Your Complete Guide to Visiting Knott's Berry Farm

If you are looking for a great day out for all the family in Southern California, then Knotts Berry Farm is a must-visit! With exciting and fun rides for thrill seekers, young children, and everyone in between – the venue has something to offer every member of the family.

In operation since the early 1900s, Knotts Berry theme park is the perfect mix of great rides, seasonal events, children’s entertainment, and traditional boysenberry-inspired food.

Located in Buena Park, under 7 miles from Anaheim, California – this is the perfect place to visit when you want a break from Disneyland and the other mammoth big brand theme parks in California.

In our guide below, we will tell you everything you need to know before visiting the farm to make sure you and your family have an incredible day.

What is the History of Knott’s Berry Farm?

The venue was founded by berry farmer Walter Knott in the 1920s. Beginning as a farm, the location soon began to expand as the enterprising Mr. Knott began to attract more visitors to the location. In the 1930s Walter added a tea room and offered a chicken dinner for those who visited the farm’s berry stand. A decade later, the first attraction “Ghost Town”, was installed. And in the 1950s this was followed up by other attractions such as a locomotive train ride, and a mine ride.

Nowadays, there are dozens of different attractions and events at Knotts Berry Farm and plenty of delicious food for you and your family to enjoy. For a relaxed, fun-filled, low-pressure time with the kids, this is the perfect venue!

Where is Knotts Berry Farm Located?

Knotts Berry Farm has grown to cover a 160-acre location in Buena Park, Orange County in California. The nearest airport, John Wayne Airport (SNA), is only 20 minutes away. And the farm is just a 15-minute drive from Disneyland if you take Interstate 5 North.

What Attractions and Events Can Your Family Enjoy During Your Visit?

As well as an interesting history and fantastic setting, there are a huge variety of different rides for you to enjoy during your visit. Whether you are a grown-up thrill seeker on a trip with friends, or a young family looking for pre-school-friendly activities – there is plenty to keep you busy.

Camp Snoopy

The Camp Snoopy section of this California theme park contained over a dozen different attractions aimed at younger children. The area has a Peanuts theme, and in between rides, your children will be able to meet Charlie, Snoopy, and all their favorite characters. Some of the rides have been designed to allow young children to ride on their own, and these usually have a minimum height requirement of 36 inches.

Mountain Log Ride

This family-friendly ride is one of the most popular attractions at the farm. Themed around the old frontier, the log ride takes you through an old mill setting as you make your way up to the top of an exciting water flume drop!

Ghost Rider

This is a must-visit for those seeking an exciting thrill ride during their visit. This is the tallest and fastest rollercoaster on the California coast and not for the faint-hearted! This wooden coaster is almost 5,000 feet long and reaches a top speed of 55 miles per hour.

Pony Express

For a slightly tamer rollercoaster ride, you can hop aboard a pony ride vehicle and then whip around the turns and twists at a speedy 38 miles per hour! You’ll hit a height of 44 feet at the top of the coaster, so this is perhaps a good ride to use as a test to see if you’re ready for the Ghost Rider!

Jaguar Roller Coaster

This is a more family-friendly rollercoaster that travels around the Fiesta area of Knotts Berry theme park. The Jaguar is one of the oldest rollercoasters on the farm and has a gentle design without sudden drops and is a great taste of old-school attractions and rollercoaster design.

Montezooma’s Revenge

Close to the Jaguar, you’ll find Montezooma’s Revenge, which is a launched rollercoaster, so you and your friends will be propelled around the course with a sharp sudden speed burst. You’ll hit 148 feet at the peak before dropping into a full loop!

Xcelerator

If you are looking for high-speed thrills, then head to the Xcelerator. This ride goes from a standstill to 82 miles per hour within a minuscule three seconds! The 80 mph ride will take you up to a high point of 200 feet before descending into a 90-degree drop. Not one for the faint of heart!

When is the Best Time to Visit Knotts Berry Farm?

This popular California theme park is full of visitors in peak summer, so for a more relaxed visit, you should plan either an off-peak or mid-week visit. To avoid the crowds of local children, try to pick a day when you know that they’ll still be in school. This will give you less time to wait at the attractions, and you’ll be able to enjoy a less frenzied experience overall.

To cut down on wait times for each ride, you can pay for a Fast Pass wristband for $74 for each person.

What Seasonal Events are Held at Knotts Berry Farm?

Knotts Berry Farms holds a variety of different seasonal events throughout the year that you and your family can enjoy. These include:

· The Annual Boysenberry Festival – with more than 75 different food options available to try!

· Knotts Scary Farm Event – featuring haunted houses, spooky versions of rides, and haunting characters around the park.

· Knotts Merry Farm – the park turns Christmas themes with seasonal entertainments, décor, and lights.

How Much Do Knotts Berry Farm Tickets Cost?

You’ll generally find that a family trip to Knotts Berry farm is affordably priced, especially when compared to some of the other theme parks in California. A single-day pass for a visit is available for only $60 when you book online ahead of your visit. This gives you a saving of up to $40 on what you would need to pay for admission at the theme park gate.

Children aged under two are granted free entry, and discounts are available for both retired and active military members.

What Hotels Should You Stay At During Your Visit?

1. Knott's Berry Farm Hotel

• Distance: Just steps away from the park entrance (ideal location!)
• Amenities: Farmhouse-style rooms, on-site restaurant and bar, outdoor courtyard with fire pits, fitness center
• Renovation Update: The renovation of the Knott's Hotel has been completed.
• Packages: Consider hotel and ticket packages that can offer significant savings, especially for families.

2. Hyatt Regency Orange County

• Distance: Less than a 2-mile drive from the park
• Amenities: Modern, spacious rooms, outdoor pool with poolside bar, fitness center, multiple on-site dining options
• Bonus: Offers a sophisticated atmosphere with convenient access to the park.

3. The Portofino Hotel & Suites at Buena Park

• Distance: Less than a 1-mile drive from the park
• Amenities: Spacious suites with full kitchens or kitchenettes, outdoor pool with waterslide, fitness center, on-site laundry facilities
• Bonus: Ideal for families or groups who appreciate extra space and in-room amenities.

4. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Buena Park

• Distance: Less than a mile from the park
• Amenities: Spacious rooms, outdoor pool with whirlpool, fitness center, on-site restaurant and lounge
• Bonus: Complimentary shuttle service to Knott's Berry Farm and other local attractions. Still offers the popular welcome cookies!
• Price Note: While not explicitly mentioned previously, consider including a price range or stating that rates may vary depending on the season.

Additional Tips:

• Compare Rates: Research and compare hotel rates across various booking platforms to find the best deal for your travel dates.
• Consider Amenities: Think about your priorities when choosing a hotel. Do you need a pool, on-site dining, or a fitness center?
• Read Reviews: Check guest reviews online to get a feel for the hotel's atmosphere, cleanliness, and service quality.

By considering these factors, you can choose the hotel that best suits your needs and budget for your Knott's Berry Farm adventure!

Takeaway - Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Knott's Berry Farm

On your next vacation to Southern California, make sure not to miss out on the delights of Knotts Berry Farm. This family-friendly theme park is the perfect place to spend a day and is conveniently located close to hotels and other theme parks in California.