It may look like a sleepy farming town, but Hollister is at the junction of four of the state’s six geological fault lines, bringing the local community more than their share of earthquakes. Fortunately, most quakes aren’t severe, a fact borne out by the numerous Victorian buildings standing intact within the small but enjoyable Old Town area. Close by, at the junction of West and Anne streets, the San Benito County Historical Museum (open weekends only; http://www.sbchistoricalsociety.org), explains more than anyone might want to know about the town’s sheep-ranching origins.

One event of significance not covered in the museum occurred in 1947: the invasion of Hollister by leather-clad motor cyclists, which inspired the seminal 1953 biker film, The Wild One.