Gilroy
Garden glory and foodie destination
THIS CITY IN CALIFORNIA’S Santa Clara County is well known for its favorite, year-round pungent plant: garlic. But just like a garlic bulb with many cloves, Gilroy has plenty of attractions—including a wealth of wineries and an amusement park full of gardens and agricultural mastery— enough to appeal to a variety of tastes.
Gilroy Gardens
Time has flown for the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, which will celebrate its 20th season in 2020. California’s only horticultural theme park, inspired by the vision of founder Michael Bonfante, features majestic gardens and waterfalls, as well as more than 40 rides and attractions. Also scattered throughout the park are the world-famous Circus Trees, living sculptures originally grafted and shaped by Axel Erlandson in the 1920s, including the iconic Basket Tree as well as others like the Arch Tree and the Fourlegged Giant. The big birthday celebration will last all year, with special party zones and activities throughout the park.
Wine Trail Pass
Gilroy is part of one of California’s oldest wine-growing regions and is home to more than 35 family-owned wineries and tasting rooms. The wayfinding signs along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail help oenophiles and first-time tasters discover award-winning wines, beautiful vineyard views and a casual atmosphere that makes wine tasting fun. A new, annual Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail Pass has been introduced (for $75). You can download the Wine Trail Map for your adventure (visitgilroy.com/wineries) and find the best options for your personal tasting tour.
Road to Garlic
Dedicated garlic heads come to Gilroy to get a taste of the best from the Garlic Capital of the World. Grab the Road to Garlic map for a tasty treasure hunt to find all the best garlic shops, restaurants and experiences (including garlic ice cream) to enjoy the town’s signature spice. If you’re in for a serious immersion, come for the Gilroy Garlic Festival, July 24-26. The three-day celebration is where festival-goers consume up to two tons of garlic each year—in the form of sizzling calamari and scampi, pepper steak sandwiches and garlic fries.