My wife and I drove on 156 (jointed commissioned US 101) to visit her family in Gilroy in southern Santa Clara valley or county or "area" (well, San Jose is the bay area's largest city). The Salinas side of this valley is known as the "salad belt of the world" - artichokes, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, grapes (some wineries), garlic, and green or red peppers all around. The town of Prunedale looks nice, in fact you may find prunes (its namesake) and plums farmed in the area. The Mission San Juan Bautista and its town is on SR 156, and Hollister in San Benito county - nothing to do with the "Hollister California" designer clothing brand.