Gilroy hot springs will plan to open summer 2021, they are still looking for volunteers and…read moredonations. You can donate at: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/reopen-gilroy-hot-springs-in-2021 They are currently closed to the public. Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs has a tea house and cabins. This is the only hot spring/ onsen in the Bay Area! Excited for the restoration and reopening of this mineral rich, history rich state treasure!

Gilroy Hot Springs has a long history in the Japanese American community. Article from Watsonville…read moreRegister-Pajaronian. September 8, 1945: HOSTEL SLATED FOR RETURNING JAPANESE AT GILROY SPRINGS "Hostel accommodations for servicemen and ex-servicemen and women of Japanese ancestry and their families will be made available through arrangements completed this week between the Presbyterian Home Missions board and the War Relocation authority for joint sponsorship of Gilroy Hot Springs, owned by Frank Sakata, formerly of the Pajaro valley and now of Oregon. The hostel will be taken over Sept. 15. ...The hostel will be available to Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara county Japanese." Only 3 stars because most sources say it's not presently open to the public, it is, however, part of Henry W Coe State Park.

Kirigin is our new favorite winery in Gilroy and Monterey bay!!! Simply amazing wine and even more…read moreamazing wine clubs!! They have a huge selection of reds and their desert wine is to die for. They also host large events. I absolutely love the ambiance of the tasting room, which includes a very long tasting bar for those crowded days. By all means, allow a couple of hours for this tasting, you'll enjoy your time here. The downside, I'm currently living in MN and there's no shipping offered to that state, otherwise we would have joined a wine club.

Had a pretty disappointing experience here on my first visit for a girls' wine day. We came in…read moreexcited to try somewhere new, do a tasting, and hopefully buy a few bottles to enjoy on the grounds, but the service immediately felt cold and uncomfortable. The staff member behind the bar greeted us with a blank, deadpan stare (otherwise known as a "GenZ Stare") that made the whole interaction feel awkward from the start. When we mentioned it was our first time visiting and that we were excited to be there, there was no warmth, no enthusiasm, and no effort to tell us about the wines or the property. Even the pours seemed careless. I know this is Gilroy and not Napa, but I still expected a welcoming experience and better wine service. Unfortunately, both the service and the wine itself were disappointing. The best part of this place was definitely the beautiful grounds, which would make a gorgeous wedding setting. Maybe this place is better suited as an event venue than a wine tasting destination, but based on my experience, I would not return. The two stars are for the beautiful grounds.

Great barn/farm/orchard setting! The sandwiches were excellent but of course the real star was the…read moreapple pie! Huge slices too, as the apple pie is about twice the height of the other ones. There was simultaneously always a lineup (at 2:30min the afternoon), and yet people were never waiting long. The hot apple cider, and fresh apple cider, are amazing as well.

I really wanted to get my sister an apricot pie, but they didn't have a whole one, only a couple of…read moreslices, so I ended up with a "Very Berry". All the pies looked good, but I won't know how it tastes since it's not for me. My friends ordered slices and they seemed a bit small; the cost per slice is more than for a quarter of a whole pie, but the size seemed much smaller. I guess it pays to buy the whole pie! Very popular shop. There was a line when we arrived and a line when we left. The pie shop is next door to the store where they sold apples and fresh apple juice. There were cups of apple juice in the fridge that you could help yourself to as samples; very refreshing and delicious. The store also sold lots of kitchen knickknacks and some toys and fun things. Made for a great stop.

