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Gilroy Gardens Day Trip

Updated August 3, 2021 Filed Under: CALIFORNIA ACTIVITIES, CALIFORNIA THEME PARKS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SF Bay Area: South Bay / Silicon Valley Tagged With: Attractions, Garden, Savvy Side Trips | Disclosure: This site may earn commissions for purchases made via links

Gilroy Gardens tram

Gilroy Gardens Discount Tickets & Things To Do

Gilroy Gardens is a 75-acre theme park in a glorious garden setting in Gilroy California, just inland from Santa Cruz. This unique theme park features more than 40 rides, attractions, water features and boat rides (seasonal), set among six colorful gardens and groves.

Popular rides and attractions include the Coyote & Redwood Junctions Railroad Train Ride, the Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster, and Rainbow Garden Round Boat Ride. Kids like the Pit Stop Racers, Super Squirter Station, and Tubs-O-Fun.

Gilroy Gardens Discount Tickets
My favorite is the Sky Trail Monorail that takes you around to see all the amazing eco-savvy horticulture. California tree huggers will like the world famous 50-year-old, one-of-a-kind Circus Trees rescued from Scotts Valley.


If you know anything about the city of Gilroy, you know garlic is the thing. So Gilroy Gardens makes it very easy to gorge on Gilroy Garlic Fries, among other theme-park style fun foods (burgers, burritos, funnel cakes).

Gilroy Gardens garlic ride
At Christmas time, Gilroy Gardens lights up for the holidays. The grounds transform into a winter wonderland where you can skate under the stars, see twinkling lights and holiday displays, activities, shows, and music. The park is very family friendly, so of course the holiday event includes Santa.


Gilroy Gardens was the inspiration of Michael Bonfante, of northern California Nob Hill grocery store chain fame. This place is different. It’s more thrilling than California’s ubiquitous botanical gardens, and less fake than California’s world famous overcrowded amusement parks.

Gilroy Gardens Timber Twister Coaster

Can you save on Gilroy Gardens tickets?

From time to time, Gilroy Gardens pushes out short term ticket deals and coupons, and they are not easy to find. When we see offers we post them here. (Or if you see one first give us a shout!)

Gilroy Gardens Tickets & Discounts

Kids age 2 and under get in free. Ages 3 and up need a ticket.

Gilroy Gardens Online Offers Direct

Along with offers Gilroy Gardens extends through partner sites like the ones listed above, they sometimes offer smaller online-only discounts directly on their website gilroygardens.org.

These are more likely to be found for less popular dates, but worth a look.At various times,

I’ve seen small breaks on the single ticket price better than the gate price, a 4-Pack offer, and best of all, discounted parking.

Last checked parking is full price online, but they say you’ll save time. Check later for better deals, though.

Gilroy Gardens Military Discount

Gilroy Gardens provides a special Military discount to active military personnel and guests. The discounted price currently posted is $30 for General Admission (day-time) at the Front Gate. That’s not as good as the deals above, but those may be temporary and have date restrictions.

The military deal is valid on on all public operating days during the regular season, and is good for up to six people. Many California military bases also provide these tickets.

Gilroy Gardens theme park rides

SAVVY TIP: Best time to go, if you want to avoid crowds, is on weekdays during the summer, and weekends in the Fall, according to Gilroy Gardens.

Gilroy Gardens Monarch Garden

Gilroy Gardens Know Before You Go

Official Gilroy Gardens Info

Find out more at gilroygardens.org | 408-840-7100

What’s included with your tickets?

Admission tickets to the park covers all rides, shows, and attractions. You’ll need to pay extra for parking, special “pay-for-play” games and attractions, concerts, and special events.

Gilroy Gardens Address & Location

Gilroy Gardens Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy (Hwy 152), Gilroy, CA 95020,

Gilroy Gardens Open Hours & Times

Rain or shine Park Daytime: 11am – 5pm; Holiday nighttime: 4pm – 9pm.

Lockers inside Gilroy Gardens

You can store your stuff in lockers (available for rent) in two locations. Find them behind the Sugar Plum restaurant and at Water Oasis.

Strollers & Wheelchairs at Gilroy Gardens

You can rent single and double-seat strollers, manual wheelchairs and battery-powered wheelchairs near the park entrance (first-come, first-served).

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