Located in Buena Park, California, this park is one of the earliest theme parks as well as a part of Southern California history.
Knott’s Berry Farm started as an actual berry farm, ran by Walter and Cordelia Knott. Among other berries grown there, the boysenberry was their most famous. Boysenberries, initially created by Rudolph Boysen in the 1920’s, were cultivated by Walter Knott starting around 1932 and quickly became one of the bestselling berries in the US. People waiting in the long lines at the berry stand were hungry and smelled Cordelia’s chicken dinners. They asked for a taste, and she served them a meal. It didn’t take long for that to become the reason for even longer lines at Knott’s. Walter saw these people waiting in the lines and started to set up various “amusements” for them while they waited. This led to “Ghost Town” being constructed, which fueled even more growth at the site.
Today, the park is well known for its food, shows, and rides. Knott’s also pioneered the “Halloween Haunt” in Southern California back in 1974. Knott’s Scary Farm, as it is known today, is the premier event and gold standard for such events, now hosted in one form or another at numerous parks throughout the country.
Basic Facts
- Address: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
- Opened: 1920
- Number of Rollercoasters: 10
- Official Website
Rollercoasters
Rides with On-Ride Photos marked with (P)
- Coast Rider
- Ghostrider (P)
- HangTime (P)
- Jaguar!
- MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress (Under Construction) 2026?
- Pony Express (P)
- Sierra Sidewinder
- Silver Bullet (P)
- Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster
- Xcelerator (P)