Location: Buena Park
Top Things to do in Buena Park
10 Things to Do in Buena Park That You Shouldn't Miss
The lively City of Buena Park is located just 5 miles from Disneyland®, 10 miles from Huntington Beach and 30 miles from Los Angeles. Here you can experience Orange County’s most popular attractions, including Knott’s Berry Farm, Soak City waterpark, Pirate's Dinner Adventure, Medieval Times, and Teatro Martini. For award-winning dining, try the #1 restaurant in the country - Porto’s Bakery & Café - or Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour, named the “Best Family Restaurant."
Restaurants in Buena Park
1. Medieval Times Buena Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 925 reviews
Travel to the 11th Century at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. In SoCal, home to so many theme park and family entertainment destinations, one stands alone for its unique and grand scale entertainment. Where else can you enter a European style castle and be immediately transported to the 11th century? Where else can you dine on a feast fit for a King while cheering your favorite knight to victory as he skillfully jousts and swordfights his mighty opponent while atop a magnificent Andalusian stallion. This extraordinary destination is Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Buena Park. It’s been entertaining guests since 1986. And if you haven’t yet experienced it, now is the time.
Reviewed By CaryKel - Camrose, Canada
Our group of 6 adults really enjoyed this show and dinner. The food was brought out hot and tasty which is amazing considering how many people they have to prepare for and doing it up to 3 shows per day. Serving staff was attentive, friendly and efficient. There are many ways to spend your money on the numerous souvenirs and drinks! Very pricey but it is your decision as to spend or not. The highlight was catching a flower for my wife! Never expected to do that. The horses are amazing and the show is pretty well done.
2. Disney California Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Experience the thrill of the an old wooden rollercoaster, but with modern twists, turns and technology, at "California Screamin." Or enjoy a live performance by your favorite characters at Disney's newest theme park, featuring a slew of exciting rides and family entertainment.
Reviewed By 2again - Chatham, Illinois
Disney knows how to run a park. We had a great morning here and then went to Disneyland. We wish we had more time. For some advice, read my review of Disneyland. Enjoy!!!
3. Cerritos Library
Overall Ratings
5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By Joe K - Los Angeles
Whenever Cerritos residents have guests the library is the Number Three tourist attraction after Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. The award-winning Cerritos Library is owned and operated by the City.
The Children's room is outstanding having the giant aquarium as its front wall. They have their own dinosaur named 'Stan' and a group of computers to use. It's a great place for the kids.
next to the Front Desk is the media room, with a great selection of CDs and DVDs. There is an "Internet Station" where you can check your email, or do a brief search.
Upstairs by the stacks is a bank of computers to use for study for research -free.
They also have a group of 'Study Rooms' that can be reserved in advance. If you have a group study project you can use one of the rooms and not disturb the other patrons.
The library also houses a great art collection and a special event room on the top floor. The Skylight room also has a roof-top patio,
4. La Mirada Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Alexandra T - Murrieta, California
The La Mirada Theater is in a shopping center that gets very crowded on weekends, but there is free parking(but a lot of the spaces were striped badly, with no room for a car!) There are two separate entrances, so make sure you know where your 'will call' tickets will be or you will have to walk around the building. At intermission, be ready for long, long, long lines at both the men's and ladies' rooms. The seats were comfortable and even the balcony had a good view.
5. Mongol Global Tour
Overall Ratings
5 based on 76 reviews
We specialize in customized travel to destinations all over the world. We would love to work with you to create your ideal trip. Whether it be a getaway for two people or a private group; we can accommodate all variations. Please contact us and let us provide you unique experiences around the globe.
Reviewed By Larry K - naples, fl
We found this agency thru Zicasso and they did not disappoint. Easy to work with, very knowledgeable. They teamed us up with some great guides and wonderful hotels in both countries. Able to travel at our pace and within the budget we wanted....made for a very enjoyable vacation and able to see all the major sights. Would highly recommend!
6. Knott's Berry Farm
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Once a working berry farm, this popular theme park is now home to GhostRider, the world's best wooden roller coaster; Supreme Scream, a ride where participants are hoisted up 30-stories and dropped down in three seconds; the Xcelerator, rated the world's best launch coaster and Camp Snoopy, home to the beloved Peanuts gang.
