Things To Do
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey is a beautiful town on the coast with a spectacular aquarium, whale watching tours, and cute shops. It is less than an hour's drive from Hollister, but be very careful of the weekend traffic! We would recommend an early entry and exit on Saturday so that you don't cut it close with wedding events.
Pinnacles National Park
We visited Pinnacles National Park in Fall 2018 and hiked ourselves nearly to death. The park features spectacular hikes of varying lengths, easily accessible caves, and beautifully unique scenery.
Mission San Juan Bautista (1797)
Take a step into our state's history by visiting the fifteenth Spanish mission established in present-day California. While in the area, we HIGHLY recommend the apricot margarita at Jardines de San Juan. It was our savior in our complete exhaustion post-Pinnacles.
Gilroy Gardens
For those looking to entertain their kids during the day, Gilroy Gardens is a very fun spot!
Pacheco State Park
This park is less than a mile from our home. If you're up for a hike and getting a feel for our scenery, this is the place!
Fortino Winery and Event Center
The Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail in Gilroy and Morgan Hill features dozens of wineries worth visiting. We have been to and recommend Fortino, Sarah's Vineyard, and Cinnabar Winery, but there are many more to try. We also recommend Calera Wine Company and DeRose Winery in Hollister.