Hollister California—The City That Is!
Ranked #3,112 in Travel & Places, #101,081 overall
That's Right. Not the Store.
Beach, no. Farm land, yes. That is one of the differences between the real Hollister, California and the mythical one that Abercrombie & Fitch spun for its clothing brand. One thing both worlds have in common---lots of sun.
Hollister, California is where I was born and raised and returned to live after several decades of living in an urban area. I forgot how much I missed the wide sky and the low mountain ranges that surround the town. Excuse me, city. In 1980, the U.S. Census reported a population of 11,488. It tripled by the 2000 Census when the count was 34,413. Between those years, the city limits expanded as once upon-a-time farm fields and fruit orchards were sold and turned into housing developments.
Hollister, California is where I was born and raised and returned to live after several decades of living in an urban area. I forgot how much I missed the wide sky and the low mountain ranges that surround the town. Excuse me, city. In 1980, the U.S. Census reported a population of 11,488. It tripled by the 2000 Census when the count was 34,413. Between those years, the city limits expanded as once upon-a-time farm fields and fruit orchards were sold and turned into housing developments.
Looking east over dowtown Hollister
Which Way to Hollister?
Your Every Day California Inland Town
The fictional surf town of Hollister, California is located in Laguna Beach, a bit south of Los Angeles in Southern California. The real Hollister is about 300 miles north of Los Angeles. It is in fact part of California's central coast region. The nearest beaches, though, are about 30 miles away to the west in the Monterey/Santa Cruz bay area.Hollister is the bigger of two incorporated cities in San Benito County. It also acts as the county seat. San Juan Bautista, which lies 11 miles to the west, is the other city. San Francisco and Oakland are about 90 miles to the north of Hollister. San Jose, also to the north, is just 45 or so miles away.
At the corner of San Benito & Fifth
Veterans Memorial Building
More of Downtown Hollister
Hollister Link Mania!
Web sites to check out when you need or want to know more about the place!
- City of Hollister
- Here's where you can learn about the city government.
- San Benito County
- This web site provides the lowdown on the county government, of which Hollister is the county seat.
- U.S. Census Bureau "Quick Facts"
- The U.S. Census Bureau provides easy and fast statistics about Hollister at this Web page.
- Hollister Downtown Association
- A nonprofit group of local merchants and others who are working to promote Hollister and its businesses, as well as to preserve its history.
- San Benito County Chamber of Commerce
- At this web site, you can find many of the businesses, shops, restaurants, and other groups that operate in and around Hollister
- San Benito County Historical Society
- Where else but this web site where folks can learn about some of the history of Hollister.
- Hollister Free Lance
- The online version of the weekly newspaper in town, which comes out on Tuesdays. The online newspaper is updated daily.
- The Weekend Pinnacle
- The online version of the weekend newspaper.
The Original Hazel Hawkins Hospital
Being There
An Aggie Town
Hollister was, is, and, with luck, shall always be an agricultural community. The San Benito High School mascot is after all a Haybaler. Not after the machine, but a farmer (any farmer) who bales hay. Go Haybalers!Most, if not all, of the new neighborhoods (as of 1980s) in Hollister used to be be orchards (apricots, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, walnuts, and so on), crop fields, or cattle grazing lands. Today, a few farms still border the city limits.
Sustainable agriculture farms and vineyards/wineries have been slowly, but surely, increasing in number in the area.
Just Minutes from Downtown!
Local Agriculture Links
Here are some links that will lead you to Web sites that can give you info about the different aspects of the local agriculture industry. You'll also find a few links for local farmers.
- San Benito County Annual Crop Report
- The San Benito County Agricultural Commissioner posts annual reports of the local agricultural production at this Web page.
- Local Harvest
- Find organic food grown by local farmers at this Web site. To find Hollister area farmers, enter "95023" in the "Where?" search engine.
- San Benito County Winegrowers Association
- The local association of winegrowers provides links to its members' Web sites.
