Sponsored by Go to Buena Park
Buena Park in northern Orange County is most well-known for being the house of Knott’s Berry Farm, America’s first ever theme park.
Nonetheless, there’s lots extra issues to do in Buena Park. There’s a historic district, world-class buying, and it’s near our favourite Californian seashore, Huntington Seashore.
When you’re planning a trip to go to the world well-known theme parks, however need extra sights so as to add to your itinerary, then listed here are some extra sights you may try in Buena Park that supply an entire lot of family-friendly enjoyable!
We visited on a paid marketing campaign with Go to Buena Park, however all of the concepts, tales and opinions are our personal!
1. Spend the day at Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park
Buena Park is a vacation spot identified for one factor – theme parks, so after all we mentioned sure to screaming curler coasters, to swashbuckling pirate kidnappings, to household leisure, and to scrumptious Southern California meals. All of which you’ll find at Knotts Berry Farm.
It began again in 1920 with the Knott Household and their berry farm. Mrs. Knott quickly grew to become legendary for her hen dinners, which helped this entrepreneur household develop their enterprise from a meals stall to the creation of the very first boysenberry, to a duplicate ghost city, to now one of the visited theme parks within the USA.
It’s so common that even Australians will go to on their journeys to California. I bear in mind listening to my dad and brother’s tales of Montezooma’s Revenge once they visited again within the early nineties.
They each mentioned they loved it greater than Disneyland!
Knott’s Berry Farm has extra thrill-seeker rides than Disneyland at a extra reasonably priced worth. Though, in case your price range permits, I’d advocate a Quick Lane Move to maximise your time within the park.
So, in the event you’re not that into Mickey Mouse, this can be a nice theme park different and it’s solely quarter-hour up the highway from Disney in Anaheim. And, Knott’s Berry Farm is 57-acres, which makes it possible to overcome in sooner or later.
There are 40 rides throughout 4 themed areas, which pay homage to the historical past and tradition of this area: the Outdated West Ghost City, Fiesta Village, The Boardwalk, and Camp Snoopy.
You might not discover Disney characters at this park, however you’ll discover Snoopy and the PEANUTS gang. They wander round dancing and taking pictures with visitors in addition to performing in a number of reveals all through the day.
The Outdated West Ghost City was our favourite place to stroll round within the park with its outdated wood shops, salons, blacksmith retailers, cute eating places, and the Chicken Theater.
There’s a lot to take a look at and do and so they typically have stay reveals and leisure. Take pleasure in one whereas sipping a boysenberry beer on the saloon.
I additionally beloved the enjoyable, seashore vibes of The Boardwalk, house of California’s first dive coaster, HangTime.
It additionally has the steepest past vertical drop in California. I discovered the drop thrilling, it was the vertical climb up on the opposite aspect that had me screaming, “I wish to get off!”
We could have a full information to Knott’s Berry Farm. Listed here are our picks for the most effective rides:
- GhostRider – the longest, tallest, quickest Picket coaster on the West Coast. I actually wasn’t anticipating this journey to be pretty much as good because it was. Completely shocking!
- HangTime: 150 toes past vertical drip, 5 inversions and mid-air suspensions, solely the bravest will say sure to this coaster.
- Silver Bullet– Savannah’s first the other way up curler coaster and thrill journey. Wow! 2 minutes of intense velocity, inversions, corkscrews, cobra rolls, loops and 109-foot drop!
- Sierra Sidewinder – a curler coaster that spins because it dips, banks, and nostril dives? I’d say that’s a YES!
- Pony Specific: Whereas extremely brief, this journey will launch you 38mph in lower than 3 seconds.
- Supreme Scream: 312 ft excessive, spectacular views over Buena Park, and assured abdomen drops as you immediately drop from these heights.
We didn’t get to expertise all of the rides on our day at Knott’s Berry Farm, some weren’t working, however we did a lot of the thrill ones.
If visiting in Spring, you may benefit from the Knott’s Boysenberry Pageant, to have fun this berry first created by Walter Knott within the Twenties.
The occasion runs from March to April and options stay leisure, interactive experiences and scores of boysenberry dishes.
Additionally they have seasonal occasions. In October, they’ve Knott’s Spooky Farm which is aimed toward youngsters, and Knott’s Scary Farm which is aimed toward teenagers.
Christmas is a giant month, with Knott’s Merry Farm. It’s at all times enjoyable and cheerful at Knott’s Farm!
2. Store native at Knott’s California Market
Outdoors the entrance gates to this California theme park is Knott’s California Market.
It’s a group of shops and eating places that supply these visiting an opportunity to buy some Snoopy-themed souvenirs, native jams and jellies.
