Pacheco Pass - All About the Mountain Pass in CA

Introducing the Pacheco Pass

View of Pacheco Pass from Casa De Fruta

Pacheco Pass is a low mountain pass located in the Diablo Range in Santa Clara County, California. At an elevation of 1,368ft (417m) above sea level, the pass is nestled within the Santa Cruz mountain, cutting through the Santa Clara Valley and the Central Valley.

The fully-paved pass is also known as the California State Route 152, which runs for 106 miles (171 km) between SR 1 in Watsonville and SR 99. The Pacheco Pass Road consists of a two-way highway from Gilroy to SR 15 and a four-lane highway that stretches over the pass.

Over the years, it's acquired a reputation for being a haunted highway due to the ground's historical roots and road accidents. However, some other frequent users of the Pacheco Pass contend that they've never had a paranormal experience during their travels.

Pacheco Pass Highway Route

Landmarks Along Pancheco Pass

Over on the eastern slope of the Pacheco Pass lies the San Luis Reservoirs, which are the water source of the California State Water Project and the Central Valley Project. To the South of the Pacheco Pass is where you'll find the Pacheco State Park, which spans over 6,890 acres. In the 2,600 acres of land that is open to the public all year round, visitors can take in scenic vistas, admire spring wildfires, and explore the trails on foot or through horseback riding sessions.

The closes point of access to the state park from the Pacheco Pass is via Dinosaur Point Road. From there, you'll also spot a small 16 MW wind farm that hosts about 162 turbines on top of the pass.

Over on the west side of Pacheco Pass lies Casa de Fruta, a sizeable trading post in the Pacheco Creek valley. Casa de Fruta began as a place where tourists could buy locally grown fruit and nuts, but it has since expanded to include a delicatessen, a truck stop, an RV campground, and other amenities.

Casa de Fruta, Pacheco Pass Highway

The Northern California Renaissance Faire, which takes place annually in September and October, is currently hosted in Casa de Fruta. If you're looking for a place to stop for a quick bite before getting back on the road, we recommend the Casa de Fruta Restaurant. It serves a delectable selection of pies and cakes, and the extensive wine and deli section is a crowd-pleaser. Between Casa de Fruta and the Pacheco Pass, there is also a rural area known as Bell Station.

Roads on Pacheco Pass

Pacheco Pass weather is usually warm throughout late June and September. In Gilroy, the summers are long and warm, and the skies are mostly clear. Winters are cold, receive higher rainfall, and are cloudier. Throughout the year, the temperature typically ranges between 39°F and 83°F. It rarely falls below 31°F or goes above 92°F.

San Jose and Santa Cruz, which are about an hour's drive away from the pass, also feature a range of exciting attractions and tours to consider adding to your itinerary.

History of Pacheco Pass Highway

Pacheco Pass was named after Don Francisco Pérez Pacheco, a well-known Californio ranchero and owner of the Rancho Ausaymas y San Felipe. The land where the pass now resides was once home to native tribes of the area. A path nearby cuts through what is now known as Pacheco State Park. It was once utilized by the Yokuts to travel from the mountain range to the coast.

After the pass was officially established, it served all kinds of travelers, ranging from soldiers to gold miners. It was a popular way to travel through the mountains since the earliest days of the California gold rush.

In 1915, it was officially incorporated into the state highway system. Drastic changes were made between the 1920s and 1960s to improve efficiency and travel times on the pass.

Is Pachecho Pass Haunted?

For its reports of alleged UFO and ghostly sightings received over the years, Pacheco Pass was featured on multiple television shows, including SciFi Channel's "Sightings" and the Travel Channel's "Haunted Travels." With all this interest surrounding the area's possible paranormal nature, you might wonder, is Pachecho Pass haunted?

Well, urban legends of Pacheco Pass date back to the 1700s, when stories on the hauntings of a native massacre that happened at the hands of Spanish settlers first emerged. These tales were only strengthened in the 1800s when incidences of two men assaulting and robbing countless travelers on the highway occurred. It subsequently acquired the moniker of "robber's pass."

Stone Tablet, Pacheco Pass

Some have reported experiencing time slips or overwhelming sadness and apprehension when traveling on the road at night. However, others who have personally driven through the pass countless times also claim that they've never experienced any of the above phenomena.

Regardless of whether Pacheco Pass is actually haunted or not, modifications and upgrades are continuously being made today in efforts to make the journey less dangerous for all those traversing it. This includes measures like reducing hazards from rocks falling and improving the stability of sloped parts of the roads.

Final Thoughts

Pacheco Pass is the most popular way to get to the Central Valley from Silicon Valley. Are you planning a road trip around California? If so, be sure to include unmissable attractions in nature like the Golden Gate Park in Bay Area, and Yosemite National Park. For nature lovers, a hike on the Stonewall Panoramic Trail is a fun activity to consider as well!

Table of Contents
Route 
Landmarks
History
Final Thoughts