Knott's Berry Farm

Tickets & Visitor Guide to the Classic Buena Park Theme Park

⏱ Full day👤 All ages$$$

Knott's has a history unusual for a theme park: Walter and Cordelia Knott sold berries and Cordelia's fried chicken dinners, then built an old West attraction to entertain the waiting diners, and the park grew from there. That heritage is visible in the Ghost Town, the Calico Mine Ride and the Timber Mountain Log Ride, and in the food. Boysenberry, the berry that made the Knotts famous, shows up in pies, jams and a spring festival, and the Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant remains a destination in its own right. Check the park app for current menus and which attractions are open.

The rides lean toward coasters. The park has a mix of classic wooden coasters and modern steel rides, plus family rides and the Camp Snoopy area with Peanuts-themed attractions. Waits are generally shorter than at the big Anaheim parks, so a weekday visit can cover most of the park in a day. Knott's is also known for its seasonal events: a large fall Halloween event that turns the park into a haunted-house festival, and a winter holiday event with lights and shows. These events often use separate tickets and different hours, so make sure you buy the right admission for the date you want.

Buena Park is in Orange County, roughly a thirty to forty-five minute drive south-east of downtown Los Angeles and about ten minutes from Disneyland, so it pairs naturally with an Anaheim stay. The park is smaller and easier to navigate than the Disney resorts, parking is on-site and the pace is slower, which is ideal for families with children who are not ready for a twelve-hour Disney day. A separate water park next door has its own admission, so check what your ticket covers. Come in comfortable shoes and sun protection, and expect to spend six to eight hours.