Skip to Main Content

Gilroy, California: Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens

RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

Address:
3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA
Directions:
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. From San Jose/Bay Area: US 101 south to Masten Ave. exit. Take Masten Ave. westbound (turns into Fitzgerald Ave. after you go past Monterey St). At the end of Fitzgerald Ave. turn left on Santa Teresa Blvd. Then turn right on Hwy. 152 (Hecker Pass Hwy.) Entrance is left just past Burchell Rd.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Circus Trees.

Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens

Strangely contorted trees transplanted from a defunct Scots Valley attraction. No one knows how the late Axel Erlandson did what he did.

Roadsideamerica.com Report...

Visitor Tips and News About Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens

You can only see the trees from inside the water park. They have very limited hours in the off season and it's extremely expensive unless you are going specifically for the water park and happen to see the trees.

[Tania, 11/06/2023]

Circus tree.

Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens

Since it's a non-profit enterprise, admission is expensive. But it's so beautiful that it's worth it.

[Sydney Harter, 06/18/2010]

Circus Tree replica water attraction.

Replica Tree Mutants

Over twenty years ago, Bonfante Gardens theme park acquired and transplanted the late Axel Erlandson's Circus Trees -- his 40+ years of experiments in decorative tree growth. Today, 19 of the trees still thrive at Bonfante [renamed Gilroy Gardens]. But we're also pleased to notice the mutant tree theme has been cleverly extended into the park's new Splash Garden. It's a kid's water fun area, deploying a couple of large replica Circus Trees as attractions. The replica Basket Circus Tree is 18-ft. tall -- the upper branches spray water, and a dry slide descends around the outside.

We trust these artificial trees won't distract the horticultural park from continuing to keep the real mutants alive....

[Roadsideamerica.com Team, 06/21/2006]

Circus Tree, Bonfante Gardens.

Circus Trees

We finally visited [Gilroy] Gardens to see the Circus Trees, and we had an awesome time. It is as close to an old-style amusement park that you'll find on the West Coast. Super fun, beautiful, and immaculate. Open through their normal operating season - March through October.

[Nick, 04/05/2005]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Garlic Capital of the World MuralGarlic Capital of the World Mural, Gilroy, CA - 3 mi.
Garlicgeese SculptureGarlicgeese Sculpture, Gilroy, CA - 4 mi.
Garlic World, World's Longest Braided GarlicGarlic World, World's Longest Braided Garlic, Gilroy, CA - 5 mi.
In the region:
Westernmost 9/11 Flight 93 Memorial, Union City, CA - 48 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

California Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings