The city is an agricultural town known primarily for its local Blenheim apricots, olive oil, vineyards, pomegranates, and chocolate.

[8] The area of modern-day Hollister was historically inhabited by the Mutsun band of the Ohlone Indians.

The bikes were forced to park on side streets and a strict downtown curfew was imposed, with the entire area being locked up at 9:00 pm.

This event was popular with bikers and some local establishments profited, but the city footed the bill for much of the expenses and was left liable when organizers filed bankruptcy.

[13] The San Francisco Chronicle characterized the 2017 rally crowd as "retired, friendly, weather-worn and excruciatingly law abiding", and estimated the motorcycle attendance around 10,000.

[14] The 2018 rally was cancelled due to loss of a major sponsor and concerns about the cost of workers compensation liability.

[15] The 2020 rally was cancelled due to "shelter in place" policies related to the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.

[17] In 2022 the city council declined to sponsor a rally amid a shortage of law enforcement officers.

[18] Hollister has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) that has warmer summers than the Monterey–Salinas area but is cooler than many other inland cities in the Central Valley.

Even though they are visibly contorted, the houses are still habitable as the owners have reinforced them to withstand the dislocation of their foundations.

Hollister is one of at least three California towns to claim the title of "Earthquake Capital of the World," the other two being Coalinga and Parkfield.

[31] Around early 2014, Hollister hired four additional police officers to battle a perceived increase in methamphetamine use.

[34] Hollister Co. is an American lifestyle brand by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. that projects a Southern California image.

CMAP TV - Community Media Access Partnership operates Channels 17, 18, 19 & 20 on Charter/Spectrum Cable as well as streaming online, offering public access and educational programming to Gilroy and San Benito County as well as offering live local government coverage, including the City of Hollister.

The following radio stations are licensed to Hollister: The State of California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development defines Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital as a General Acute Care Hospital in Hollister with Basic emergency care as of August 22, 2006.