One of the largest cities in the Monterey Bay Area, Hollister is the county seat of San Benito County, California. Hollister was founded in 1868 by William Welles Hollister, originally in Monterey County, until 1874, when parts of Monterey, Fresno, and Merced counties formed San Benito County. The city is one of the fastest growing communities in California throughout the last decade, more than tripling its population within the last quarter century, yet it maintains the high quality of living that causes people from all over the world to look into moving to Hollister.
Hollister is known for having some of the most fertile soil in the world, making it a leader in agricultural produce like apricots, vineyards, chocolate, walnuts, apples, olive oil, and pomegranates. It’s also known for being one or the California towns with the title “Earthquake Capital of the World” as it sits on the Calveras Fault.
The San Benito County Wine Trail also winds through the hillsides of the back country, where visitors enjoy wine tasting or visit breweries for local beer, sake, and tequila distilled right in the city.
It’s often confused with the American lifestyle brand, Hollister Co., by Abercrombie & Fitch Co that presents a southern California image, but they picked ‘Hollister’ randomly and the brand has nothing to do with the city in California.
A few notable people have made the city their home over the years, including aerospace engineer Stanley F. Schmidt, and retired Australian bull rider, Brendon Clark.
Hollister Population & Demographics
The population of Hollister is 40,100 with about 5,036 people per square mile. It’s a young city with a median age of 33. While the population is fairly equal in terms of gender at 49% males and 51% females, the race and ethnicity is not as equal, with about 69% Hispanic, 25% white, 2% Asian, 2% two or more races, and 1% black.
Hollister enjoys a median household income of $80,670 which is a little higher than California’s median of $78,672. There’s about 3.5 people per 11,438 households, and 97% of people own their homes.
The violent crime rate of Hollister is 282 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the state of California (441 per 100,000 people) and the national average (367 per 100,000). Hollister is also safer when it comes to property crimes, with only 130 crimes per 100,000 people compared to 2,333 crimes per 100,000 in California. The overall Hollister crime rate is 62% lower than the CA crime rate and all these statistics point to Hollister as a very safe place to live. The Hollister Police Department is committed to maintaining the safety of the city.
Cost of Living in Hollister
The cost of living in Hollister is 58% higher than the national average but is 12.5% lower than the cost of living in San Francisco. You can expect to pay 92% higher housing costs in Hollister than the natural average, with a median home price of $825,000 and an average apartment rent of $2,087 – but only about 8% more for utilities.
Average Cost of Living in Hollister: Everyday Expenses
- Gallon of milk – $2.87
- Loaf of bread – $4.92
- Dozen eggs – $2.67
- Hamburger – $6.26
Hollister Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Hollister
When you’ve decided to move to Hollister your next step is figuring out which neighorhood is the best for you and your family. Like most US cities, the more expensive the neighborhood, the lower the crime and better access to highly rated schools. When you’re looking for Hollister, CA homes for sale, center your search around the following neighborhoods:
- Hollister South
- Ridgemark
- Hollister Southeast
- Hollister East
- Cottage Corners
- Hollister West
If you’re looking for access to a wider variety of entertainment options or a good place to take a day trip from your new neighborhood, the distance from Hollister to San Francisco is 94 road miles.
Hollister Weather & Climate
You’ll enjoy a Mediterranean climate when you’re living in Hollister, with average highs ranging from 60 to 80 degrees year round and average lows ranging from 38 to 53 degrees. You won’t need much in the way of rain gear as Hollister only gets about 15 inches of rain annually, compared to the US average of 38 inches. If you’re not a fan of the snow and have no desire to build a snowman or ski, you’re in luck because Hollister averages zero inches of snow per year!
Things to Do in Hollister
We have handpicked some of the top attractions and things to do in Hollister for you.
In addition to the city Recreation Center offering youth and adult sports, summer programs, and special events, the Hollister Parks and Recreation department maintains 17 parks, including a skate park and a community centers. If you want to hit the beach, the closest beach to Hollister is Moss Landing Beach a mere 35 minute drive.
Dunne Park
Located at the corner of West and Sixth Street, Dunne Park is the best place to take the kids with grass-covered hills for playing or picnics, tennis courts, softball fields, and playgrounds. You can also reserve and rent the club house for up to 40 people with chairs and card tables provided.
600 West St, Hollister, CA 95023 831-636-4390
Baler Aquatic Center
An outdoor, community swimming pool for open swimming and private lessons, located on the grounds of San Benito High School behind the SBHS Sports Complex. The center includes a competition pool with diving, and a warm-up pool outfitted with a ramp to allow people with physical disabilities to enter the water.
River Pkwy, Hollister, CA 95023
TAG Paintball
TAG adventure park includes 10 courses for paintball, airsoft, gellyball, and laser tag. A fun and active option for the whole family in Hollister, with gellyball guns available for kids as young as five, TAG is fun for beginners and experts.
2120 San Benito St, Hollister, CA 95023 – 831-453-0421
Ridgemark Golf Club & Resort
Ridgemark offers the most affordable golf tee times in Hollister and a revolutionary membership program for people who want to pay a monthly fee to golf whenever they want. You can hold a wedding at the resort, or stop by the Bar & Grill for open patio dining and take-out.
3800 Airline Hwy, Hollister, CA 95023 – 831-637-8151
Other Major Attractions Near Hollister
When you need groceries and other necessities (or wants!) you don’t need to go far because Hollister, CA offers some convenient shopping options:
Hollister Restaurants
There is no shortage of variety in the local restaurants. You can enjoy every nationality cuisine without ever leaving town!
Los Grullenses Restaurant
Authentic Mexican is ideal for a quick meal for the whole family. Come in and dine in, grab take-out on your way home from work or order delivery.
1270 San Juan Hollister Rd C, Hollister, CA 95023 – 831-638-1134
Paine’s Restaurant
Serving the community since 1929, Pain’s Restaurant and Bar offers casual fine dining with great service. Enjoy fresh seafood and wine, order takeout, or book the venue for your next event.
421 East St, Hollister, CA 95023 – 831-637-3882
Whiskey Creek Saloon
Whiskey Creek Saloon offers the best pool tables in town and free WiFi. The bar is woman-owned and known for offering strong drinks, good food, and excellent service. Leave the credit card at home, Whiskey Creek is cash-only.
201 5th St. Hollister, CA 95023 – 831-637-7188
AJ Sushi Restaurant
AJ’s is the best place in Hollister for fresh Japanese food at affordable prices and great customer service when you’re craving sushi. Make sure to try the Godzilla Roll!
737 San Benito St, Hollister, CA 95023 – 831-635-9321
Jobs in Hollister
Manufacturing employs the largest number of people in Hollister at 2,455 employees, followed closely by retail trade (2,435) and Construction (2,222). The highest salaries are found in utilities, public administration, and transportation and warehousing.
Major Employers:
- San Benito Foods
- San Benito High School
- San Benito Sherrif’s Department
- Nob Hill Foods
If you’re looking for a new job, try this up-to-date list of jobs in Hollister.
Hollister Schools
Families with children are part of the Hollister School District (Grades K-8), the San Benito High School District (Grades 9-12), Southside Elementary School District (grades K-8), or North County Joint Union Elementary School District (grades K-8). All public schools are highly rated.
In addition to the in-school libraries, students and city residents have access to the San Benito County Free Library.
Hollister Statistics & Information
Hollister is located in San Benito county, California.
- Land Area: 7.84 square miles
- Elevation: 289 ft
- Time zone: UTC-8:00 (Pacific)
- Zip code: 95023
- Area code: 831
- The closest airport: Hollister Municipal Airport
Map of Hollister, CA
Check out a variety of things to do, restaurants, and nearby attractions with this Hollister map.
Pros & Cons of Living in Hollister
- Pro: Hollister has a highly rated school system
- Pro: The weather is nearly perfect all year round
- Pro: The cost of living isn’t as high as it is in San Francisco
- Con: Traveling to major cities like San Francisco or San Jose takes over an hour by car
Ready to experience living in Hollister for yourself? Trust the top-rated Hollister movers to handle all of the details of your move! Call Southbay Moving Systems at 831-786-5537.
