Gilroy Living

Gilroy is a city that has it all. It is surrounded by some of the most beautiful open space that California has to offer. The community takes pride in continually winning the Tree City USA Award and has garnered a host of awards from the California Park and Recreation Society. Home to approximately 45,000 residents, Gilroy is the “Gateway of the Central Coast” due to its central location just minutes south of Silicon Valley and a short driving distance to cities like Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz and the San Francisco Bay area.

The neighborhoods in Gilroy offer residents a variety of property options which are primarily made.....

.....up of single-family homes, estate properties, some townhouses and condominiums, and custom lots for building to suit executive style properties, or ranch style homes. Condominiums/ townhouses can be found in areas such as Westwood Condos, Sunset Vista and Princevalle. Prices range from $300,000 - $500,000+. Single-family homes range in price from $450,000 - $3 million+ for large estate properties. Homes in the Eagle Ridge master-planned community with front golf course views along the famous Eagle Ridge Golf Club, prices start in the high $800,000s.

Gilroy is the “Garlic Capital of the World,” and home of the world famous Gilroy Garlic Festival. The.....

.....community is located at Highway 101 and Highway 152 in Santa Clara County - the town offers much more than just the pungent smell of the savory garlic spice. Not only is the cost of ownership much more affordable by driving a few minutes south, but many of the homes and property listings are newer than what you would pay 20-30% more for in San Jose.

Gilroy is a close-knit family community that holds numerous events in addition to the famous Garlic Festival. Residents come together for annual events including the Renaissance Pleasure Faire & Artisans Market that provides family entertainment, an abundance of food and vendors and family fun. A host of recreational activities, plenty of shopping and cultural opportunities, annual events and beautiful friendly neighborhoods are some of the many features of this city.

The Gilroy Unified School District strives to provide students with outstanding academics that will enable them to become exemplary citizens. The Brownell Academy of Humanities and Fine Arts is one of the middle schools within this district and it provides students with a rigorous curriculum that is integrated with visual and performing arts. There are a number of private schools in the area. Gavilan Community College is located right in Gilroy and offers a variety of classes. Other institutions of higher learning nearby include the University of Santa Cruz, California State University at Monterey Bay and Stanford University in Palo Alto.

In addition to excellent schools, Gilroy offers an abundance of recreational activities in and around town including an extensive park system with 12 parks ranging up to 125 acres. Within a short drive is Mt. Madonna Park, a 3,200-acre park featuring some of California’s finest redwoods as well as several camping and picnicking areas and miles of hiking trails. Fishing and horseback riding can be found at Henry Coe Park, the second largest state park in California with 80,000 acres featuring 200 miles of dirt roads and trails, 90 lakes and ponds and five ecological systems. The Adams-Chitactac Park is a four-acre park that provides an area that teaches visitors about the Ohlone Indians and provides for tours of the original Indian site. There are also several reservoirs that provide several water sports and activities.

For the golf enthusiasts, the Eagle Ridge Golf Course is located in the west side of town and the Gilroy Golf Course offers a nine-hole course. Within the region are a total of 11 golf courses to choose from. The Bonfante Gardens Theme Park entertains people of all ages with its acclaimed Circus Trees, a 1927 carousel, waterfalls, topiaries - all within a 600 acre preserve. There are also several historical sites places that are listed on the National Register within the city.

Shopping is another draw to the Gilroy area. For the antique lover, there are numerous shops in the city. The Gilroy Premium Outlet Mall provides 145 stores that offer name brands at a discounted price.

Gilroy wasn’t always known as the place to go for garlic. The first inhabitants of the area were the Ohlone Indians Spanish colonization began in the mid-1700s and over the next century the land was divided into large ranches. In 1814, Scotsman John Cameron arrived in Monterey and later adopted his mother’s maiden name becoming Juan Bautista Gilroy. In 1850, a flood of pioneer settlers entered into the area and began stock raising and grain farming. The Town of Gilroy was officially incorporated in 1870, becoming the largest community in Santa Clara County with a brewery, flouring mill and a distillery.

The railroad arrived in 1869 making the community the hub of Santa Clara County. After World War I, Japanese farmers arrived and wanted to take advantage of the fertile soil in the area. They brought with them the garlic crops that continue to grow there today.

Gilroy has since developed from being a predominantly agricultural community to the fastest growing city in the Silicon Valley, thanks to high-tech and support industries as well as a number of manufacturing and production companies. An ideal location, annual festivities and beautiful neighborhoods are just some of the reasons residents of Gilroy enjoy an excellent quality of life.

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