Hollister is an agriculturally focused city in a valley in the rolling foothills of Central California’s San Benito County. Although the city’s name may evoke images of a well-known national clothing brand, Hollister has no association with the retailer. Instead, the city derives its moniker from Colonel W.W. Hollister, who founded the community in 1868. Several historic churches and properties here date back to the late 19th century and mostly center around Hollister’s downtown area, which has a large selection of restaurants, boutiques and small businesses. The farther from the city’s bustling center, the more ranches, pastures and farms start to crop up. “The way I describe Hollister to people is that it’s a great town to grow up in, and it’s really got that small town and close community feeling to it,” says Zoe O’Connor, a Hollister native and Realtor with Choice Homes & Land. “Relatively speaking, it’s also pretty close to the Bay Area, to all the tech jobs and everything in Santa Clara County.” As of the 2020 United States census, Hollister is home to a population of more than 40,000.
Explore scenic valleys and vineyards around Hollister, a gem of San Benito County.
Hollister is known for its fertile fields and fresh produce markets.
Discover serene horse farms in the heart of Hollister.
Vineyards surround a stunning property in Hollister, California.
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A blend of modern and midcentury homes
Homebuyers can find a large mix of newer and older residential properties throughout Hollister. Scattered around San Benito Street and downtown are midcentury bungalows and ranch-style dwellings blending Craftsman, Victorian and Spanish-influenced architecture; these older homes typically range between $600,000 and $900,000. Hollister’s eastern and southern suburban neighborhoods offer 21st-century modern contemporary homes with Mediterranean and Spanish Revival architectural builds. These newer single-family properties cost between approximately $750,000 and $950,000 and are found mainly in planned residential communities characterized by quiet tree-lined streets and cul-de-sacs. Apartment buildings and townhouse communities can be found throughout the city, with units that range between $350,000 and $650,000. Hollister’s outskirts are dotted with million-dollar ranches and farmhouses on multi-acre properties.
Discover contemporary luxury in Hollister’s stunning 21st-century home.
Hollister's Victorian charm shines through intricate woodwork and steep gables.
Charming ranch-style home in Hollister offers rustic comfort and space.
Sleek Mediterranean design meets modern elegance in Hollister.
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Working in and around Hollister
“Within the town, the jobs that people work are often agriculturally focused, but Hollister is also considered a bedroom community for the Bay Area, so we’ve also got a lot of commuters working in Silicon Valley,” O’Connor says. Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital is one of the largest employers within Hollister and offers 24-hour basic emergency care and a dozen other specialty healthcare services. Hollister is also home to several other major employers that draw in jobseekers across San Benito County, including Nob Hill Foods, Denise & Filice Packing Company, San Benito Foods and big box stores like Target. Globally recognized tech companies like Google and Apple are headquartered in Silicon Valley, approximately 60 miles north of Hollister. “Depending on traffic, it can take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half to get up there; there isn’t a lot of public transit here, so people mostly drive,” O’Connor says.
Hollister’s Hazel Hawkins Hospital is a major employer and healthcare provider.
Hollister’s charm and Google’s tech opportunities are just an hour apart.
Hollister's economy thrives on agriculture-focused jobs and farming expertise.
San Benito Foods powers Hollister’s economy with key local employment opportunities.
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Surrounding mountain vistas and national forests
Hollister’s Parks and Recreation Department oversees the maintenance and operation of 29 public parks, sporting complexes and community centers. Vista Park Hill is an ample outdoor space near the city’s center that offers unobstructed views of the downtown area. The park is home to several athletic fields and picnic amenities, as well as a community garden and the Growing Hearts Garden Center. Brigantino Park is near Hollister’s western outskirts and has a mile-long gravel walking trail looping around the park. Approximately 30 miles south is Pinnacles National Park, a massive outdoor area where visitors can hike through canyons and forests, observe wildlife or go camping. The park was naturally formed 23 years ago by the eruption of several volcanoes, which created a rare landscape full of talus caves and jagged stone walls popular among rock climbers.
For a 24-hour recreation facility, Hollister residents can head to Rovella’s Athletic Club, which houses an indoor fitness center, swimming pools and exercise classes. San Juan Oaks Golf Club is 5 miles from the city and has an 18-hole course, a 15-acre practice facility and three upscale dining options. The San Benito County Free Library is in the downtown district and offers a range of resources and activities for the community, including public computers, weekly storytime events for children and reading programs for all ages.
Discover scenic strolls at Brigantino Park on Hollister's quiet western edge.
Making memories that soar at Hollister’s Vista Park Hill.
Rally on Dunne Park's tennis courts for an active day in Hollister.
San Juan Oaks Golf Club offers a serene 18-hole course near Hollister.
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Students attend Hollister School District
Hollister School District receives an overall C rating from Niche and serves all kindergarten through eighth-grade students living within city limits Within the Hollister School District are seven elementary schools – all of which offer preschool programs – as well as six middle schools. Hollister Dual Language Academy teaches students in preschool through eighth grade to be bilingual and develop proficiency in both English and Spanish.