- San Benito Wineries and Wine
- Here's another Web site about some of the winegrowers in the area.
- Guerra Cellars
- A local winery that also puts on summer concerts on its grounds.
- Hain Ranch
- The Hain Ranch produces organic walnuts and certified organic pastured chicken that it sells at local farmers' markets.
- Mariquita Farm
- Marquita Farm sells organic vegetables and herbs to restaurants and to the public through the Community Supported Agriculture program.
- Paicines Ranch
- The Paicines Ranch is a working ranch that sells free-range, grass-fed beef directly to its customers.
- Pinnacle Farm
- The Pinnacle Farm sells a variety of organic crops through grocery markets and farmers' markets. It also sells products every Saturday morning at its farm stand.
- Swank Farms
- Swank Farms sells a variety of vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants through traditional outlets and farmers' markets, as well as at their farm stand. Every fall, it opens its fun 12-acre corn maze to the public.
Looking over the Swank Farms Maze in 2009
Going to the Fair
Ever gone to a county fair? San Benito County holds one every year in the fall. It's a 3-day event. It's a blast! Carnival rides and carnival games. Cotton candy, funnel cake, and BBQ. One year, I even forked over a dollar to the see "The Strange Thing," which was a dried, shriveled chupacabra. Gross.
Children and adults throughout the county enter the flowers and vegetables they've raised; the crafts, clothes, cakes, and cookies they've made; the photos they've clicked and paintings they've created; and so on. All for the chance of being one of the best in their categories. (Future Farmers of America) and 4-H members also exhibit the goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, cows, and other livestock that they have raised all year. After being judged and awarded, the kids sell their animals at an auction that takes place at the fair.
To find out more about the fair, visit the official Web site: San Benito County Fair.
Pumpkins Display at the County Fair
4-H Exhibit at the County Fair
First Prize Cake (Yes, a Cake!) at the Fair
The Wapple House Museum
Going Back in Time
The City of Hollister was named after an Ohioan by the name of William Welles Hollister. He and his siblings headed west in the 1850s, driving thousands of sheep along with them. Hollister bought a 50 percent interest in Rancho San Justo, which the Flint-Bixby and Company purchased from Don Francisco Pacheco. At first, Hollister owned the land that was west of the San Benito River, and the Flint-Bixby group owned that to the east. After awhile, Hollister didn't think it was a good deal. The two parties eventually compromised and traded sides.
After another 10 years or so, Hollister sold all of his land to a group of farmers and ranchers who had formed the San Justo Homestead Association. He took his money and moved his family and sheep south to the Santa Barbara area. The association set aside 100 acres for a town, and in 1872, Hollister was incorporated as part of Monterey County. A few years later, San Benito County was created and Hollister was made the county seat.
For a precise reckoning of how Hollister came to be, visit the San Benito Historical Society Web site.
So, why did the San Justo Homestead Association decide to name the new town after the man who left? Supposedly, some of the farmers didn't want to have another California town with a Spanish name. If you'd like to learn a bit more about Hollister, the man, check out the Wikipedia article William Welles Hollister.
Red marks the proposed town of Hollister
Heading into Cienega Valley
The Mutsun Ohlones
The Original Residents
The first inhabitants of the Hollister area were the Mutsuns, a division of the Ohlone people. The Ohlones are also known as the Costanoans, the name that the Spanish called the local peoples when they explored the California coastal region, including inland valleys, between San Francisco and Big Sur. Spanish explorers and settlers encountered several Mutsun tribes in the Hollister valley and throughout San Benito county.
For more info about the Mutsuns and the Ohlones, check out these Web sites:
For more info about the Mutsuns and the Ohlones, check out these Web sites:
- Ohlone Indian Canyon Resource
- This Web site is owned by Costanoan Indian Research Inc., a nonprofit group, that preserves and promotes the Costanoan-Ohlone community. Indian Canyon is several miles to the south of Hollister; it is the only recognized Indian country in California.
- Indian Canyon Village
- This Web site provides more info about Indian Canyon.
- Costanoan: Amah Mutson
- This is the web site of the Amah Mutsan tribe, who are descendants of the aboriginal people who lived in the Pajaro River Basin.
- Ohlone
- Wikipedia describes the history, culture, and other aspects of the Ohlone people.
San Benito Street Poster
Date Unknown
The Birthplace of the American Biker
As long as there have been motorcycles, there have been many bikers riding in, about, and through Hollister. Locals as well as visitors. But, that is not the reason some people have called Hollister the birthplace of the American Biker. That designation stems from the events that took place on the 4th of July Weekend in 1947. About 4,000 bikers, from all parts of the state and other states as well came to town for the 3-day motorcyle rally being held at Bolado Park, a few miles south of Hollister. A lot of bikers for a small town.As you would expect, at night, after the races, some of the bikers came into town to relax, to party, to have some fun. And of course, some got drunk and rowdy. One biker even rode his motorcycle through a bar---the bar in the photo, in fact. Fights also took place. The small local police force had to declare martial law to keep things under control. When all was said and done, the authorities figured less than 1 percent of all the rally attendants were arrested and charged with...wait for it...misdemeanors.
The newspapers at that time turned the incident into a full-blown riot, exaggerating the events in story and photos. One famous photo is of a drunken man sitting on his bike. The story implies that he was a thug, an outlaw, and so on. Years later, it turned out that the photographer posed the photo (and others). The biker was your average everyday local guy. Several years later, the sensationalized events of that 1947 weekend inspired the movie "The Wild One." No doubt the movie also promoted the image of the biker who centers his lifestyle around his motorcycle.
In 1997, Hollister held an Independence Motorcycle Rally to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the incident. Tens of thousands of bikers, motorcycle enthusiasts, and friends attended. Until a couple years of ago, it was a popular annual event.
For a better low-down of the 1947 incident, check out these Web sites:
The 1947 Gypsy Tour in Hollister
The 2007 Hollister Motorcycle Rally
Hollister Riot
Hollister Independence Rally
Random Photos from Flickr
The Hollister Independence Rally was an annual event from 1997 to 2008. The motorcycle rally was a three-day happening. Tens of thousands of bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts from all over attended the rally.
automatically generated by Flickr
"The Wild One"
The 1947 biker incident in Hollister was the inspiration for the movie "The Wild One." The film came out in 1953. It was directed by Laslo Benedek and produced by Stanley Kramer. The star of the film was none other than Marlon Brando.
curated content from YouTube
Local Movie Listings
New movies currently playing at Premiere Cinemas 10 in Hollister:
- 1. The Vow - $41.2M
- A husband endeavors to win back his new bride's heart after she loses her memory in a tragic car accident...
- 2. Safe House - $40.1M
- A rookie CIA operative goes on the run with a rogue former intelligence officer after a South Africa...
- 3. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - $27.3M
- Intrepid young explorer Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) traces a mysterious distress signal to a rem...
- 4. Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace 3D - $22.4M
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is a young apprentice Jedi knight under the tutelage of Qui-Gon Jinn...
- 5. Chronicle - $12.0M
- A loner (Dane DeHaan) escapes his abusive home life and discovers a mysterious crater that gives him...
powered by Movies.com
The Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo Parade
Annual Events
Here are a few of the events that take place each year in Hollister.
- Bike Blessing (Spring)
- Charming Chairs & Quilt Show (April)
- Downtown Certified Farmer's Market (May through September)
- Spotlight on San Benito County Trade Show (May)
- San Benito County Chamber Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo Parade (June)
- San Benito County Horse Show and Rodeo (June)
- Annual Street Festival & Car Show (Summer)
- The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival (Summer)
- Movies Under the Stars (Summer)
- Mexican Independence Day Parade (September)
- Northern California Renaissance Faire (Fall)
- San Benito County Fair (October)
- San Benito High School Homecoming Parade (Fall)
- Veteran's Day Parade (November)
- Lights On Annual Celebration (Santa Claus Parade)
Mexican Independence Day Parade
Lights On Annual Celebration Parade
Floral Parade Poster
Date unknown
How's the Weather?
