Day 13

  4.3 miles

Chitactac Park

Gilroy, Ca.

This area is believed to be the location of the Ohlone village of Chitactac prior to contact with the Spanish in the 1770's. Although the site was later used for a school, that use did not obliterate all traces of the first people's rock carvings -- which are characteristically carved as concentric circles -- in the exposed sandstone. The village had several concentrations of acorn-grinding mortars, which can be seen near the entrance to the park and along the self-guided interpretive trail. 

Day 12

   5.4 miles  

Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy,Ca.

It was founded by Michael and Claudia Bonfante after selling their Nob Hill Foods supermarket chain to build the park. The park was constructed gradually over a period of 25 years. Before it became an amusement park open to the public, it was known as Tree Haven, and was a commercial plant nursery, as well as a recreational facility for employees of Nob Hill Foods. The park opened to the public in June 2001 as Bonfante Gardens. The name was changed to Gilroy Gardens in February 2007.^[2] It features 19 rides, 27 attractions and six gardens.
Starting in 2004, the park began its annual holiday celebration, Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights.
The park struggled with financial difficulty and low attendance the first two years it was open. It closed early for its first two seasons and the park's management debated whether to open at all for the third season. Paramount Parks began to manage the park on contract starting with the 2003 season.^[3]
Gilroy Gardens operates under the management of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which acquired Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation on June 30, 2006.^[4]
The city of Gilroy purchased the 536 acres (217 ha) (including the theme park rides) on March 5, 2008. This purchase bought out about half the existing bond holders. The other half is planned to be bought out in 2010. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park leases the land from the city.
In 2010, Gilroy Gardens held its 10th Anniversary.

Day 11

  5.5 miles

Creekview Vineyards

San Martin, Ca

Winemakers Gregory and Teri Peterson have been passionate about wine for over 25 years. Establishing a love for winemaking back in their late teens, the two continued to make wines for friends and family over the years. Beginning with 10 vines in the small backyard of their San Jose home, the two hoped they could eventually plant a larger vineyard. It was in 2000 when the two moved with their daughters, Sarah and Crystal to a beautiful ranchette in San Martin. From here the two attended vineyard management classes at UC Davis and started planting small blocks of vines on the property. The Peterson’s then started entering their wines into competitions and consistently received awards including, double gold, gold, silver and bronze. The overwhelming feedback they received influenced them to bond their winery in 2005.
As a family owned and operated winery, the Peterson family manages all aspects of Creekview Vineyards - from the vine management, to the winemaking process and all the way down to bottling and labeling. Every bottle of Creekview Vineyards wine is meticulously handcrafted to perfection and finesse.
The 1.5 acre estate vineyard is on the same property as their winery and is planted with Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and some Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec for blending. The Peterson’s also purchase grapes from other local premium growers in the area.
The winery is open one weekend each month for tasting. Date and times are communicated via our monthly e-mail newsletter. So please send us your e-mail address info@creekviewvineyards.com  if you would like to be on the list. Wines can be purchased directly at the winery by calling 408 686-0534 or on our website www.creekviewvineyards.com.

Day 10

    4.3 miles

HIRAM MORGAN HILL HOUSE

 Morgan Hill, Ca

  The Morgan Hill House is unique, incorporating the best features of Queen Anne and Stick/Eastlake design. It was built in 1884-1886 by Hiram Morgan Hill for his bride, Diana Murphy Hill. The couple, along with their daughter Diane, lived in San Francisco and used the house as a country retreat for themselves and their many friends. In fact, the town acquired its name because train conductors would call out, “Morgan Hill’s” when making special stops for the Hill’s guests to disembark.

The House was sold by the Hills in 1912 and was subsequently a private home and an antique shop. In 1992 Vila Mira Monte was deeded to the Morgan Hill Historical Society with the proviso that it be rescued from dereliction and be open to the public. After six years of extensive work, it was opened in the summer of 1998.

Day 9

   4.2 miles

Morgan Hill, CA

Coyote Valley Sporting Clays

Decided to check out where my husband and son disapear to with their guns.  Looks pretty.  I can see why they enjoy this.
Coyote valley sporting clays opened in 1992 with a simple vision – to create a family oriented shotgun range and event facility offering consistent and uncompromising customer service in a high quality atmosphere and naturally beautiful surroundings. Our company has enjoyed continuous growth from the beginning, slowly maturing into what we offer today. Our growth has been in response to our customers needs, whose desires remain our constant focus. Today, company founders and owners Tom and Nancy Ebert actively manage the operations of the business with Nancy also heading up the Instruction Staff and conducting Private Instruction on a limited basis. 

Day 8

    5.5 Miles

Calero Reservoir

San Jose Ca

Calero Reservoir is an artificial lake in the Santa Teresa Hills south of San Jose, California, U.S.A..
The lake is formed by Calero Dam, built in 1935 across Calero Creek. Its waters reach the San Francisco Bay by way of Los Alamitos Creek and the Guadalupe River.
A 4,455-acre county park surrounds the reservoir,^[3] and provides fishing^[4] ("catch-and-release"), picnicking, and hiking activities. Boating, water-skiing and jet-skiing are permitted in the reservoir.

  Day 7

    4.3 miles

 Hayes Mansion

San Jose Ca

Architect George Page was commissioned in 1903 by Mary Chynoweth, widow of Anson Hayes and wife of San Jose attorney Thomas Chynoweth, to build a home to replace the Hayes family’s wooden English Baroque mansion, which had burned to the ground in 1899. Intended to provide a triple residence for the Chynoweths and growing families of Mary's two sons (Everis A. Hayes and Jay Orly Hayes), the home Page designed incorporated the latest fire safety features of the day.
The 41,000-square-foot (3,800 m²) Mediterranean villa features exotic woods, imported marble and ornate stained glass windows. Constructed in the shape of a Maltese Cross, its long center section contains an 18-foot (5.45 m) wide solarium connecting the north and south wings. A loggia connects the east with the west. Walls are stucco coated double brick. Fire-safety features include fire hose cabinets connected to water tanks on the third floor and a kitchen located in a separate building connected to the mansion by a glass and marble conservatory.
Early on the property was self-sufficient, with its own power plant, a post office, railroad station, carriage stop, lodgings for 40 ranch hands, and a chapel. The family grew fruits and vegetables and raised its own livestock. Everis and Jay Hayes went on to help develop the Santa Clara Valley fruit industry and became the publishers of the San Jose Mercury. Three U.S. Presidents visited the mansion during their prominence.
The family sold the property during the 1950s, after which the building remained vacant for some time then became dilapidated. Purchased by the City of San Jose during the 1990s, the property was renovated and expanded to its present state. The building now contains 33,000 square feet (3,100 m²) of meeting space and 214 guest rooms and is surrounded by a 20-acre (8.1 ha) park.