Gabbi Hall
Morgan Hill, California is full of things to do—but most people have no idea it even exists. That makes this small Silicon Valley suburb the perfect wine country weekend getaway. I was lucky to be invited on Visit Morgan Hill‘s first-ever Influencer FAM Trip* to experience all the things to do in Morgan Hill, California. And now I’m going to give you the inside scoop on how to make the most of your weekend.
*A FAM trip, also known as a familiarization tour, offers comped hotel stays, gifted experiences, and more to media members in hopes that they will share the destination with their audience. Opinions in this blog are my own.
Best Things to Do in Morgan Hill, California
This list is likely more than you’d be able to do in 48 hours, but that’s the great thing about Morgan Hill! It’ll keep you coming back for more (I’ve been 3 times in the last year). There are 15 Santa Clara Valley wineries within 15 minutes of downtown Morgan Hill, and many more beyond that. That’s not to mention things to do such as craft workshops, live music, u-pick fruits and more!
- Have a breakfast sandwich at Lawson’s Bakery.
- Stroll through the Saturday Morgan Hill Farmers’ Market and Sidewalk Saturday.
- Do a tasting at the Alara Cellars tasting room.
- Pick peaches and cherries at Andy’s Orchard.
- Catch music and have a glass of wine at P&V Winery.
- Grab an upscale Mediterranean meal at Odeum, led by a Michelin-star chef.
- Be wowed by a vegan, plant-based dinner at Craft Roots.
- Do a craft at AR Workshop Morgan Hill.
- Do a Fuego Shot at Mohi Social, then spend the night dancing in the Champagne Room.
- Do a tasting at Guglielmo Winery and listen to live music.
- Enjoy a backyard cider tasting at TenFiveOne Cider Co.
- Enjoy mouth-watering Italian goods from Palmerino’s.
- Book a spot at a Terra Amico Farms farm-to-table dinner.
- Hike or mountain bike through the Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park.
I go into more detail on a few of these things below, so if you want more info on wine tasting, places to eat and nightlife, read on.
Wine Tasting in Morgan Hill, California and the Santa Clara Valley
In my opinion, Morgan Hill’s biggest attraction is its expansive wine country. When I think of things to do in Morgan Hill, California, the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail Pass immediately comes to mind. For $90, the wine trail pass gives you access to tastings at 30 wineries, including many in Morgan Hill, and it’s good for a year! So, you don’t have to taste them all in one visit. You can purchase a Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail Pass here.
Of course, you don’t need the wine trail pass to enjoy wine tasting in Morgan Hill. Unlike Napa, the Santa Clara Valley is laid back. It’s around $20 for most tastings, and while you can get dressed up, the dress code is casual. There are no wine snobs here. The winemakers are often on-the-scene to talk to you about the wines, their process, and their enthusiasm for this lesser-known wine region. They welcome everyone—no matter how much you know about wine—and they take their time. So you can linger and enjoy. There’s a reason this town has been called Morgan cHill.
Pro-tip: Uber isn’t big in Morgan Hill, so don’t rely on that to get from tasting room to tasting room. If you don’t have a designated driver, you should consider hiring a car to drive you around. Corinthian Transportation took our group around in wonderful air-conditioned sprinter vans complete with USB charging ports.
Places to Eat in Morgan Hill
If you’re drinking your way around the Santa Clara Valley, you’re going to need some great places to eat in Morgan Hill, California. Here are the places to eat that I recommend:
For breakfast, go to Lawson’s Bakery. It’s not in the downtown area. In fact, unless someone tells you to go there, you probably wouldn’t know about it as a tourist. It’s a local’s spot, and you’ll be missing out if you don’t start your day with their breakfast sandwich or breakfast burrito.
For lunch, grab a sandwich or charcuterie board from Palmerino’s. The man who owns it went to Italy to become a chef, and then came back to open his store in Morgan Hill. The proscuitto alone is enough to make me want to go back again and again. And then there are the cannolis. *drool* It’s the perfect place to grab lunch from for a picnic in the sunshine.
For dinner, you have more than a few options for places to eat in Morgan Hill, California.
- Sushi Confidential is for sushi lovers. It’s right on the main strip downtown. The hip, trendy decor creates an energetic ambiance. And the sushi? It’s so tasty. From sashimi to rolls to cocktails, I don’t think you can go wrong with a stop here.
- Craft Roots continues to be the surprise hit every time I visit. This is a vegan restaurant, making all plant-based foods. In fact, they are nationally known and ranked as one of the best. This is going to sound crazy, but order the mac n’ cheese, a Margherita pizza and the buffalo cauliflower bites with ranch. It’s going to WOW you.
- Odeum is led by a Michelin-star chef. The Mediterranean fare is refreshing and hardy. You can sit on their patio under the twinkly lights and trees, enjoy a refreshing salad and some calamari and just soak in the calm. This is a perfect date night or special occasion spot when you want to treat yourself.
Things to Do in Morgan Hill at Night
I won’t tell you there are a ton of things to do in Morgan Hill at night, but there are a few gems if you’re looking to stay up late.
- Grab flights of beers, ciders, and more at Running Shop and Hops.
- Head to MOHI Social—the most Instagrammable spot in Morgan Hill. You’ll find trendy, dressed-up people grabbing dinner and drinks. Don’t miss the Fuego Shot. It’s quite a show. As the name implies, they light them on fire.
- Get dressed up and go to the Champagne Room. Enjoy some decadent desserts, sip champagne, and dance as a DJ plays music. It’s a surprising high-end nightclub vibe in this town that is fairly sleepy at night otherwise. It’s the perfect spot for a girls night out.
More questions about Morgan Hill? DM me on Instagram or TikTok. Interested in other California wine country adventures? Check out Napa Valley and San Luis Obispo.
