Adventure Awaits Pilots in California’s South County
By Annamarie Buonocore
Introduction
Perhaps one of the most overlooked parts of California is the Bay Area’s South County. Unless one is thinking about the pungent odor of garlic, South County is just another place travelers pass through between the Bay Area and Los Angeles. But for those who choose to stop, great treasures await. From fruit stands to two dynamic airports, this area, just miles outside of Silicon Valley that includes the south end of San Jose, Gilroy, and San Martin, offers great opportunities for aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and all who travel alongside of them.
J2 Cub
Airports
When we in the aviation community talk about South County, we are usually referring to Reid-Hillview and San Martin Airports. Both airports have runways of decent length, full-service FBOs, and San Martin is even lucky enough to have a unique museum where adventure awaits. Let’s start with Reid-Hillview (KRHV).
The Reid-Hillview Tower. (Courtesy Reid-Hillview Airport website)
Located at 2500 Cunningham Ave., San Jose, CA, Reid-Hillview has two runways. Runway 13L/31R is 3,100 feet long. Runway 13R/31L is 3,099 feet long. The airport includes a number of FBOs and other flight services, including Aviation Oxygen Supply located at 2635 Cunningham Ave. #A and Trade Winds Flight School located at 2505 Cunningham Ave.History goes as far back as 1911 when local aviation pioneer, John J. Montgomery, first experimented with gliders. The airport has seen many changes throughout the years from when founders, Bob and Cecil Reid first built the Garden City Airport in 1935. The airport moved in 1946 in order to accommodate the 101 Freeway. Their second location was just northwest of the Hillview golf course, hence the name Reid-Hillview. The control tower opened in 1967, and in 2010, the airport became home to the San Jose State University aviation department. Reid-Hillview is the bigger of the two South County airports, but San Martin has a great deal to offer as well.
San Martin Wings of History Aviation Museum Display. (Photo courtesy of Annamarie Buonocore)
San Martin (E16) has one runway of 3,100 feet. While the small airport does not have a tower or FBOs, they make up for it with lots of land, close proximity to the 101 Freeway, and a treasure of a museum on campus. The Wings of History Air Museum is a wonderful educational adventure for the whole family.This hidden treasure located at 12777 Murphy Ave., San Martin, CA is a small but one-of-a-kind museum. With a library, restoration room, and historical center, this hands-on working museum is dedicated to the “Golden Age of Flight.” The museum allows visitors to view airplanes in various stages of restoration, viewing blueprints and various construction methods. The most unique part about this museum is that it includes an old-fashioned propeller shop that builds and repairs wood propellers for a variety of antique planes. Museum hangars feature hand-built airplanes, gliders, and a full-scale replica of the Wright Brothers’ first plane.
Propeller Shop at Wings of History Aviation Museum, San Martin. (Courtesy of Wings of History Aviation Museum)
The museum is not one of those boring sites with demanding docents yelling at children not to touch all the shiny objects. To the contrary, the museum has friendly volunteer docents who thoroughly understand aviation – from the Wright Brothers to modern technology. The museum is essentially hands-on, allowing visitors to sit in the aircraft, fly in simulators, and view fascinating collections of aircraft engines that they can touch. The museum, which is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, features a gift shop, propeller shop, 1928 American Eagle bi-plane, home-built helicopter car, aviation clothing and gear, and much more. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12, and free for children under the age of 5 or active duty members. The facility can also be rented out for special events. For more information, visit
.While South County can work as a day trip from either the Bay Area or Southern California, those who fly in might be looking for a place to stay. We recommend the following lodging establishments.
Hotels
The Hilton Garden Inn of Gilroy at 6070 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA is a classy family-friendly hotel easily accessible from Highway 101. Rooms feature plush beds, large work desks, and many other amenities. The hotel includes a pool and dining services. For more information, call 408/840-7000.The Best Western Forest Park Inn at 375 Leavesley Road, Gilroy, CA is a more affordable option. Conveniently located off the freeway, this quaint outdoor garden hotel is close to wineries and the adjacent Gilroy Outlets. The picturesque scenery of this hotel makes it the choice for those looking to go golfing or wine tasting. For more information, call 408/848-5144.In addition to these great lodging establishments, South County offers some great options in terms of food.
Restaurants
When visiting the garlic capital of the world, one is sure to find some excellent garlic cuisine. The Garlic City Café at 7459 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA is sure to offer some of that pungent cuisine for the whole family. Not all dishes offered include garlic, but many of their dishes, like the cream of garlic soup, make a visit to Gilroy what it is. For more information, visit them on the web at www.garliccitycafe.net.Another great option that does not include as much garlic is BBQ 152 at 8295 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA. Locals and tourists rave about the delicious smoked barbecue that is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Menu options include pulled pork, tri-tip, pork ribs, chicken, brisket, and beef ribs. Sandwiches and salads are also available. For more information, visit www.bbq152.com.
Attractions
When the Garlic Festival is not in season, there are plenty of other activities to entertain guests in Gilroy and South County. Gilroy is home to one of the most dynamic viniculture areas in Northern California. Traveling down the picturesque Hecker Pass will bring a little taste of paradise. Popular Gilroy wineries include Rapazini Winery, which is known for its world famous red garlic cooking wine. The winery also includes a tasting room and garlic shop. For more information, visit them on the web at
.For a more youth-friendly attraction, take the kids over to Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. The park includes a number of attractions, including roller coasters, water slides, a rock maze, and a tree-climbing structure. With fun during the day and bright light displays at night, this theme park is sure to create fun for the entire family. For more information, visit them online at
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Conclusion
The airports and attractions of South County await you! Pilots and aviation enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the two airports, the enjoyable Wings of History Air Museum, and all the attractions to enjoy when not focused on aviation and flying. South County hopes to welcome you soon.
