Gilroy Welcome Center

General information

Mention Gilroy and a single word comes to mind: garlic. That's because the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival has grown into one of the nation's most famous food celebrations and has helped the community earn the title of “Garlic Capital of the World.”

Garlic has a year-round home in Gilroy’s revitalized down- town of historic buildings and quaint antique shops. You can dig into garlic-laced dishes at Garlic City Café, historic Old City Hall Restaurant and at local favorites, OD’s Kitchen and Station 55. The Milias Restaurant dates back to 1922 and blends the unique history of the days when it was a destination for traveling Hollywood stars with artisan cocktails and contemporary dining.

Garlic put Gilroy on the map, but another local highlight is the drive out Hecker Pass. Visitors can photograph the “Field of Dreams” at Syngenta Flowers, where the company grows experimental flowers–many of them one of a kind. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is another local horticultural destination with more than 40 attractions, including six majestic gardens. The Park’s world-famous Circus Trees are living sculptures created by intricate grafting techniques.

While on Hecker Pass, you can enjoy tours and tastings at award-winning wineries that have brought the valley’s 19th century winemaking tradition into the new millennium. Continuing on Hecker Pass, visitors can enjoy the beautiful and culturally significant Chitactac-Adams County Park or the majestic Mt. Madonna County Park and recreation area.

Gilroy also offers a shopper’s paradise for visitors, with 145 brand-name stores located in the Gilroy Premium Outlets.