COMMISSION

Non-Motorized Recreation: Hollister Hills SVRA provides much more than just OHV
recreation. The park has over 1,700 acres of buffer land where motorized use is not
appropriate. This area was created to minimize sound and dust from OHV recreation
on neighboring properties. It also serves as natural open space parkland. Within the
buffers, non-motorized trails were developed in the fall of 2013 for hiking, mountain
biking, and equestrian recreation. Other non-OHV recreation within the park includes
hiking and mountain biking in the nature area located in the Lower Ranch. In addition,
the park contains a small fishing area called Lodge Lake that provides year-round fishing
opportunities for large mouth bass and black crappie.
Outreach and Education
Hollister Hills SVRA staff offer a wide variety of programs throughout the year. During
the red sticker season, much of the efforts are tailored to OHV visitors and conducting
in-park interpretive programs such as Junior Ranger programs, history hayrides, campfire
programs, caffeine kick-start, as well as others. The majority of the outreach occurs during
the summer. Some of the larger events staff
participate in are the San Benito County Fair,
National Night Out, and Hollister Street Festival.
Curriculum-based outdoor education programs
are offered during the school year.
Science Camp: Five years of science camp has
brought over 2,000 local sixth grade students
to Hollister Hills SVRA. For many, this was
their first experience in a park environment.
This program has always been a collaborative effort between all park staff. The combined
strengths create a stunning network of experience and knowledge to enhance and enrich
the programs delivered to the students.
GEARS: The GEARS (Gaining Experience Awareness Responsibility and Science)
program found success in a partnership between Hollister Hills SVRA, Pinnacles
Continuation School, and San Benito County
Probation Office. This resulted in providing a small
group of at-risk students with previous interaction
with the juvenile justice system an opportunity to
experience the park, interact with park professionals,
and have an opportunity to become an intern at the
conclusion of the program.
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California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission