Looking for ways to avoid the rally? Perfect getaways are just
outside the door
Hollister’s July custom of welcoming bikers into town begins
today, and locals will be reminded of this by the rumblings of
thousands of motorcycles, the sounds of loud music, the smells of
grilled foods and the ability to purchase a wide range of items
made out of leather.
But for those residents looking to avoid the hectic, exuberant
scene that is the Hollister Motorcycle Rally, there are plenty of
options
– some locally, and others just a short drive away.
Looking for ways to avoid the rally? Perfect getaways are just outside the door
Hollister’s July custom of welcoming bikers into town begins today, and locals will be reminded of this by the rumblings of thousands of motorcycles, the sounds of loud music, the smells of grilled foods and the ability to purchase a wide range of items made out of leather.
But for those residents looking to avoid the hectic, exuberant scene that is the Hollister Motorcycle Rally, there are plenty of options – some locally, and others just a short drive away.
Below is a list of places which could make a great getaway for those who don’t want to enjoy the events offered at the rally. Some are obvious, such as Pinnacles National Monument or Mission San Juan Bautista. Others require a full tank of gas and a bit of spending money. None require reservations and all are within 60 minutes of San Benito County.
So if being elsewhere sounds like the perfect way to spend rally weekend, here are some suggestion for getting out of Dodge…er, Hollister.
Fremont Peak State Park, San Juan Bautista
One of the most beautiful state parks in California is right here in San Benito County.
“Fremont Peak is always a good place to go,” Ranger Sheryl Neufeld said. “There is the nice, windy, 11-mile drive up San Juan Canyon Road that’s very scenic and you get a good overlook view of Hollister. You go through a grey pine forest and once you get to the top, you have a 360 degree panoramic view of the Salinas Valley, the entire Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz, Gilroy and Hollister.”
Fremont Peak State Park also offers breathtaking views of the San Benito and Salinas valleys and the Santa Lucia and Diablo mountain ranges. There are hiking trails up into the Gavilan mountain range and an astronomical observatory with a 30-inch telescope, which is open for public programs on selected evenings. There are plenty of open spaces perfect for picnics and picture-taking.
“We have a lot of nice, shady picnic areas, although we are usually pretty busy on the weekends,” Neufeld said. “Some of the areas have barbecue pits, and you can bring charcoal barbecues. There are no wood fires allowed at this time in the park.”
The park is open year-round, and there is a $4 parking fee. Day use hours are from 8 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset. Observatory programs are held April through October on moonless Saturday evenings starting at 8 p.m. Camp sites are available for $15 per site; reservations are suggested. For more information about any California state park, go to www.parks.ca.gov. For more information on the Fremont Peak Observatory Association, go to www.fpoa.net.
Pinnacles National Monument, Paicines
There is a lot happening at Pinnacles this year, as the park is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Although no centennial events are scheduled for this weekend, the park still has plenty to offer those looking for a quiet day away from the rally.
Huge monoliths, spires, steep-walled canyons and talus caves are all that remain of the ancient volcano that today is Pinnacles National Monument. Guests can hike through caves, view wildflowers, search the skies for California condors or rock climb the sheer faces of the canyons.
July’s extreme temperatures can make hiking uncomfortable at best and possibly dangerous for those who are unprepared. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Carrying and drinking at least a liter of water per hour per person is recommended during hot weather.
Single visit entrance fees are $5 per vehicle or $3 per person entering by foot or bicycle. Children under 16 years of age are admitted free. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/pinn.
Casa de Fruta, Hollister
Another local hotspot celebrating its 100th anniversary is Casa de Fruta, located off of Pacheco Pass Hwy. just outside of Hollister.
The roadside stand has been owned by the same family throughout its entire history – the first orchards were planted in 1908 by the Bisceglia-Cribari family – and a daughter from that family, Clara, married Henry Zanger. Their children worked in the orchards for many summers before opening a cherry stand in 1943.
Today, Casa de Fruta has a little something for just about everyone. Most of the attractions are named with “casa de” included, such as the Casa de Carousel, handcrafted in Italy, and the Casa de Choo Choo, a narrow gauge railroad featuring a two-mile long track that twists through the entire complex, passing Pacheco creek and a small zoo which is home to peacocks and rare white deer.
There is a 24-hour restaurant, a fruit stand, a gift store and of course, Casa de Wine, a gourmet specialty store and full-service deli as well as award winning wines from Zanger Vineyards, including unique fruit wines such as apricot, blackberry, cherry and even pomegranate.
For more information about hours of operation, accommodations or ticket prices to the train and carousel, call 408-842-9316 or go to www.casadefruta.com.
The Wine Trail, Hollister
Although visitors may run into a few bikers who want to ride along the slight twists and turns of Cienega Road, another good rally getaway is a drive along Hollister’s Wine Trail.
