The last Tuesday of January is “National Plan for Vacation Day”—so here’s a quick list of 14 reasons you should plan your next trip to Gilroy, California.

Whether you come for a special event, a family vacation, a wine-tasting weekend, or just some new and exciting adventures, book a budget-friendly hotel room today and enjoy a great Gilroy getaway!

1. 1. So many events! From the Garlic City Car Show and Downtown Gilroy Beer Crawl to the Tamale Festival and Downtown Holiday Parade, we’re always celebrating something here in Gilroy. Check the Visit Gilroy calendar so you can join in the fun.

    

   2. You know you love music, so come groove to Gilroy’s live music scene. Visit in the summer for Downtown Live free concerts every Thursday night, enjoy acoustic performances and great vineyard views at our wineries on the weekends, hit the dance floor at Tempo Kitchen & Bar, or come downtown during the Third Friday Art Walk to enjoy lively tunes, local artists, and great food too.

    

   3. Bring the kids out to Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, where fun grows on trees! This unique horticulture-themed amusement park is truly a wonderland for families with young children, with over 40 fun rides and attractions nestled among gorgeous gardens and majestic trees, including the world-famous Circus Trees.
      

    

   4. When you come to Gilroy, you can take home loads of farm-fresh produce including cherries, strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, and (of course) garlic. Check out LJB Farms, Garlic World, Garlic Shoppe, and Casa de Fruta all year round—as well as seasonal fruit stands in the summer—to find great prices on delicious fruits, vegetables and more.

    

   5. The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, named one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by Movie Maker Magazine, is a cinema lover’s dream: eight days packed with innovative films, panel discussions, gala celebrations, and more. It all goes down April 9-16, 2025 in downtown Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and other nearby communities.

    

   6. Raise a glass to Gilroy! Here in one of California’s oldest wine-growing regions, you can taste your way at 25+ wineries and tasting rooms along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail and discover each one’s unique specialties, friendly owners, and stunning vineyard views.

    

   7. Bring your brew crew to Gilroy and discover our vibrant craft beer scene at tap rooms, breweries and restaurants along the Gilroy Ale Trail.
      

    

   8. If you’re looking to “shop ‘til you drop,” Gilroy’s the place to go. Gilroy Premium Outlets is one of Northern California’s largest outlet centers—and you can save 25-65% on many of your favorite brands, including Nike, Levi’s, Coach, Michael Kors, Lululemon, Timberland, Vans and more. There are also charming antique stores and boutiques in historic downtown Gilroy.

    

   9. Stay spicy! Explore the Gilroy Taco Trail to discover over 25 tasty taquerias and family-owned restaurants serving up authentic Mexican food and regional specialties, all at affordable prices.

    

   10. Did you know Gilroy has an “artsy” side? Explore our vibrant art galleries, art studios, community theater companies, and a colorful collection of murals that celebrate Gilroy’s past, present and future.

    

   11. Stay in Gilroy—and explore all over! Gilroy’s central location makes it the ideal “home base” for excursions to San Juan Bautista, Casa de Fruta, and Pinnacle National Park, as well as other nearby destinations like Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz, San Jose, and San Francisco.

    

   12. Go take a hike! With Gilroy’s wide range of hiking and biking trails, you can choose between dense redwood forests, golden hills with chaparral, colorful wildflowers in the spring, and popular paved trails too.
       

    

   13. Don’t forget garlic! Gilroy remains the “Garlic Capital of the World” for a reason. This is the only place you can find garlic on almost every menu and in every kind of gourmet goodie imaginable—from garlic olives and pickled garlic to garlic burgers, garlic soup, garlic fries, and of course the gotta-try-it garlic ice cream.

    

   14. Explore culture at Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park. Chitactac means “place of the dance,” and Native people used to converge on the area from the coast, the Sierra and even as far north as the Oregon area. Today, the scenic and secluded park contains dozens of grinding holes, some (covered) petroglyphs, and an interpretive center.

    

   

   Book a room at one of our budget-friendly hotel rooms (or spend some time at our popular RV parks and campgrounds) to make the most out of your Gilroy getaway!