Guide to Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm is regarded as America’s first theme park (although Holiday World may disagree)

In the mid-1920s, Walter Knott and his family began selling berry products along State Route 39 in California. In 1934, the Knotts began selling fried chicken dinners, which became a huge tourist draw. In 1940, Walter Knott began constructing a replica ghost town, and the modern theme park was born.

In the late 1990s, the Knott family sold Knott’s Berry Farm to Cedar Fair. The Walt Disney Company was interested in acquiring the park but reportedly would have turned the land into a different concept - Disney’s America. Cedar Fair agreed to preserve the park.

Knott's Soak City is a seasonal water park adjacent to the theme park. It requires separate admission.

Travel Tips

If you stay at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, you can walk to the park. The hotel completed a refurbishment in February 2024.
The Boysenberry Festival has food and beverage samples and takes place each spring.
Knott’s Scary Farm is recognized as the first and longest-running Halloween event at a theme park.
You’ll likely want to pair your visit to Knott’s Berry Farm with Disneyland Resort and Universal Hollywood.

Must-Do Attractions

The Calico Mine Ride is a 2 ft narrow gauge mine train dark ride custom-built for Knott’s Berry Farm by theme park legend Bud Hurlbut.
GhostRider is a Custom Coaster International wooden coaster that is one of the longest in the world.
The Ghost Town & Calico Railroad is a 3 ft heritage railroad that opened at Knott’s in 1952.
HangTime is a 2018 Gerstlauer steel coaster with a 96-degree drop and five inversions.
Knott's Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair is a 4D interactive dark ride that debuted for Knott’s 100th anniversary. Disney Legend Rolly Crump consulted on the project.
MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress is a 1978 Schwarzkopf steel coaster. It’s the oldest looping shuttle roller coaster operating in its original location.
The Sky Cabin is an Intamin Gyro Tower that offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Orange County and the Los Angeles area.
The Timber Mountain Log Ride is a log flume and dark ride built by Arrow Development and Bud Hurlbut. The 4-minute ride features more than 40 animatronics from Garner Holt Productions.
Xcelerator is an Intamin launch coaster that goes from 0 to 82 mph in 2.3 seconds.