1. Buena Park Chamber Of Commerce
City: Buena Park, CA
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (714) 521-0261
Address: 6280 Manchester, #102
2. Knott’S Berry Farm
City: Buena Park, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (714) 220-5200
Address: 8039 Beach Blvd.
Description: While Disneyland is Orange County’s star attraction, Knott’s Berry Farm is billed as America’s first theme park. Walter Knott and his wife Virginia owned a 20-acre berry farm and roadside chicken restaurant during the Great Depression. Lines would encircle the building, which served more than 4,000 dinners on Sunday evenings. In order to keep his customers entertained as their hunger mounted, Walter developed his Ghost Town, which became the first of Knott’s Berry Farm’s themed areas. During the next several decades the Knott family expanded its theme park, attracting quite a following from local residents as well as visitors to Southern California. The theme park remained in the family, passing from Walter and Virginia to their children. Finally, in 1997 the family put the business up for sale and it was acquired by Cedar Fair, L.P.With new operators at the helm, Knott’s Berry Farm became a destination for thrill seekers who have a penchant for extreme rides. In addition to the original Ghost Town, which still exists, Knott’s Berry Farm has several themed areas that offer rides from mild to wild, including The Boardwalk, Wild Water Wilderness, and Fiesta Village, which contain a mix of mellow and extreme attractions. Camp Snoopy is geared toward younger children and offers rides that keep them entertained but not frightened. Knott’s Berry Farm also has its own marketplace, a free area located adjacent to the park with shops, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, and a replica of Independence Hall where historic reenactments take place.
3. Soak City
City: Buena Park, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (714) 220-5200
Address: 8039 Beach Blvd.
Description: Owned and operated by Knott’s Berry Farm with a location adjacent to the theme park, Soak City is a well-designed aptly named seasonal attraction for people of all ages. Situated on 13 acres containing nearly two dozen water-filled rides, Soak City can provide some added relief on those hot California days. A continuous old-school surf theme penetrates the park with long boards and vintage surf woody autos. Many of the rides are as heart-stopping as those found at any dry docked theme park with multi-story drops and plunges, a 750,000 gallon wave pool, and several tube and body slides with names like Riptide, Typhoon, Tornado, and Cyclone Three. Families with young children might be more comfortable meandering down the lazy river or taking refuge at Gremmie Lagoon Children’s pool. Summer weekends tend to be packed, which means long lines and less space to lounge. Weekdays are less crowded. Soak City is typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
4. Medieval Times
City: Buena Park, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (866) 543-9637
Address: 7662 Beach Blvd.
Description: Take a trek back to 11th-century Spain, eat grub with your hands, and cheer on your favorite knight from your arena seat. This dinner show and attraction, located in a “castle” near Knott’s Berry Farm, begins when you enter the fortress and its Hall of Arms, which displays artifacts and a torture museum that illustrates life in the 11th century. You’re then seated in an arena that is equipped with some surprising Hollywood-style special effects that are sure to entertain the kids. An entertaining show of jousting, swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and falconry takes place between the horse-riding knights. A four-course dinner, included in the price of admission, features soup, garlic bread, a choice of roasted chicken or ribs, potatoes, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverages. Vegetarian meals are also available as is a full bar.
5. Pirate’S Dinner Adventure
City: Buena Park, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (714) 690-1497
Address: 7600 Beach Blvd.
Description: Fans of the Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean films will surely enjoy this dinner show attraction that puts guests right in the midst of the swashbuckling action. The high seas adventure pits the OC pirates against a new breed of swashbuckler that has invaded the region. Who will walk the gangplank? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the theatrics, aerial artistry, and duels. The show is ideal for kids as it is truly interactive, blending action and adventure with comedy and romance. There are three components to each show: the preshow and buffet, the Port of Call Feast (dinner), and, of course, the show itself. There is an adult menu, which includes two beers or unlimited soft drinks and coffee, plus a children’s menu of favorite edibles. There’s also a place to buy booty (pirate souvenirs).
6. Medieval Times
City: Buena Park, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (714) 521-4740, (800) 899-6600
Address: 7662 Beach Boulevard
Description: About 90 miles north of San Diego is the popular Medieval Times. Step back in history to a place where knights, ladies-in-waiting, kings, and jesters exist as if they were really living in the castle showplace. A full-scale exciting show with jousting, falconry, and music accompanies dinner; the audience is encouraged to cheer and jeer as the knights battle. Admission is $52 for adults and $35 for children age 12 and younger and includes a four-course dinner, two-hour show, beverages, and tax.
7. Radisson Knott’S Berry Farm And Knott’S Soak City Usa
City: Buena Park, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (714) 220-5200
Address: 8039 Beach Boulevard
Description: Knott’s Berry Farm is a fun family theme park that celebrates California and the West. There are six areas: Ghost Town, Indian Trails, Wild Water Wilderness, Fiesta Village, The Boardwalk, and the world-famous Camp Snoopy (home of the Peanuts gang).Within the park are 30 shops and restaurants. Here you can buy that fabulous Knott’s boysenberry jam and lots of old-fashioned treats like salt water taffy, fudge, and peanut brittle. At the not-to-be-missed Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant you can sample some of that famous delicious fried chicken. Park hours vary, so call or check the Web site before you go. To get to the park, which is about two hours from San Diego, drive north on I-5, then take California Highway 91 west to the Beach Boulevard exit, then head south. Unlimited-use tickets are $43 for adults and just $20 for seniors age 62 and older and children ages 3 to 11. Next door to the amusement park is Knott’s Soak City USA, a water-themed park sure to keep the tykes entertained all day. Open daily from late May or early June through Labor Day and weekends only during May and September, it has high-speed slides, inner-tube rides, and tube slides (probably best avoided by those claustrophobic sorts). There is also a large pool where “tidal waves” are generated every 15 minutes. The Sunset River gently floats folks of all ages down a leisurely ride on oversized inner tubes. Admission is $29 for adults and $18 for seniors and children ages 3 to 11.