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Community Corner

Get Your Kicks on Hwy. 152

Wine tasting, amusement parks and a honey farmer are located within an hour of Watsonville or Gilroy.

Getting away doesn't have to cost a tank of gas or a week off of work. Between Watsonville and Gilroy, a stretch of Highway 152 known as Hecker Pass meanders through the Santa Cruz Mountains.

It’s amazing to have such a perfect retreat from daily life so near. Within five minutes of winding up from Watsonville, expansive views of the valley appear. The ether of the mountains and abundant attractions provide a delightful weekend escape.

Grape growing is a California obsession that can be observed in almost any area where the soil will foster it. Hecker Pass hosts a handful of family, making a drive along the pass an ideal wine tasting adventure. No wine snobs here though, just friendly growers pumped with enthusiasm for the products of this diverse coastal microclimate. Check out:

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  • Hecker Pass Winery, open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers affordable wine, a small picnic area and laid back, friendly service.
  • Fortino Winery, was voted the best winery in Gilroy. Using dry-farming techniques, Fortino wines have won several awards in California wine maker competitions. The tasting room is run by siblings Gino and Teri Fortino. 
  • Solis Winery won two gold medal awards in San Francisco Chronicle’s 2010 wine competition. Don’t miss the Estate Merlot. Other varietals worth a sip include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Sangiovese and Muscat Canelli. Stop in Tues. thru Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sarah’s Vineyard offers a local feel with award winning grapes. Visit the tasting room daily from 12-5 p.m. Customers can bring a picnic, purchase a bottle of wine and make use of the bocce courts while savoring the vineyard’s beauty.

Wine isn’t the only reason to take this scenic drive though. The short stretch of Highway 152 east from Watsonville is a haven of leisure opportunities. Don’t miss:

  • Mt. Madonna County Park sits at the peak just east of Watsonville with 3,688 acres of redwoods, valley views, grassy meadows and oak woodlands. The park offers camping, hiking on 14 miles of trail, picnicking and an archery range. Take a one mile self-guided tour of the nature trail and witness the ruins of Henry Miller’s summer home. The visitor’s center presents information on the history and geology of the park. Open from 8 a.m. till sunset to non-campers. Stop at the entry kiosk to pay camping and day use fees.
  • Bee Haven, at 5265 Hecker Pass Rd., is so named because many of the bees residing there are rescued from properties on which they are not welcome. If the gate is open, stop for a taste of local honey or a homemade cold elixir. But honey isn’t the only thing that makes Bee Haven a worthwhile stop. In the back of the property, owner Charles Irwin raises bunnies, goats and chickens. Their baby bunnies and birds are possibly sweeter than their golden honey. Don’t forget to purchase a carton of fresh eggs before heading home.
  • Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park—an amusement park in Gilroy? Yes! The nonprofit park’s horticulture theme makes it uniquely educational for families. View the magical gardens, ride 21 rides and marvel at Circus Trees.

So, next time a getaway is in short order, embark on an extravaganza through Hecker Pass.

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