Knott's Berry Farm

The boysenberry is a hybrid berry—part loganberry, raspberry, and blackberry—and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park is a unique combination itself: an intriguing bit of Southern California history that grew into a classic theme park with lots of local flavor.

The theme park’s story began in the Great Depression, when a farmer named Walter Knott started having success growing the purplish berries on his family farm in Orange County. The adjoining tea shop that his wife Cordelia opened in 1934—serving fried chicken and boysenberry pie—became so popular that the Knotts added an Old West attraction to keep their waiting customers occupied, and the theme park was born. Rollercoasters and live shows were added starting in the 1950s, and the Halloween event Knott’s Scary Farm launched in 1974.

Today, Knott’s Berry Farm has a wide selection of rides, live shows, and an updated version of that original tea shop, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. You can shop for jams and sauces in the neighboring shop or pick up Peanuts memorabilia at the Peanuts HQ, all on the walkway just outside the theme park gates. Inside the park, you can also enjoy berry treats, including boysenberry cream soda in a mason jar at the Calico Saloon, or boysenberry ICEEs at park kiosks. Nearby, you can beat the heat on the tube slides and wave pools at Knott’s Soak City Water Park, open May through September. You can even stay the night at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, which features some Snoopy suites, more pie, and pretty affordable rates (look for the deals bundling admission with your hotel room).