Invalid License Key.
The San Andreas Fault (I'm Told) Runs Through Here
Shaking and Rolling!
Hollister is full of cracks. Uh-huh. The ground beneath us is continuously shifting because of EARTHQUAKES.
I've heard say that we have an earthquake every day. Most are so slight, we don't know they're happening. Why not? Two major faults run through our area---the ominous San Andreas Fault and the just as menacing Calaveras Fault. Hollister saw much damage in both the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
Once upon a time, Hollister called itself the Earthquake Capital of the World. Parkfield, California now holds that title. According to Parkfield's Web site, more earthquake studies are taking place there than anywhere else. Stilll, Hollister has a good share of geologists coming to town to study earthquake activity. Check out the following Web sites by researchers about the Calaveras Fault that runs through downtown:
Hollister and the Calaveras Fault
A Walking Tour of the Calaveras Fault in Hollister, California
I've heard say that we have an earthquake every day. Most are so slight, we don't know they're happening. Why not? Two major faults run through our area---the ominous San Andreas Fault and the just as menacing Calaveras Fault. Hollister saw much damage in both the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
Once upon a time, Hollister called itself the Earthquake Capital of the World. Parkfield, California now holds that title. According to Parkfield's Web site, more earthquake studies are taking place there than anywhere else. Stilll, Hollister has a good share of geologists coming to town to study earthquake activity. Check out the following Web sites by researchers about the Calaveras Fault that runs through downtown:
Hollister and the Calaveras Fault
A Walking Tour of the Calaveras Fault in Hollister, California
Pinnacles National Monument
Hiking, rock climbing, camping, picnicking, gazing at Condors (if you're lucky), or just plain napping are some of the things you can do at the Pinnacles National Monument, which is part of the National Park Service. It's a long, windy 30 miles south of Hollister on highway 25.The monument was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Over 23 million years ago, according to some scientists, the Pinnacles was a part of the Neenach Volcano that is located several hundred miles to the south near Lancaster, California. Yes, you read that correctly. The famous San Andreas Fault split the volcano and ever so slowly the fault crept and carried the Pinnacles to its present location. Amazing, huh?
For more info about the Pinnacles and all the flora, fauna, and fun there, clickity click over to Pinnacles National Monument.
More Pinnacles
Flying Through the Air
with Grace and Ease
Wanna learn to fly? Hang glide? Drop out of the sky? Perhaps pilot a glider or just ride in one? You can do all that around the skies of Hollister.Check these Web sites for more info about airports and flight instruction:
City of Hollister Airport
AirNav.com: Hollister Municipal Airport
Frazier Lake Airport
Gavilan Aviation
To learn about gliding, visit Bay Area Glider Rides.
For skydiving lessons or jumping out tandem-style, check out Skydiving Inc.
And, if you'd like to try hang gliding, here's the outfit the outfit that gives lessons down here: Mission Soaring Center
Freshly Picked Tomatoes from Marquita Farm
Reviews from Yelp
Need someplace to eat or quench your thirst while wandering in and out of Hollister? Here are a few suggestions by Yelp reviewers.
