to Gilroy’s high-quality wineries and vineyards is incomplete without it.
Fortunately, driving to one of its excellent wineries, Kirigin Cellars Winery, does not cost anything at all.
This winery’s 33 acres of rolling vineyard landscapes, and old-world appeal have served the community since 1916. However, you can anticipate complimentary wine-tasting sessions at this winery.
Enjoy some of the best wine grapes, such as Petite Sirah, Malvasia Bianca, and Pinot Noir. Tours of the Kirigin Cellars Winery are also available but may cost money.
To get to this Gilroy treasure, take Watsonville Road.
Address: 11550 Watsonville Rd, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
3. Relax in the Wide Open Space at Carriage Hills Park
Do you need privacy while you cool off from the summer heat? You might find what you’re looking for at Carriage Hills Park.
Open turf and extensive tree canopies make this park ideal for providing shade during the scorching summer heat.
Locals go to this neighborhood park to play a quick basketball game with friends, coworkers, and family.
However, if basketball is not your thing, picnic areas can make your leisurely afternoon even more memorable.
There’s likewise a jungle gym for your little ones to have a great time and associate with different children.
Crest Hill Way is a charming street that leads to Carriage Hills Park.
Address: 1701 Crest Hill Way, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
Cheap Things To Do In Gilroy
1. Go on a Garlic Sightseeing Tour in Downtown Gilroy
Downtown Gilroy is filled with establishments and business buildings. It combines eccentric modernity with historical charm.
The lined public sculptures are one of the most eye-catching attractions in the area.
John Cameron Gilroy, the city’s namesake, is depicted in detail in a sculpture in front of the Old City Hall Restaurant.
The other sculptures include a stagecoach and its driver and animated garlic cloves that run along a residential sidewalk.
When it comes to garlic, you can find Garlic World and Garlic City Café in Gilroy’s downtown area. Garlic World is known for its unusual garlic ice cream flavor.
The Spring Art & Wine Stroll and the Garlic City Car Show are also held here, where people come together for live music and entertainment.
To reach Gilroy’s downtown district, walk along Monterey Road or Eigleberry Street.
Address: Gilroy, CA, United States.
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2. Go on a Refreshing Hike at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve
The Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve is located 26 minutes northwest of Gilroy. Here, wildlife viewing and hiking enhance your outdoor adventure.
The four-mile loop trail in this preserve, which opened in 2015, can be found here. Additionally, it serves as an interpretive site for the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail.
Along the trails of this popular tourist destination, you can expect nothing but the best hiking experience due to the stunning scenery and incredible wildlife.
Morgan Hill’s Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve can be found on Palm Avenue.
Address: 550 Palm Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, United States
3. Listen to Live Music at the Watsonville Strawberry Festival
On the off chance that Gilroy’s staple yield is garlic, Watsonville has its own: strawberries.
You can celebrate the city’s love of strawberries with Watsonville residents and visitors at the Watsonville Strawberry Festival.
This annual event began in 1994 under the name “Watsonville Strawberry Dessert Festival” to help the city and its residents recover from the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake.
A festival is now a fun event for the whole family that celebrates strawberries and gives organizations and small businesses in the city a chance to grow and succeed.
Join the motorcade and meet individuals in strawberry outfits, listen to bands, support competitors in pie-eating competitions, and more.
Address: 350 Main St, Watsonville, CA 95076, United States
Cool Places To Visit In Gilroy
1. Gilroy Ostrich Farm
Gilroy Ostrich Farm is the closest thing to a zoo in Gilroy, which does not have an official one.
One of California’s largest concentrations of ostriches can be found at this attraction, which features an incredible collection of animals.
The farm is far from the actual city and has many green spaces where the animals can play and roam.
Goats, alpacas, cows, rabbits, and large ostriches are among the animals you’ll see while you’re there.
They are accustomed to people and frequently exhibit good friendliness, so you can pet, feed, and cuddle them.
Address: 5560 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
2. Bring the Whole Family to Gilroy Rodeo
In addition to its garlic, Gilroy is popular with tourists for its newly revived rodeo.
Every June, the Gilroy Rodeo, which has been going strong since 1930, was a community event that filled a stadium.
In 1956, the last rodeo was held.
After 62 years, the rodeo was restored in 2017 by Erik Martin and his wife Kendra in an effort to bring Western culture back to Gilroy.
The rodeo made a comeback to the south bay region in 2018, where cutting-edge culture and traditional rodeo cowboy practices met.
“Where the past meets the present,” the GR tagline, reflects the diverse array of activities that are available to everyone.
Address: 2365 Dunlap Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020, United States
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Conclusion
There are so many things to do in Gilroy, from garlic festivals to epic theme parks, museums, and expansive lakes. The city offers a lot of fun for open-minded tourists like you who wish to explore.
Whatever your reason for traveling may be, why not make the best out of it? Pin this post as a guide to help you explore the beautiful attractions in this city.
Let us know all about your trip via the comments. Happy travels!
