Beyond Garlic: Exploring Gilroy’s Arts, Festivals, & Family Fun

About this episode

The episode explores Gilroy's culture, arts, and family-friendly activities through conversations with local artists and theme park representatives.

On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers explores Gilroy with two insightful local voices about the city’s culture, creativity, and community. First, Meyers sits down with Ruben Dario Villa, a Gilroy-based artist and designer. Villa helps orient listeners to the city’s unique geography at the crossroads of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Coast, and the Central Valley. He then discusses his work creating the La Ofrenda Festival, a vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration in downtown Gilroy featuring art, live entertainment, and luchadores. Villa also highlights other standout local festivals and shares personal recommendations for u-pick farms, local wineries, scenic nature trails, and restaurants. The conversation wraps with a look at the Casa de Cultura y Artes and its role in supporting the city’s arts community. Next, Meyers talks with Joely Rosales, brand manager for digital marketing at Gilroy Gardens, a whimsical, vegetable-inspired theme park and botanical garden. Rosales shares the story behind the park’s creation, highlights its most popular rides and attractions, and suggests activities both kids and adults can enjoy. She also dives into…

People in this episode

Host: Josh Meyers

Guests: Ruben Dario Villa, Joely Rosales

Topics covered

• Gilroy
• arts
• festivals
• family fun
• food scene
• community

Keywords

• Gilroy
• La Ofrenda Festival
• Día de los Muertos
• Gilroy Gardens
• food scene
• u-pick farms
• local wineries
• taco trail

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gilroy Gardens

Places: Gilroy, San Francisco Bay Area, Central Coast, Central Valley, Casa de Cultura y Artes

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