Bonfante Gardens Theme Park is a one-of-a-kind experience combining five unique gardens and amusement rides with the mid-20th century history and agricultural roots of Santa Clara Valley. Set among 600 acres of rural countryside in Gilroy, California, Bonfante Gardens Theme Park is the brainchild of native Santa Clara Valley resident Michael Bonfante, who sold a successful grocery store chain to realize his 25-year dream of creating Bonfante Gardens. The site features 75 acres of land and contains 40 rides and attractions including theme gardens, food concessions, an event plaza, and 25 of the world famous Circus Trees.

The intention behind the site is to teach children about nature and plant material while presenting the information in a fun and entertaining way. For example, Monarch Gardens is a tropical greenhouse which can be experienced, like much of the park, via a monorail, an old-fashioned train or on foot. Moments of learning also come courtesy of volunteer docents steeped in plant knowledge, as well as four Learning Sheds, where videos talk about the birds and the bees and their impact on trees.

One of the most important aspects of the park are the trees on display. Guests are encouraged to pick up plant materials and samples at the site's nursery. "Trees are probably the single most important thing to the preservation of our air, our life," said Bonfante, whose side business is growing trees and selling them to professional and amateur landscapers. (He just sold a 55-foot, 18-year-old home-grown redwood for $12,000 to Oracle chief executive Larry Ellison.)

Bonfante Gardens is a 75 acre botanical garden set among 600 acres of rural countryside in Gilroy, California. The $100 million site features 40 rides, shows and attractions for children and their chaperones. The Mushroom Swing and the garlic bulb ride pay homage to Gilroy's pungent claim to fame.

Bonfante began his career in the family supermarket business and eventually developed a management team which lead Nob Hill Foods to 27 supermarkets, support facilities and 2,500 employees, with sales exceeding $375 million by 1997. In order to reach his personal goal of the development of Bonfante Gardens, he chose to sell the supermarket business in a unique sale to a neighboring competitor. A key part of the sale was an agreement that will allow his park a marketing opportunity with the new company to help insure the Gardens' success.

The park was also set up as a not-for-profit community charity, meaning that a board of directors guides decision making for the construction and operation of the park. The board of directors is specifically challenged to find public works projects to initiate and/or support that follow the ideals of preservation, stewardship, and ecology for which the theme park stands. The main goal of the non-profit status is to return a percentage of annual revenues back into beautification and parks projects throughout South County. Bonfante's 25-year dream will benefit the area for many years to some.