San Juan Bautista State Historic Park is one of those truly special places that feels timeless. No…read morematter how often we visit, it never loses its charm. The mission church is absolutely breathtaking--built in the late 1700s, it's incredible to stand inside a structure that has been standing for centuries. The architecture, the craftsmanship, and the peaceful energy of the space make it impossible not to pause and take it all in. It's beautiful, humbling, and deeply moving. We happen to live only about 20 minutes away, which makes this place even more meaningful to us. We come out here religiously, sometimes twice a week, and it has become our little hideout. It's where we go to slow down, walk the grounds, clear our heads, and reconnect--with history, with the surroundings, and with ourselves. Every visit feels grounding. The surrounding area is just as special as the park itself. The historic downtown has an old-fashioned charm that's hard to find these days. It almost feels like a quiet ghost town frozen in time--in the best possible way. The preserved buildings, wooden walkways, and relaxed pace make it feel like you've stepped into another era. There are also some great local restaurants nearby, perfect for grabbing a meal and making a full afternoon out of your visit. What makes San Juan Bautista so unique is that it doesn't feel overdeveloped or commercialized. It's authentic, peaceful, and full of character. Whether you're a history lover, architecture enthusiast, photographer, or just someone looking for a calm, beautiful place to escape for a bit, this spot delivers every time. Founded in 1797, this place is a true California treasure. We're incredibly lucky to have it so close to home, and it's somewhere we'll continue coming back to again and again. Highly recommend--this is a must-visit.

San Juan Bautista State Historical Park is well maintained, the grounds are well maintained and…read morelandscape beautifully manicured. The buildings and historical items are in great shape. From wagons, carts, saddles, furnishings, hotel, mission, stable, etc. all beautifully preserved. Rangers are super friendly, helpful, professional appearance in uniforms and easy to locate. They are knowledgeable, offer helpful tips. Entry fee for me was $3. If you can donate extra $$ please do so. They will give you a receipt for tax purposes, if needed. Lots of history here. Gifts and souvenirs if you want them along with books about the history. Lots of space for kids to run around on grassy areas. Adjacent shops, restaurants within walking distance. Ample parking on surrounding streets. I had a nice time, memories of visiting here when I was in the 4th grade.

My wife and I had an amazing lunch on Thursday for our anniversary. The food is always terrific and…read morechanges monthly. Our server told us about the free monthly tours which included all three floors of the house and one was this Saturday, today. The tour was great and there was so much information on John Steinbeck and the history of the Salinas area. Our tour guide was John and he did a terrific job and had so many personal stories that he added into the conversation. Probably from over 12 years experience and knowledge of Steinbeck. Highly recommend and chicken mushroom crepe is hard to beat. Thank you and we can't wait to be back!

The food and service were fabulous. All persons working are volunteers--I would volunteer if I…read morelived in the area. I had called on our way in, and a special sign was waiting for me upon arrival. My cauliflower soup was delicious and I was so glad I decided to try it. The salad with the fresh local greens, apples and Brie Cheese was wonderful, and the chicken was fresh and perfectly prepared. Planning on my next visit when I am in the area.

I've visited most of the 21 Spanish missions in California, as well as missions in Arizona and…read moreMexico. I've even written a book about the California Missions (The California Mission Guide). Mission San Juan Bautista is my favorite mission to visit! It was the 15th mission in California, and was founded in 1797. The mission itself is mid-sized, and it is well preserved; it is still an active Catholic church. (The climactic scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 film masterpiece, Vertigo, was filmed at Mission San Juan Bautista. There is now a popular coffee shop in town called Vertigo, in honor of the film.) What makes this mission my favorite is the surrounding town. The slogan of San Juan Bautista is "The City of History," and it's well-deserved. Across the street from the mission you'll find the Castro-Breen adobe, built in 1836, and the Plaza Hotel, built in 1856. You can also visit the Plaza stable, built around 1870, which features a small collection of buggies and wagons. The town's original main street is just a couple of blocks from the mission. There is a self-guided walking tour that features almost 50 historic sites from the 1800's. There also restaurants, shops and antique galleries. Plan on spending a full day in San Juan Bautista!

I stopped by the mission after dinner with my 10-year-old niece to say a quick prayer. The church…read moredoors were open when we entered, so we assumed it was available to the public. As we were leaving, a man who appeared to be supervising a school choir approached us abruptly and told us the church was closed and that we needed to leave. The tone and manner felt unnecessarily rude and unwelcoming. I understand there may have been a private event or restricted access, but the doors being open created confusion. More importantly, the interaction itself was disappointing--especially in a place that is meant to feel welcoming. Could you please clarify the policy on public access, and ensure that visitors are treated with courtesy in the future?