Overview
Hollister is a city in San Benito County at the north end of the Central Coast region of California.
5 sights · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hollister
City Hall
A former Carnegie library completed in 1912.
Downtown Hollister
On the National Register of Historic Places. Though many long-standing buildings were damaged beyond repair in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, much of the historic atmosphere remains, as do several surviving structures.…
Veterans' Memorial Building
Used for community gatherings and features a prominent plaza with memorial displays dedicated to locals lost in World Wars I and II and the Vietnam War.
Monterey Street
Also on the National Register of Historic Places. The street near Downtown features offices, many operating in converted residences, and a cluster of churches. Farther from Downtown, Monterey Street is more residential, …
San Benito County Historical Society Museum
A 1909 house which features many artifacts, photographs, and resources representing Hollister and San Benito County's history.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–Nov. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MRY Monterey Regional Airport, Monterey — 31 mi away. Directions
- SJC Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose — 46 mi away (major hub). Directions
Hollister is located near the intersection of State Routes 25 and 156. From central San Jose, Hollister is a 33-mile drive southeastward on US 101 followed by 14 miles on Route 25. From Salinas, drive 17 miles along northbound US 101, then 10 miles east on Route 156, followed by a clearly-identified cut-off leading 3 miles into Hollister. From Sacramento and Los Angeles, Hollister can be reached from Interstate 5 using State Route 152 (Pacheco Pass) westbound 29 miles, then Route 156 southward 5 miles, and San Felipe Road southward 3 miles.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Downtown Hollister, City Hall, Veterans' Memorial Building
- Afternoon Monterey Street, San Benito County Historical Society Museum
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
Climate
Get in
By car
Hollister is located near the intersection of State Routes 25 and 156. From central San Jose, Hollister is a 33-mile drive southeastward on US 101 followed by 14 miles on Route 25. From Salinas, drive 17 miles along northbound US 101, then 10 miles east on Route 156, followed by a clearly-identified cut-off leading 3 miles into Hollister. From Sacramento and Los Angeles, Hollister can be reached from Interstate 5 using State Route 152 (Pacheco Pass) westbound 29 miles, then Route 156 southward 5 miles, and San Felipe Road southward 3 miles.
Alternatively, from Southern California, drivers may follow a slow but scenic course into Hollister: from I-5, take Jayne Avenue (I-5 Exit 325) 11 miles westward to Coalinga, State Route 198 34 miles west to State Route 25, then Route 25 northward 63 miles to Hollister. 33 miles after turning from Route 198 onto Route 25 is a turn-off, State Route 146, leading into Pinnacles National Park, a highly notable and recommended destination in itself. Users of US 101 from the south can also reach this stretch of Route 25 toward Hollister either by following Route 198 from US 101 Exit 273 14 miles to 198's intersection with Route 25 or by leaving US 101 at Exit 281 to follow County Route G15 a mile into King City followed by County Route G13 14 miles to its intersection with Route 25 at Bitterwater.
By rail and bus
Caltrain, during evening rush hour only, offers a train from San Francisco and San Jose to Gilroy, where riders can transfer to the Hollister-bound San Benito County Express.
By plane
Those with access to private, general-aviation aircraft may land at the Hollister Municipal Airport.
See
See Downtown Hollister
On the National Register of Historic Places. Though many long-standing buildings were damaged beyond repair in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, much of the historic atmosphere remains, as do several surviving structures.
See City Hall (375 5th Street, between San Benito and Monterey Streets)
A former Carnegie library completed in 1912.
See Veterans' Memorial Building
Used for community gatherings and features a prominent plaza with memorial displays dedicated to locals lost in World Wars I and II and the Vietnam War.
See Monterey Street
Also on the National Register of Historic Places. The street near Downtown features offices, many operating in converted residences, and a cluster of churches. Farther from Downtown, Monterey Street is more residential, with the exception of the original, ornately painted Hazel Hawkins Hospital at the Hawkins Street intersection. A mix of generally well-maintained architectures of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries are found on Monterey Street.
Do
- Skydive Hollister, +1 831-318-1747. Book online or call to reserve. Located at 234B Skylane Dr in Hollister Municipal Airport.
Sleep
Go next
- Pinnacles National Park - Located 35 miles south of Hollister, this park rises out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, east of central California's Salinas Valley, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano. Massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement. Hiking through the impressive rock formations is the primary recreational opportunity, although bird watchers will enjoy the possibility of seeing the highly endangered California condor.
Nearby
San Juan Bautista
City / town · 2 listings · 8 mi away
Gilroy
City / town · 25 listings · 15 mi away
Salinas
City / town · 36 listings · 19 mi away
Watsonville
City / town · 40 listings · 21 mi away
Moss Landing
City / town · 11 listings · 22 mi away
Morgan Hill
City / town · 26 listings · 23 mi away
Henry W. Coe State Park
Park · 6 listings · 25 mi away
Marina
City / town · 9 listings · 25 mi away
My experience
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