Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
229
like muffulettas or beignets. E xpect traditional Cajun-C reole far e with heavy-handed
seasonings and rich, heart-stopping sauces—now
that's
authentically New Orleans.
1590 S. Disneyland Dr. (at Downtown Disney).
&
714/776-5200.
www.rbjazzkitchen.com. Reservations
strongly recommended. Main courses $16-$25; cafe items $4-$8. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 11am-3pm
and 5-11pm.
Inexpensive
La Brea Bakery Express & Cafe
Kids
BAKERY/MEDITERRANEAN Fresh from
the ovens of L.A.'s now nationally known artisan bakery, this La Brea Bakery duo occu-
pies a co veted position at the beginning of D owntown D isney, right acr oss fr om the
theme parks' ticket kiosks. Each morning, still-groggy early-bird parkgoers stumble from
the parking-lot tram and head straight to La Brea's cafeteria-style Express for a caffeinated
pick-me-up or a meal to star t the day . Light br eakfast items ar e ser ved in addition to
creator Nancy Silverton's irresistible breads and pastries. The outdoor patio is comfor t-
ably outfitted with woven bistro chairs (plus heat lamps for brisk mornings) and provides
a relaxing setting before you brave the Disney throngs. Throughout the day, folks stop in
for a lunch of sandwiches, filled brioche, or herb-laden focaccia. The kids' menu offers
less-grown-up choices like grilled cheese and PB&J.
1556 Disneyland Dr . (at Do wntown Disney).
&
714/490-0233.
w ww.labreabakery.com. Reser vations
recommended for Cafe. Light far e under $5 (Expr ess); main c ourses $10-$20 ( Cafe). AE, DISC, MC, V.
Express daily 8am-11pm. Cafe daily 11am-11pm.
2
KNOTT'S BERRY FARM
8
30 miles SE of Downtown Los Angeles
Although destined to forever be in the shadow of Mickey's megaresort, the reality is that
Knott's doesn't ev en attempt to compete with the D isney empir e: I nstead, it targets
Southern California thrill-seekers (dr oves of them) b y offering a far better selection of
scream-inducing thrill rides.
Like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm is not without historical backgr ound. In 1920,
Walter Knott began farming 20 acr es of leased land on Hwy . 39 (no w B each B lvd.).
When things got tough during the Depression, Mrs. Knott began selling pies, preserves,
and home-cooked chicken dinners. Within a year, she was selling 90 meals a day . Lines
became so long that Walter decided to create an Old West Ghost Town—America's first
theme park—in 1940 as a diversion for waiting customers.
Today Knott's amusement par k offers a whopping 165 sho ws, attractions, and state-
of-the-art rides that are far more intense than most of the rides at the Disneyland Resort.
Granted, it's less than half the size of the Disney Resort, but if you're more into fast-paced
amusement rides than swirling teacups, it offers twice the thrill.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
Knott's Berry Farm is at 8039 Beach Blvd. in Buena Park. It's about
a 10-minute ride nor th on I-5 fr om Disneyland. From I-5 or California 91, exit south
onto Beach Boulevard. The park is about half a mile south of California 91.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
B uena Park Convention and Visitors O ffice,
6601
Beach B lvd., S te. 200, B uena Park (
&
714/562-3560;
www.buenapark.com), pr ovides
specialized information on the area, including Knott's Berry Farm. To learn more about the
amusement park before you arrive, call
&
714/220-5200
or log on to
www.knotts.com
.
