Unusual Gilroy Gardens is a nonprofit family-oriented theme park focused on food and plants rather than Disney-esque cartoon characters. You’ve got to really love flowers, fruit and veggies to get your money’s worth, though. Most rides like the ‘Mushroom Swing’ are tame. Buy tickets online to save. From Hwy 101, follow Hwy 152 west; parking is $12.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Mission San Juan Bautista

12.07 MILES

Founded in 1797, this mission claims the largest church among California’s original 21 missions. Unknowingly built directly atop the San Andreas Fault,…

2. San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

12.14 MILES

Buildings around the old Spanish plaza opposite the mission anchor this small historical park. Cavernous stables hint at San Juan Bautista in its 1860s…

3. Casa de Fruta

13.61 MILES

Heading east from Gilroy on Hwy 152 toward I-5, Casa de Fruta is a commercialized farm stand with an old-fashioned carousel and choo-choo train rides for…

4. Manresa State Beach

13.92 MILES

Near Watsonville, the La Selva Beach exit off Hwy 1 leads here to this sparsely populated beach.

5. Sunset State Beach

13.94 MILES

The La Selva Beach exit off Hwy 1, near Watsonville, brings you here, where you can have miles of sand and surf almost all to yourself.

7. Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

15.48 MILES

Just north the Santa Cruz seaside suburb of Aptos, this State park offers ipcnic spots and the opportunity to hike, jog, or bike on 30 miles of trails in…

8. Seacliff State Beach

15.98 MILES

Seacliff State Beach harbors a ‘cement boat,’ a quixotic freighter built of concrete that floated OK, but ended up here as a coastal fishing pier. During…