What To Do in Morgan Hill

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

Gilroy Gardens Theme Park (formerly known as Bonfante Gardens Theme Park) is California's only horticultural theme park designed for families with young children and garden lovers. The park, located among 600 acres of rural countryside outside Gilroy, features 19 rides, 27 attractions, 6 majestic gardens and the world-famous Circus Trees. Attractions are designed to educate guests and foster a greater appreciation of the natural world and man's ability to shape it. The park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Anderson Lake County Park and Coyote Creek Parkway

Anderson Lake, Santa Clara County's largest reservoir, is located in the hills just east of Morgan Hill. The seven-mile-long lake provides opportunities for power and non-power boating and fishing. The 2,365 acre park surrounding the lake and downstream Coyote Creek features picnic areas and multiple use trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.

Anderson Lake and the picnic areas along the Coyote Creek are located on Cochrane Road in Morgan Hill, east of Highway 101. To reach the Woodchopper's picnic area or the Jackson Ranch, follow Dunne Avenue east from Highway 101. The Coyote Creek Parkway multiple use trails can be reached by following Cochrane Road west from Highway 101 to Monterey Road. Turn right onto Monterey Road and after approximately one mile, turn right (east) onto Burnett Avenue to the trail head.

Henry W. Coe State Park

Coe Park, located in the hills east of Morgan Hill, is the largest state park in Northern California, with over 80,000 acres of wild open spaces. The terrain of the park is rugged, varied, and beautiful, with lofty ridges and steep canyons. Once the home of Ohlone Indians, the park is now home to a fascinating variety of plants and animals, including the elusive mountain lion. The park is open year-round for hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers, equestrians, car campers, picnickers, photographers, and people who simply like to visit parks.

To reach the headquarters entrance, which goes to the visitor facilities and drive-in campground, take East Dunne Avenue east from Highway 101. You will climb into the hills through residential areas for the first three miles. At the top of the first ridge of hills, when you come to a Y in the road, look for a sign that says "Henry W. Coe State Park, 10 miles." You'll bear right at the Y. The road crosses a bridge and follows alongside Anderson Reservoir for a ways. Then it turns into a narrow, winding, scenic mountain road.

See the park's website for directions to the south entrance, which is popular with hikers and equestrians.

Mt. Madonna County Park

Mt. Madonna County Park is located in the coastal hills west of Gilroy. This 3,219 acre park is one of the most majestic of Santa Clara County's regional park and recreation areas. The park is dominated by the redwood forest so characteristic of the Santa Cruz Mountain range. To the east, the park overlooks the Santa Clara Valley, to the west, Monterey Bay. A popular attraction is the herd of white deer in an easily accessible fenced area.

The park is located on Highway 152 (Hecker Pass Highway), ten miles west of Gilroy. From the east, use Highway 101, and take the Highway 152 West exit. The entrance to the park is located at the summit of Highway 152 at Pole Line Road.

Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park

This park, nestled in ridge of the hills just east of San Martin and Gilroy, features a 635-acre lake, with camping and boat launch facilities, along with 13 miles of horse, bicycle and hiking trails.

The Harvey Bear Ranch portion is only 2 miles east of Highway 101 in San Martin. Take the San Martin Ave. exit and proceed east on San Martin Ave. for 2 miles; watch for the entrance to the park on the left, before the sharp bend in the road to Foothill Avenue.

To reach Coyote Lake, take the Leavesley Road exit from Highway 101 in Gilroy and proceed east on Leavesley Road 2 miles to New Avenue. Proceed north on New Avenue a half mile to Roop Road. Proceed east on Roop Road 3.5 miles into the foothills. Turn left into the park and proceed one mile north to the entrance station and visitor center.

Uvas Canyon County Park

Outdoor enthusiasts will find Uvas Canyon Park has much to offer. The park has six miles of hiking trails including a one mile Waterfall Loop that travels along Swanson Creek past many of the park's waterfalls. A pamphlet, available at the trailhead and/or ranger's office, highlights the flora of Uvas Canyon along this self-guided interpretive trail. The park contains individual picnic sites available on a first come, first served basis. The Black Oak Group Picnic Area is available by reservation for groups up to 75 people. The campground has twenty-five individual campsites. Reservations are highly recommended. The Upper Bench Youth Group Camping Area is reservable for non-profit youth groups for up to 40 people.

Uvas Canyon County Park is located at the end of Croy Road in Uvas Canyon. From Highway 101, take Bernal Road west. Turn left on Santa Teresa Boulevard. Travel south three miles and turn right onto Bailey Avenue. Follow Bailey Road 2.3 miles to McKean Road. Turn left onto McKean Road (McKean Road becomes Uvas Road 2.2 miles south of Bailey Road). From Bailey Road travel 6 miles south on McKean/Uvas Road and turn right onto Croy Road. Continue 4.4 miles on Croy Road through Sveadal (a private resort belonging to the Swedish American Patriotic League) to reach the Park entrance.

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