Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, traces its roots to 1920 when Walter Knott began selling berries from a roadside stand. By 1934 his wife Cordelia had opened a fried chicken restaurant that drew crowds from across Southern California, and Walter soon began building a replica Old West Ghost Town in 1940 to entertain waiting guests — laying the foundation for one of the country’s most storied amusement parks. The park first charged admission in 1968 and today covers 57 acres of themed entertainment.
Now operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation following its 2024 merger with Cedar Fair, Knott’s Berry Farm draws about 4.5 million visitors each year across four themed areas: Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, The Boardwalk, and Camp Snoopy. Ten roller coasters anchor the lineup — from the family-friendly Jaguar! to the hydraulic-launched Xcelerator — and the park’s Halloween Haunt event, launched in 1973, is widely credited as the first major Halloween event held at a theme park.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Buena Park, California
- Founded: 1920 (Walter Knott’s berry stand)
- Admission First Charged: 1968
- Owner: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (since 2024)
- Size: 57 acres (23 ha)
- Annual Attendance: About 4.5 million (2024)
- Roller Coasters: 10
- Famous For: Ghost Town, Halloween Haunt, GhostRider wooden coaster
Signature Thrills
GhostRider, which opened in December 1998, stretches 4,533 feet and ranks as the longest wooden coaster on the West Coast. Built by Custom Coasters International, it rises 118 feet and reaches 56 mph through sweeping drops that have earned it repeated recognition among America’s best wooden coasters.
Silver Bullet — a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster that opened in 2004 — sends riders through six inversions at 55 mph along 3,125 feet of track, the longest inverted coaster on the West Coast. HangTime (2018) brought California its first dive coaster, featuring a 96-degree beyond-vertical plunge from 150 feet, while Xcelerator (2002) launches riders from 0 to 82 mph in just 2.3 seconds up a 205-foot Intamin tower.
From Berry Stand to Beloved Icon
Walter Knott moved his family to Buena Park in 1920 and began selling berries from a roadside stand. He cultivated plants from a boysenberry hybrid developed by Rudolph Boysen, helping popularize the variety. In 1934 Cordelia Knott opened a fried chicken dinner restaurant that quickly became a regional draw, prompting Walter to begin building an Old West Ghost Town in 1940 to keep growing crowds entertained while they waited for a table. Admission to the park was free until 1968, when a $1 adult fee was introduced at the Ghost Town entrance.
The Knott family sold the park to Cedar Fair in 1997 for $300 million, and in 2024 Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags, bringing the park under its current ownership. Through every era, Knott’s has maintained the character-driven theming Walter started — a tradition that influenced a generation of theme park designers and helped define what an American amusement park could be.
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Knott’s Berry Farm FAQs
Where is Knott’s Berry Farm located?
Knott’s Berry Farm is located at 8039 Beach Boulevard in Buena Park, California, approximately 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
How many roller coasters does Knott’s Berry Farm have?
As of 2024 the park has ten roller coasters, ranging from family rides like Jaguar! to extreme thrill machines like GhostRider, Silver Bullet, HangTime, and Xcelerator.
Who owns Knott’s Berry Farm?
Knott’s Berry Farm is owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, following the July 2024 merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair, which had owned the park since 1997.
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Photo by Malcolm Hill on Pexels.