Family Friendly Guide to Summer

Family cheering in crowd at Knott's Bery Farm in Buena Park, CA

Buena Park's summer is chock-full of family friendly adventures! From the playful Ghost Town Alive! at Knott's Berry Farm and their all-new attraction, Calico River Rapids, to the wild and untamed seas of Pirate's Dinner Adventure's new show, you'll want to pack it up and head out to SoCal for a multiple day adventure this summer.

If you're not sure where to start on planning a summer getaway for your family, don't worry. We've taken the stress off and written up the best itinerary for you to check out and use as a baseline to build your trip!

Two bed room with Snoopy headboards at Knott's Berry Farm Hotel in Buena Park, CA

Day 1
As you arrive into Buena Park, check into one of over a dozen hotels to choose from, you won’t have to stray far to find one that’s perfect for you.

Consider checking out the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel. Located right on property at Knott's Berry Farm, you'll be in the heart of the action, but a quick step away to unwind from a day of play. Your family would love the Snoopy themed rooms. Suited to fit four, this themed room offers a personal visit from Snoopy to tuck the kids into bed!

After checking into the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel, get ready for the ultimate adventure on the high seas, Pirate's Dinner Adventure.

Pirate crew on ship at Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park, CA

Pirate's Dinner Adventure has been a Buena Park staple of dinner shows for years, but this year they've redesigned the show with an all new story aboard Captain Sebastian's ship, the Emerald Shark. Featuring a three course meal straight from the galley, you'll spend 90 minutes being regaled with tales of Sebastian's crew as they search for a rather elusive and mysterious mermaid that's now known to lurk these waters.

Mom and daughter on ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA

Day 2
Wake up and head down to Amber Waves at Knott's Berry Farm hotel for an All-American breakfast with your favorite beagle, Snoopy! This meet and greet experience is a fantastic family event to kickstart a great day at the theme parks. Served buffet-style, this is a great place to fuel-up your family with a little bit of everything everyone loves!

The best part about staying at the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel is the easy and convenient walk to the front entrance of the park! What's even better, on select days in the summer time, hotel guests gain early access into the park, which is a great way to beat the crowds to get in those extra rides.

Families visiting Knotts will experience a wide variety of attractions suitable to fit everyone of all ages. For the littlest ones, Camp Snoopy offers a well themed (and nicely shaded) area based off the classic PEANUTS characters. We suggest a thrilling ride on Timberline Twister - a great introduction to rollercoasters! If your kiddos want to ride Calico River Rapids, but are too short to raft their way downriver, give them a taste of tamer waters on the Rapid River Run.

If you've got kiddos that want a bigger thrill, then give them a shot at riding the rapids on the all-new Calico River Rapids in Ghost Town! This all-new experience is now open, and will give avid explorers a chance at searching for the elusive skunk ape while encountering a wide variety of critters along the water way. Be on the lookout though for miners around the bend, you may in for a rather explosive surprise.

HangTime ride at night at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA

For the pre-teens, the best ride that'll leave them hanging on the edge of their seat is Hangtime! This is the only dive coaster on the west coast, and it lives up to its name. Flipping through four inversions that imitates the California waves, you'll want to hang ten again and again by the time you're back at the station.

However, for all the family, you cannot miss Ghost Town Alive! Beginning May 24, this award winning experience draws the entire family into a massive story where you are front and center. Characters of Calico interact with guests, helping them win hands of poker against the town sherriff, or get your own name in the local paper after saving the day from train robbers. The stories are as limitless as your own imagination!

As the sun sets and evening draws near, keep the family in the park a bit longer by experiencing the all-new Summer Nights at Knott's! Now through August 13th, live bands take over the Calico Stage, DJ's pump the beats on the boardwalk, and two awesome food stations put insane spins on classic summer fares. Let's be honest - what kid wouldn't want to take over the build your own s'mores station, or dive deep into a nacho boat? Oh, and there's also this wonderful twist of a treat called the grilled peach cobbler. You haven't lived until you've tried the grilled peach cobbler.

After the sugar rush and adrenaline subsides, the short walk back to the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel will conclude the day and give you some great rest for day three.

For discount Knott's Berry Farm tickets, visit HERE.

Family on lazy river at Knott's Soak City in Buena Park, CA

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Day 3
The best way to unwind after a busy day at Knott's is by lounging poolside at the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel, or by heading over to Knott's Soak City. The Knott's Hotel pool has a fantastic kid friendly water area with great lounge chairs for the parents to watch closely as the kids splash and play the day away. If you want a little more than that, Soak City has rentable cabanas that fit up to eight. Included are four inner tubes, wait staff, reserved shaded areas, and ease of access to all the slides and areas. Big thrills such as the the 'Shore Break' are great for the big kids, and a giant water playground, The Beach House, is a wonderful spot for the little ones to run around.

What's the best though, is the nearly 1/3 mile long lazy river that's good for all family members to float down. Get your discount tickets to Knott's Soak City HERE.

After a day in the pools, head back and clean up for an evening in a castle. That's right, your little knights and princesses will love to see Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. Clashing Knights joust and battle for the approval of the queen as you dine on a feast fit for kings. For dinner reservations and discounts, book HERE.

Coffee drinks at Portos in Buena Park, CA

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Day 4
You can't have a trip to SoCal without experiencing the local favorite: Porto's Bakery. Traditional Cuban fare and American breakfast pastries are the reason foodie fans flock from all over to pick up a pack of guava strudel of potato balls. The coffee is out of this world, and perfect for moms and dads as the great morning pick-me-up.

After breakfast, take the five minute drive down to the Happiest Place on Earth to experience the all-new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland Resort®. Spend the day experiencing the classics of Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and then experience the new Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run where you can pilot the most iconic ship in the galaxy, or wander through the markets of Batuu and purchase a glass of that famous blue milk. It's the summer of adventure, and what better way to end your stay in Orange County than by jumping to lightspeed at Star Wars Land?

Day 5
When you and your family are tired from the non-stop, high-energy fun of Buena Park, it’s time to take a relaxing drive 15 miles to the coast of Southern California to visit Huntington Beach.

The 1,850-foot Huntington Beach Pier is one of the longest recreational piers in the world. At the beginning of the pier, Duke’s offers out of this world seafood accompanied by out of this world ocean views; a great lunch place. If you work up an appetite again by the end of the pier, you have to try a bag of fries from Ruby’s, the diner located at the very end of Huntington Beach Pier. Just be sure to keep a watchful eye over them if you’re eating outside, the seagulls are not exactly polite. The kids will love the soft sandy beaches that Huntington is known for, and parents can take in the great sea breeze and relaxing vibes of one of California's best beach towns.

After a long day of excitement, choose from over a dozen comfortable & affordable Buena Park hotels -- most are located within walking distance to all major attractions. CLICK HERE for hotel deals. To start planning your SoCal vacation, order your FREE Travel Guide HERE.

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Family at Knott's Summer Nights at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA

The Family Friendly Guide to A Summer of Adventures in Buena Park

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