Got Questions? We Got Answers
Wait, where the heck is Buena Park and is it a city?
Yep, Buena Park is a real city — and a pretty perfectly placed one. We’re in Orange County, just 5 miles from Disneyland®, 15 miles from beaches and about 20 miles from Los Angeles. Translation: unpack once and explore SoCal from here.
What’s Buena Park famous for — besides being ridiculously fun?
We’re the birthplace of the boysenberry and home to California’s first theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm — and Snoopy, too. Add in three interactive dinner shows, a water park, a buzzing Koreatown and the famous Porto’s Bakery & Café, and you’ve got a city that packs a whole lot of fun into one destination.
Is Knott’s Berry Farm theme park really worth the hype — and when is it open?
Absolutely. Knott’s has four themed areas and something for every age. Little ones can hang with Snoopy and the PEANUTS gang in Camp Snoopy, grandparents can pan for gold, ride a stagecoach, pose for old-time photos and explore the Old West, while parents and teens can tackle the high-flying coasters, catch live shows and eat their way through all things boysenberry. The theme park is open year-round, but hours change by day and season, so check the official calendar before you go.
Where should I stay — and who’s got the perks?
Buena Park offers over a dozen affordable and comfortable hotels. Knott’s Hotel is within walking distance of the theme park and offers Starbucks coffee, onsite restaurant and bar, gift shop, fitness center, sauna, steam room, large pool and splash pad. DoubleTree Buena Park has an outdoor oasis with pool, lounge area and gazebo plus on-site dining and a signature warm cookie at check-in. Hilton Buena Park features a rooftop heated pool, dining and direct access to The Source OC. Courtyard Marriott Buena Park includes Starbucks coffee, an outdoor firepit, and located near dinner shows and Porto’s Bakery. Hampton Inn & Suites offers their free hot breakfast, coffee and signature waffles, large suites, free parking and is pet-friendly. Fairfield Inn & Suites provides free hot breakfast and spacious rooms for a cozy stay.
Where can I get my hands on Buena Park’s signature fragrance collection?
Only in Buena Park — which is exactly the point. Our destination-exclusive fragrance collection, created with Daniel’s Truth, includes Boysenberry Bliss and Suite Society and is available at Hilton Buena Park, DoubleTree Buena Park and Hampton Inn & Suites Buena Park.
You won’t find it online or anywhere else, so consider it your most exclusive Buena Park souvenir. And if you really want to bring the scent home, there’s a Boysenberry Bliss candle too.
Where can I score the best deals and save a few bucks for the fun stuff?
Buena Park is big on fun, not big vacation prices. Knott’s Berry Farm is a more affordable theme park option, and our hotels can be a lot easier on the wallet than stays in Los Angeles or other parts of Orange County — many with perks like free breakfast, free parking and more. Then hit our Deals page for hotel packages, attraction offers and savings on things to do throughout SoCal.
Which dinner show should I choose — knights, pirates or murder?
Medieval Times is your pick for full-on spectacle: a four-course feast eaten with your hands, live jousting, falconry, plenty of audience interaction and lots of yelling for your knight. Pirates Dinner Adventure is especially fun for families, with a three-course meal, comedy that works for kids and adults, and little pirates getting sworn in and pulled right into the action. The Speakeasy Murder Mystery is for ages 12+ and mixes dinner, comedy, live music and a whodunit you can help solve. Can’t choose? Stay another night and make it a trilogy.
Which airport gets me to the fun fastest?
You’ve got options. Long Beach Airport is the closest at 14 miles away, John Wayne Airport is 18 miles away, LAX is about 25 miles away, and Ontario International is roughly 35 miles from Buena Park.
Do I need a car in Buena Park?
Not necessarily. Rideshares, Metrolink and Amtrak train connections, and select hotel shuttles can all help you get around without a car. The DoubleTree by Hilton Buena Park and Knott’s Hotel also offer free shuttles to Disneyland and local attractions.
Planning lots of SoCal adventures? A car gives you more flexibility, and Hampton Inn & Suites Buena Park, Courtyard by Marriott Buena Park and SureStay by Best Western Buena Park offer EV charging stations.
