Knott’s Berry Farm is an institution in Anaheim, but it is so much more than a farm. Welcoming millions of visitors each year, this much-loved theme park still pays homage to its boysenberry beginnings.
Every boysenberry in the world can trace its roots back to Knott’s Berry Farm, thanks to Walter and Cordelia Knott’s experimental loganberry, red raspberry and blackberry-cross that produced the first crop of boysenberries in the 1930s.
Today, the park is also home to iconic and thrilling rides including the ‘longest, fastest and tallest wooden rollercoaster’, GhostRider, a 4-D interactive ride, Voyage to the Iron Reef, Timber Mountain Log Ride, the Calico Railway, and original Wild West Butterfield Stagecoach, Surfside Gliders and Bigfoot Rapids!
History of Knott's Berry Farm in California
Walter Knott and his family arrived in Buena Park, ten minutes’ from Anaheim, to farm eight hectares of land in 1920. After cultivating the world’s first boysenberry, Knott started selling them from a roadside stand, and his wife began serving fried chicken dinners from her kitchen the same year, soon opening Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. A few years later, they decided to build Ghost Town to help entertain the thousands of hungry people who lined up each day.
The original Southern California theme park commemorated its 100th anniversary in 2020 with its biggest celebration ever, paying homage to the family’s history and legacy. During this milestone event, guests enjoyed many surprises, with entertainment, festive park decorations and themed food products that paid homage to the nostalgia surrounding the attraction.
As part of the commemoration, Knott’s Berry Farm also welcomed a brand new interactive 4D experience – Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair – inspired by the classic ride that was a favourite at the park from 1975 to 1997.
With plenty of gentle rides and entertainment for little ones, a day out at Knott’s Berry Farm is perfect for all ages – and after the thrills you can tuck into a hearty meal at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, and try a slice of the famous and tantalisingly terrific Boysenberry Pie.
Rides and attractions at Knott's Berry Farm
Ghost Town
The rough ‘n’ ready 1880s Old West Boom Town of cowboys, gun fights and stagecoaches is now one of four themed lands at the park. As well as offering the chance to pan for gold, you can ride on a steam train and rollercoasters, including the wooden coaster GhostRider®, plus rides such as Calico River Rapids, the Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride.
The Boardwalk, Fiesta Village and Camp Snoopy
The other lands include The Boardwalk and the Mexican-themed Fiesta Village, plus Camp Snoopy, which is home to family-friendly rides for children who aren’t tall enough for some of the bigger rides. A ride on the HangTime rollercoaster, which has the steepest drop in California at 96 degrees with a top speed of more than 90km per hour, is one of the highlights.
Knott's Soak City water park
If you’re visiting during summer, make sure you incorporate Knott’s Soak City next door. The five-hectare water park, open from May to September, is themed around Southern California beach towns of the 1950s, with 16 speed, tube and body slides, a Tidal Wave Bay wave pool, Sunset River and the three-storey Beach House.
Events and festivals
If you can, try to time your visit to Knott’s Berry Farm around one of the many special events throughout the year, such as the three-week long Boysenberry Festival each spring which celebrates the park’s agricultural roots with boysenberry-inspired food and drinks, shows and live music.
