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Gilroy, CA

Frequently asked questions

Gilroy, CA

Gilroy is a city in Northern California's Santa Clara County, south of Morgan Hill and north of San Benito County. Gilroy is the southernmost city in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a population of 59,520 as of the 2020 Census.

Gilroy's origins lie in the village of San Ysidro that grew in the early 19th century out of Rancho San Ysidro, granted to Californio ranchero Ygnacio Ortega in 1809. Following Ygnacio's death in 1833, his daughter Clara Ortega de Gilroy and son-in-law John Gilroy inherited the largest portion of the rancho and began developing the settlement. When the town was incorporated in 1868, it was renamed in honor of John Gilroy, a Scotsman who had emigrated to California in 1814, naturalized as a Mexican citizen, adopted the Spanish language, and converted to Catholicism, taking the name of Juan Bautista Gilroy.

Gilroy is known for its garlic crop and the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, featuring various garlicky foods such as garlic ice cream, leading to the city's nickname, the Garlic Capital of the World. It is also known for boutique wine production, as part of the Santa Clara Valley AVA, mostly consisting of family vineyards around the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.2 square miles (42 km2), of which 16.1 square miles (42 km2) is land and 0.06% is water.

Primary contributors to environmental noise include U.S. Route 101, El Camino Real, Leavesley Road, and other major arterials. The number of people exposed to sound levels above 60 CNEL is approximately 4,000.

Spanish explorers led by Juan Bautista de Anza first passed through the Santa Clara Valley area in 1776, and in 1797 Mission San Juan Bautista was established near the Pajaro River. In 1809, Ygnacio Ortega was granted the 13,066-acre (5,288 ha) Spanish land concession Rancho San Ysidro. The village of San Ysidro grew nearby, at the foot of Pacheco Pass which linked the El Camino Real and the Santa Clara Valley with the San Joaquin Valley. California's main exports at this time were hides and tallow, of which thousands of barrels were produced and shipped to the rest of New Spain. Trade and diplomatic intercourse with foreigners was strictly forbidden by the royal government but was quietly carried on by Californians desperate for luxury goods.

Gilroy focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Gilroy’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness, and Valley Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Gilroy, such as the Hunting Hollow and the Henry Miller Site. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Gilroy, CA are Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, Water Oasis, and Christmas Hill Park.

Population: 60,390 (2024). ZIP codes: 95020, 95021. Area codes: 408, 669. Elevation: 200 ft (61 m). Area: 16.2 square miles (42 km2).

FAQs

Why is Gilroy, CA famous for garlic?

The explanation for this is the fact that Gilroy is home to Christopher Ranch, the largest garlic grower, and processor in the nation. Their annual harvest regularly exceeds 100 million pounds, which is grown all across the state, but all of which comes to Gilroy for processing. Those kinds of numbers are bound to leave a mark or at the very least, a stench.

Is Gilroy, CA a good place to live?

Living in Gilroy offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Gilroy, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Gilroy and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Gilroy are above average.

Is Gilroy, CA expensive to live in?

Gilroy, California's cost of living is 70% higher than the national average. Gilroy's housing expenses are 152% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 9% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 24% higher than the national average.

Sources
Wikipedia

City of Gilroy

Gilroy’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Anytime Fitness

Snap Fitness 

Valley Fitness

Hunting Hollow 

Henry Miller Site
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

Water Oasis

Christmas Hill Park

Tastingtable

Niche

Payscale

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