Gilroy is located about 35 miles south of San Jose International Airport. It is also known as the "Garlic Capital of the World."
Get around
See
Do
July -- Gilroy Garlic Festival, [1]. The country's largest festival devoted to everything garlic. Garlic plushies, garlic ice cream, garlic weavings, garlic wine, garlic-till-you're-sick. The last full weekend of July.
Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, +1 408 840-7100, [2]. Open from mid-spring to mid-fall. A theme park whose theme is plants, agriculture, and local history. Best for people interested in gardens, and for families with younger children. Like Legoland, the rides here do not cater to teenagers or older.
Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park[3] is an interesting little park where the Ohlone people lived for several thousand years. It's not a destination by itself, but if you're in the area ...
Visit some local wineries.
Buy
Gilroy is known for its outlets. At Gilroy Premium Outlets, [4] their 145 outlet stores draw people from near and far. Located at 681 Leavesly Rd., Gilroy, CA 95020. If you're in the mood for shopping, the outlets are easy to see just off 101.
Eat
Black Bear Diner, 393 Leavesley Road (West of 101 Exit, next to Forest Park Inn), ☎ 408-842-9901. American comfort food, bear-shaped paraphenalia
Drink
Joe's Italian Restaurant, 168 W. 10th Street, ☎ 408-842-1446. T-F 12-2 and 4:30-10, weekends 11-10. Italian