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.
Savvy tip: Ticket prices add up fast for families, so see the savvy Gilroy Gardens ticket deals I’ve rounded up below.
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.
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).
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.
Can you save on Gilroy Gardens tickets?
From time to time (like now!) the answer is yes. The deals and coupons are not easy to find, though. Gilroy Gardens recently pushed out some discounts through a third-party discount ticket site I’m affiliated with. They don’t want me to link to the page directly (too promotional and maybe they don’t want to pay me the usual commission).
No matter, I’m going to tell you how to get this deal anyway. It’s the savvy thing to do.
How to get the current deal: To get the Gilroy Gardens discount tickets (see the blue box below), follow one of the links to the ticket website and select any SF Bay Area city page. (You may be geo-directed automatically.) Then sort for the category “Attractions.”
Or use their search box, but that will only work if you’re on one of the Bay Area city pages. You’ll need to sign in or sign up (free). And fees will be applied at checkout, but the discount is more than worth the annoyance factor.
Gilroy Gardens Discount Tickets $28 Off
Kids age 2 and under get in free. Ages 3 and up need a ticket.
Deal 1: Discounts for Everyone
Get tickets online for only $29.99 (gate price is $58). These tickets are good for any date you want use them now through January 6, 2019. (They may extend the offer later, so check back for updates.)
DEAL 2: 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.
DEAL 3: 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.
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 Know Before You Go
Gilroy Gardens Tickets
Discount tickets and coupon info above. Or you can buy tickets at the gate, or on the Gilroy Gardens website.
Official 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.
Address & Location
Gilroy Gardens Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy (Hwy 152), Gilroy, CA 95020,
Open Hours & Times
Rain or shine Park Daytime: 11am – 5pm; Holiday nighttime: 4pm – 9pm.
Lockers
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
You can rent single and double-seat strollers, manual wheelchairs and battery-powered wheelchairs near the park entrance (first-come, first-served).
