Family Travel with Colleen Kelly

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.