SoCal 7 Day Spring Break Itinerary

Discover the lively city of Buena Park and beyond—a SoCal playground packed with thrilling theme parks, mouthwatering eats, and unforgettable adventures. This 7-day itinerary guides you through foodie delights, festive attractions, and exciting experiences along the Southern California coast, from sandy beaches to iconic sights— ensuring nonstop fun for every traveler.

Foods from Porto's Bakery in Buena Park, CA

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Day 1: corkscrew coasters & boysenberry bliss

Kick off your adventure at Knott’s Berry Farm theme park, where thrilling roller coasters, boysenberry treats, and live shows set the stage for nonstop fun. Taste the park’s signature boysenberry—a local Buena Park creation blending loganberry, raspberry, and blackberry flavors—woven into everything from drinks to desserts. View for your all-year round boysenberry fix. For lunch, feast at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, famous for their crispy fried chicken and irresistible boysenberry pie. In the afternoon, dive into the action at Pirates Dinner Adventure, an interactive, swashbuckling show where kids join the pirate crew. Cap off the day at award-winning Rock & Brews, serving up burgers, music, family games like cornhole. Don’t forget dessert—the giant brownie sundae (with a cherry on top!) is the perfect finale.

Family taking a hike in Ralph B. Clark Regional Park in Buena Park, CA

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Day 2: Waterslide Wedgies & Knights in tights

Start your day at Porto’s Bakery, an award-winning spot for pastries and savory Cuban treats. Then dive into Knott’s Soak City, a seasonal waterpark where toddlers can splash at the Gremmie Lagoon, older kids and teens can tackle slides or the wave pool, while adults and grandparents relax in a cabana or float along the lazy river. During the off-season, enjoy heated rooftop hotel pools or kids splash pads. Next door, step into Knott’s Independence Hall, a brick for-brick replica of the Philadelphia original—offering history for parents, perfect photo ops for teens, and plenty of space for kids to explore. In the afternoon, become a foodie in Buena Park’s Koreatown, a 2.5-mile stretch boasting 90+ restaurants from trendy Korean BBQ to traditional dumplings. As evening falls, step back in time at Medieval Times for jousting, knights, and hands-on dining. End your day sweetly at DZERT, enjoying unique soy-based shaved snow creations

Photo strips taken at Life4Cuts in Buena Park, CA

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Day 3: Lazy eggs, magic & mini adventures

After two action-packed days, slow down with a relaxed morning at Gudetama Café, where playful breakfasts inspired by Sanrio’s famously lazy egg will delight kids and adults alike. Capture your Buena Park vacation in a bottle, Daniel’s Truth offers an immersive 90-minute perfume-making experience that allows you to create a one-of-a-kind scent as a souvenir you’ll never forget (check class schedule and make reservations in advance). Next, explore The Source OC, a three level shopping and entertainment hub. Catch a 4D movie at CGV Cinemas, enjoy lunch at Myungrang Hot Dog— from Flamin’ Hot Cheeto corn dogs for teens to cheesy Korean hot dogs for everyone—then test your skills at Olympic Golf Zone with virtual golf and batting cages. As evening sets in, step into The Cauldron, a whimsical, witch-themed 17th-century restaurant. Savor French meatballs for dinner and indulge in bread pudding or crème brûlée for dessert (kids are welcome until 11pm).

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Day 4: donuts, dolphins & deals

Kick off the day with a colorful breakfast at Modoo Donuts, where playful treats featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster, and more are sure to delight the kids. Then head under 15 miles to Aquarium of the Pacific, Southern California’s largest aquarium, with 50 exhibits and over 11,000 marine animals. In the afternoon, enjoy some shopping at The Outlets at Orange, just 10 miles away, or head 20 miles to South Coast Plaza for over 250 boutiques and high-end stores. Wrap up the day with dinner and fun at John’s Incredible Pizza, where everyone can enjoy unlimited pizza, arcade games, and rides. Don’t forget dessert— Incredifetti Cake or mini churro donuts are the perfect sweet ending.

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Day 5: Mickey, Food halls & home runs

Fuel up with breakfast at Black Bear Diner, known for hearty American comfort food, then head just five miles to Disneyland for a full day of magical rides, seasonal parades, and meet-and-greets with your favorite characters. For lunch, visit the Anaheim Packing District, where the Packing House offers communal seating, outdoor picnic gardens, and a wide variety of cuisines to satisfy every craving. Cap off the day with an evening at Angel Stadium for a home game complete with fireworks, catch a Ducks hockey match or a live concert at the House of Blues .

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Day 6: waves, wildlife & waterfront feasts

Start the day with a hearty breakfast at The Broken Yolk Café, perfect for fueling up for adventure. Then head 15 miles to Huntington Beach, where you can swim, surf, stroll the pier, or rent bikes to cruise the beachfront path. For lunch, choose one of the many oceanfront restaurants for great food with a view. Prefer animals over waves? Swap the beach for the Santa Ana Zoo, a 20-acre tropical habitat featuring exotic and endangered animals or visit the Discovery Cube, offering hands-on, interactive exhibits that entertain and educate kids of all ages. After exploring, return to Buena Park and unwind at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park, with its serene lake, hiking trails, playgrounds, and picnic-perfect green spaces. For dinner, savor Gaucho Grill, an Argentine steakhouse where kids adore cheesy chicken empanadas. End the day sweetly with their famous Panqueques—crepes topped with fruit and whipped cream.

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Day 7: Lights, legends & lunches

Start your final day with breakfast at Thirty Acres Kitchen inside Knott’s Hotel, featuring boysenberry-inspired favorites like fluffy pancakes and creamy cheesecake—a delicious nod to Buena Park’s signature fruit. Then head 20 miles to Los Angeles for a day of movie magic and iconic sights. Walk through real sets on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, hunt for celebrity stars along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and snap photos with lifelike figures at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. In the afternoon, catch a Dodgers game for some classic ballpark fun. Wrap up your adventure with dinner at Grand Central Market, a downtown landmark offering a global mix of flavors—from tacos and seafood to pizza and decadent desserts—ensuring a sweet ending to your SoCal journey.

After a full day of exploring like a local, relax at one of the many comfortable and affordable hotels in Buena Park. Take advantage of ‘suite’ deals and ticket deals to make the most of your stay. Start planning an authentic Southern California getaway by ordering your FREE Buena Park Travel Guide.