Panelists and readers answered the following: Do local government and nonprofit leaders do enough to promote Pinnacles National Park?
Ruth Erickson: No! As soon as it was announced that the Pinnacles National Monument was going to be upgraded to a national park, Soledad immediately jumped on the bandwagon. They were now called the west gateway to the park, printed glossy tourist brochures for numerous hotels, airports, tourist bureaus, etc. Soledad’s chamber of commerce’s answering machine announces they are Soledad-Mission chamber of commerce and the proud gateway of Pinnacles National Park and they have now built a Pinnacles visitors center for tourists to enjoy the experience of the park and the area. This county needs Highway 25 to be Pinnacles National Park Highway all the way to the park, promotional materials for wide distribution, answering machine messages to proudly announce us as the original eastern gateway to the Pinnacles and signs pointing to the park. This county has a national park and three state parks. Let’s use our assets to promote tourism and pride in San Benito County.
Mary Zanger: No. Recently at the Hyatt Garden Hotel in Monterey I selected an attractive brochure titled, “Pinnacles National Park.” My anticipation turned quickly into utter disappointment. This professionally appointed brochure in my hands focused on directions to the SOLEDAD entrance. This well-done brochure displayed an easy access map showing entry routes to the WESTERN entrance via Soledad. More enticements included restaurant menus and vineyards with wine tasting. I am very disappointed in our elected people who should be promoting San Benito County with our many attractions including the eastern entrance through historic Hollister to the uniquely famous and renowned Pinnacles National Park.
Bill Mifsud: No. Changing some highway signs on Route 25 is nice but we must be more proactive like Soledad. We need a big sign on Highway 101 like Soledad letting the majority of the travelers know the entrance to the Pinnacles National Park is off Highway 101 and on Highway 25.
Nants Foley: There is a tourism committee in the San Benito Chamber of Commerce which promotes all things San Benito, including the park. And the park itself has a nonprofit organization, Pinnacles Partnership, which performs many functions, including promotion. I don’t think it is the duty of our local governmental bodies to promote the park. That would be a bit like me asking them to promote Four Corners Real Estate Group. I think it is a good idea for business owners to contemplate how they might benefit from the increased attendance now that it is a national park.
Christina Salvin: No. But Hollister should do more than simply promote the park. Our city should feel like an extension of the park, a place where hikers, climbers, campers, and tourists are welcomed with B&Bs, healthy grocery stores, hippie cafes, souvenir shops, etc. There is currently very little evidence in Hollister that Pinnacles even exists, and as far as I’m aware, growth plans do nothing to incorporate our gateway position.
