Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
233
Tips
Getting Soaked at Knott's
Surf's up at
Knott's Soak City Water Park,
a 13-acre water park next door to
Knott's Berry Farm, with a theme of surf woodies and longboards of the 1950s
Southern California coast. The fun includes the
Pacific Spin,
a multiperson raft
ride that drops riders 75 feet into a six-story funnel tube, as well as body slides,
speed slides, an artificial wave lagoon, and an area for youngsters with their own
pool and beach-shack fun house. The park is located at 8039 Buena Park (
&
714/
220-5200;
www.knotts.com). Admission prices are $29 for “Regular” (48 in. or
taller), $19 for those Junior (under 48 in.), and fr ee for children 2 and under; park-
ing is $12. After 3pm, tickets for all ages are $20. Ask about special promotions
and discount coupons (or check the website). The park is open daily May 24 to
September 3 and weekends September 8 to September 30. Soak City Water Park
opens at 10am and closes between 5 and 7pm, based on the season.
WHERE TO STAY
Knott's B erry Farm Resor t Hotel
Kids
Within easy walking distance of
Knott's B erry F arm, this nine-stor y hotel offers the only accommodations near the
amusement park. Despite the hotel 's lengthy moniker, the exterior and lobb y have the
look of a business hotel. There are two things I like best about this hotel: the P eanuts-
themed rooms complete with S noopy tuck-in ser vice and Camp Kids bedtime stories
(told via the in-room phone by the bed), and free shuttle service to Disneyland, 7 miles
away. There's also a large family pool with a children's water play structure, and an arcade.
Be sure to inquire about special rates and Knott's multiday vacation package deals.
7675 Crescent Ave. (at Grand Ave.), Buena Park, CA 90620.
&
866/752-2444
or 714/995-1111. Fax 714/828-
8590. www.knottshotel.com. 320 units. $179 standard room; $224 Snoopy room. Prices vary depending on
date of visit and room availability. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking $12 per night; free Disneyland shuttle.
Ame-
nities:
Restaurant; lounge; c oncierge; fitness center; Jacuzzi; large outdoor pool; room service; 2 outdoor
tennis and basketball courts (lit for night play).
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi ($10 per day).
8
WHERE TO DINE
Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant
Kids
AMERICAN Knott's Berry Farm
got its start as a r oadside diner in 1934, and y ou can still get a filling—albeit unhealthful—
all-American meal without ev en entering the theme par k. Cor delia Knott 's do wn-home
cooking was so popular that her husband cr eated a few humble attractions to amuse patr ons
as they waited to be ser ved. Today more than 1.5 million annual patr ons line up around the
building to experience Cordelia's original recipe (very similar to the Colonel's, I must admit).
Looking just as y ou'd expect—countr y cute, with windo w shutters, old black-and-white
photos of the original diner , and calico prints aplenty—the r estaurant serves up its featur ed
attraction of the original fried chicken dinner , complete with soup , salad, warm buttermilk
biscuits, mashed potatoes and chicken gravy, and a slice of famous pie (the boysenberry pie is
fantastic). Country-fried steak, pot roast, roast turkey, and pork ribs are options, as are sand-
wiches, salads, and a terrific chicken potpie. Bo ysenberries abound, fr om breakfast jam to
traditional double-crust pies, and there's even an adjacent takeout shop that's always crowded.
If you're not visiting the amusement par k, park in the lot that offers 3 fr ee hours.
8039 Beach Blvd. (near La Palma Ave.), Buena Park.
&
714/220-5080.
Reservations not accepted. Main
courses $10-$16; complete dinners $14. DC, DISC, MC, V. Open daily at 7am; closing times var y.