You may eat on the place that began all of it – Mrs. Knott’s Rooster Dinner Restaurant. It’s been serving up Cordelia Knott’s unique fried hen recipe since 1934, in addition to well-known boysenberry pies!
Make sure to cease in at Berry Market to see the massive mural on the partitions sharing the historical past of Knott’s Berry Farm and the Knott Household story.
I bought an exquisite pink summer season costume right here.
The Market Emporium is one other place for garments buying – heavy on the nation theme – in addition to a year-round Christmas retailer, and a mini-Sweet Parlor!
The biggest retailer within the market, PEANUTS Headquarters has unique Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Gang clothes, plush toys, books and even canine ears to put on into the park.
And what Aussies couldn’t resist selecting up a couple of Billabong gadgets from Knott’s California Store?
The most well-liked souvenirs for guests to buy on the California Market are the berry market preserves, particularly the boysenberry, home made fudge, and berry market syrup! And you’ll devour some boysenberry funnel desserts from Cable Automotive Kitchen.
That’s a YES to as a lot boysenberry as you may eat in sooner or later! You’re on trip, after all you may!
You don’t want a theme park ticket to go to Knott’s California Market, it’s free and open to the general public.
3. Splash round at Knott’s Soak Metropolis Waterpark (Seasonal)
As we visited Buena Park within the winter, Knott’s Soak Metropolis Water Park, the 15-acre water theme park, was closed.
However, in the event you’re visiting from Might via early-September, you could wish to incorporate a day into your Buena Park trip cooling down on their velocity, tube and physique slides, or of their Tidal Wave Pool, and stress-free Sundown River float.
We additionally hear the cafeteria serves scrumptious boysenberry pie, so make sure you test it out in the event you occur to go to in the summertime.
Soak Metropolis is throughout the highway from Knott’s Berry Farm and requires a separate ticket.
4. See a Liberty Bell Reproduction at Knott’s Independence Corridor
Out the entrance of Soak Metropolis is Buena Park’s very personal Independence Corridor. It’s the one place within the nation to have a precise brick-by-brick duplicate of the place the place American signed their Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
So, in the event you can’t make it to Philadelphia to see the actual factor, that is your subsequent most suitable choice. Inside can also be a duplicate of the Liberty Bell.
There’s a small room that has recreated what the signing of the Declaration of Independence expertise would have been like with recorded voice reenactments of the forefathers debating over the doc and plans for independence from Nice Britain.
5. Take pleasure in a Pirates Dinner Journey Present
As quickly as we walked into the Pirates Dinner Journey Present, we knew we had been in for a blast. Rambunctious visitors had been swilling rum cocktails on the pre-show bar with their swords and pirate patches.
Children had been having simply as a lot enjoyable with their sodas taking pictures in entrance of the pirate paraphernalia, and you’ll even play mini golf whilst you anticipate the present to start out and luxuriate in free appetizers.
Contained in the theater, you’re seated in rows that encompass the middle stage – an 18th century Spanish galleon adrift on a small lagoon.
We had been within the 1st row near the motion due to a VIP seating improve, which additionally features a pirate headband, beaded necklace, pirate flag (make sure you wave it) and a Photograph Guide!
Right away the pirates wander round interacting with the visitors, questioning what you’re ingesting, the place your flags are, and threatening you with swords.
For the subsequent two hours you’re entertained by their swashbuckling antics: sword fights, particular results, pirate songs, and pirate video games as they carry out stunts swinging throughout the ship’s rigging, and aerial trapeze performances.
They invite you to sing alongside and take part in a few of the video games, and cheer on your pirate crew (we had been the pink crew).
Youngsters had been pulled from the viewers for boat races and to behave as troopers within the last pirate combating scenes. I had a sword held to my chest a few instances. I believe for not having rum in hand.
We did have two large glasses of pirate cocktails on the desk although! Drink purchases include memento glasses – which are correct glass, not faux plastic!
All of this as a three-course meal is dropped at your desk all through the night: Soup, roast hen and mash, and chocolate cake for dessert. There are alternatives for vegetarians, vegans, and people with meals intolerances.
In order for you one thing else, there are numerous meal improve choices out there similar to shrimp skewers and turkey legs.
The Pirates Dinner Journey Present is a superb expertise for households eager to let their interior pirate have enjoyable. It was enjoyable for the entire household, vacationers and locals alike!
6. Watch a Medieval Instances Dinner & Match
Much like the Pirate themed dinner present – and just about subsequent door – is a themed attraction for many who love Center Age tournaments and combating.
