Gilroy Visitor Information

Gilroy City Events:

Activities and local events for this month can be found on the City of Gilroy Community Calendar pages.

Gilroy and Garlic:

Over 660 million pounds of garlic are produced annually in California. Gilroy processes and ships a significant percentage of this Garlic during the harvest months of June, July, and August, earning it's reputation as the "Garlic Capitol of the World."

The Small Farm Center at U.C. Davis has extensive information on the history and harvesting of Garlic, or Allium sativum. The USDA also has a "Commodity Spotlight" entitled, Garlic: Flavor of the Ages, with complete information and statistics on garlic, including its history and production.

The Gilroy Garlic Festival takes place annually (in late July) at Gilroy's Christmas Hill Park . For maps to Christmas Hill Park, as well as festival hours and directions, please visit the Gilroy Garlic Festival's "FAQ's & More" page.

Gilroy Local History:

Information on local history can be found on the City of Gilroy's "Community History" Web page, or on the Gilroy Visitor's Bureau "About Gilroy" Web page.

Gilroy Sister Cities:

Angra do Heroismo, Portugal (Azores)
Koror, Republic of Palau
Monticello d'Ongina, Italy
Tecate, Mexico
Takko-Machi, Japan
Saint Clar, France

More information can be found on the Gilroy Sister Cities Association Web page.

Gilroy Visitor's Bureau:

7780 Monterey Street, Gilroy, California, 95020;
842-6436, Fax:(408) 842-6438
Gilroy Visitor's Bureau hours:
Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Latitude, Longitude, Deviation from Magnetic North, and Elevation of Gilroy:

• Latitude: 37° 0' 21" North
• Longitude: 121° 34' 02 West
• According to the FAA, the closest airport plotting is San Martin, 10 miles NW of Gilroy. That reading is: 16° 15' East deviation from magnetic North
• The City of Gilroy is 200 feet above sea level

• Gilroy Gardens:

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020; (408) 840-7100. This is a 600 acre environmental park with four large landscaped gardens, 25 "Circus Trees," rides, amusements, and several restaurants on site.

• Coyote Lake Park:

10840 Coyote Lake Rd., Gilroy, CA 95020; (408) 842-7800
This 796-acre park in the Mount Hamilton Range, features a 635-acre lake, hiking trails, camping, and boat launch facilities

• Gilroy City Parks:

The City of Gilroy offers many local parks and a large open space preserve for public use. Some parks have picnic and barbecue areas, jogging and riding trails, horseshoe pits, or tennis courts. Most City parks are open seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from April 1 to October 31. Park hours are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from November 1 to March 31. Visit the City of Gilroy Parks page for more information on specific parks in the Gilroy area.

• Mount Madonna County Park:

7850 Pole Line Rd., Watsonville, CA 95076; (408) 842-2341. The entrance to this 3,219 acre park is located at the summit of Highway 152 at Pole Line Road. The park offers hiking trails with panoramic views of the ocean, shaded oak woodlands, and lush grass valleys. Camping, group picnic, equestrian, and archery areas are available to the public.

• Wings of History Air Museum:

12777 Murphy Avenue, San Martin, California; (408) 683-2290
The Wings of History Air Museum is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of antique and unique aircraft and other aviation artifacts and memorabilia. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with group tours available by appointment.

Yahoo™ Map of Gilroy:

A visual guide to our South Santa Clara County location and the Gilroy area.

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