To learn more about their vital work and ongoing efforts to protect and restore sacred lands,
please visit the Amah Mutsun Land Trust.
Photo and Illustrations Courtesy of the County of Santa Clara
Native California in Gilroy
by Lorie Castro
Gilroy’s story began long before modern roads and highways. As a central hub in a vast Indigenous trade network, this region once connected coastal tribes to those in the Sierra and northern California. The layers of history in Gilroy are still visible, not just in stone carvings, but in the landscape itself, from the water that flows through Uvas Creek to the sacred trees that shaded ancient ceremonies.
Visitors who pause to explore Chitactac-Adams can feel the deep roots of culture, connection, and resilience that still shape Gilroy today.
Experience It for Yourself
Nestled along Uvas Creek, just outside of Gilroy, Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park is a rare and sacred site that invites visitors to step into the living history of the Mutsun-speaking Costanoan/Ohlone people.
This land was once home to a thriving village where families gathered to share meals, trade, and celebrate under the shade of oak trees. Today, you can still walk the same ground and see petroglyphs etched into stone thousands of years ago, explore interpretive trails, and imagine the rhythm of daily life shaped by the seasons and the land. Educational signs and a shelter with historical displays bring this vibrant culture to life, making it a must-see for visitors of all ages.
The park offers a peaceful, immersive experience that blends natural beauty with powerful storytelling. Visitors can see traditional structures like a tule house and a shade ramada, walk the loop trail, and read interpretive signs that explain the significance of everything from the grinding rocks to native plants. Whether you’re visiting with family, on a solo trip, or joining a school field trip, this site is a moving reminder of the cultural richness that still pulses through the land.
To learn more about their vital work and ongoing efforts to protect and restore sacred lands, please visit the Amah Mutsun Land Trust.
Main park entrance:: 10001 Watsonville Road, Gilroy, California
