Ghost Town Alive! Returns with a New Interactive Adventure

Get ready to step into the Wild West like never before. Ghost Town Alive! transforms the town of Calico into a fully immersive experience where guests become part of the story.

From secret missions and puzzle-solving to quirky characters and interactive quests, this fan-favorite event is back with an all-new storyline.

Dates: Select dates June 13 – September 1
Location: Calico Ghost Town at Knott’s Berry Farm

This is a must-do for families looking for interactive things to do in Orange County this summer. It’s engaging for all ages, but truly special for elementary-aged children and beyond.

Knott’s Summer Nights: Music, Games, and Instagrammable Moments

When the sun goes down, the fun keeps going! Knott’s Summer Nights turns Calico Park into a glowing summer party with live music on multiple stages, local bands, yard games, and vibrant lights that make every corner photo-ready.

Pair the fun with limited-time summer food items like:

• Kimchi Crab Tots
• Grilled Pineapple Beef Burger
• Apple Fritter Bread
• Mango Soft Serve with Tajín Funnel Cake

Dates: Select dates June 13 – September 1
Location: Calico Park at Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Soak City Waterpark: Beat the Heat with Splash-Tastic Fun

Right across the street, Knott’s Soak City opens its gates on select dates starting May 17 through September 7. With over 15 acres of water attractions, it’s one of the best ways to stay cool in Southern California this summer.

Read my full guide to epic fun at Soak City.

Highlights at Soak City:

• Over 20 slides, including speed, tube, and body slides
• Tidal Wave Bay with 4-foot-high waves
• One of the longest lazy rivers in the country: Sunset River
• Gremmie Lagoon, a splash zone just for little ones

Whether you’re planning a weekend trip or a full-blown family vacation, Soak City is a great waterpark near Anaheim for summer fun.

Dates: Select dates May 17 – September 7
Location: Knott’s Soak City

For more Anaheim family fun, make sure to pick up your copy of 100 Things to Do in Anaheim Before You Die.

Make It a Summer Staycation at the Newly Renovated Knott’s Hotel

Turn your day trip into a staycation! We have truly treasured our stays at the renovated Knott’s Hotel. It’s steps from the park entrance, making it a convenient pit-stop for mid-day naps. Plus, it brings a farmhouse chic style to the park with plenty of nods to the history of Knott’s Berry Farm.

Check out our Knott’s Hotel Review. Plus, you can download your own printable luggage tags for some extra fun!

The Knott’s Hotel offers the Ultimate Package, which includes:

• Two-day park admission
• Daily breakfast buffet
• Overnight accommodations
• Free parking

Book your getaway at KnottsHotel.com

Save with a Knott’s Berry Farm Season Pass

If you plan on visiting more than once, the 2025 Season Pass is the best deal. Enjoy unlimited visits to Knott’s Berry Farm all year long. Opt for the Gold Season Pass to include unlimited entry to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City. Learn more at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Here’s a preview of what a year at Knott’s looks like with the 2025 Seasons of Fun.

Plan Your Summer Adventure Now

Whether you’re craving classic theme park thrills, looking for family-friendly live entertainment in OC, or searching for ways to keep cool with the kids, Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City have everything you need for the ultimate summer escape.

Located in Buena Park, Knott’s is just minutes from Anaheim and easily accessible from all over Southern California.

As a Knott’s Ambassador, I receive complimentary admission to facilitate reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Knott’s Waterpark, Soak City, is our favorite place to beat the heat and have fun worth splashing about! The Orange County, CA waterpark recently expanded, offering guests acres more slides and fun.

If you’re visiting for the first time, this epic guide to Knott’s Soak City has everything you need to know about your visit. If you’re returning, I’d love to hear your best tips. Just share them in the comments.

As a Berry Blogger, or Knott’s Berry Farm ambassador, I’ve had the pleasure of spending many a summer day exploring the water park. I love daring my teens to races on the huge water slides and then making my way around the lazy river.

Soak City Dates and Hours

Soak City kicks off its 25th anniversary year on May 17, 2025. Check out the 2025 Summer Schedule to best plan your visit.

Soak City Dates

The water park is open select days May 17-September 7, 2025.

• Open Saturday & Sunday: May 17-18; Sept. 6-7
• Open Saturday, Sunday, & Monday: May 24-26
• Open daily: May 30-Aug. 11
• Open Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Aug.15-Sept.1

Soak City Hours

Soak City hours vary by day with opening at 10 AM and closing at 6 or 7 PM. Check the Knott’s calendar to confirm Soak City hours.

Best Soak City Rides

Best Soak City Rides For Families

• Gremmie Lagoon Little ones will enjoy splashing and sliding through Gremmie Lagoon. The water play area is perfect for preschoolers who can wade through the water and enjoy color play spaces, designed just for them. There are age appropriate slides and adorable animals with water spots.
• Sunset River Relax together on the Sunset River, where you can float for 1,780 feet around the park.
• Tidal Wave Bay If you’re looking to make waves, head to Tidal Wave Bay. The wave pool features a zero-drop entrance. You can dive in as far as you’d like for the perfect wave-to-smile ratio.

