Gizdich Ranch
Treat your family to a day in the
country with a visit to Gizdich Ranch,
located at 55 Peckham Road, Watson-
ville. The ranch is open seven days a
week from 9am to 5pm. Visitors are
encouraged to walk among the apple
orchards and help themselves to vine-
ripened fresh fruit.
Don’t forget to stop by the Pie
Shop to sample and purchase the Eata
Nita Pies the ranch is famous for. A
deli serves fresh sandwiches to go.
The Red Barn Shop offers samplings
of Gizdich fresh apple juice, jars of
fresh berry jam, and other wonderful
specialty food items. Browse at Nita’s
Antiques to choose from a variety of
antiques and collectibles for sale. For
information call 831-722-1056 or visit
gizdich-ranch.com.
17 Mile Drive
22
Miles
Agricultural History Project
Center and Museum
Watsonville
Mt. Madonna Park
Located at 7850 Pole Line Road in
Watsonville, The park is open year-
round from 8am until sunset. This
versatile county park features 4,605
acres covered with redwood forests, oak
woodland, chaparral and meadowlands
Overnight camping is available with
over 100 reservable campsites. Its 14-
mile trail system accommodates hikers
and equestrians.
Visitors can take advantage of the park’s
visitor center and park docent presenta-
tions to learn about the history of the
park land dating back to the time of the
Ohlone Indians. A one-mile self-guided
nature trail winds around the ruins
of the former summer home of cattle
baron Henry Miller. For information
408-842-2341 or sccgov.org/sites/parks/
parkfi nder/Pages/MtMadonna.aspx.
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Visit the Agricultural History Project
Center (AHP) and Museum at 2601
Lake Avenue in Watsonville for a lesson
on the history of farming in the Central
Coast of California, which over the past
150 years has helped supply the world
with agricultural products from crops
to livestock.
Visitors can participate in inter-
active activities and explore artifacts
and exhibits on display to get a sense
of the Central Coast farming and
ranching way of life in the 1800s
and early 1900s. This versatile region
has supported numerous industries,
including the production of beef and
dairy cattle, chickens and goats as
well as fruits, vegetables, and flow-
ers, to name a few. Since 2004, AHP
has carried out its mission to promote
knowledge about agriculture in
California’s Central Coast region. The
Center and Museum are open the sec-
ond Saturday of the month from 11am
to 3pm. For information call, 831-
724-5898 or visit aghistoryproject.org.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
june/july 2019
14.2
Miles
San Juan
Bautista
Fremont Peak Observatory
The Fremont Peak Observatory,
located in Fremont Peak State Park
near San Juan Bautista, is owned
and operated by the Fremont Peak
Observatory Association, an all-vol-
unteer nonprofi t. The observatory is
operated by astronomers (assisted by
student interns) who provide inter-
pretive presentations on astronomy.
The observatory features the one-ton
Challenger telescope. Observers get to
sit back, relax and enjoy the view of
California’s night sky and learn about
stars, planets and more.
The Observatory is open to the
public for scheduled viewing and
educational programs from April
through October. These programs are
free. Parking is $6. For information
call 831-623-2465 or visit fpoa.net.
gmhtoday.com