Category: | Gourmet Grocery Store |
Address: | 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister, CA 95023, USA |
Phone: | +1 408-842-7282 |
Site: | casadefruta.com |
Rating: | 4.5 |
BR
Bruce
Our initial knowledge with Casa de Fruta was about ten years ago when we drove southwest on route 152 towards Monterey. We actually didnt stop on the way down but made a mental note to do so on our return trip home. My first impression of this place was that there was easy freeway access and plenty of parking spaces. I also discovered that "tour buses" stop here on a consistent basis. My second impression was that this place was quite enormous and didnt really grasp the magnitude of the place until we stopped in for lunch. We assumed this was just a large extravagant fruit stand but discovered this place to be much more. There is a 24hr restaurant, along with their own candy shop, which is located in the rear and next to their miniature train station. The place has a carousel and a small petty zoo for the kids. If you own or rent an RV there is also a place for overnight parking! I think we spent a couple hours here on our first day, had lunch, and purchased their fruits and nuts. When our children were younger, we took them on their miniature locomotive train ride. The main train station was named "Casa de Choo Choo" and is located next to their sweet shop, the "Casa de Sweets." The candy store carried an assortment of fresh baked goods, homemade candy and a selection of ice cream. They also had specialty coffees and their fresh pies were pretty good. Our kids hopped aboard the, "Casa de Carousel," which is a double Decker Venetian Carousel and remembered they had a lot of fun. Since our first visit, we have taken this route on numerous occasions making the stop here on our way down to the Monterey Peninsula. Yaa, this is definitely a place to mark on the maps for places to stop into. In 1790s, before "Casa de Fruta" was founded and the location of where it sits today was well known to the American Indians and was first written about when Spanish missionaries discovered the artesian well there. The water source was very popular during the Gold Rush Era. In 1900, they sent for their family and the first to arrive was 2 year-old Clara Cribari, future matriarch of the family that founded Casa de Fruta. They too, worked hard to succeed by making charcoal out of the burned remains of fallen oaks. In 1913, the family had developed the largest cannery in the world, "Bisceglia Brothers Cannery" in San Jose. In 1919, Clara Cribari began running the cannery, supervising 1,000 workers. In 1908, the first orchards were planted. Clara married Dr. Henry George Zanger and they had 6 children. After their mother inherited a small part of this property, the three Zanger brothers established the first of seven fruit stands along Pacheco Pass. In 1938, Clara Bisceglia Cribari Zanger, inherited twenty (20) acres of cherry trees in the Pacheco Valley. In 1943, Claras three teenaged sons open up a cherry stand on Pacheco Pass Highway. From 1940s - 1950s, orchard operations develop and expand to include prunes, walnuts, apricots, pears and cherries. In 1967, a 24-hour Restaurant opens near the busiest Cherry stand and is able to accommodate 104 guests. The restaurant proved so successful that more businesses were eventually added to what it is today. In 1968, a Gift Shop and Chevron Station open; White deer/Buffalo area added. Childrens playground a treat for children and their parents. In 1970, a Casa de Burger (Hamburger Stand) and ninety-nine (99) space R.V. Park open. In 1971, a Shell Service Station opens. In 1977, a 14 room Inn at Casa de Fruta opens. In 1980, a Country Store is added. In 1982, a Country Park opens for picnics, family reunions and corporate events. In 1990, the first Casa de Fruta Orchard Outlet opens at Valley Fair Shopping Center in San Jose. In 1992, California State Route 152 passed in front of Case de Fruta as a two-lane highway for many years, but was widened to four lanes. The old alignment of the highway still exists as the Casa de Fruta Parkway, accessed via an exit from SR 152.
TH
thomas West
Ive been coming here since I was a little kid Im 57 years old now so I took my mom there yesterday just to see what it looked like. I can remember when the highway drove right in front of the place and I thought that the bypassing would kill it. Boy was I wrong this place was jumping! It was good to see that its still there and that it is expanded greatly they seem to be doing a lot of work on the campgrounds itll be nice if the green grass grows in but theres rides, a train and a big pond with large goldfish or Koi in it it was great not only that but the Chevron gas station thats their has very nice public restrooms pretty nice of them because they have to hire someone full-time just to clean them and they were clean! I go by this place whenever Im going up to San Luis reservoir to go fishing its pretty cool
LA
Lacey Wolf
This morning while using the restroom, a manager was very upset with an older lady who parked her car & left her two dogs in it. She had the windows half open & it was early in the morning. I didnt see any issue, but the manager did to the point she was making fun of the lady because she had parked there for too long is what she said. So how long is too long? The older lady started crying after the manager left. I didnt realize that you can get harassed if you park here for too long & you are not a customer, the older lady was brushing her teeth & washing her face. Not a buying customer. I thought you were welcomed here if you were passing through. Probably not the place to stop if you dont have much money because you will get harassed like this older woman was this morning. Just disappointing.
JE
Jennifer Nunes
Nice place to visit! Family oriented. Very busy with visitors. They have a good selection of chocolates, fresh and dried fruit, pies, and two places for wine tasting. They have seasonal decorations for sale, as well as, other items like shot glasses, t shirts,key chains and toys for children. The train is great and a hit with both children and adults. I saw nothing but smiles as the train pulled in. There is a beautiful working carasel. There are many old trucks and tractors. This place has been open for over 100 years. The food and service in the restaurant was ok, diner type. Prices are fair. There were people coming in almost non stop. I have visited this place once as a child and now as an adult. I would come visit again.
SA
Sara Mincin
Great roadside stop. Extremely cute farmers market set up with lots of rural vibe novelties. They have dozens of different dried fruits you can buy by the lb as well as the same for nuts and chocolates. In addition, they have a wide variety of fresh fruits, jams, hot sauces, etc. and weird types of jerky including but not limited too ostrich jerky, elk jerky, alligator jerky, etc. My daughter loved it here. They also have a lot of old cool looking farm equipment if youre into that type of thing. We got fresh cherries which is what we stopped for due to a sign on the road. That said, this is the first of many small stops on the road for cherries and fruits and they might be overpriced or capitalize on that fact.