Here's what Yelpers have to say about Food in 95023
- DeBrito Chocolate Factory (Hollister)
- "I think the excellent reviews for this place speak for themselves. Do yourself a favor if your in the neighborhood and drop by this place and get an apple,..." more
- Pietra Santa Winery (Hollister)
- "I love this place. A bit of a trek from the South Bay, but well worth the drive. The staff is great, the tour was fun and the unpretentious staff taught..." more
- DeRose Vineyards (Hollister)
- "A nice place to do wine tasting! You get taste many unique and excellent wines for $5 like Cabernet Pfeffer and Negrette. They have a car museum open the..." more
- Casa De Sweets (Hollister)
- "disneyland version of pitstops. wow, don't miss this place" more
- Dunneville Cafe & Market (Hollister)
- "I am sorry Dunneville Cafe....After ranting about your Tri Tip for years I am going to have to give you guys a bad review. First of all....I think this..." more
- El Nopal Bakery (Hollister)
- "Everything you here is true. This joint is the real deal. The tortillas are the freshest around. I'm a frequent customer. Really frequent. Like all the..." more
- Casa de Fruta (Hollister)
- "The famous "cup flipper" of yore is long gone- but there is still good reason to stop in at Casa de Fruta! Casa de Fruta has all your dried fruit needs!..." more
- Casa de Wine (Hollister)
- "best pit stop ever. free wine tasting (up to 3 wines). black muscat champagne - nice, refreshing champagne that leaves a nice after taste. in for 2..." more
- Spudnut & Deli (Hollister)
- "Delicious donuts! Went in for one and came out with a dozen. My Intero offices loves them, and they got me hooked. They have my vote for a breakfast treat." more
- Mars Hill Coffeehouse (Hollister)
- "I have just started really going to Mars Hill because we meet our teacher here for home school meetings. I love the atmosphere with the mis-matched..." more
powered by Yelp
Some Books about Here
Real Tales and Not
Here are a few non-fiction books about the area, as well as a couple of novels that set some or all of its story in and around Hollister. Enjoy!
Take 25 to Hollister, California
A Blog by Me!!
Yep, I still have more to say. I invite you to head on over to the blog I write about my hometown.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAnything You'd Like to Say?
Be my guest. Just please be nice and keep it clean.
Thanks for visiting my lens. Come back anytime. :-)
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webmaster, Indian Canyon
Aug 18, 2010 @ 10:43 am | delete
- Hi and thanks again for linking to us (Costanoan- Ohlone Indian Canyon Resource www.indiancanyon.org) - we need to point a small error...Indian Canyon is NOT the only recognized Indian Land in California - rather, we are the only recognized Indian Land between Clear lake and the Santa Barbara Area - thanks
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TheWhistler
Apr 20, 2010 @ 3:44 pm | delete
- Looks like quite a place. You sure seem proud of your city, that's good. To many people nowadays don't have any civic pride. Thanks for the tour.
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Meghan
Apr 14, 2010 @ 12:57 pm | delete
- I recently moved to Hollister after living in nearby Gilroy and Morgan Hill for years. It's nice to learn new things about the town and get an insider's look at what's fun to do. I love the small town feel and can't wait to get out and takes some pictures of the beautiful area. Thanks for sharing!
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SueM11
Mar 30, 2010 @ 3:42 am | delete
- Thanks for the tour to your town. This is the first time I have heard of Hollister and I enjoyed visiting it through your eyes.
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poutine
Mar 28, 2010 @ 12:55 pm | delete
- Looking at all the pictures, I understand how you missed your birthplace.
Seems a great place.
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hNizam
Mar 27, 2010 @ 12:05 pm | delete
- Nice lens . 5 Stars 4 You .
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sema
Mar 27, 2010 @ 10:56 am | delete
- An informative lens.5* Living across the world(I am from india) I felt nice visiting a new place and thoroughly enjoyed it!
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d-artist
Mar 26, 2010 @ 7:21 pm | delete
- oh this brings back memories to Hollister...very nicely done lens...5*
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Hairdresser007
Mar 26, 2010 @ 6:20 pm | delete
- great lens. I especially like the map with directions.
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jennysue19
Mar 24, 2010 @ 2:51 pm | delete
- A lovely place to live (if you don't mind earthquakes!) and a lovely lens - well done
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Su-sieeeMac
Hiya! Writing about myself always stumps me. It's like calling someone on the phone and getting a machine. Uhhhhh.... One thing about me: I'm willing... more »
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