Reviewed By lexijewellmom - Sherman Oaks, CA
Our family was here visiting from Indiana this past Friday. We arrived at Knott's around 9:30, time to park and get in there by the 10am opening time. We were in for a rude awakening. The lines were EXTRAORDINARILY long, perhaps because off their Boysenberry festival? Anyway, they make you go through these very small security modules (obviously, security is to be expected) but after you complete that, you are let out into a very disorganized open "area" with no signs, ropes or visible directions. You have to "stumble" into the right line to gain park access. Crazy disorganized. Knott's has also put up white vinyl fencing around this "area" so that you have to stay in that corral type section and you cannot physically push or move the fencing in any manner because they are ZIP TIED together. What? Fire hazard anyone? At first glance, the patrons were a bit rough around the edges for me. Everyone that cannot afford Disneyland clearly comes to Knott's. At least today they did. The thing that REALLY sealed the deal for me and my entire family was my encounter with a man outside the exit/information area named 'Robert'. I (and my two young boys) was trying to find my cousins (two adults and three small children) ASAP. She had texted me panicking after being told that paying an additional $75/PER PERSON for Fast Pass wrist bands was the only way to really access the rides at all. We decided by phone to meet right at the exit and find a manager to speak with. Robert was an angry little man that preceded to STOP me and tell me I couldn't converse with my cousin through the gated area and I would have to go all the way around and wait in line to get in "like everyone" else. I was not attempting to go into the park in any way. I was trying to talk to my cousin who was pushing through a sea of people and visibly crying at this point. I remained calm and asked him very nicely to please radio either security or a manger to help us. We just wanted our money back so we could leave. Robert wouldn't help us at all. In fact, he COMPLETELY IGNORED ME & MY REQUESTS. He physically turned his BACK to us and wouldn't even look at us. Mind you, this was without actually knowing what we needed. Can you IMAGINE if that had been a real emergency? I was so appalled, I stared yelling at the top of my lungs to anyone who could hear me to please GET SECURITY OR A MANAGER RIGHT AWAY. Yes, Robert was still not looking at us or acknowledging us in any manner. It was disgusting, unethical behavior. Finally, a nice manager (Andrew) came running over to us. He apologized immediately and asked how he could help. I think I was still in shock from Robert's behavior. My cousin explained to Andrew that they had been sent to SEVEN different lines and spent hundreds of dollars and that we all just wanted our money back; the park was clearly a hot, over crowded mess and it wasn't physically safe to stay there. He complied immediately and took my ticket print outs and my other cousin (husband) inside to information and refunded all of our money in a polite and expedient manner. As I was leaving, I took a few photos and sent them to the Buena Park fire department. Hopefully they will get the message with a large monetary fine. I've also written a long, stern letter to guest relations, which I'm sure will go unanswered (honestly).
PLEASE SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO ANYWHERE BUT KNOTT'S. This used to be a wonderful, quaint, calm amusement park. It may still be possible to enjoy in the very off season like January (?) My inherent fear is that if the employees ignore the guests, what would they do in a REAL emergency? Are the being safe? Are the rides being maintained and safe?? Do they care at all about their patrons safety and well being or is it all about cramming people in the park like sardines for that cash money flow?
7. Disneyland Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Welcome to the place where imagination is the destination. For young and old, big and small — it's the happiest place on earth! Come build memories with your family that last a lifetime as you discover the wonder of this magical, fantastical world. When you enter the lands that comprise Disneyland Park, stories come to life around you, immersing you in tales from some of your favorite Disney films.
Reviewed By Chris A - Columbia, Missouri
Expectations were high for the entire family and Disneyland did not disappoint.
We’d been to Disneyworld in FL but never Disneyland. We really liked the smaller size of Disneyland. The weather was perfect during the day but got chilly at night. Not sure what we were thinking but we didn’t bring enough layers so most of us were pretty cold by the end of the day.
8. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By BobbyD42 - Cerritos, California
I wish theater had more plays and top performers. Otherwise this is great theater to see someone preform. Free parking is nice too.
9. Splash!
Overall Ratings
4 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By mewsicmama - Southern California
Went with hubby, youngest son, his fiancee and our grandson (from our daughter) who is 4 years old. Hubby and I sat under an umbrella and watched as grandson was taken through the whole attraction by his uncle and aunt to be. They have life preservers for everyone to use (free). Two specific areas insure that even the little kids can participate. That pool is much more shallow, but plenty deep enough for adults too. They offer a lazy river ride where you go through in inner tube type flotation devices. Water slides as well as big buckets that dump water on you are readily available. If you just want to lap swim there is an entirely separate area for that, and adults can also avail themselves of a large, in-ground spa that is gated off to keep kids out. Locker rooms are available and beautiful. Seating around the waterpark portion of the facility is plentiful with umbrella tables. Limited food and beverages are offered for purchase. Lifeguards are plentiful and do a very good job.
10. Pirates Dinner Adventure
Overall Ratings
4 based on 826 reviews
Guests will enjoy an astonishing display of special effects, aerial artistry, swashbuckling swordplay and dynamic duels while enjoying a delicious, four-course feast, fit for a Pirate King! The action is set aboard an 18th Century Spanish galleon adrift in a 250, 000- gallon lagoon. Our talented crew makes this show possible with brilliant actors, singers and stunt performers. Lads, lasses and scallywags of all ages don costumes to bring the adventure to life. Up to 150 volunteers participate in this epic production, truly making it the "World's Most Interactive Dinner Show!" You won't want to miss this adventure of a lifetime, so come ready to laugh, cheer, and sing along with the show!
Reviewed By riaona - San Diego, California
The show was filled with action adventure and loud noises and flashy lights. The food is hotel food. The shrimp skewer was good and the tres leches cake was yummy. We brought our 4-year-old and he had a good time. It was expensive but we were gifted a Groupon. We bought two drinks and was shocked at the $38 total, but you get to keep the souvenir glasses. Overall a fun time watching the adventure, but very pricey for okay food.
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