Knott’s Berry Farm is California’s original theme park, and it is the easiest big park to visit from Los Angeles if you want roller coasters without Disneyland prices. It started as a roadside berry stand and chicken dinner restaurant in the 1920s and 1930s, and today it mixes an Old West ghost town, a Peanuts kids’ area and some of the best coasters in Southern California.
Knott’s is in Buena Park, Orange County, about 25 miles southeast of downtown LA. This guide covers tickets, parking, the best rides, seasonal events and how to plan your day.
In this guide
Compare all the big parks in our guide to theme parks near Los Angeles.
Knott’s Berry Farm at a glance
- Address: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
- Distance from downtown LA: about 25 miles, 35 to 60 minutes by car
- Tickets: from about $65 online on off-peak days; gate prices are much higher
- Parking: about $40 per car, cheaper when bought online
- Hours: usually open from 10 a.m.; closing time varies by season
- Owner: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
- Time needed: 6 to 8 hours
Tickets and prices
Knott’s uses date-based pricing, so the same ticket costs less on a quiet Tuesday than on a summer Saturday. Online prices start around $65 on off-peak dates, while walk-up gate prices can top $100. Always buy online and compare a few dates.
Ways to save
- Buy online in advance and choose a weekday.
- Season passes start around $120 and can pay off in two visits, especially if you want to come back for Scary Farm or Merry Farm.
- Add parking online with your ticket; it costs less than paying at the booth.
- Fast Lane wristbands cut waits on major rides and are worth it on busy weekends.
The best rides at Knott’s
Knott’s has a strong lineup of thrill rides for its size:
- GhostRider: a long, rattling wooden coaster that is one of the most loved in California.
- Xcelerator: a 1950s-themed launch coaster that goes from 0 to 82 mph in about two seconds before shooting straight up.
- HangTime: a dive coaster with a drop steeper than vertical.
- Silver Bullet: a suspended coaster with loops and corkscrews over Reflection Lake.
- Supreme Scream: a tall drop tower with views of Orange County.
- Timber Mountain Log Ride: a classic flume ride through a lumber camp, great for all ages.
- Calico Mine Ride: a slow train ride through a mine full of animated miners.
Check height requirements on the park map or app before you queue, especially for kids.
Areas of the park
- Ghost Town: the oldest part of the park, with real Old West buildings moved from around the country, a steam train, gold panning and stunt shows.
- Camp Snoopy: a Peanuts-themed land for younger kids, with gentle rides, shady trees and character meet-and-greets.
- Boardwalk: the main thrill ride zone, home to Xcelerator, HangTime and Supreme Scream.
- Fiesta Village: Mexican-themed rides and food, including the Jaguar coaster.
Food and Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner
Food is part of the Knott’s story. Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, just outside the gate in the California Marketplace, still serves the fried chicken dinners that made the family famous, with biscuits and boysenberry pie. You do not need a park ticket to eat there, and the wait can be long at weekend dinnertime.
Inside the park, try anything boysenberry: Knott’s popularized the boysenberry, and you will find it in pies, sodas and funnel cakes. The spring Boysenberry Festival is built around it.
Seasonal events
Knott’s runs big events through the year, and most are included with admission:
| Event | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boysenberry Festival | Spring | Boysenberry food tastings, included with admission |
| Knott’s Summer Nights | Summer | Later hours and nighttime shows |
| Knott’s Scary Farm | Select nights in September and October | Separate ticket; mazes and scare zones |
| Knott’s Merry Farm | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | Holiday lights, shows and a Peanuts ice show |
For Halloween options across LA, see our Halloween in Los Angeles guide.
Knott’s Soak City
Knott’s Soak City is the water park across Beach Boulevard, open roughly from mid-May to mid-September. It has slides, a wave pool and a lazy river, and it needs a separate ticket, with prices starting around $50.
Getting there from Los Angeles
- By car: take I-5 south to Beach Boulevard (CA-39) or the 91 freeway. Without traffic it takes about 35 minutes from downtown LA, but rush hour can double that.
- By transit: Metrolink trains from Union Station stop at Buena Park station, about four miles from the park; a rideshare covers the last stretch.
- Rideshare: easy, but expect surge pricing at closing time.
Tips for visiting
- Arrive at opening and ride GhostRider and the big coasters first.
- Download the Six Flags app for wait times and maps.
- Visit on a weekday outside school holidays for short lines.
- Bring sunscreen; much of the park has little shade.
- Combine with Disneyland? The two parks are about 15 minutes apart, but each needs a full day.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Knott’s Berry Farm tickets?
Online tickets start around $65 on off-peak dates. Gate prices are higher, and busy days cost more.
How far is Knott’s Berry Farm from Los Angeles?
About 25 miles from downtown LA, or 35 to 60 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Is Knott’s Berry Farm good for little kids?
Yes. Camp Snoopy has gentle rides and Peanuts characters, and Ghost Town and the Calico Mine Ride suit all ages.
When is Knott’s Merry Farm 2026?
Knott’s Merry Farm runs from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 on park operating days.
Is Knott’s Berry Farm cheaper than Disneyland?
Yes. Knott’s tickets usually cost less than half of a Disneyland one-day ticket.
Photo credits
Featured image: METRO96 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
