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| Status: |
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Operating since 2001 |
| Also Known As: |
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Bonfante Gardens (2001-2006) |
| Phone: |
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408-840-7100 |
| Web: |
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Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park's site |
| Address: |
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3050 Hecker Pass Highway
Gilroy, CA 95020
USA
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| Visits: |
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29 |
| Rating: |
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| More About This Park |
Notes:
40 rides and attractions including a 1927 Illions Supreme Carousel. |
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| Reviews |
Sir Willow
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3553
View Park/Ride Count
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This review is from the first month the park was open, back in 2001.
On Saturday I was able to take a few hours to stop off at the newly
opened Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, CA. It has only been open a week,
and much of the park is not finished yet. Because of this, they were
reducing admission to $20 for adults instead of the normal 28.95, a nice
touch.
Bonfante Gardens is a non-profit park centered around the circus trees-
oddly shaped and molded trees that are scattered throughout the park- as
well as many gardens. I can honestly say this is the most beautiful
park that I have ever been to, bar none. Much of it was litterally
breathtaking with the arrangements of plants, waterfulls, etc. Mixed in
throughout this paradise are several family rides and a couple of
coasters.
If you haven't picked up on it yet, Bonfante Gardens is not a thrill
park, it's a family park where the grandparents can ride almost
everything with the toddler grandkids, with the gardens and fully themed
family fun being the important parts. Docents and guides where all over
the park to answer questions about the plants, scenery, rides, food,
etc, and all with maps handy to help you out, which was a wonderful
touch and made a person feel very welcome. Food selection was also
great, with authentic Mexican food. No bell or del tacos here- it was
beans and shredded beef with pico and avocado on top of grilled but soft
double tortillas. And very good. They won my award for best park
service and best food right away.
As for the coasters, there are 2. Timberline Twister is a family
coaster, similar to Cobra at SFMW with a train that is shorter and that
goes faster. It gives a great little pop of airtime off the first drop-
one that scared the two teens sitting behind me in the last car! A
great fun little ride through the woods.
There is also the Quicksilver Mine Coaster- a Morgan mine train with 2
lifts. It was a little jerky hooking onto the chains on the lifts, but
otherwise was a nice mine train ride. A good fast drop off the second
lift, a turn through a mist-filled building, a nice helix near the end,
and lots of fun and theming. Not a huge thrill ride, but perfect for
what they wanted to accomplish with it.
The other rides throughout the park were also all themed to blend in
with the park- the "pirate ship" was a giant banana. The "teacup
spinners" were heads of garlic. There were rides for the kids (that the
parents could go on with them) that were all decorated. A couple of
beautiful carousels. And a car ride that kicks autotopia's tush! You
can take the 50's or the 20's ride, and each is themed out to fit their
time. It was the most fun that I've ever had on one of these.
Overall, Bonfante is a great family park that, while small, I felt sure
hearkened back to what Disneyland was like back when it opened. I place
to get away with the whole family, forget the outside world, and just
have a great time together. If you're looking for thrill rides, forget
it. But if you're looking for a place to relax and just have a good
time, this is the place to go.
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| 1-21-04 11:49:26 |
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Bumbi
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2
View Park/Ride Count
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This is one of the prettiest parks that I have visited. It was clean, friendly, and a relaxing place to vacation.
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| 6-17-05 2:50:34 |
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JD71
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7
View Park/Ride Count
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Clean park, great atmosphere, friendly park employees,
I had a smile on the entire day!
While not a white knuckling, thrill-a-minute park, it was absolutely stunning.
And oh yeah, this db is missing a couple rides.
http://gilroygardens.org/rides.html
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| 4-30-07 0:30:06 |
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