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Gilroy Gardens Alphabet Chapter 4: LMNOP
Come along on our journey through the alphabet at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park!
This time, we’re exploring the letters L, M, N, O and P.
L is for Lakeside Splash
Life is good at Lakeside Splash—a fun water play area designed for little kids who love to splash, spin, spray and play! From this lovely location, you can look out over the scenic Coyote Lake and Bonfante River below.
L is for “luxury,” which is what you’ll experience as you lounge lazily inside one of our colorful cabanas. Each cabana (available for daily rental) comes with comfy couches, a table, a mini-refrigerator stocked with cold drinks, and even a 32-inch TV.
It’s a great place for everyone to take a break from all the splashy fun and just lay around. You can even enjoy tasty BBQ food delivered right to your lounge chair from the nearby Lakeside Smokehouse Restaurant!
L is also for “learning,” and interactive water features like sprinkler towers and a water maze are a great way for kids to learn about water while playing in it!
M is for Monarch Garden
Monarch Garden is a massive 60-foot tall greenhouse that contains many, many tropical and sub-tropical trees, shrubs, flowers and vines.
It’s a must-see any time you visit Gilroy Gardens—and can be viewed from both Bonfante Railroad and the SkyTrail Monorail rides!
Some of the interesting fruit-bearing plants in this garden include Avocado, Banana, Coffee, Lemon, Lemon and Mango trees. You can also find Banyan, Date Palm, Hibiscus, Jacaranda, and Silk Trees—and even the giant-leaved “Dinosaur Food” (Gunnera tinctoria)!
Named for the butterflies that frequent areas of nearby Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove, this garden also features a Monarch Butterfly exhibit. Here you can learn more about these magnificent creatures. During certain times of the year, you might even get to see caterpillars transforming into butterflies—an incredible process known as metamorphosis.
What else begins with “M” at Gilroy Gardens?
- Members (they help keep the magic growing!)
- Memorial Day Weekend
- Mother’s Day Tea Party
- Mushroom Swing
N is for North Pole Nights
North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens is a nighttime event full of wintertime fun and a sprinkling of holiday magic. This very merry experience includes jolly characters, fun live shows, ice skating under the stars, festive food and drinks, magical light displays, and much, much more.
In the live musical show The Magic of Santa, you’ll meet Rudy the Polar Bear, who uses Santa’s magic scanner to see who’s been nice and who’s been…well…not-so-nice. You can even take a ride on Rudy’s Road Trip to see if you’re on the naughty or nice list!
While you’re here, be sure to visit Santa in his workshop, climb aboard the Tinsel Groove Train, and “ooh” and “ah” as you walk through the North Pole Light Tunnel. Next, lace up your ice skates and glide across the ice beneath the night sky.
You can even write a note to Santa—and send your letter right from the North Pole Post Office!
O is for Oak Park Playground
Even with all the fun rides, water slides, and other exciting attractions at Gilroy Gardens, our Oak Park Playground is an all-time favorite with kids of all ages. Tucked away amongst the trees, this whimsical forest-themed playground is a place where you can climb, slide, and explore to your heart’s content.
With rope ladders, bridges, stairs, and twisting slides, it’s the perfect place to play chase or tag with your friends while the grownups enjoy a peaceful break in the shade.
FUN FACT: In central California, the three most common oak trees are the Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), the Interior Live Oak (Quercus lobata) and the Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii).
P is for Paddle Boats
One of the most unique attractions at Gilroy Gardens isn’t really a “ride” at all—because you have to provide your own pedal power to make these giant Duck and Swan Paddle Boats glide across the water!
You can board boats at the Coyote Lake dock. If it’s a busy day at the park, get in line early. Be sure to strap on a life vest for safety!
Depending on what boats are available at the time, you may get to choose between a big yellow duck, a green-headed Mallard duck, or an elegant white swan. If you look carefully, you might even spot a single Canadian Goose boat—that one was made especially for the former manager at Gilroy Gardens, who came from Canada!
Then hop right in and start paddling. As you make your way across the lake, you can get a unique look at the waterfalls, trees and gardens that surround the lake. Keep an eye out for funny-shaped topiaries outside the Rainbow Garden Boats Ride.
Be sure to enjoy the peace and quiet when you’re all by yourself out in the middle of this pretty lake!
Check out these other fun attractions at Gilroy Gardens that start with “P”: