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Morgan Hill is a city of about 45,000 people at the southern end of Silicon Valley, around 24 miles south of downtown San Jose, where suburbs give way to vineyards, orchards and oak-covered hills. Incorporated in 1906, it is named for Hiram Morgan Hill, whose ranch house became a stop on the old road south, and El Toro, the 1,400-foot peak above town, is its best-known landmark.
Downtown Morgan Hill along Monterey Road has a lively mix of restaurants, wine bars and shops, with the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse and Veterans Memorial Square nearby. Historic homes such as Villa Mira Monte, once the home of the city's namesake family, keep the town's early history alive.
The hills around town are wine and lake country. Dozens of wineries in the Santa Clara Valley appellation offer tastings, and Anderson Lake, Uvas Reservoir and Chesbro Reservoir are popular for fishing, walking and picnics. Henry W. Coe State Park, the largest state park in Northern California, begins just east of the city with hundreds of miles of wild trails.
Downtown Morgan Hill centers on Monterey Road, with restaurants, wine bars, cafes and shops, plus a weekly farmers market and street events through the year. The district has been revitalized with new plazas and outdoor dining. Park in a public garage and walk; Friday and Saturday evenings are busiest.
Anderson Lake County Park surrounds Santa Clara County's largest reservoir, just east of Morgan Hill, with picnic areas, hiking and cycling trails along Coyote Creek, fishing and boating when water levels allow. It is a popular weekend spot. Check boating rules and lake status before bringing a boat.
Uvas Reservoir is a quiet county reservoir in the hills west of Morgan Hill, surrounded by oak-covered slopes and used for fishing and nonmotorized boating when conditions allow. The drive along Uvas Road is scenic. Facilities are basic, so bring water and snacks, and check county rules on boating and fishing.
Chesbro Reservoir is a small Santa Clara County reservoir west of Morgan Hill, popular for shoreline fishing, birdwatching and quiet paddling when open. Oak woodland and ranchland surround the water. Facilities are limited, so bring what you need, and check lake status, as water levels vary with the season.
Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in Northern California, with its headquarters reached by a winding road from Morgan Hill. It offers rugged backcountry hiking, mountain biking, wildflowers and remote camping. Trails are steep and hot in summer, so spring is best and carrying plenty of water is essential.
The Morgan Hill Community Playhouse is a historic downtown building, once a church, now home to local theater companies that stage plays and musicals throughout the year. It is a small and friendly venue with affordable tickets. Check the current season online and combine a show with dinner on Monterey Road.
Villa Mira Monte is the restored 1880s Victorian home of Hiram Morgan Hill, for whom the city is named, now run by the Morgan Hill Historical Society with a museum and gardens. Exhibits cover the city's ranching and farming history. Open hours are limited, so check before visiting, and stroll the gardens.
The hills around Morgan Hill are part of the Santa Clara Valley wine region, with family-run wineries and tasting rooms set among vineyards and oaks, many in the nearby Uvas and Hecker Pass areas. It is a relaxed, uncrowded alternative to better known regions. Check tasting hours, as many open only on weekends.
Guglielmo Winery is a family-owned winery in Morgan Hill founded in the 1920s, one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the Santa Clara Valley. It has a tasting room, vineyards and grounds used for events. Check tasting room hours and reservations, and combine the visit with other nearby wineries.
The Morgan Hill Aquatics Center is a city outdoor swimming complex with a competition pool, a recreation pool with water slides and a play structure for children. It is popular during the hot South Valley summers. Check the public swim schedule online, as swim teams and lessons use the pools at set times.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
Photo: Allie_Caulfield from Germany, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Cristiano Tomás, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cristiano Tomás, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: City of Morgan Hill, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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Photo: Cristiano Tomás, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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