Hollister High School, which is part of a different school district, serves approximately 3,400 students in grades nine through 12 and earns an overall 6/10 rating from GreatSchools. In 2023, the high school received a California Green Ribbon recognition for being a climate-forward institution. “Hollister High School is humongous – it kind of feels like being on a college campus,” O’Connor says. “The high school actually used to be called the San Benito High, but they recently switched it to Hollister High School.”
Cerra Vista School in Hollister fosters a love for learning in every student.
Achieve more at Hollister High School with top-tier programs and dedicated teachers.
Marguerite Maze Middle School in Hollister fosters a vibrant learning community.
San Benito High School in Hollister offers diverse programs for all students.
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Downtown district lines San Benito Street
Hollister’s historic downtown district is located along San Benito Street. According to the Hollister Downtown Association, this area is home to more than 200 businesses, dining options and retail shops. Local restaurants mostly offer a blend of Mexican and American cuisine; residents can also find a handful of brunch spots and fast food joints. From mid-April to mid-October, the San Benito Health Foundation sponsors a weekly Farmers’ Market every Wednesday afternoon. “Some main touch points in the downtown area would be Running Rooster, which is a popular local restaurant, and the new Epicenter community building,” she says. As part of Hollister's Project Revitalize, the Epicenter opened its doors in 2022 as an event venue and gathering space for San Benito County nonprofit organizations.
South of the downtown district along Airline Highway is the Plaza San Benito shopping mall, home to a Target and two grocery stores: Nob Hill Foods and Safeway. Across the street from Plaza San Benito is Ace Hardware, Rite Aid and Goodwill of Silicon Valley.
According to CrimeGrade, Hollister experiences low crime rates and is safer than 81% of other U.S. cities. The downtown area and north sides of the city experience the highest crime rates, of which the vast majority are property-related crimes. Vehicle thefts are the most common type of crime, with vandalism following in a close second; however, both rates are still considered low compared to national averages. The Hollister Police Department organizes and provides several safety resources for the community, including neighborhood watch programs, home security guidelines and a Social Media Monitoring/Safety guide for parents and social media users.
Downtown Hollister brims with cozy cafés, boutiques, and friendly faces.
Target offers residents need in Hollister South Central.
A classic car draws attention in iconic downtown Hollister, California.
La Catrina is a local favorite in Downtown Hollister.
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Getting around San Benito County
California State Route 25 runs through Hollister and connects with U.S. Route 101 near Gilroy, which travels north to San Jose and Silicon Valley. Route 101’s southern corridor leads to Salinas, located 25 miles away. Hollister residents can also access the nearby San Benito Route 152 to travel east and merge onto Interstate 5, a massive highway that extends the length of the West Coast and runs through major cities such as Los Angeles, Sacramento, Portland and Seattle.
Limited local bus services within Hollister are operated by San Benito County Express, which also provides regional routes to nearby San Juan Bautista and Gilroy. In Gilroy, commuters can access Caltrain stations that operate rail lines up to the Bay Area. Hollister Municipal Airport is the only airfield within the city and serves as a general aviation facility. For flights to metropolitan areas along the West Coast, locals can head to the Monterey Regional Airport, located approximately 50 miles away. Dozens of direct domestic and international flights fly in and out of the San Jose Mineta International Airport, about 50 miles north in San Jose.
SR 25 in Hollister links to Silicon Valley via U.S. Route 101.
Close to Hollister, Gilroy’s Caltrain connects locals to the Bay Area.
Hop on San Benito County Express for Hollister’s convenient local bus routes.
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High risk of earthquakes and wildfires
Hollister experiences warm, arid summers with high temperatures and elevated UV Index scores. Balmy winters bring cool temperatures and heavy rainfall. Monthly average rainfall plummets during the spring and summer; in June and July, this area hardly sees any showers.
Although Hollister doesn’t experience the same flooding risk as nearby coastal and Bay Area communities, this area is prone to wildfires because of the surrounding natural landscape and dry, hot conditions. The closer a property is to the foothills and forests, the more at-risk they are. To combat potential wildfire damage, the Hollister Fire Department established weed abatement programs and regularly inspects commercial and residential buildings to ensure they meet safety standards and comply with fire-resistant building requirements.
Hollister is one of three California communities to be dubbed the “Earthquake Capital of the World” because of its location on top of the Calaveras Fault, a branch of the larger San Andreas Fault system. Small earthquakes are detected almost daily in this area, but most are of smaller magnitudes and go unnoticed by residents. Throughout the years, the region had several moderate earthquakes below 5.5 magnitudes. The last significant quake that affected the city was the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, recorded at a 6.9 magnitude. Since Hollister falls within a seismic fault zone, the city complies with the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act by regulating and limiting construction to adhere to safety standards.
Hollister Fire Department: Serving the community with dedication and bravery.
Expect plenty of sunshine in Hollister's arid, high-temperature summer months.
Modern homes in Hollister showcase sleek designs from an aerial perspective.
Expansive Hollister ranches blend rural charm with serene open landscapes.
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