California's Once-Thriving Amusement Park In San Jose Is Now A Scenic Garden Park Filled With Endless Outdoor Fun

California is home to some pretty legendary theme parks that have been entertaining visitors for decades. But there is one that you may have never even heard of, and not because it isn't popular. In fact, it was once a thriving attraction in San Jose, but its heyday has come and gone, and so, too, has the park itself. From 1961 to 1980, Frontier Village gave San Jose's locals and visitors a place to experience a theme park take on the Wild West. But today, what stands in its place is a beautiful garden space known as the Edenvale Gardens Regional Park.

Despite its popularity, the theme park eventually fell victim to sagging sales and neighbors who were resistant to expansion. It also faced competition from places like the nearby Great America. All of these unfortunate factors culminated in the park closing its doors forever on September 28, 1980, after nearly two decades of family-friendly fun and memories. The city eventually bought the land in 1987 and created a peaceful nature escape in the middle of the city filled with outdoor activities and amenities.

Repurposed theme parks aren't exactly a novelty. For example, on the opposite coast was Virginia's Buckroe Beach Park, a seaside amusement park that is now a public beach. In San Jose, Frontier Village had plenty of variety when it came to attractions, activities, and entertainment, with rides like the Lost Dutchman's Mine Ride and the Main Street complete with a general store and a trading post, along with theatrical gunfights for entertainment. Park guests could go fishing at the pond and ride the old-timey train, and there was even a schoolhouse museum at the park to give people a glimpse into frontier life.

When Frontier Village closed, its buildings and attractions were dismantled and removed. The park that now stands in its place may not have amusement park-level attractions, but it still has plenty of ways for visitors to pass the time. At Edenvale Gardens Regional Park, there are three playgrounds designed for different ages (two for younger kids and one for kids ages 5 to 12) and sporting areas that include a half basketball court, a sand volleyball court, tennis courts, and pickleball courts. There is also a shaded area in the center of the park known as Frontier Trail — a name that is reminiscent of the long-gone theme park — that has plenty of room for picnicking. There are spots equipped with barbecues and tables you can reserve for a fee ranging from $135 to $355, depending on the day of the week and whether you are a local or a visitor.

If you don't think of San Jose as a destination worth visiting, you might want to reconsider. The city's reputation for being "boring" is far from accurate, with spots like Japantown and the Winchester Mystery House giving people plenty to see and do. Plus, it earned the title of America's "best brunch city." San Jose's Edenvale Gardens may just be a city park, but it's a wonderful place to spend a day if you want to enjoy the California sunshine, and getting there is easy. It's located south of the city's downtown district near San Jose's Edenvale neighborhood, and you can either drive to the park and utilize its on-site parking lot or take public transportation. Once you get there, you'll find it a quiet oasis amid the crowded cityscape. Walking trails make it easy to explore the 19.5-acre park — and it's a great place to take your dog for a sniffari.

When Frontier Village first opened, the cost of admission started at just a quarter, per SJtoday. But today, on the same grounds, visiting Edenvale Gardens is free, with the exception of reserving a picnic area. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until one hour past sunset, making it easy to take a few minutes out of a day of exploring San Jose to stop and enjoy a bit of nature.