Clear blue skies, bright warm days and the scent of nature’s
ripe produce fill the air right now, all ready to offer a
satisfying daytrip and some fun food shopping on the Watsonville
area’s country back roads. Farm stores dot the scenic, rolling
Pajaro Valley, allowing for some pleasant stops. The reward at the
end of the journey is nearly as fun as the venture itself.
Clear blue skies, bright warm days and the scent of nature’s ripe produce fill the air right now, all ready to offer a satisfying daytrip and some fun food shopping on the Watsonville area’s country back roads. Farm stores dot the scenic, rolling Pajaro Valley, allowing for some pleasant stops. The reward at the end of the journey is nearly as fun as the venture itself.
Besides enjoying a serene escape, the car will be laden with what’s most ripe this season, namely, apples, berries and, at some stops, local veggies and fall decoration. For fun, there’s also a stop at a popular meat and sausage market. Although there’s usually little traffic on this country drive, look out for quick turns and the occasional, surprising odd curve. Many roads change names suddenly with little warning and sometimes no signs, but it’s all part of the day’s adventure. In all, the round trip is about 80 miles. Keep in mind some of these businesses are small and family-run, which means hours may vary from those posted.
The drive starts on U.S. Highway 101 south, at San Juan Road (G-11), 14 miles south of Gilroy. Turn right at the gas station across from the Red Barn antique shop complex.
San Juan Road meanders through farmlands and past ranch estates as the lush valley scene opens ahead. At about four miles, turn left at the Driscoll’s sign and drive in to visit the Driscoll’s Berry Store, 1750 San Juan Road. The store is open year-round except for Sundays and holidays. Current winter schedule hours, subject to change: Wed., Thurs., and Fri. 2-5:30 p.m. Fruit varieties depend upon what’s in season, meaning a selection of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, including frozen, plus an assortment of gift items. Hours in warm weather: April-September, Mon-Fri 10-5; Sat 10-3. Closed Sundays and holidays. 831-763-5067.
Continue along San Juan Road about a half-mile, then turn right on Murphy Road and continue to Murphy’s Crossing. This old, narrow ford over the Pajaro River dates to the pioneer John Murphy family, which arrived in the area in 1859. At Riverside Drive (Highway 129), jog left
for a little over a mile, then veer right onto Carlton Road. This rural stretch twists its way through berry fields and raspberry patches before arriving, in twos at the Gizdich Ranch, 55 Peckham Road. Turn up the road and follow signs to the tidy, attractive, family-run complex, which includes an apple cider press, an antique shop, and a gift shop with specialty local delicacies featuring fresh and frozen berries, jams, honey, nuts and a variety of freshly baked pies. Acres of surrounding farmland and fields across Carlton Road offer seasonal strawberry, olallie berry and apple picking. Open 361 days a year. Hours: 9-5 daily. (831) 722-1056. On-line: www.gizdichranch.com.
Continue on Carlton Road another mile and a half to the intersection at Hecker Pass Highway, cross over to continue on Casserly Road. But first, at the junction, stop at Emile Agaccio Farms, 4 Casserly Road, where pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and olallie berries are seasonally available from April through November as well as other produce. Frozen berries for sale in the store August-December. Hours: daily 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 831-728-2009.
Proceed on Casserly Road, named to honor area pioneer Eugene Casserly. He arrived in 1853, purchased 3,600 acres of grain fields and fruit orchards in the area and later served as United States Senator 1869-73.
As it rambles on Casserly Road provides some swerves and curves as it passes through flower farms and berry fields. In about two miles, at the Casserly Store, be prepared to make a sharp left to continue on Casserly Road as the meandering country byway points toward Corralitos. Quaint Victorian farmhouses dot the landscape along the rolling countryside, lending a charm all their own to the rural scenery. In a mile and a half Casserly Road ends at Green Valley Road. Turn right and drive up Green Valley Road a brief distance to the “V,” then head left down Pioneers Road, where rustic barns and clusters of aged eucalyptus decorate the view. In about a mile, turn right at the sign for the Prevedelli Farm, 365 Pioneer View Road. Summer blackberries, then
fall apples galore are available here through January, with pears added August through December. Gift packs for sale November and December. Hours: daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 831-724-9282.
Proceed on Pioneers Road, which changes names to Varni Road at the Amesti Road intersection. Varni ends at Corralitos Road. Turn right and drive about a mile to Jensen Pride, 463 Corralitos Road, where inside a large building at the edge of the road are apple varieties, gift packs, fall pumpkins and Indian corn, available October until the first of January. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10-4. 831-724-4666.
Just a brief distance further on Corralitos Road, at the four corners of the tiny Corralitos hamlet, stop at Corralitos Meat and Sausage Company, 569 Corralitos Road. Inside this pungent, friendly corner store an amazing variety of smoked ham, bacon, sausages, salmon and chicken
products are available in all their mouth-watering splendor. Open daily, hours: 8-6; Sundays 9-5. 831-722-2633.
At this busy crossroads continue on Hames Road, named to honor Benjamin Hames. His brother, John Hames, settled Soquel in 1843. Benjamin, who arrived in the area in 1854, operated a gristmill on Corralitos Creek and served as Santa Cruz County Surveyor from 1855-57 and 1859-63. Along pretty, hilly Hames Road, redwoods appear, grouped with tall, spreading pines, serving as a picturesque backdrop to the acres of apple orchards in the area. At about a mile and a half, jog right very briefly on Pleasant Valley Road, then resume Hames Road. Shortly turn left to The Apple Barn, 1765 Hames Road, the last stop on this tasty treat of a day out. In business 33 years, the store offers numerous varieties of apples in season August through December, also honey, preserves, pies, gifts, small kitchen items and cookbooks. There are also seasonal squash, tomatoes, beans and pumpkins and Christmas trees. Gift packs can be shipped. Open annually from Aug. 10 until Dec. 21, 9:30-5, closed Thanksgiving Day. 831-724-8119. On-line:http://members.aol.com/applebarn.
Hames Road ends at Freedom Boulevard. Head right and continue on Freedom Boulevard, which emerges at Highway 1 near Rio del Mar.
To add to the splendid scenery on the return trip, drive south on Highway 1 toward Watsonville, exit at Airport Boulevard. Follow Airport to Holohan Road, turn right, and drive along Holohan through more old, picturesque apple orchards and ranch lands to Hecker Pass Highway. Turn left to travel back to Gilroy over Mt. Madonna, following a refreshing, and productive day, gallivanting the countryside in search of delectable treats.
