CITY OF GILROY by Amazon Stones

Gilroy is the southernmost city in Santa Clara County, California, United States, and in the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 41,464 at the 2000 census. Gilroy is well known for its garlic crop; the Gilroy Garlic Festival which occurs annually, featuring various garlicky foods including garlic ice cream. Gilroy also produces mushrooms in considerable quantity. Gilroy's nickname is "Garlic Capital of the World," although Gilroy does not lead the world in garlic production. While garlic is grown in Gilroy, its nickname comes from the fact that Gilroy Foods processes more garlic than any other factory in the world; most pickled, minced, and powdered garlic come from Gilroy.

Approximately eight miles northeast of Gilroy, via Gilroy Hot Springs Road, lies the famous Victorian resort Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs, a California Historical Landmark. Gilroy also is home to the Gilroy Premium Outlets, a large shopping center consisting entirely of outlet stores.

Long-time local landmarks include Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, formerly Treehaven, Hecker Pass...A Family Adventure, (a venue for corporate picnics and birthday parties). The park is located along SR152 west of town. Past Gilroy Gardens on SR152 about 12 driving miles west of town is Mount Madonna County Park.

Cattle, garlic, and strawberries, occupy acres toward Hollister and San Martin.

Parks and Recreation

• Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, immediately east of Gilroy
• Gilroy Gardens, a few miles west of Gilroy on State Route 152.

Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy Gardens is a 501 nonprofit horticultural-themed family theme park in Gilroy, California and home of the world-famous Circus Trees created by Axel Erlandson. The Park opened in June 2001 as Bonfante Gardens. The name was changed to Gilroy Gardens in February 2007. The park features 19 rides, 27 attractions and six gardens.

Gilroy Gardens was founded by Michael and Claudia Bonfante after selling their Nob Hill Foods supermarket chain to build the park. The park was a dream that took about 25 years to become reality.

In the summer, Gilroy Gardens hosts weddings. Starting in 2004, the park began its annual holiday celebration - Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights.

The park struggled with financial difficulty and low attendance the first two years it was open. It closed early for its first two seasons and the park's management debated whether to open at all for the third season. Paramount Parks began to manage the park on contract starting with the 2003 season.

Gilroy Gardens operates under the management of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which acquired Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation on June 30, 2006.

The city of Gilroy purchased the 536 acres (including the theme park rides) March 5, 2008. This purchase bought out about half the existing bond holders. The other half will be bought out in 2010. Like many other theme parks, Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park leases the land from the city.