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Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is a truly unique place to visit—and makes for a great story!
Originally created by park founder Michael Bonfante to share his love of trees, this magical wonderland includes 28 acres with more than 10,000 trees, six themed gardens, and over 40 family-friendly rides and attractions that were inspired by local history and agriculture.
We welcome inquiries and visits from credentialed members of the news media for the production of high-quality news features and programs about our park.
MEDIA FACTS
WHAT: Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is California’s only horticultural-themed amusement park, featuring over 40 rides and attractions, majestic gardens, and the world-famous Circus Trees.
WHEN: Gilroy Gardens is generally open on weekends and select weekdays from March through December, and open daily from June through mid-August. Check website calendar for current operating schedule.
WHERE: Gilroy Gardens is located at 3050 Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroy, California—known as the “Garlic Capital of the World.” The park is about 30 miles south of San Jose International Airport and within a one-hour drive of Santa Cruz, Monterey/Carmel, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
WEBSITE: GilroyGardens.org
PHONE: 408-840-7100
MEDIA CONTACT: Trevor Wilson
[email protected] • 408-840-7185
ADVERTISING CONTACT: Jason Raby
[email protected] • 408-852-3514
Gilroy Gardens Photo Gallery
These images are approved for general use in digital or print publications. If you require additional photo or video assets, email us here.
*NEW* 25th Anniversary Spring Celebration
This spring marks the start of our 25th season, so we’re throwing a big block party—and everyone’s invited! Stay tuned for more details about this once-in-a-generation celebration! March 22 – May 26.
*NEW* Cherry Jubilee
During Summer 2025, the entire park is going “very cherry” as we celebrate the local cherry harvest! Join the Bing Ring Circus for live shows, games, food, and artisan merchandise—and feast upon this cherry-centric extravaganza that’s sure to thrill all ages!
The Great Big BOO!
Our immersive Halloween event, The Great Big BOO, gets bigger and better every year. Join with Vinnie the Vampire, Wolfgang Werewolf, and Princess Priscilla to save Halloween from the curse of Wendella the Witch—and enjoy tricks and treats for all ages.
North Pole Nights
Bundle up for winter fun during the North Pole Nights winter holiday celebration. The entire park is transformed into the North Pole, with a live musical show featuring Santa, Mrs. Claus, and other jolly characters. Guests also enjoy traditional favorites like ice skating under the stars, incredible light displays, festive food and drinks, plus a New Year’s Eve dance party and fireworks show.
Rides at Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy Gardens features 21 different rides, ranging from gentle toddler-friendly rides all the way to thrilling rollercoasters. Some of the park’s most popular rides include:
Bulgy the Goldfish
These grinning goldfish have been the first ride for generations who grew up at Gilroy Gardens.
Balloon Flight
Feel like you’re floating through the clouds on this fun ride for the whole family.
Illions Supreme Carousel
One of the most ornate carousels ever built, this beauty dates back to 1927.
Bonfante Railroad Train Ride
Hop aboard a replica of an 1863 steam locomotive for a relaxing ride through the entire park.
Panoramic Wheel
Unlike a traditional Ferris wheel, the gondolas allow you to sit facing forward or backward.
Rainbow Garden Round Boat Ride
Float through a spectacular annual color garden full of topiary art in this gentle boat ride.
Garlic Twirl
You’ll definitely know you’re in Gilroy as you spin around inside a giant garlic bulb.
Duck and Swan Paddle Boats
Enjoy a peaceful paddle across Coyote Lake in these giant duck and swan boats.
South County Backroads
Cruise through lavishly landscaped grounds in either a 1920s roadster or 1950s Chevy.
Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster
This thrilling coaster was inspired by the quicksilver mines in nearby Almaden Valley.
