If you're still searching for a way to get your kids to eat their veggies, take them to Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, a charmingly “agricultural” amusement park in Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World.
What to Expect at Gilroy Gardens
The garden-themed rides here—with cheeky names like the Artichoke Dip and Banana Split—are designed especially for families with young children. Some are so mild, in fact, that parents can take infants on their first theme-park ride.
Climb aboard a hungry worm for a trip around an apple core, crawl into the center of a giant garlic bulb for some whirls and twirls, or board the Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster, a thrilling roller coaster ride through the redwood trees.
During the warmer months, a section of the park also transforms into a refreshing water park with Water Oasis and Lakeside Splash, featuring spray zones, water slides, tipping buckets, and shallow play pools perfect for cooling off.
What truly sets Gilroy Gardens apart from other theme parks, though, is how its rides are integrated into beautifully landscaped gardens, with unique touches like topiaries, tree-shaded paths, and the whimsical “Circus Trees” (more on these later). Instead of high-adrenaline roller coasters, visitors enjoy a more relaxed, nature-inspired experience that combines amusement park fun with botanical wonders, making it an ideal destination for younger kids and fans of gardens and nature alike.
The Gardens
The 20,000-square-foot Monarch Garden, a glass-enclosed conservatory, is the largest garden in the theme park and showcases tropical trees and plants along with an educational exhibit about the lifecycle of monarch butterflies.
Claudia’s Garden offers a peaceful retreat with cascading waterfalls and seasonal blooms, while the Camellia Garden dazzles from fall through early spring with vibrant flowers.
Some of the gardens feature special experiences, like a relaxed boat cruise through the flower-filled Rainbow Garden. You can climb aboard a classic car to tour the South County Backroads, landscaped to show how this broad valley south of San Francisco was once almost exclusively farmland. Kids will love riding through the entire park on board the park’s miniature replica of a steam train.
Gilroy Garden’s Circus Trees
Scattered throughout the park are the legendary Circus Trees—living botanical sculptures that twist, spiral, and curve in astonishing forms.
Created by Swedish-American arborist Axel Erlandson in the early 20th century, they've been carefully grafted and shaped over years using techniques like bending, pruning, and grafting multiple trunks together.
Originally displayed at Erlandson’s "Tree Circus" in nearby Scotts Valley, the trees were later rescued and relocated to Gilroy Gardens, where they continue to thrive. Grab a brochure about the trees at the entrance and build your visit around seeing them all. They’re all masterpieces, but the Basket Tree and the Four-Legged giant are must-sees.
Signature Events at Gilroy Gardens
The park holds special seasonal celebrations that combine live entertainment, interactive education, and family fun throughout the year. By season, highlights include:
- Spring: Voyage to the Islands in the spring
- Summer: Cherry Jubilee and Carnival Nights
- Fall: The Great Big BOO in the fall
- Winter: The beloved North Pole Nights holiday celebration, capped off with a fantastic fireworks show and dance party on New Year’s Eve.
Things to Do Near Gilroy Gardens
- Just minutes away, Gilroy Premium Outlets draws shoppers with great deals at top designer and brand-name stores, making it one of the most popular outlet centers in the region.
- If you’re visiting during the summer, don’t miss the Gilroy Garlic Festival, a beloved event held at the park that celebrates the city’s most famous crop with garlic-infused everything.
- Wine lovers can head into the surrounding wine country of Silicon Valley, where scenic vineyards offer tastings and tours in a region known for its award-winning pours—and that’s before you even scratch the surface of nearby towns and cities such as Salinas, Santa Cruz, and San Jose.
Regardless of when you visit, be sure to drop by the California Welcome Center, Gilroy, to get inside tips from locals on how to make the most of your time in this part of the Central Coast.
