It’s no secret that here in Northern California, we have tons of bizarre sights, but few are as strange as this whimsical garden in the town of Gilroy. In fact, this weird garden in NorCal has become famous for the interesting assortments of trees contained within it. Referred to as “Circus Trees,” these things look like they were ripped straight from the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. However, there’s actually a fascinating story behind why these trees look the way they do. This is the type of attraction we encourage you to see for yourself in order to fully appreciate its weirdness. So keep reading to discover more about what may be one of the best gardens in California. 

You might not be able to believe your eyes when you come across the famous Circus Trees at Gilroy Gardens. At first, you may think these odd-looking trees are just part of the quirky theme park, but you'll be surprised to know that their history goes way back.
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Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, USA
Jeremy Thompson/Flickr
In fact, the trees are the product of one man's decades-long experiment. Axel Erlandson was born in Sweden but his family later settled in California. He would grow up to become a bean farmer with a wife and daughter. The trees were Erlandson's attempt to entertain his family, but they became so much more than that.
Donna S/Flickr
Erlandson used a process known as inosculation in order to create these bizarre-looking trees. Inosculation is when one tree bonds to another, creating some sort of mutant tree in the process. Erlandson purposely grafted together different trees in order to create strange yet pleasing shapes.
best gardens in California
andy chan (12beesinatrenchcoat)/Google

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This process actually took a long time. All in all, the bean farmer spent over 40 years growing his experimental trees. His very first "creation" is known as the Four Legged Giant and was created with four different trees.
Jeremy Thompson/Flickr
In 1945, Erlandson opened the "Tree Circus" in which visitors could pay to see these incredible trees for themselves. The circus even got the attention of Robert Ripley and was featured in his magazine several times. However, the tree circus never saw a ton of success and it was shut down in 1963.
Donna S/Flickr
Erlandson died shortly after and many of his trees were seemingly forgotten. By the late 70s, only around 40 of the 70 Circus Trees remained and they were scheduled to be destroyed. However, they ended up being relocated in 1985 to what is now known as Gilroy Gardens.
aaron_anderer/Flickr
Today, you can view several of the 25 of Axel Erlandson's original Circus Trees. The Four Legged Giant even remains! These trees may look totally bizarre, but they actually represent one man's entirely unique imagination. Seeing them in-person is a must, so check them out at 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020.
Eduardo Pereira/TripAdvisor

Did you know the story behind the famous Circus Trees? Make visiting Gilroy Gardens, one of the best gardens in California, a priority the next time you’re in the area. 

Want more whimsical adventure in California? Check out our list of the 10 Strangest Places In Northern California that will shock you.

Here Are The 10 Weirdest Places You Can Possibly Go In Northern California

 

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More to Explore

Attractions In Northern California

Melanie J. | May 01, 2024

Are there more gardens in Northern California that are worth visiting?

Yes, there are lots of gardens in Northern California that belong on your list. Here are several that we like the best: 

  • Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Mendocino
  • San Francisco Botanical Garden, San Francisco
  • Hughson Arboretum and Gardens, Hughson
  • Municipal Rose Garden, San Jose
  • University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley
  • Jensen Botanical Garden, Carmichael 
  • Berkeley Rose Garden, Berkeley Rose Garden
  • UC Davis Arboretum, Davis
  • Kelley Park, San Jose
  • Crystal Hermitage Gardens, Nevada City
  • Sonoma Botanical Garden, Glen Ellen

We recommend that you visit our website to discover more gorgeous gardens in Northern California. 

What are some more whimsical attractions in Northern California?

From quirky sculptures to weird museums, here are some of the most whimsical attractions in Northern California. 

  • Yreka Sculptures, Yreka
  • Pea Soup Andersen’s, Santa Nella
  • Garlic World, Gilroy
  • Winchester Mystery House, San Jose
  • Bigfoot Jamboree, Happy Camp
  • Confusion Hill, Leggett
  • Chandelier Drive-Through Tree, Leggett
  • The Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz
  • Pacific Grove Butterfly House, Pacific Grove
  • Trees of Mystery, Klamath
  • Bigfoot Museum, Willow Creek
  • Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Westwood

Check out our previous article telling you more about these whimsical attractions in Northern California. 

What are the best tourist attractions in Northern California?

According to the locals, these are some of the best tourist attractions in Northern California.

  • Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada Mountains
  • Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
  • Marin Headlands, Sausalito
  • Avenue of the Giants, Redcrest
  • Historic Downtown Truckee, Truckee
  • South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe,
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey County
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park, Redding
  • NorCal Rodeos, Multiple Cities
  • Napa Valley Wine Tours, Napa
  • Sonoma County Wineries, Sonoma
  • Sequoia National Park, Visalia

Be sure to read this article to find out more about these top tourist attractions in Northern California.

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Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, USA