SAN BENITO COUNTY

County Offices
481 Fourth Street
Hollister 831-636-4000
https://www.cosb.us

Chamber of Commerce
243 6th Street
Hollister 831-637-5315
https://www.sanbenitocountychamber.com

Those who appreciate “Old California” serenity, natural beauty, and rural ties will find the perfect home in San Benito County just beyond the bustle of Santa Clara County and Silicon Valley. This growing area balances historic preservation with a progressive attitude toward quality development. The city of Hollister serves as the commercial, educational, and healthcare hub of the county. The welcoming community of San Juan Bautista adds a sense of quiet charm and impressive historic sites.

Services
Residents of San Benito County are able to access state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and services close to home in Hollister at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. In addition to acute care, the hospital operates a skilled nursing facility, an intensive care unit, 24-hour emergency services, and a birthing center. Health clinics and an urgent-care clinic combine with a selection dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrist, massage therapists, and physical therapists to meet every need. Saint Louise Hospital in Gilroy is also easily accessible for expanded healthcare options.

Private accredited preschools underline the quality opportunities for education in San Benito County, where public and private schools service students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The area’s elementary schools feature strong math and reading programs in modern facilities and have been recognized throughout California for the development and use of outstanding computer assisted learning programs and software. Nearby Gilroy is home to the main campus of Gavilan Community College, although Hollister provides two extension locations. The downtown Hollister campus annex offers associate degree programs and other continuing education opportunities, while the airport site focuses on airplane mechanics. Among the nearby colleges and universities are Hartnell Community College in Salinas, California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, San Jose State University, the University of California Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara University including a school of law.

U.S. Highway 101 travels through the western-most section of the county, linking the three main thoroughfares of Highways 25, 129, and 156. The latter highway links the communities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista. Highway 156 also intersects with Highway 152, the main artery to/from the San Joaquin Valley and Interstate 5.

Lifestyle
Enjoying a mild climate and a remarkable variety of landscapes, San Benito County ranges in elevation from near sea level to more than 5,000 feet. Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties border to the north, and Monterey County lies to the west and south. San Francisco is approximately 100 miles to the north, and the county is 45 miles inland from Monterey. Because of its unique location, this region ensures easy access to some of California’s most spectacular shoreline beauty as well as world-class Bay Area attractions and amenities.

Diversity, unique landscapes, grand historic sites, and architectural treasures are the hallmarks of this area. San Juan Bautista boasts the lion’s share of jewels from yesterday, including the San Juan Bautista Mission, the Town Square Hotel, the stage coach stop, an early 1900s cemetery, and the quaint historic Main Street. Hollister’s airport serves as a center for business and recreational pilots as well as skydivers, gliders, and vintage plane enthusiasts. Complementing the region’s picturesque ranchland, farms, and vineyards, this area features Pinnacles National Monument and an off-road motorcycle park. Oak forest, Eucalyptus groves, unusual formations, and miles of rural backroads invite exploration and outdoor adventure.

The phenomenal growth in Silicon Valley and nearby communities like Gilroy and Morgan Hill has reached into San Benito County as well. Today, this area is widely recognized as a popular relocation destination for urban Californians who desire a close-knit hometown atmosphere and more affordable housing. As a result, new construction has increased dramatically and the county provides a wide range of lovely older homes including elegant Victorians as well as contemporary styling. Those who are looking for acreage and larger parcels of land will find in San Benito County a less developed area with extraordinary appeal.

Hollister, Ridgemark
Municipal Offices
831-636-4300
https://hollister.ca.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
831-637-5315
https://www.sanbenitocountychamber.com

The hub of San Benito County, the city of Hollister offers a balanced community with a hometown spirit. Blending well-kept older homes with newer construction, the city offers quiet neighborhoods lined with mature greenery as well as good schools and wonderful parks. Firmly rooted in its agricultural and cattle ranching heritage, the city maintains a friendly business environment that encourage quality development. Outstanding recreational areas surround the city including Pinnacles National Park, Hollister Hills State Recreational Area, the San Justo Reservoir, and Thousand Trails Campground. Nestled between the Gavilan and Diablo Ranges of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Hollister enjoys a year-round temperate climate. The unincorporated area of Ridgemark is only minutes from Hollister, expanding the opportunities for residential development. A community of strength and charm, Hollister remains a step away from Bay Area crowds yet close enough to share in its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

San Juan Bautista
Municipal Offices
831-623-4661
https://www.san-juan-bautista.ca.us

Chamber of Commerce
831-627-5315
https://www.sanbenitocountychamber.com/

Incorporated in 1869 and nestled in the heart of the San Juan Valley between the Gabilan Mountains and Flint Hills, San Juan Bautista is rich in culture and history. The community’s small-town flavor is brimming over with the charm of Colonial Spain and contemporary California. The Old Mission San Juan Bautista is distinguished as the largest of the California missions, and the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park showcases the only remaining Spanish Plaza in California. “The City of History” is a jewel that shines in a panoramic setting, undisturbed by the fast-paced Bay Area that remains easily accessible for day trips and getaways. Local attractions include wonderful boutiques, galleries, artist studios, cafes, and restaurants.