At a glance
- Where it is: south Santa Clara County, roughly thirty miles south of San Jose.
- Known for: its garlic-growing heritage, the Gilroy Premium Outlets, and Gilroy Gardens.
- The environment: a small city with agricultural land at the edges and a historic downtown.
- What sets it apart: generally the most accessible entry point in Santa Clara County, in exchange for the longest commute.
Housing character
- Single-family homes, including a large share built from the 1990s onward.
- Townhomes and condominiums in the newer developments.
- Older homes near downtown Monterey Street.
- Rural properties on acreage outside the city limits.
Places within Gilroy
- Downtown Gilroy
- Older housing near the historic Monterey Street commercial district.
- Eagle Ridge
- Western hillside development around a golf course.
- Glen Loma Ranch
- Newer master-planned community on the west side.
- Country Estates
- Eastern neighborhood with larger lots.
- Las Animas
- Northern neighborhood near the park of the same name.
Around town
- Downtown Monterey Street with restaurants, tasting rooms, and community events.
- Gilroy Gardens family theme park.
- The Gilroy Premium Outlets.
- Uvas Canyon County Park and the Santa Clara Valley wine trail.
- Christmas Hill Park, home of the long-running garlic festival.
Getting around
- US-101 is the main route north.
- Caltrain's southern terminus is in Gilroy, with limited weekday service.
- State Route 152 crosses east toward Interstate 5 and west to the coast.
- Commutes to Silicon Valley are long.
What to check
- Commutes north are long, and US-101 congestion is significant.
- Caltrain service is limited to a few weekday trains.
- Some developments carry HOA dues and special tax assessments — ask for the amounts and end dates.
- Summer heat is noticeably higher than the northern valley.
- Rural properties may use wells and septic systems.
- Wildfire considerations apply in the surrounding hills.
- Verify current transportation service, school assignment, permit requirements, hazard information, and total housing costs for the specific address.