Gilroy California, the “Garlic Capital of the World” is a great place to visit year round. Enjoy local cuisine, farmstands & markets, festivals, outdoor recreation, and boutique wines produced from the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. The annual Gilroy Garlic Festival has been operating for over 40 years, a three day summer food festival hosting a variety of activities including cooking competitions. Gilroy is in a perfect location to explore both the Santa Cruz County side and the Santa Clara side of the Santa Cruz Mountains.