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Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park Reopens!

Started as an idea over 23 years ago, Bonfante Gardens Theme Park ownes about 600 acres located off Highway 152, 3 miles west of downtown Gilroy. 250 acres are dedicated as open space acres. Bonfante Gardens Theme Park was founded by Michael Bonfante, former president and majority owner of Nob Hill Foods, a 27-store chain with 2,600 employees in eight Northern California counties. It was sold to Sacramento based Raley’s Supermarkets in 1998.

Bonfante Gardens Trivia Facts:

  • 1.1 million square feet of asphalt, enough to cover 23 football fields, have been laid throughout the park.
  • Coyote Lake holds 3 million gallons of water.
  • Bonfante Gardens employes approximately 550 seasonal associates, the majority live in South Santa Clara County.

Education Facts:

  • Bonfante Gardens Theme Park is a non-profit corporation that supports horticulture and beautification projects throughout the community.
     
  • Bonfante Gardens Theme Park will feature 4 "Learning Sheds" throughout the park. "Learning Sheds" are open-air kiosks that resemble agricultural-style drying sheds and contain 2-6 minute educational videos on 10 different topics such as environmental practices, quicksilver mining, Circus Trees, and local agriculture. The content is developed so an eight-year-old can understand it but is intended for visitors of all ages.
  • Bonfante Gardens Theme Park features educational field trip programs for students.
  • The park develops its programs within the state standards for life science and history. (Homeschoolers note: this is a great trip to take for science/botany/biology)

Location

The park is located in Gilroy, Calif. Take Hwy. 101 to Hwy. 152 (West) and follow signs.

Information:

Call 408-840-7100 or visit www.bonfantegardens.com.

Admission:

  • General Admission, ages 7 through 59 $29.95
  • Senior Citizens, ages 60 and older $21.95
  • Children, ages 3 through 6 (or under 48” tall) $21.95
  • Children, ages 2 and under Free
  • Bonfante Gardens Season Pass $49.95
  • Guests can also purchase a Paramount’s Great America VIP Pass and receive unlimited visits to Bonfante Gardens for free. A Paramount’s Great America VIP Pass for a family of 4 is $240 (59.99 each) and an individual VIP Pass is $69.99. For more information, visit http://www.pgathrills.com/tickets.jsp

Schedule:

  • Spring Open weekends from Friday, Apr. 18 through Friday, Oct. 31, open Apr. 23-27.
  • Summer Open daily from Saturday, June 7 through Sunday, Aug. 24.
  • Fall Open weekends from Saturday, Aug. 30 through Friday, Oct. 31.
  • The park opens at 10 a.m. Closing times vary. Operating schedule subject to change without notice; please call 408-840-7100 or visit www.bonfantegardens.com. Cash, traveler’s checks, personal checks with proper identification and all major credit cards are accepted. Prices subject to change without notice.

Rides (19 Total)

  • Illions Supreme Carousel - One of the most ornate carousels ever built and one of only three ever produced by M.C. Illions, this beauty dates back to 1927.
  • Garlic Twirl - Climb inside a giant garlic bulb and spin around and around while surrounded by olive trees.
  • Artichoke Dip - Watch out for the mayonnaise inside an artichoke that loops around a bumpy track.
  • Apple and Worm - Young visitors will especially love a garden worm that travels around as it eats its way through a giant apple core.
  • South County Back Roads - Step back in time and cruise through lavishly landscaped grounds in either a roadster from the 1920's or a Chevy Corvette from the 1950's.
  • Rainbow Garden Round Boat Ride - Float through a spectacular annual color garden full of topiary art in a gentle boat ride.
  • Mushroom Swing - Climb aboard a flying swing suspended from a mushroom and get a birds-eye view of the park.
  • Panoramic Wheel – Travel in a lavendar gondola up and above a 60-foot greenhouse on this delicate, classic ferris wheel ride.
  • Claudia's Carousel - This beautiful reminder of a simpler time is located in Claudia's Garden.
  • Sky Trail – Look down for an aerial view of the flowers and plants in the Monarch Garden as this monorail ride cruises through the greenhouse and west end of the park.
  • Quicksilver Express - This thrilling mine train coaster speeds through dips and turns surrounded by nearly 600 trees.
  • Trains (Coyote & Redwood) – All aboard! This authentic narrow-gauge railroad with custom-designed roofs allows guests to experience a full 180-degree view and a guided learning tour of the park.
  • Tubs-O-Fun - Small kids will love this version of a teacup ride.
  • Balloon Flight - Float through the clouds in a balloon baskets, each complete with a colorful big balloon, on this family ride.
  • Paddle Boats – Paddle along and explore Coyote Lake in a swan or duck paddle boat.
  • Timber Twister - This kid’s coaster is tucked away in a hidden glen surrounded by hundreds of trees, watch out of the garden snake train as it travels towards the station!
  • Strawberry Sundae – Take a spin in a juicy red strawberyy on this ride that represents one of five crops grown locally.