About the "South County" Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy, California Area 

MORGAN HILL 

Morgan Hill is located in what we feel is the most “perfect” location! Nestled in the southernmost section of the Santa Clara Valley, it is approximately 65 miles south of San Francisco, 12 miles south of San Jose, 10 miles north of Gilroy, and 60 miles north of the stunning Monterey Bay. The Valley is approximately 4 miles wide and is surrounded by the Santa Cruz mountain range to the west, and the Diablo mountain range to the east. 

Morgan Hill blends small town goodness with modern touches. With just over an hr. drive you can be in San Francisco gazing at the Golden Gate Bridge, or kayaking in the Monterey Bay! A 2 hr. drive can have you on the Napa Wine Train, or gazing over the extraordinary sights that the Big Sur area has to offer! 

Morgan Hill boasts proximity to lakes, orchards, and a lively downtown. Dotted with a variety of coffee shops, restaurants, a new brew pub and wine tasting room. The quaint flower-box filled downtown offers specialty shops for book lovers, knitters, jewelry designers, home decorators and numerous clothing stores. As always the ever popular Friday night music series offered in the summer months by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce is a huge hit with families young and old! Morgan Hills own Trader Joe’s opened in Dec. of 2006 and new shopping centers are popping up on the northern edge of town including a Super Target and Peets coffee. 

No family will ever be bored, with all that this community has to offer. With 10 County Parks, and Henry Coe, the 2nd largest CA State park, a fabulous new (2007) Centennial Recreation Center, state of the art Aquatics center, new bowling center, movie theatre, horse riding, art and dance classes, the list could go on and on. Morgan Hill also boasts the fabulous Coyote Creek Bike Trail, which is a 15-mile long, paved, mostly level multi-use trail that runs along Coyote Creek from South San Jose, through the Coyote Valley, and ends near the Anderson Lake County Park in Morgan Hill. 

Known as the Mushroom Capital of the World, for the garden lover, Morgan Hill is a mecca. Proximity to the country’s Garlic Capital (Gilroy), Artichoke Capital (Castroville) and Strawberry Capital (Watsonville) is just a start. National seed companies (Sakata and Goldsmith) call Morgan Hill and Gilroy home. Andy’s Orchard, operated by well-known artisinal fruit expert Andy Mariani has been showcased in national gourmet magazines. No matter where you’re driving in the area, you’re sure to come across a fruit and vegetable stand. In addition, the area also boasts many fabulous wineries, evidenced by the countless lush fields of grape vines. 

Another huge plus for residents is the weather! With the moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean, Morgan Hill enjoys a mild Mediterranean-type climate. Temperatures range from an average midsummer maximum of 90.2ºF (with cool evenings) to an average midwinter low of 33.6ºF. Average annual precipitation is app. 18.9 in. The summer months are typically dry, with very low humidity levels. 

GILROY 

Nestled in the lush Gavilian foothills between the Santa Cruz mountains and the Diablo range, the community of Gilroy serves at the southern gateway to the bountiful Santa Clara Valley. Historically named the "Pleasant Valley," Gilroy enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate and a tranquil beauty that beckons the discriminating traveler. 

Drive through Gilroy on a hot summer day and you will smell first-hand why we are known as the "Garlic Capital of the World." Gilroy lives up to its reputation, too. Surrounded by fields of the famous bulb, the city also features several garlic shops and processing plants. Restaurants and shops throughout the town feature the "Stinking rose" and other produce year-round. 

Located amidst breathtaking panoramas countryside and rolling hills, Gilroy's charming and intimate wineries provide visitors with a chance to explore picturesque backroads not usually seen by those outside the area. 

Stroll through our town and you will see historical houses and dotting tree-lined streets. In Gilroy's historic downtown, you will find quaint shops and three community theater companies. Whimsical murals grace the fronts of many of the turn-of-the-century buildings. Visitors enjoy the wonderful blend of old fashioned congeniality and personal service.
 

PARKS 

National and State 

Pinnacles National Monument - Located less than an hr. from Morgan Hill...take a picnic, hiking shoes, and a flashlight so that you can explore the park's unique rock formations and ancient caves. Expert rock climbers consider this a prime destination. Picnic sites are plentiful, and a campground with a pool is located just outside the park. 

Henry Coe State Park - (in Morgan Hill) features canoeing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. It has 68,000 acres of range land containing steep mountain slopes, streams, trails, ninety lakes and ponds, and an abundance of wildlife. 

County and City 

Our county and city parks offer plenty of options. Water sports like fishing, boating, or jet-skiing are the perfect activity for our many reservoirs. Near Morgan Hill, you can visit Anderson Reservoir or Uvas Reservoir. San Justo Reservoir, outside of Hollister is one of the state's newest recreational activities. You can take a quiet walk or hike alongside a creek at the Uvas Canyon Country Park, featuring miles of trails and rustic camping sites. Mt. Madonna County Park outside of Gilroy hosts a small herd of white deer who are only too happy to nibble on acorns offered by visiting children. There are also cool hills to hike in, and excellent campgrounds to stay in, should you decide to spend the night.
 

Check out these links for more information: 

SAN MARTIN 

San Martin is conveniently nestled between Morgan Hill to the north and Gilroy to the South. The community (app. 4,200 people per the 2000 census) has been considering incorporating into either a city or town since 2004, but no official action has been taken as of this date. Home to many horse ranches, vineyards and orchards, It is also home to the volunteer-run Wings of History aviation museum, located next to South County Airport. In the Fall months, San Martins’ pumpkin patches attract scores of families as do their Christmas sTree Farms in November and December! 

San Martin is also the location of the prestigious 1,700 acre four star Cor de Valle Resort, a member of the Rosewood Resorts. Referred to in an internet travel site as “a wine country resort in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings” Corde Valle offers a myriad of services to it’s visitors.
 

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