Once more, many visitors – younger and outdated – got here wearing costumes, able to be knighted, and watch their crew’s knights compete in Medieval video games, sword combating, and jousting.
The setting for the Medieval Instances Dinner and Match is an 11th century-style fortress, and the event is hosted by the Queen and her Lords. Andalusian stallions carry out dancing acts and a falcon flies across the area.
For this present viewers participation is usually of the cheering and jeering type, though the courageous knights throw roses out to the group. Savannah was delighted to obtain one from our Inexperienced Knight – the eventual winner and hero.
Once more, it’s a three-course menu of soup, roasted hen (which is a big Medieval sized portion) and a Dessert of the Citadel. I don’t wish to spoil your shock however, chocolate eclairs, YES Please!
There are alternatives for vegetarians, vegans, and people with meals intolerances. Converse to your attentive server and they’re going to assist get the best meal to you.
In true Medieval style, you may be consuming along with your fingers. Embrace it. And naturally, beer in a memento glass. You’re on trip. Bear in mind, Buena Park is the Land of Sure!
Come early to see the horses and to take pictures in entrance of all of the props contained in the fortress. Seize your self a memento stein of beer – it’s the Medieval Means.
7. Eat and play at John’s Unbelievable Pizza
This isn’t only a place for lunch – hey all you-can-eat pizza buffet – however a 58,000 sq. foot indoor leisure middle with arcade video games and sights.
After lunch, refill a card with credit score and luxuriate in some household enjoyable competing in opposition to one another in Pac-man, automobile racing, and different arcade favorites.
We loved the bumper vehicles, a model we haven’t tried earlier than. You management the motion of your round bumper automobile with levers that aid you go ahead, backward, flip, and spin round!
Households with youthful youngsters will particularly get pleasure from John’s.
8. Bounce on the Huge Air Trampoline Park
Our ladies are at all times able to say sure to again flips and warrior programs. We’ve been to sufficient of them to know that The Huge Air Trampoline Park has a fantastic number of leaping actions and programs.
There are Ninja-Warrior programs the place they will navigate their approach round obstacles over huge foam pits; a giant trampoline space for leaping, backflips and aerials, a trampoline dodgeball courts, a zero-gravity court docket, a battle beam on your personal jousting, the bouncy Huge Court docket for capturing hoops, rock-climbing and one thing I’ve not seen earlier than: a mechanical bull.
Whereas older youngsters will get extra out of this household exercise, there are leaping sections for younger youngsters too.
The climbing wall can also be nice, and we love that it has a foam pit on the backside in case they drop off!
9. Go Purchasing at The Supply OC
You probably have time for buying in your Buena Park trip, the Supply OC is an open-air buying middle. We didn’t get time to go to, regardless that it was conveniently situated subsequent to our lodge.
From my analysis, there are a whole lot of nice eating places within the middle as properly, particularly the candy type with creatively adorned macarons from Candy Field and soufflé pancakes from Basilur Tea. I had In-Sit Espresso bookmarked for my latte repair. YES, for subsequent time.
10. Take pleasure in seashore time at Huntington Seashore
Huntington Seashore is our favourite Southern California seashore, and it’s solely a 30-minute drive from Buena Park. With its surfer vibe, spectacular sunsets, and night firepit gatherings, it reminds us of Australia probably the most.
Huntington State Seashore is among the cleanest in California and probably the greatest Southern California seashores for browsing, in addition to subsequent door Newport Seashore.
40 years in the past, it was recognized by the rows of oil derricks alongside the shoreline. Now it’s boutique shops, traditional cafes, fine-dining choices and luxurious accommodations create a vibrantly enjoyable ambiance. HB within the OC is the place to be seen!
11. Tour the Suan Juan Capistrano Mission
One other attraction inside a 30-minute drive is the Mission San Juan Capistrano, the birthplace of Orange County.
See, Orange County is not only about amusement parks and exquisite seashores! There may be additionally historic attraction just a few miles away from the Dana Level shoreline.
It was based by the Spanish in 1776, on the similar time the Founding Fathers had been signing these essential paperwork over within the East.
With its crumbling sandstone partitions, bell wall, bougainvillea draped pathways, and flowering gardens, it’s one of the attention-grabbing locations to go to in Southern California and a fairly place to wander for an hour.
Whereas right here stroll across the Los Rios Historic district to get an inkling of life centuries in the past.
12. Go to the Dana Level Institute (or Whale Watching Tour)
40-minutes from Buena Park is Dana Level, a departure level for crusing adventures and whale and dolphin watching excursions. You may mix this with a go to to the Suan Juan Capistrano Mission, which is a 10-minute drive away.
