Bonfante Gardens, Gilroy, CA
 

Has anyone been to Bonfante Gardens/Theme Park? DH wants to go because he is a plant lover and we hope the kids (4 and 12) will like it too. It is near the Monterey Bay Aquarium, too, so will go there also. Is there any decent food in the park? They don't let you bring anything in. If you want to picnic you have to go outside. What about inexpensive place to stay nearby?

Dear mom:

When are you planning to visit? In the past, Bonfante Gardens has had limited hours, such as not opening until Memorial Day and only on certain days of the week. So check to see when it will open up.

I have never been, but my daughter visited about 5 or 6 years ago(she was about 6 at the time). It will be more fun for your little one. The 12 year old will be bored.

Monterrey is 40 minutes away. I would plan on staying in or near Monterey.

Good luck,
MY

We took our son at about age 12. True it is more for the younger kids - but he found some things he liked. The park is really beautiful and I would suggest you see if at least once. A few of the rides are for bigger kids and my son liked this large "rock maze"
thing. The food was fine. Have a fun
afternoon. We have a fond memory of a pleasant day wondering the park.

We went last year and I is definitely a beautiful place. The gardens are neat, and of course the circus trees are amazing. Most of the rides looked to be geared at little kids or for the whole family. I like the fact that the park is low key and just nice to stroll around in. The food was regular theme park food. Nothing special, but certainly edible.

I looked at their website and they open on April 1 this year, weekends only until June 15ish. Thanks for your responses. I will look for lodging near Monterey.

Now "the kid inside" wants to go there :)

A "did you know?" comment. The cirsus tress are amazing. They were shaped by a man, over some years, in Felton, CA, near Santa Cruz. I don't remember when he started them, probably in the 1920's. He used to exhibit them in a park-like area with an almost life-sized plastic dinosaur. Bonfante bought them when he built his Gilroy theme park.

Bonfante Gardens is designed for the younger ones. The park was purchased by Paramount and the gardens are not as maintained as they once were. When the park was owned by Bonfante the gardens could compete with Disney. Still a pleasant place. They do have a green house that you can purchase plants and flowers that are found in the park. You can always visit the shop without paying admission. There is a parking fee. They do not let you bring in food. The menus are better than most parks and the prices are pretty much on par with similar parks.

There are a number of newer motels in the Gilroy area. Mostly along 101. I would recommend staying in Gilroy or Salinas if you only plan one day in Monterey. Rates will be less than Monterey. North of Gilroy you are getting close to San Jose and higher rates. Motel rates are generally less on weekends as businesses travel during the week.