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Frugal destinations 101: A few Free Things to do in and Around Morgan Hill, CA
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Beautiful Anderson Lake & Woodchopper's Picnic Area, Morgan Hill, CA.
Anderson Lake Woodchopper’s Picnic Area
Picnics, people-watching, and tube-fishing
The Woodchopper’s picnic area is a family friendly area complete with minimalist camp style barbeques and wooden picnic tables. A few port-a-potties are on stand-by for the beer drinkers in your group.
Anderson Lake is full of activity in the spring and summer. Watch the jet skiers show off and the tricked out speed boats, with their outrageous stereo systems, dragging kids in tubes behind them. If you get tired of watching the hot-doggers, take a short walk across the bridge and you’ll find a pleasant little trail that leads down to the banks. No motorized watercraft are allowed to enter this southernmost area of the lake, so bank fishing is good. A lot of people like to fish from tubes around here. Great for when that hot inland weather kicks in!
Woodchopper's picnic area is easy to get to. From 101 take Dunne (going East) all the way up the hill. At the top there will be a fork, stay right. Otherwise you will end up in Holiday Lake Estates, which is scenic but is an entirely residential, private community. After a quick yet windy and somewhat narrow pass you’ll reach a bridge. Shortly after crossing that you’ll come upon the picnic area.
Note of interest: A little further up the road from Woodchopper’s is the historical Jackson Ranch. Keep going and you’ll end up at Henry Coe State Park.
The Mission, the town, and its rich history
Just a short drive away from Morgan Hill and South San Jose, San Juan Bautista is one of California’s true gems. While Fathers Serra and de Lausenadobe’s adobe Mission is the most well known and striking draw, San Juan offers a multitude of sights and activities.
San Juan Bautista is definitely a tourist town, meaning that is maintains a sleepy demeanor during off season months, but blooms with life at the first signs of spring and comes into its own during summer. Street fairs, antique markets and living history events are all coming up and are all free of charge.
Also at no charge to you is the SJC State Historic Park which includes several original buildings built in the 1800. It’s a treat to walk the halls of the old Plaza Hotel and peek into the old rooms. There is a large grassy area and walking trail behind the Mission that is tranquil and faces lush farmed fields of flowers and vegetables that vary with the seasons.
One can walk the entire length of the town in less than an hour, but there are so many quant little streets and antique shops to check out, one could easily while away the day in SJB.
San Juan Bautista is located in San Benito County and easily reached by highway 101 and taking the CA 156/San Juan Hollister exit. After a short jaunt on 156 you can take a right on Church Street. This will put you at the north end of town, but you can also continue on 156 (which becomes San Juan Hollister Road) and end up at a stop light. Turn right and you’ll enter right into town. The landmark here is the infamous Windmill Market, San Juan’s only “major” supermarket besides the even smaller and older Neil’s on 54 Muckelemi Street.
For a complete calendar of events in San Juan Bautista, you can reach the Chamber of Commerce web site by clicking here.
Wings of History Air Museum in San Martin
Amazing flying machines in the country
I wonder how many people have driven down 101 past the San Martin Airport and seen an old WWII bomber sitting like a giant among the smaller, more modern planes, while a Red Baron style biplane banks for landing, and wondered “What is going on over there?” There is indeed a lot going on over in little San Martin at the Wings of History Air Museum.
So if you like airplanes and/or history, why not take a little trip over and get your fill of old flying contraptions and learn something about their neat history. Their collection features some of the most unique and memorable machines ever made, including a full size replica of the Wright Brother’s 1903 Wright Flyer. The sight of that gave me chills.
Also featured are a three quarter size replica of a WWI Stahltaube which does fly, and a wild-looking home-made helicopter called the Sim-Machine. All in all, the museum is chock full of weird and wonderful flying machines and erupting with excellent historical information. There are usually volunteers on staff who happen to be veritable experts on flying in one way or another, so if you have a question or are curious about something, make sure to ask!
While the museum is free, it is of course advised to make a small donation as this non-profit place is lovingly run by true air history and flight buffs. I am certain a small contribution would be appreciated.
To get to the museum from southbound 101, take the San Martin exit and turn right at the exit fork, then take a left onto Murphy Avenue.
Northbound, take 101 to San Martin and take the San Martin. Turn left and go over the freeway, then make a left onto Murphy Avenue.
For more information, visit the official Wings of History web site.
Since all of these homespun attractions are free of charge, you'll hopefully be able to splurge on a nice steak for your Woodchopper's barbeque, a tall pint of cold ale at Joan & Peter's German restaurant in San Juan Bautista, and an airplane t-shirt from the Wings of History Air museum!
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