While locals know that San Benito County has a lot to offer
– award-winning wineries, miles of open space and deep history
rooted in California’s past – many hope that Sunset Magazine’s
March issue will spur tourists experience the county’s charm for
themselves.
Hollister – While locals know that San Benito County has a lot to offer – award-winning wineries, miles of open space and deep history rooted in California’s past – many hope that Sunset Magazine’s March issue will spur tourists experience the county’s charm for themselves.
The Sunset story takes readers on a trip through the county, starting at Highway 101 and heading south down Highway 25, through downtown Hollister, to the Pinnacles National Monument and then back up through the local wineries and on to San Juan Bautista. Getting the county featured in Sunset was part of an ongoing effort of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce’s tourism committee.
“Since Sunset Magazine is such a huge publication, I’m really excited. It really showcases the beauty of San Benito County,” said Liz Sparling, executive director of the chamber.
In addition to painting an attractive picture of the county’s natural beauty – with descriptions like “…swaths of lavender lupine, set off by luminous green fields” – the article identifies several local attractions, such as wineries, restaurants and Old Mission San Juan Bautista.
“I think it’s great. It’s great for business here. It’s one of the things we’re trying to do,” said Scott Fuller, chairman of the chamber’s tourism committee.
Agah Agah, owner of the Veranda Cafe in Tres Pinos, said that being mentioned in Sunset has already been a boon for his business and that he expects things to get better.
“My business has doubled. And in the next two or three weeks as the weather gets better it’s going to be unbelievable,” he said. “It’s one of the prestige magazines.”
San Benito County Supervisor Reb Monaco was so excited when he heard about the article that he purchased a copy immediately. He said that he hopes the story will prompt people from urban areas to look to bucolic San Benito County when they want respite from the traffic and concrete of the big city.
“I’m just a strong believer in tourism in our own county,” he said. Fuller said that trying to get the county featured in widely-read publications like Sunset is one of many things the chamber is doing to get more people to enjoy what the county offers. He said the committee is working with professional tour companies to organize wine tours to draw more tourists to the county.
