Things to do in Gilroy
Elkhorn Slough Safari Nature Boat Tours
Two-hour cruises on a 27-foot pontoon boat explore the Elkhorn Slough habitat. Led by a naturalist, the tours provide opportunities for sighting sea otters, harbor seals, terns, grebes and other species of waterfowl and shorebirds. The captain and naturalist provide information about slough ecology and natural history; photographs circulated during the trip help identify wildlife. Call (831) 633-5555 for more information.
7881 Sandholt Rd., Moss Landing, CA 95039
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
This 28-acre theme park centered around trees and horticulture has more than 40 rides and attractions geared to families with young children. Included are several roller coasters, a monorail, a rock maze, a 1927 carousel, antique car rides, pitch and win games, educational areas and extensive theme gardens. Also featured are 19 circus trees; these are trees that have been grafted together to form interesting shapes. Call (408) 840-7100 for more information.
3050 SR 152, Gilroy, CA 95020
Gilroy Garlic Festival
Held in July, for the past two decades the fun-loving folks down in Gilroy have thrown open their doors, their arms and their cooking pots to the entire world at that gala garlic gastromania known as the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Call (408) 842.1625 for more information.
7473 Monterey St, Gilroy, CA 95020
New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum
The museum, in the 1854 La Casa Grande, the brick residence that was home to the New Almaden Quicksilver Mine manager and his family, depicts the mercury mining operations that began in New Almaden in 1845. Exhibits explain the process of extracting mercury from the cinnabar ore found in the area. Artifacts from mining families are shown, and a diorama replicates the interior of a mine shaft. A room in La Casa Grande has been restored to resemble the mine manager's office. Call (408) 323-1107 for more information.
21350 Almaden Rd., New Almaden, CA 95042
San Juan Bautista State Historic Park
San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, on the plaza, includes the old Plaza Hotel, built in 1858 on the site of the old Spanish soldiers' barracks, and the 1840 Castro-Breen Adobe, headquarters of the Mexican government and later home of the Patrick Breen family, survivors of the ill-fated Donner party. Other attractions are the 1868 Zanetta House, a blacksmith shop, a jail, gardens, a Spanish orchard, a livery stable with old carriages and a slide show about the history of San Juan Bautista. Call (831) 623-4881 for more information.
201 2nd St., San Juan Bautista, CA 95045
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