The dedicated trail features a number of local wineries which are open year-round, including DeRose Winery, Pietra Santa Winery, Calera Wine Company, Flint Wine Cellars, Enz Winery and Summerayne Vineyard. All have varying hours of operation, and tasting for Summerayne Vineyards is held at Enz Winery.
Most have tastings and wines available for purchase, and several, such as Pietra Santa, have areas where visitors can bring a picnic lunch. For tips on how best to enjoy a day on the Wine Trail, go to www.pinnaclenews.com and search for a story by Theresa Martin from Jan. 4, 2008 called “A taste of the grape.” For more information about the history of winemaking in San Benito County or a map of local wineries, go to www.sbcwinegrowers.org.
Mission San Juan Bautista, San Juan Bautista
Before heading up to Fremont Peak, make a quick stop at Mission San Juan Bautista. Although most locals have visited the mission at least once, its peaceful elegance is well worth a second, or even a third or fourth, visit. It is one of the most visited of the California missions and its features include the biggest church in the chain, an old Indian cemetery, tons of artifacts and a great view of the San Andreas Fault. The buildings of the State Historic Park that surround the mission make it easy for visitors to imagine life during a quieter time.
Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Visitors are allowed to walk through the park for free, but pay the $2 per person fee and tour the insides buildings such as the old hotel and saloon.
Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy
Only the name has changed at the park once known as Bonfante Gardens. The newly named Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park features more than 40 rides and attractions such as a boat ride, an antique car ride, the “Quicksilver Express” rollercoaster and the Monarch Garden, located in a greenhouse big enough to accommodate a train, a monorail and even a river.
The park is also home to the unique Circus Trees – 50 year old trees rescued from Scotts Valley – as well as six gardens uniquely designed and filled with colorful flowers, conifers, flowering trees and topiaries. There are several food areas and gift shops located throughout the park.
General admission tickets are $41.99 per person. Tickets for children ages 3-6 years and seniors ages 65 years and up are $31.99. Tickets can be pre-purchased online at a 30 percent discount. Children ages 2 years and under are free. For more information, call 408) 840-7100 or go to www.gilroygardens.org.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Home to one of the most famous roller coasters in the country, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a great place to spend a sunny summer day. Admission to the boardwalk is free, allowing visitors to walk around and check out the arcades, souvenir shops and food booths.
Take a thrill ride on the Giant Dipper, the boardwalk’s classic wooden roller coaster. More than 50 million riders have experienced the Giant Dippersince it first opened in 1924. There is also the Looff Carousel, built in 1911, and one of the few carousels in the country to still feature a brass ring machine, allowing riders to grab a ring and try to throw it in a clown’s mouth. Other rides include the Skyglider, the Fireball, the Logger’s Revenge, the Rock-O-Plane, the Hurricane roller coaster and a historic Ferris Wheel. Kiddie rides for young children are available as well.
Ride tickets can be purchased individually at an average cost of $4 per ticket, but most rides need multiple tickets. The better deal is the all-day unlimited ride pass, which costs $29.95 per person. There are other season pass packages available and discount nights available; check out the boardwalk’s Web site at www.beachboardwalk.com for more information.
Cannery Row, Monterey
Monterey is packed with tourist spots, but Cannery Row is a good place to start, since it is located near many places guests want to visit. Just a short drive away is the historic district, where visitors can take self-guided tours of many historic buildings, such as Colton Hall, beautiful gardens and an old jail. There are several museums in this area, including the Monterey Museum of Art, and just across the street is Dennis the Menace Park with its life-sized hedge maze.
There is Fisherman’s Wharf, where visitors can walk along the piers, eat at a number of restaurants specializing in seafood or pick up some salt water taffy. In front of the wharf is the Monterey Maritime Museum, where for a slight donation guests can learn the history of Monterey’s fishing industry.
Cannery Row itself is a shopper’s dream – there are dozens of stores hawking everything from cheesy t-shirts to high-end jewelry. For hungry visitors, there are more than 25 restaurants, cafes and wine tasting rooms, with menus featuring fresh seafood, organic produce and cheeseburgers worth breaking diets over. There are several kid-friendly choices, such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or Archie’s American Diner, bars and grills such as the Pelican Tavern and fine dining establishments such as the Sardine Factory or the Duck Club Grill.
The row, which stretches along the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, is also a great place for visitors to explore the bay. Guests can check out tide pools, watch sea lions at play, go kayaking or dive at one of several walk-in scuba spots. The Coastal Recreation Trail is filled with scenic views and wildlife watching opportunities, and of course, visitors can always get up close and personal with sharks, sea otters, penguins and jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. For more information about the aquarium, restaurants or shops, go to www.canneryrow.com.
