A century later, a village grew where the stagecoach route from Santa Cruz to San Francisco crossed the waterway. The ten room San Gregorio Hotel of 1866 was built above the northern approach to the bridge. The one room Seaside School of the 1870s faced it across the creek. In the 1880s the town of San Gregorio boasted a cheese factory, a Chinese laundry and two saloons as well.
When Highway 1 was completed along the ocean shore, the village began a downhill slide. The old hotel is now a private residence. The school is abandoned. The going concern here is the General Store, built in 1889 and still running. On weekends it’s a live music venue, a gathering spot for both motor and human powered bikers, and a haven for environmental gadflies and admirers of funky stores.
Once you’ve checked out the store and what’s left of the town, you can search for this easily accessible magnetic Altoids tin, with room for a few small trade items.