Patch Picks: Top Five Gilroy Staycations

Rolling hills, wineries and garlic galore. Gilroy residents already live in a vacation destination, so you do not have to look far to relax. Here are our top picks for a “staycation,” a holiday in your own backyard.

 1) Embracing spring at Henry W. Coe State Park. At California's second-largest state park, you'll find 200 miles of lush trails, 90 glimmering lakes and ponds and three watersheds. This Saturday, for the annual kid's “Ranch Day,” there will also be horses, rabbits, chickens and ducks in the Hunting Hollow area of the park. (900 E. Dunne Ave., Morgan Hill, 408-779-2728 )

 2) Boating. Located only minutes from downtown, the 4,595-acre Coyote Lake—Harvey Bear Ranch features camping and boat launch facilities. (10840 Coyote Lake Rd., 408-842-7800). Or try the Anderson Reservoir, which has both a boat launch and a picnic area.

 3) A Day (or Night) in the Vineyard. It's hard not to notice the many sprawling wineries and vineyards that dot the Santa Clara Valley. But besides tasting during the day, many of these bucolic destinations also offer fun evening activities. There are Bunco nights, with prizes, at Fortino Winery (4525 Hecker Pass Hwy, 408-842-3305 ) and “Cheap Date Nights” at the wine bar of Guglielmo Winery, where you can wine and dine for $20 a pop (1480 E. Main Ave., Morgan Hill, 408-779-2145)

4) Shopping, Gilroy Style. The Gilroy Premium Outlets offer several brand-name stores with incredible savings. Yet for some “only in Gilroy” finds, look no farther than an afternoon on Monterrey Avenue downtown. The street boasts four garlic-themed shops and five antique stores. And after searching for grandfather clocks and cookbooks, you'll be right next to many coffee shops and restaurants for after-shopping relaxing.

5) Amusement Time. All 21 rides and six gardens of the have opened again. Pick up discounted tickets for $25 when you stop by the visitors bureau. (3050 Heckler Pass Rd., 408-840-7100)