Richard Henry Dana, the seaman who Dana Level is called after, described this place as solemn and romantic. It’s a really fairly location with the harbor sitting below the cliff tops that you just see a lot of in Southern Orange County.
It’s additionally the house of the Dana Level Ocean Institute, which makes use of the ocean as their classroom to encourage kids to study.
We wandered via the varied components of the services that included contact tanks, and life-sized shows of whales, and the rising life cycle of the jellyfish.
The Institute additionally teaches about maritime life and historical past. Outdoors within the harbor sits the tall ship, The Pilgrim, a full-sized duplicate of the brig on which Dana as soon as sailed, which you’ll discover.
The Ocean Institute is now open to the general public seven days per week the place you may tour the power, take part in lab actions, go on a Whale Watching Cruise or head to sea aboard a historic tall ship.
You might be near Laguna Seashore, so contemplate leaving time in your day for some seashore time. I want Huntington Seashore, however Laguna remains to be a fantastic choice.
13. Go to Disneyland Park in Anaheim
And naturally, California is host to a few of the world’s high theme parks, similar to Disneyland. It wants no introduction. Disneyland Park in Anaheim is barely a 10-minute drive from Buena Park, so it’s a must-visit on any household trip.
It’s particularly nice for youthful youngsters with all of the characters and reveals, and for extra sedate rides. California Journey Park subsequent door is the place you’ll discover extra rides for older youngsters.
Staying in Buena Park places you outdoors the chaos of Anaheim, however shut by. You can too simply catch an Uber, get dropped on the door and save on parking prices and trouble, or lengthy shuttle bus strains.
Your lodge in Buena Park will in all probability have Disney shuttles, which gained’t be as busy because the Anaheim lodge shuttles.
The place to eat and drink in Buena Park
We didn’t get to eat at many eating places in Buena Park as we skilled two themed dinner present experiences and a day contained in the theme park, however we do understand how arduous it’s to search out family-friendly eating places, so we’ll share those we did go to.
It’s Southern California, so that you’ll discover numerous, distinctive and flavorful meals from all kinds of cuisines, not simply scorching canine and burgers. Listed here are a couple of we discovered and loved.
1. Damaged Yolk Café
Damaged Yolk Cafe has the form of meals typical to Southern California. A South of the border twist, with colourful, flavorful meals utilizing contemporary, native components – and HUGE servings.
Benedicts are their signature breakfast dishes: for a singular twist, order a hen and waffle benedict.
I actually loved my MOM scramble, crammed with beneficiant servings of mushroom, pink and inexperienced bell pepper and topped with avocado. I additionally added bacon.
The Unique Damaged Yolk Café began in 1979 in Pacific Seashore, in San Diego, California and has since turn into a Southern California favourite for breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Because it’s throughout the highway from Knott’s Berry Farm, Damaged Yolk is the right place to gas up earlier than the 10am opening.
2. Porto’s Bakery and Cafe
If you wish to bask in sweets and savories, head to Porto’s Bakery.
I don’t assume I’ve ever been in a bakery as huge or busy as this iconic native Cuban bakery. It’s like a huge meals corridor all to itself with an abundance of Cuban pastries, savories, scrumptious desserts, and home made bread.
There may be additionally a espresso bar in the event you simply wish to seize and go (or eat in).
Meals baked with love and high quality components has at all times been the main target of Cuban-born Rosa Porto, who opened her first storefront on Sundown Boulevard, Echo Park in 1976.
She began by promoting desserts to a protracted line of household and mates who heard how good her desserts had been again in Cuba.
These lengthy strains now snake round six of her bakeries in California. Rosa’s kids and grandchildren now proceed Rosa’s legacy after her passing in 2019.
I discussed it’s busy, so include time and persistence for ordering. Households will love that there can be one thing to swimsuit all members of the family – besides in case you are gluten illiberal – and the costs are reasonably priced.
You will get a filling savory or breakfast pastry for below $3. Their signature Cuban Sandwich is common as are their potato balls and guava strudels.
The ladies gave a double thumbs up YES to apple strudel and chocolate croissant. My pork tamales had been flavorful, and Craig had a meat pie and ham and cheese croissant.
Undecided if Porto’s is the actual deal? It landed at No 1 on Yelp’s 2016 High USA eating places record and the LA Instances named it within the area’s greatest bakery in its 2022 Better of the Southlands awards.
3. Rock & Brews
We had an hour to spare earlier than our dinner at Pirates Dinner Journey, so as a substitute of losing that strolling forwards and backwards to our lodge, we determined to cease into the Rock and Brews Restaurant for a drink and a snack.