Other Attractions at Gilroy Gardens
- Water Oasis
The original Water Oasis play area is perfect for younger children, with a shallow lagoon, gentle flower showers, and plenty of places to splash and play. The Water Oasis Expansion features bigger water slides, dozens of water jets, and a giant tipping bucket. Both areas feature comfy cabanas and Adirondack chairs so grownups can relax nearby while the kids splash and play. - Lakeside Splash
The Lakeside Splash water play area features water slides, jets, and interactive play alongside luxury cabanas and a smokehouse BBQ restaurant. - The Green Barn
Art and science ignite the imagination in this unique “maker space,” where nature inspires creative works of art as well as scientific discovery and exploration. - Bonfante Falls
At Bonfante Falls, which towers more than three stories high, guests can walk through five distinct types of waterfalls (tumbling, sheeting, cascading, freefall, and split). - Oak Park Playground
Kids can’t climb on the trees at Gilroy Gardens—but this massive play structure provides plenty of places to climb, hang, swing, jump, and slide. - Gil and Roy
Gil (short for Gilbert) and his sister Roy (short for Royelle) are the park’s popular garlic mascots, who enthusiastically greet visitors of all ages to the park. - Lakeside Amphitheater
Nestled along one side of Coyote Lake, this outdoor amphitheater plays host to many types of shows and movie nights throughout the year, including live musical shows during special events like Fantastical Flowers, The Great Big BOO, and North Pole Nights.
Gilroy Gardens History
Gilroy Gardens was created and built by Michael Bonfante, a man who always loved trees—especially BIG ones. In the 1970s, while managing his family’s supermarket business, Michael began thinking about building a park that would inspire young people to appreciate the beauty of trees.
As he continued to refine his plans, Michael learned about the ailing “Circus Trees” in nearby Scotts Valley, which had suffered from years of neglect. So, in 1985, Bonfante engineered a rescue operation. He carefully dug up the trees, hauled them on trucks through the Santa Cruz mountains, and lovingly transplanted them on his park grounds.
Bonfante Gardens opened to the public on June 15, 2001 (Michael’s 60th birthday). Renamed Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in 2007, the park now features over 40 family rides and attractions and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Staying true to Michael Bonfante’s original vision of sharing his love of trees with children, the park includes a number of interactive learning exhibits where guests can learn more about nature and the environment. More than just another amusement park, Gilroy Gardens remains a remarkable testament to one man’s vision and enduring passion for trees.
For more information, click the link below.
Education at Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy Gardens is more than just a theme park—it’s a place where kids can learn and grow!
Gilroy Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution whose mission is to educate and inspire families, especially children, to appreciate horticulture and the importance of trees in our lives by providing fun and memories in a beautiful garden setting.
Education programs and exhibits at the park include:
- The Green Barn
In this unique learning space, the natural world is the inspiration for creating works of art in the studio and the basis for scientific discovery and exploration through the Nature Exchange. - Natural Science Days
On select dates, Gilroy Gardens Docents lead groups of students (grades K-2 and 3-5) through presentation, investigation, and experimentation models in life and earth sciences. - Monarch Butterfly Exhibit
At various times during the operating season, visitors can observe caterpillars changing into Monarch butterflies at an exhibit inside the semi-tropical Monarch Garden greenhouse. - Water Conservation
Water Oasis was designed as a place for children of all ages to learn about water while playing in it—with interactive features and informative signs that encourage conservation of this precious resource. - Tour Brochures
Visit the Welcome Center to pick up brochures that feature detailed information about the park’s gardens and trees as well as agriculture, water features, and history and culture.
Fun Facts about Gilroy Gardens
- Gilroy Gardens covers over 26 acres in park.
- There are over 10,000 trees at Gilroy Gardens!
- The most planted tree in the park is the Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). These trees are the tallest in the world, with some growing to a height of 364 feet.
- There are over 200 topiaries in the park.
- The land on which Gilroy Gardens was built was once home to Costanoan Indians and later part of a Spanish land grant called Rancho Solis. It was previously used as a cattle ranch and vineyard (with some original grape vines still located near the corner before the parking toll booths).
- Park staff spent 8,500 hours and 3 years restoring and reassembling the Illions Supreme Carousel.
- Gilroy Gardens recycles the water used for watering plants and filling the park’s lake, creeks and waterfalls.
Media Passes
If you are a credentialed member of the media, we’d love to welcome you (and your family) to our beautiful park. Please complete this Media Tickets Request Form, and a representative will contact you within 5 business days.