Orange County, California - Buena Park
11/03/18 | 26m 46s | Rating: TV-G
Head west to sunny Orange County for a road trip in Southern California. Colleen and her family explore Knott’s Berry Farm, check out popular bakery Porto’s, and take a shot at eating the biggest ice cream sundae at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour. They literally bounce off the walls at Big Air Trampoline Park, and get “captured” by some friendly pirates at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure.
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Orange County, California - Buena Park
Colleen Kelly
Buena Park, California, a one of a kind vacation spot for the whole family. From waterparks to walking the plank and plenty of fun and great food in between, this Southern California sweet spot will leave you breathless.
Colleen
We're at Knott's Berry Farm in the city of Buena Park. Get ready for the ride of your life.
cheering
Colleen
In this special two-part episode of Family Travel, we're taking you on a road trip to explore Orange County like you've never seen it before. Located in Northwest of Orange County just 20 minutes from John Wayne Airport, Buena Park is home to countless family-friendly activities. Truly living up to its motto "Fun Finds You". Join my daughter, my niece, and me as we take on the coasters at Knott's Berry Farm, reach for the skies at Big Air Trampoline Park, get captured by some friendly pirates at Pirates Dinner Adventure, and find out what makes Buena Park so sweet at Porto's Bakery and Cafe and Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor.
Think you know Orange County? Think again. My name is Colleen Kelly and when I was single, I lived abroad and traveled the world. Then I became a parent and wondered how would I ever travel again, so I set out to find a new way to travel, and get back to exploring the world family style.
I'm here to guide you on how to get the most out of your family vacation. Pack your bags and join me, Colleen Kelly. We're going on vacation. Funding provided by--
Announcer
This show is sponsored by State Farm. When the unexpected happens, State Farm is here to help life go right.
Colleen
Welcome to Buena Park. Located about 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, Buena Park is a centrally located spot for families looking to explore Southern California. In 1885, the land that would eventually become Buena Park was bought to use as a cattle ranch by Chicago grocer James A Whitaker. However, it wasn't long before Santa Fe railway officials saw potential in the land and convinced Whitaker to transform it into a town, the town of Buena Park.
The town took off as a dairy center and in 1889, the Lily Creamery opened becoming the first industry in the town. In 1953, Buena Park became incorporated as a city. Today, the city of Buena Park is known for its wider array of attractions and endless family entertainment. At the heart of it all, Knott's Berry Farm, the perfect spot to start our vacation.
We're kicking off our trip from the city of Buena Park, home to California's first theme park, Knott's Berry Farm. Knott's Berry Farm has been a hotspot for tourists and locals alike since it opened in 1920. What started as a boysenberry farm soon turned into a thriving amusement park for people of all ages. The park has even hosted a number of big name celebrities from old-time legends John Wayne and Andy Griffith to current celebrities Mario Lopez and Gwen's Stephanie.
Owners Walter and Cordelia Knott could only imagine what their family fund farm would one day turned into. I met with Diana Bahena to get the full story. Today we're here at Knott's Berry Farm in Southern California and I'm here with Diana. There's a lot of history here, right Diana?
Diana Bahena
There is. It's America's first theme park here in Southern California. It's so historic. I don't know if you know this, but we actually started out as an actual berry farm.
Walter and Cordelia Knott were actually farmers and they were the first to successfully grow the boysenberries, so it's a loganberry, a blackberry, and a raspberry, and every single boysenberry can trace its roots back here to Knott's Berry Farm. From the boysenberry, after that came the Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant. It's been here for over 85 years.
It's the same restaurant that started with Walter and Cordelia Knott and it's the same recipe. When they opened up the restaurant, the lines were so long, three hours long.
Colleen
Oh my goodness.
Diana
They were so long, so they decided to place something like a ghost town here to entertain the guests while they were waiting. We're the first theme park to start from a restaurant and a boysenberry farm.
Colleen
You can have boysenberries here, right?
Diana
Yes, we have everything boysenberry.
Colleen
I'm going to have to try that later. Wow, but you also have a ton of rides.
Diana
Are you a thrill seeker?
Colleen
I'm not, but my nieces, so what's kind of in the middle.
Diana
I think you're ready for Ghostrider. It's the tallest, fastest, and longest wooden roller coaster here in the West Coast, and I think it's a little bit more to your speed. It's super smooth.
Colleen
I think I can do that, right?
Diana
I think you can do it.
Colleen
Okay, I'm going to try that.
Diana
I think you're brave enough.
Colleen
I'm excited. We're going to go try the rides. I'm going to try to be a little brave and go on some of these.
Diana
I think you can do it.
Colleen
I think I can do it.
laughter
Colleen
. Thanks so much for being here.
Diana
Of course.
Colleen
This is great. I got to go get the girls and go on some rides. With so much to do, it's hard to know where to begin. We decided to take Diana's advice and head for the Ghostrider in the very first theme section of the park, the ghost town, but on our way there, we got caught up in some trouble.
Clay Mayfield
Howdy.
Tiny
Hey, ladies.
Colleen
Hi.
Clay
Now, see, I'm Clay Mayfield. This is my son Tiny Mayfield.
Colleen
Oh my goodness
laughs
Colleen
..
Clay
Behind you is a building. Don't look at it yet. There's a bank and it's missing the top part, and in that bank, there is a big old nugget of gold about the size of an obese chihuahua. We're going to rob the bank, but do you want to come?
Colleen
We don't want to be involved with this, do we?
Clay
Look, if you have any moral issues about that, just let me say to you this, we're just like Robin Hood's men. Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.
Tiny
Ain't nobody boring us.
Clay
Exactly. Thank you, Tiny.
laughs
Colleen
All right, good luck on your robbery.
Clay
We're going to need it.
bell rings
Clay
.
Announcer
Cover your ears.
Colleen
Cover your ears.
gun shot
Colleen
.
Speaker
Stay out of the rails. Hey, you all know you're not supposed to be shooting. Everybody, we're going to go tell the sheriff. Off we go to the sheriff's office.
Here we go, one time.
crosstalk
Speaker
.
Colleen
Oh my gosh. At least we avoided a run-in with the law for now. Although Diana showed me that the Ghostrider would be more my style, I still had my doubts, but with my niece Keelin's encouragement, I decided to give it a shot while my daughter's Shea cheered us from the sidelines. Okay, are you ready?
Keelin
No.
Colleen
I'm going to be praying for all of you at home. I'm going to do this. We got this.
Keelin
I'm just more worried about the drop.
Colleen
Great, thanks. That makes me feel better. What's wrong?
screams
Colleen
.
roller coaster sound
Colleen
. That was fun.
Speaker
Do you want to go again?
Colleen
No, I'm good. I'm just being honest. That was awesome.
Speaker
Did you like it?
Colleen
From HangTime, the first infinity coaster in California all the way up to the Supreme Scream, Knott's Berry Farm offers their share of thrill rides. Oh my-- No, I don't think we can handle this.
Keelin
No, not today.
Colleen
Oh my gosh. Yes, all right, let's go on to some other rides. Are you already?
laughs
Colleen
.
Keelin
Yes.
Colleen
Wow. Knott's Berry Farm was also the first amusement park with a section dedicated to children under 12 years old, Camp Snoopy. For those who want to have fun without quite as much of a thrill, Camp Snoopy is the way to go. It wasn't long before I found a ride that was much more my style.
Woodstock's Airmail. You know girls, I think this is more my style. Yes, right here.
screams
Colleen
This is crazy. Actually, this is pretty hard.
screams
Colleen
Scary. I'm such a wimp
chuckles
Colleen
. After riding the junior version of Supreme Scream, we all worked up an appetite. Thank goodness for Mrs. Knott Chicken Dinner Restaurant.
In an attempt to ease their financial burden during the Great Depression, Mrs. Knott started selling her homemade fried chicken dinners on the farm in 1934. With the delicious meals in high demand, the popularity soon paved the way to Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant, the first restaurant at knotts.
Perfect for the hungry amusement park visitor, each chicken dinner comes with three pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, handmade biscuits, a side salad choice of cabbage or cherry rhubarb and mashed potatoes smothered with gravy. With all that good food, it's impossible leave hungry. Yes, that was so good.
Waitress
Enjoy your rhubarb.
Colleen
What is that?
Waitress
Chicken noodle soup.
Colleen
That's really good.
Waitress
There's cabbage with ham, corn, and then we also have this with the cabbage.
Colleen
Oh my gosh, thank you so much.
Waitress
You're welcome.
Colleen
This is Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner and they're famous for it. I'm going to eat this whole thing I think, what about you?
Shea
Yes.
Colleen
Of course, no meal at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner would be complete without the farm signature item, the boysenberry. Boysenberry, I wanted that,
chuckles
Colleen
and biscuits. Oh my gosh, it looks so good.
Keelin
That's so good.
Colleen
Thank you so much.
Waitress
My pleasure and thank you too.
Colleen
Yummy. Okay, this is what they're known for, girls. This is where the boysenberry came from.
Keelin
I can get used to this.
Colleen
You have to save room for that. What do you think?
Keelin
I'm going to go ahead. That's so good.
Colleen
You like it?
Keelin
Yes.
Colleen
Here, try a little bit of this. Look at that. All right, girls, did you know that Knott's Berry Farm is the first to grow boysenberries?
Keelin
It's like the home of the boysenberry?
Colleen
It is. You can see why too, right?
Keelin
Yes.
Colleen
I'm just going to take the rest of it. No, I'm kidding. Let's just order two more. That's much easier, right?
Keelin
Yes.
Shea
Yes.
Colleen
Okay.
Keelin
I want more and more.
laughs
Colleen
Me Too. Not only is Knott's Berry Farm a hub for home cooked food and roller coasters, but their water park Soak City is the ideal spot to cool off, kick back, and hit the slides. The largest water park in Orange County, Soak City opened in 1992 and is located just a short walk across the street from Knott's Berry Farm. Make a splash in the water or relax in the cooling shade of a cabana, the choice is yours, but remember, with a wave pool, Lazy River and dozens of water slides to choose from, you'll need a full day to soak up Soak City and another to explore Knott's Berry Farm.
Speaker
I like Knott's Berry Farm because my kids enjoy all the rides and the lines aren't as long. We love Knott's Berry Farm because of the rides. They're so awesome, they're fun, and also, my daughter could get on all the rides. She's not too short for them
laughs
Speaker
. My favorite ride is that red one right there, Silver Bullet. Silver Bullet. Silver bullet.
I like coming together as a family because it brings us together. We have an opportunity to eat, to play, have fun, and make sure that I keep my eyes out on the kids
laughs
Speaker
.
Colleen
The verdict is in, Knott's Berry Farm is the place to go. As our day at Knott's Berry Farm draws to a close, we have time for just one more ride. We brace ourselves for Timber Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm's log ride.
background conversations
Colleen
I think it's safe to say we thoroughly enjoyed our day on the farm.
Speakers
We love Knott's Berry Farm.
cheering
Speakers
Colleen
A good bakery is often hard to come by, but not in Buena Park. Porto's Bakery and Cafe is the hottest spot in town for breakfast, lunch, dinner, specialty coffee, and, of course, dessert. Not only is Porto's filled with delicious goodies, but it also holds an incredible success story that all begins with its Cuban roots. We got to speak with Betty Porto, owner of Porto's and daughter of Rosa Porto, the woman behind the magic.
Betty Porto
In the 1960 when Castro said that it was communism, my parents decided that they didn't want us being raised in a communist society, so they applied to leave the country and it took us eight years to get out. My mom was fired from her job, my dad was taken to a labor camp. My mother was home now with three kids, and she soon realized that she had to do something. The neighbors started telling her, "Why don't you, all those cakes that you've be making for your kids over the years, why don't you start selling them?" Now, the problem was that was illegal because that was private enterprise, so she started doing it out of the house, but it was behind closed doors.
She was doing something that if she would have been caught, would have been 20 years in jail. That's how we survived for eight years until we finally were able to get out. We came here in 1971. Because we came to a community of Cuban friends and family from the same town, they knew of her work, so immediately they started coming to the store.
We had a garage in the house and they fixed it, my dad and her and they started making the meat pies. Things that are still our core products, she started doing those out of her house. In 1976, she ran out of room. That's why she decided to go ahead and open her first like a mom and pop 280 square feet in the corner of Sunset and Silver Lake in '76.
That was the beginning of Porto's Bakery and Cafe.
Speaker
We love it so much that this is the third time this week we have come. Every time we come and visit Southern California, we make it a point to be here as often as we can. Also, when we go back home, we take a big bag with lots of pastries maybe 40 to 50 pastries because we have a lot of friends in Stockton that will ask us to make sure that when we stop here, we got back and we bring pastries to the Northern California area. The rhubarb here is the way mama used to do it.
Even though we come here a lot, I always say I'm going to get a pastry no matter what.
Colleen
Whether you're looking for something savory or something sweet, the best place to satisfy your craving for something delicious is Porto's.
Betty
Something we always think, "What would mom do? What would she want her legacy to be?" She's 88 years old, she's still at home cooking, baking, given us feedback. For us, our mother is the heart and the soul.
Colleen
When it comes to food, family, and hospitality, it doesn't get much sweeter than Porto's. There's no question, most of the time in Southern California, the weather is perfect, but sometimes it gets hot. If you can't get to the beach to cool off with a swim, there's hardly a better way to beat the heat than at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor. Known for its old-fashioned and epic sundaes, Farrell's is a must for anyone looking to step back in time for an authentic ice cream parlor experience.
Today, Farrell's in Buena Park is the most popular of the two remaining California locations. Look at this. 70's and 80's nostalgic candy mix. This is all the stuff that I used to eat.
They're all good, it's all candy. Because I'm a Catholic girl as are you, we used to pretend like these were wafers at church. We'd give each other our wafers, see, and then you eat it. It's good, try it
laughs
Colleen
.
Keelin
What is it?
Colleen
Its candy. What do you think?
laughs
Shea
As long as you can taste something.
Colleen
I know, that's all we had. Are you done with the candy?
Keelin
Yes.
Shea
Yes.
Colleen
Are you ready to get some ice cream?
Shea
Yes.
Colleen
Okay, candy and ice cream in one day.
cheering
Colleen
Yes, it's a kid's day.
Keelin
Best day ever.
Colleen
Best day ever.
Attendant
Hello, ladies, welcome to Farrell's.
Colleen
Hi, yes, I used to come here as a little girl, so we're excited to be here.
Attendant
Do you remember Farrell's biggest candy that we had here?
Colleen
Yes, it was huge.
Attendant
It's called the Zoo. Do you ladies want to know how to make it?
Shea
Of course.
Keelin
Yes.
Attendant
All right, let
Colleen
Okay, so what do I do?
Shea
We'll meet you at the table.
Colleen
Okay, deal. I'll get waited on. Nice, thank you.
Attendant
All right, the first thing we do is put sugar cones on top of the main three ice cream flavors. You push them in so they can stay there. You guys are going to put on the fudge and strawberry sauce on top. Put on your own pace, you pour all over.
The next thing we do is we whip cream this whole thing. It almost takes up a whole can of whipped cream.
Keelin
That
Attendant
Yes, that's a lot.
Speaker
There you go.
Keelin
Wow, that's a lot
chuckles
Keelin
.
Attendant
All right. Now, next, you guys can put on the bananas over here. You could just stick them in all around the rims just like that. It's okay if they don't really stick up right.
These are little zoo animals that go on top.
Shea
Has anyone ever finished it before?
Attendant
We used to have ice cream eating contests and the final contestants used to finish one whole Zoo by themselves in a matter of minutes.
Keelin
Why do they call it the Zoo?
Attendant
I don't know, maybe it takes the whole zoo to finish it.
Keelin
Probably.
Shea
Are we ready to take it out?
Attendant
Pop girls, there's a traditional way to deliver the Zoo to their tables. Do you guys want to learn how to do it?
Shea
Yes.
Keelin
Yes.
Attendant
Right, let's go. I do have a little announcement to say over here.
Colleen
Oh my goodness.
Attendant
It goes, guys, I don't know you overall, but please listen to me because I have a special poem to say. It goes, roses are red.
Speaker
Red.
Attendant
Violets are blue.
All
Blue.
Attendant
Watch my crew.
All
That's us.
Attendant
Run the zoo.
Colleen
Oh my gosh, that's amazing
laughs
Colleen
.
bell rings
cheering
Colleen
Wow
screams
Colleen
. That is unbelievable. Did you make that?
Attendant
They did make it.
Colleen
It's huge. I remember this when I was little. Oh my goodness delicious.
Attendant
There you go.
Colleen
How are we going to finish this? You're going to help me.
Keelin
Yes.
Shea
Yes.
Colleen
All right, sit down. Let's get some spoons out. Wow. Are we going to finish this thing?
Keelin
Yes.
laughs
Colleen
We're going to try. All right, girls, to old memories and making new ones, to Farrell's.
All
Cheers.
Colleen
After reliving my childhood, it was time for the girls to make a few new memories for theirs. We decided to jump headfirst into our next activity. On family vacations, it's common to end up spending a lot of time in the car. Sometimes you just need to get out and stretch your legs and Big Air Trampoline Park is a great place to do it.
From a mechanical bullpen to foam pits and Walter Wild trampolines, kids will love this form of exercise. There's even a designated toddler area for little ones to jump worry free. Our first stop, the dodgeball arena. Maybe dodgeball isn't for me, but thankfully there's plenty of other fun to be had.
We decided to try some rock climbing. Okay, so rock climbing isn't my strong suit either, but maybe jostling will be my forte. First off in the battle bin, it's Shea versus Keelin.
bell rings
background noise
Colleen
Next, it was my turn to take on the winner.
bell rings
background noise
Colleen
Okay, maybe Keelin is a jostling champion, but I'd like to think everyone here is a winner, at least for my own sake. There's no question at Big Air Trampoline Park, the sky really is the limit. From trampoline parks to theme parks, Buena Park has plenty to keep your family entertained even while you eat. Offering many family-oriented restaurants and delicious fare, you'll find unique dining options on every corner.
Buena Park is also home to several interactive dinner experiences including medieval times dinner and tournament, and for those who crave a little excitement with their meal, Pirates Dinner Adventure. Who can resist the excitement of hidden treasure, sword fights on the high seas, and, of course, pirates? We decided to end our trip to Buena Park by setting sail with some scallywags. Today I'm here with Benjamin Blue at the Pirate Dinner Adventure and this is so sweet and amazing, so I'm excited to be here, but tell me what we're going to see.
Benjamin Blue
You're going to see a lot swashbuckling, you're going to see a lot of stunts, you're going to see a lot of dragons and all kinds of mystical beings.
Colleen
What are some pirate phrases that I need to know besides ark?
Blue
Shiver me timbers.
Colleen
That's a good one.
Blue
That's a good one. Let's see here. All hands on deck.
Colleen
That's a good one.
Blue
Yes, ahoy.
Colleen
Ahoy, matey.
Blue
That's right. Ahoy, mates. Ahoy, matey, any of those.
Colleen
What makes it so fun?
Blue
Because it's interactive. We bring them up on stage and make them a part of the show.
Colleen
That's great. I love that. Maybe I'll get a chance to be on stage perhaps.
Blue
We could make that happen.
laughs
Colleen
I know a pirate.
Blue
We might have to swear you in.
Colleen
Yes, I'd like to get sworn in, that'd be excellent. Now that I knew how to talk like a pirate, it was time for the girls and I to get officially sworn in.
Pirate
There we go, perfect. Now, raise your right hand and repeat after me. I.
All
I.
Pirate
Your name.
Colleen
Your name
laughs
Colleen
.
Pirate
Swear to be a good pirate.
All
Swear to be a good pirate.
Pirate
To sail the seas of adventure.
All
To sail the seas of adventure.
Pirate
To eat all my vegetables.
All
To eat all my vegetables.
Colleen
Did you hear that?
Pirate
So help me.
All
So help me.
Pirate
Well done, you're all official pirates.
Colleen
Thank you.
Pirate
Now be gone with you.
laughs
Colleen
Ouch. Here's to pirates, women pirates. Who's ready to feast? A variety of dinner options ensures that no lads or lasses will go hungry during this excursion.
Okay, I knew I was going to be watching the show, but I had no idea I was going to be in the show too.
Speaker
Who is the champion of canon master?
crowd cheers
Speaker
For this competition of canon master, the first partner get's three mega golden me mates favorite, pirate's fillet, pirate's gold. Come along, cheer for your pirates.
crowd cheering
Speaker
Who is the champ? Breakthrough for your winner, Captain Jack.
crowd booing
Colleen
Even though I didn't win the challenge for Team Orange, we still had a blast. Entertaining for kids and adults of all ages, Pirates Dinner Adventure truly lives up to its name as the world's most interactive dinner show. Don't forget to stop and get your picture taken as you arrive back on land.
camera snaps
Colleen
Was it fun?
Keelin
Yes.
Colleen
The pirate dinner was a great way to end our trip at Buena Park, but now, it's onto the next adventure. Are you ready?
Shea
Yes.
Keelin
Yes.
Colleen
All right. The first leg of our Orange County road trip in Buena Park was a huge success. We knocked it out of the theme park at Knott's Berry Farm, satisfied our sweet tooth at Porto's Bakery and Cafe, took on Farrell's biggest Sunday, adjusted for the championship at Big Air Trampoline Park, and even dined with pirates on the high seas. Join us next time as we continue our adventure through Suny, Orange County.
Announcer
Funding provided by--
Advertisement
This show is sponsored by State Farm. When the unexpected happens, State Farm is here to help life go right.
Colleen
For more information on upcoming destinations and projects, visit familytravelck.com. Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and check us out on Snapchat. We'd love to hear from you. s go and make it.
s a lot of whipped cream.
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