You can also leave the driving to someone else and hop on a sightseeing tour with Extreme Tours, with options ranging from shopping excursions to LA, Hollywood tours and more.
What should I eat — and why is everyone obsessed with boysenberries?
Come hungry — Buena Park brings a lot to the table. Think legendary Cuban pastries from Porto’s Bakery, seriously standout Korean BBQ, Mrs. Knott’s famous fried chicken, MICHELIN-recognized ramen from Ramen & Tsukemen TAO, smash burgers at Good Buns and coffee stops worth building into the itinerary. And dessert deserves its own game plan: grab a Dream Cloud at Nobibi, a tiramisu donut from Old Ferry Donut, a croffle from Don Melt or impossibly fluffy soufflé pancakes from Basilur Tea.
Can I have fun in Buena Park for exactly zero dollars?
Yes, vacation and “free” can appear in the same sentence. Time-travel through Buena Park’s Historic District, channel your inner founding father at Knott’s Independence Hall, or go prehistoric with dinosaur fossils at the Clark Interpretive Center. Ralph B. Clark Regional Park serves up hiking, fishing and plenty of fresh-air fun without asking for your credit card.
Nearby freebies include the Fullerton Arboretum, Huntington Beach Pier, Old Towne Orange, Downtown Disney and the Orange County Museum of Art.
Can my pup tag along for the adventure?
Yep, your furry travel buddy can vacation too. From patio dining and coffee stops to dog-friendly stays at Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn & Suites and Studio 6 Suites, Buena Park makes a great SoCal home base for you and your four-legged sidekick. Some local spots even roll out the red carpet with dog treats or special menu items. Add nearby beach adventures and seasonal fun, then pack the leash and let the tail-wagging begin.
What do grown-ups do after dark?
Buena Park keeps the fun going after dark. Grab an ice-cold beer at INS Ice Beer, kick back at Opsek Post 354, belt out a karaoke classic at TomKat Lounge, sip soju and dig into Korean BBQ at NOLZA, rock out at Rock & Brews, or order up a spellbinding cocktail at The Cauldron. Misookwon keeps the Korean pub nightlife vibe going, too. Nearby, go full throwback at Totally 80’s Bar, catch live music at House of Blues, or settle in for seriously good cocktails at Strong Water. Sleep is optional. Fun is not.
Anything fun going on while I’m in town?
Always something. January kicks off with the PEANUTS Celebration, spring brings the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, and summer turns up the fun with Knott’s Summer Nights, Ghost Town Alive!, Knott’s Soak City and free Summer Concerts in the Park. In the Fall, Buena Park transforms into a town of terror with Knott’s Scary Farm, Vampirates Dinner Show and the ultimate haunted maze - The 17th Door, plus the longtime local favorite Silverado Days Festival. Then the holidays roll in with Knott’s Merry Farm, festive dinner shows and seasonal events throughout the city. Basically, there’s no off-season for fun around here.
How close am I to all the big SoCal sports action?
Sports fans are in a prime spot in Buena Park. Catch MLB baseball at Angel Stadium or NHL hockey at Honda Center, both about 10 miles from Buena Park. SoFi Stadium — home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers — is just a 25-mile drive away for even more big-game action. Game day + SoCal getaway = BIG W.
What if the weather decides to be dramatic?
No vacation meltdown required. Catch one of our three interactive dinner shows, belt out a song at EKO Karaoke Lounge, unwind at a head spa, create your own perfume at Daniels Truth, or keep the crew busy indoors at PlayPie, HAX Batting Cages, SS Digital Golf or John’s Incredible Pizza. Snap some ridiculous photos at Photogram OC, live out your K-pop dreams at Stage X Studio, or head nearby for Flightdeck, K1 Speed or an improv show. Rain, heat or just an A/C emergency — we’ve got options.
I have no idea where to start. Can somebody just plan this thing for me?
We got you. Meet Berry, our AI trip planner. Tell Berry who’s coming, what you’re into and how long you’re staying, and Berry will design a personalized Buena Park getaway without 47 open browser tabs. Click on the tab titled "Meet Berry" on the right side of our website and have fun exploring and planning.