In partnership with Visit Buena Park
Buena Park is famously known as “The Fun City”, and it definitely lives up to the hype! This Southern California gem is packed with exciting activities for families of all ages, from world-class theme parks and water rides to immersive dinner shows, delicious eats and unique cultural experiences.
Whether you’re traveling with little ones, teens, or a mix, Buena Park offers something for everyone.
We had the pleasure of visiting for a few nights in July and packed in as much as we possibly could. We stayed for three nights (though the girls were NOT ready to leave!) and managed to experience all the highlights listed below.
Where to Stay in Buena Park with kids
One of the best things about Buena Park is how conveniently located everything is. Most of the attractions in Buena Park are clustered together right in the heart of the city. For a family-friendly stay with unbeatable access to all the action, we recommend DoubleTree Hilton Buena Park! It’s just a short walk to Pirates Dinner Adventure and Medieval Times, and only a quick drive to Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City. Staying here made it super easy to pack in full days of fun without spending too much time in the car.
Friday
Start your day with a delicious lunch at Ventana’s Grill, conveniently located right inside the DoubleTree Buena Park hotel. After checking in, take some time to relax and let the kids splash around in the hotel pool. There are pool toys and towels provided for your convenience.
Once the kids have had their fill of the pool, get yourself ready in your finest Queen and King costumes and head over to Medieval Times Dinner and Show just down the street along Beach Boulevard. Medieval Times Dinner and show is an immersive two hour adventure where you get to step back in time and watch a live tournament between several different knights. There’s games, jousting, epic swordsmanship and some plot twists! You get to cheer for your designated knight as they battle for glory, and hope that they win just like ours did 🙂
After dinner, make sure to stop by Nobibi for a yummy treat! Known for their mouthwatering Korean-inspired desserts, Nobibi offers a perfect sweet ending to your day with specialties like creamy bingsu, chewy mochi and flavorful soft-serve.
Saturday
Start your morning at the beloved Porto’s Bakery, a local favorite known for its fresh, flaky pastries and rich, aromatic coffee. As you enjoy your breakfast, take a moment to watch the skilled chocolatiers through the glass windows as they artfully decorate beautiful sweets and chocolates. My girls were absolutely fascinated by the whole process of watching the chocolatiers decorating their sweets.
If you’d rather enjoy the morning outdoors, you can easily grab your breakfast to go and head over to Ralph B Clark Regional Park for a relaxing picnic. This spacious park has plenty of shady spots, playgrounds for the kids and scenic walking trails. It was the perfect setting for us to enjoy our fresh toasts and coffees from Porto’s Bakery while soaking up some fresh air and sunshine.
Ralph B Clark is a great spot to unwind a bit and enjoy some nature! There’s a small trail you can hike, or watch the ducks, play at the play ground, or enjoy a game of tennis at the Tennis courts. There’s also a fun interpretive center that has marine fossils from 80 million years ago, where you can learn about prehistoric Orange County through the educational exhibits!
Once you’re done relaxing at the park, check out The Source OC for a vibrant mix of food, fun and culture in the heart of Buena Park. This open-air shopping and entertainment center is known for its Korean flair, and has everything from trendy cafes, to authentic BBQ joints to Kareoke lounges and Olympic Golf Zone.
Don’t worry about making dinner plans, because Pirates Dinner Adventure will have you covered! This is a fun dinner and show, positioned on an indoor pirate ship. It’s an interactive mix of acrobatics, singing, dancing and some sword fighting while you get to enjoy your choice of dinner. The girls enjoyed cheering on the pirates and taking part in a live set.
After dinner hear over to Cocohodo for some delicious Korean treats that are perfect for ending the night on a sweet note! This cozy dessert shop specializes in traditional walnut pastries filled with smooth red bean paste. I tried the Black Sesame Latte, which had rich, toasty flavor and just the right amount of sweetness! We all shared a pack of their famous red bean walnut pastries.
Sunday
Today is a big day of fun at Knott’s Soak City! This vibrant, sun-soaked water park is a separate attraction from Knott’s Berry Farm, and offers an entire day of splash-filled activities. The park offers something for every age and thrill level. There are many different water slides, a lazy river, a giant water playground, a tidal wave bay and a corner for little tots! Day passes can be purchased easily through the Knott’s Berry Farm website.
Gremlin Lagoon is a must-visit for families with little ones like us! This dedicated toddler-friendly zone is thoughtfully designed with the youngest visitors in mind. The water here is very shallow and calm, creating a sage environment where small kids can splash, explore and gain confidence in the water. There are lots of gentle slides, splash areas and climbing opportunities. Our 1 year old kiddo absolutely loved this part and had some pretty major fear-of-missing-out when it came time for nap.
After a full day of fun at Knott’s Soak City, make sure to check out Knott’s Marketplace for yummy treats! We had dinner at the famous Chicken Dinner restaurant, which is super family friendly and just a short 7 minute walk from the water park. The Peanuts Headquarters is right across the street as well, which is a fun stop if you’re a fan of Snoopy and the Peanuts characters. We picked up a souvenir for a friend back home since he’s obsessed 🙂
Things to do near Buena Park
If you’re looking for more things to do just outside of Buena Park, you’re in luck – there’s tons! Depending on how much time you have in the area, you could extend the trip by a few days to hit some of the nearby attractions and beaches.
Southern California Beaches
Buena Park’s proximity to some of California’s best beaches makes it a great weekend getaway. There’s Huntington Beach, Newport beach, and Crystal Cove Beach Park all within an hour’s drive of Buena Park. Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City, is a popular year-round surfing destination due to it’s consistent waves and sandy beaches. If you’re not into surfing, you can rent bikes and ride up and down the boardwalk which stretches along the entirety of the beach.
Disney California Adventure
Disneyland California in Anaheim is just 10 minutes away from Buena Park! It’s much more affordable to stay in one of the hotels here and do the 10 minute drive than stay within the park. Make sure to arrive first thing in the morning, and if your littles can handle it, stay until the fireworks in the evening.