As you drive over and down the steep Pacheco Pass Highway 152 with your sights set on reaching Hollister, Monterey or Gilroy, you’re likely to zoom right by it. And in doing so, you’ll miss one of those now-hidden unexpected California gems that is well worth stopping for – again and again and again. Welcome to the century-old Casa de Fruta, considered among one of California’s notable travel attractions.

‘Put in Bathrooms’

Every year, thousands of people traveling along Highway 152 – once known as Pacheco Pass Road – stop at the Casa de Fruta roadside resort which recently celebrated being in business for over 115 years. From restaurants and wine-tasting to train rides and a carousel to a variety of specialty shops and a restaurant, it truly is a fruit stand beyond your imagination. 

For decades, the road actually ran right by the spot where in 1943, three brothers built a fruit stand, selling cherries from their family’s farm. They named it Casa de Fruta – the House of Fruit. Over the ensuing years, the small stand metamorphed into a multi-faceted business. Legend has it that their mother advised them to “put in bathrooms” so that people would want to stop. Remember that cars in the 1940s-1970s took a lot longer to make the trip than today, so the Casa was a welcome relief in many ways.

One could say that each generation keeps advancing the Casa concept, growing and evolving to refresh a fun experience with something for everyone. In 1967, the brothers and the entire family together built a 24-hour cafe near their original stand, followed in 1968 by a gift shop and a gas station, then a small zoo and a playground for kids, and later a hamburger stand and RV park. But something unforeseen was coming down the road that could have had dire consequences.

A Step Back in Time

Highway 152 started as a trail meandering alongside the Pacheco Creek on the way to the Sierra Gold Rush. Over the decades it evolved into a main route from the coast into the Central Valley, transforming from dirt trail and toll road to paved highway. 

The history of Casa de Fruta is one characteristic of many entrepreneurial California farming families. In 1885, four brothers from the Calabria region of southern Italy – Giuseppe, Alfonse, Bruno and Pasquale Bisceglia – voyaged to the Americas in search of a new life. Their journey ultimately led them to the Santa Clara Valley which reminded them of Italy, where they and their families settled and entered the region’s booming agricultural industry. Within a few short years, they had established a successful cannery in Morgan Hill.

In 1908, Giuseppe headed on an errand to Los Banos. As he passed through the Pacheco Creek valley, he observed an artesian spring bubbling up near an area of lush plant life. He knew this signaled exceptionally fertile soil and a good supply of water. He and his brothers decided to buy the land, and began planting fruit orchards which thrived in the lovely valley. 

Their niece, Clara Bisceglia Cribari, later married Henry Zanger of San Jose. In 1938, she inherited 20 acres of the Pacheco Pass orchard property from her uncles, and in 1943, her sons opened the fruit stand.

To Pass or Not to Pass

Beginning in the 1990s, as people relocated to the more affordable Central Valley yet commuted to the Bay Area, Highways 152 and 156 began to undergo major changes to speed up the trip. This included not only more and wider lanes, but a bypass circumventing Casa de Fruta. Sure, there were signs and off ramps, but the ‘captive’ audience driving by the fruit stand at the original intersection was gone. 

While some businesses would have given up, Casa de Fruta refused, instead continuing to add more attractions, and diversifying into attracting major events and gatherings on its broad acreage. In a nod to the founders, virtually everything is named ‘Casa de’. Today, there’s Casa de Wine, Casa de Sweets, Casa de Cabins (camping and cabins as well as RV), Casa de Amusement (Carousel, Sluice, Mini-train ride, playground) and Casa de Restaurant, as well as historical ranch areas and farm implements. The annual Renaissance Faire, Pumpkin Junction and more add to the things-to-do list.  The Casa de Fruta stand itself offers fresh fruit, olive oils, treats and products from around the region. The stump of the tree which shadowed the original fruit stand still sits out front. 

It’s a place for laughter and smiles. The windmill turtle pond is something most people miss – it’s filled with turtles, sometimes submerged, occasionally sunning themselves on the rocks; challenge your kids to spot them. The fattest and sassiest ducks I have ever seen roam around, often in the parking lot, so go slow. 

When it comes to rest stops, Casa de Fruta is second to none. So the next time you’re whizzing along, and spot the Casa de Fruta off ramp, take a break, pull off and prepare to have some fun. You’ll be glad you did. And yes, they still have clean bathrooms if you need them.

Be advised some of the attractions are seasonal. To learn more about all there is to do and enjoy, visit www.casadefruta.com/index.php