With its lush flora and thick groves of trees, Gilroy Gardens is certainly the most beautiful of the Bay Area’s theme parks. And even the loss of foliage upon the onset of winter won’t diminish the appeal with the installation of Holiday Lights, when the loss of leaves is soothed by the twinkle of millions of colorful bulbs that won’t grow into tulips yet are just as vibrant. I believe that perhaps my camera will convey that much better than my keyboard. However, there is a twist. Since this park appeals so much to young children, we are going to try and see it through their eyes. Therefore, all of these photos that were taken with my tripod had the lens set at the height of a small child, 40 inches.
Although the Swan Boats have apparently flown south for the winter, Coyote Lake is no less appealing as it is surrounded by Winter Reflections.
Once again the 12 Days of Christmas populate the South County Backroads. Unfortunately, my cunning plan to ride when it was dark enough to see the lights yet bright enough to allow a decent shutter speed was thwarted by the reality of waiting my turn.
Strolling along the Holly Walk takes one through both the secular and the sacred (it’s also a short cut to Santa).
Up on the plateau by the Monarch Garden greenhouse the confectionery of Gingerbread Corner towers over us.
The bridge leading into the park has once again become Candy Cane Lane.
All of these locations are highlighted on the Holiday map of the park, but my favorite place still has to be Claudia’s Garden, which isn’t even mentioned. Passing under the Arch Circus Tree one descends along a winding path culminating in a small pond beneath Candy Cane Lane. Nearly hidden until you are upon it (like so many of the rides here), Claudia’s Carousel spins amidst the full spectrum of color.
Twice nightly a Holiday Feast is served with the Peanuts gang on hand. This is still on my personal to do list, but I can peek around a planter with the best of them; certainly seems festive.
The troupe can also be found in the Lakeside Amphitheater performing “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. And of course, there are multiple locations for mailing a letter to Santa himself, or having a personal audience with him at his North Pole Workshop. It’s all happening at Gilroy Gardens from 3-8PM December 18-23 and 26-30.
Please join us in wishing Marc a very happy holidays. His photos from the Bay Area this past year have been wonderful and we can’t wait to see what adventures he’ll take us to in 2016 and beyond. Happy New Year Marc! – Dusty