Rock is our style, so we felt at house on this restaurant devoted to the greats. As quickly as we noticed the large guitar out entrance and the vinyls embedded into the sidewalk, we made a plan to search out time to go to.
Large murals adorn the partitions of Kiss (this chain was based partly by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley from Kiss), Aerosmith, and wall to wall pictures of U2, Jim Morrison, and any Rock Gods and Goddesses you may consider.
Lots of which we acquired to hearken to and watch on the TV screens across the restaurant enjoying stay concert events and music movies. I felt like I used to be surrounded by mates and reminiscences.
Their meals is comprised of scratch with domestically sourced components in dishes that swimsuit native flavors. We had some garlic parma fries and guacamole and dip for snacks. Their nachos appeared big!
There’s a beer backyard out again with the overhead shade fabric lined in rock icons and a small stage for stay music.
Because the identify suggests, it’s a beer lover’s paradise with over 60 brews from around the globe.
Craig was very impressed along with his Pilsner from close by Buzzrock Brewing and I loved my seltzer from the identical brewery.
The Grammy’s might not acknowledge Rock, however that doesn’t imply it’s lifeless.
4. Espresso Code
I’d say it’s against the law to make horrible espresso in California. I hereby proclaim Code Espresso in Buena Park, not responsible.
I may inform it might be good at one take a look at the latte art work on the froth – no barista goes to that a lot effort with out backing up the artwork with creamy flavorful brew.
It’s proper close to the Damaged Yolk, so I’d say save your morning espresso till after your breakfast and cease in at Espresso Code.
It’s additionally close to the Knott’s Berry Farm entrance so in the event you’re in want of a very good espresso throughout your theme park day, you may simply stroll over and seize one from there. Make sure to have your ticket available for re-entry.
5. The Cauldron Spirits and Brews
Whereas we didn’t go to The Cauldron Spirits and Brews, my witchy spirit was fairly drawn to what I realized via my analysis on issues to do in Buena Park at night time.
Darkish and comfortable ambiance, overstuffed chairs, lounge hearth, cauldron, and witches and black cats’ paraphernalia (True witches like us have two black cats!)
It’s not simply enchanting brews and alchemic cocktails on supply, however French model meals.
I needed to embody this simply in case you could discover time to sneak in!
Video: Watch us discover Buena Park
You may watch us discover Buena Park and have enjoyable at these sights within the following video:
The place to remain in Buena Park: DoubleTree by Hilton Buena Park
We beloved how our lodge, the DoubleTree by Hilton Buena Park, was inside strolling distance to all of the Buena Park sights. This meant parking was not crucial!
Knott’s Berry Farm was below a 20-minute stroll, and we normally broke that up with a croissant from Porto Bakery alongside the way in which, or a Pirate themed dinner of a night.
The lodge was the whole lot you’d count on from a DoubleTree – heat cookies upon arrival, trendy double queen rooms, a big inviting lobby, heated swimming pool, health middle, and free shuttles to each Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm (you need to e-book upfront).
Getting round Buena Park
Because of its central Southern California location, Buena Park is simple to get to, and simpler to get round.
Lengthy Seashore (14 miles) and John Wayne Airport (18 miles) are the closest to Beuna Park with LA airport solely 25 miles away.
As talked about, Disneyland is barely a 10-15 minute drive away, and Huntington Seashore and the OC Seashores are a 30 minute drive.
Relating to getting round, Buena Park is greatest explored by automobile or by utilizing rideshare apps similar to Uber or Lyft. Main freeways (Interstate 5, CA‑91, and Seashore Boulevard SR 39) run via city, making it simple to drive to locations.
For many who don’t drive, the Buena Park Metrolink Station connects you to different locations in LA however isn’t the most suitable choice for getting round Buena Park space. You will get the OCTA bus companies round Buena Park – Routes 29 (Seashore Blvd), 38 (La Palma Ave), 123, and 460 hook up with locations like Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Huntington Seashore.
Last ideas
We had been thrilled that we mentioned YES to visiting Buena Park, California, which included a day at America’s first theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm.
We had been delighted to search out that there are many issues to do this adults will get pleasure from in addition to youngsters.
With its central Orange County location, Buena Park is inside simple driving distance to high SoCal sights like Disneyland, Hollywood, and the beautiful OC seashores of Huntington and Laguna. It may be a fantastic base when exploring the Orange County area, too.
Buena Park is called the Land of Sure! So, in case your youngsters have been bugging you for a YES Day, why not make it in a land the place sure is adopted by memorable household moments?
So, what are you ready for? Which of those high Buena Park sights are you going to go to first? Tell us within the feedback.