Best Soak City Rides for Big Kids & Tweens

Height requirement for these Soak City rides: 42 inches

• Beach House For kids looking for more thrills, head to the Beach House. Featuring three stories of slides, spouts, and splashes, the Beach House is a great choice for taller kids who have outgrown Gremmie Lagoon. Beware the bucket that drops 500 gallons of water!
• Bonzai Falls Slide down 41 feet on Bonzai Falls. The open-air 6-lane racing slides are a great introduction to bigger water slides.
• Laguna Storm Watch Tower Grab a friend and hope for good weather. The Laguna Storm Watch Tower tubes blast you down three enclosed tubes on an inner tube.
• The Wedge Being able to ride together was a great way to get my bigger kids to feel comfortable on water slides. The family-friendly rafts for The Wedge seat six.

Best Soak City Rides for Teens & Adults

Height requirement for these Soak City rides: 48 inches

• Malibu Run With both open and enclosed slides, Malibu Run will have you shrieking “Surf’s Up!” from the tube slides.
• Old Man Falls Three fast action slides await at Old Man Falls. Lie back, cross your arms, and sail down for fun.
• Shore Break A hot trend in water slides are water chambers where the floor literally drops out from underneath you like those in Shore Break. The free fall drops you down seven stories. Shore Break also features two dueling slides.

Soak City Dining

Soak City features two dining options: Portside Pizza and Longboard’s Grill.

Portside Pizza Grab a slice of pizza or a salad to fuel your Soak City fun! If you’re ordering for a family, grab an entire pizza for additional savings versus individual slices.

Looking for Dining Plan options? Try these at Soak City:

• Cheese Pizza Wedge Slice & Side Salad
• Pepperoni Pizza Wedge Slice & Side Salad
• Caesar Salad & Breadstick

Longboard’s Grill The surf is up, and the grill is on. Head to the newest dining location at Soak City, Longboard’s Grill for burgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and more.

Dining Plan options include:

• Cheeseburger & Fries
• Grilled Chicken Burger & Fries
• Hot Dog & Fries
• Hand Breaded Chicken Strips & Fries
• Fish & Chips

Some additional things to consider when planning your meals at Soak City:

Outside food and drinks are not permitted. You can, however, pack small snacks in sandwich bags to bring in.

There are two main dining options and they get busy. Avoid crowds by skipping peak dining times.

Knott’s Berry Farm reusable bottles can be used at Soak City.

Dippin’ Dots counts as lunch during the summer.

Is there alcohol at Soak City?

Yes, for guests 21+ there are alcoholic drinks available for purchase. Beer, including Brewery X selections, plus wine and slushies are available.

What to Pack for Knott’s Soak City

Bring your bathing suit, towel, and a big smile! Packing for Soak City isn’t tough, especially when you consider there’s a store to pick up anything you’ve forgotten.

Some things to keep in mind when packing for your day at the waterpark:

• Bring flip flops or water shoes The ground gets HOT! Bring a pair of flip flops to leave by the ride entrance. Water shoes are permitted on some rides, but not all.
• Life jackets/vests Life jackets or vests are required for those under 48″ tall or who are inexperienced swimmers. There are complimentary life jackets available. However, you may bring your own granted they are US Coast Guard approved.
• Sunscreen Sunburns are not great souvenirs.
• Waterproof phone case Grab a waterproof phone pouch like this one from Amazon to capture your family’s favorite memories.

For the official guidelines to Soak City, check out the Knott’s website.

Knott’s Soak City Cabanas

Finding the perfect spot to call home for your day at Soak City can take some planning. I recommend getting to the park before opening so you can take advantage of shorter lines, but also get a good spot.

With a younger child in our family, we tend to head to the “grassy” area near Gremmie Lagoon. Umbrellas are permitted, so you can stake your spot and have a home base for your time at the park.

Otherwise, you can claim lounge chairs throughout the park to deposit your belongings and relax slide-side.

The best way to enjoy Knott’s Soak City for a whole day of fun is by renting a cabana.

Benefits of cabana rentals:

• Your own private area to relax and unwind
• A secure place for your belongings
• Food service personnel will take your order & bring your food to your cabanas. Plus, they’ll keep your pitcher of water filled.
• Personal inner tubes
• Shade

Typically we spend the morning and early afternoon at Soak City. If we have a cabana, we can stretch the fun to last the whole day. It is an added expense, but can be divided upon your party down to a very reasonable rate.

An important note: There is a one-time $18 charge for ordering food from the cabana service. All-day dining and meal plans are not available in the cabana.

Soak City Prices

You do have options when selecting tickets for Soak City. The best way to enjoy the park is to pick up a Season Pass so you can enjoy both Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City all summer…and all year long.

You can check out current Soak City prices.

What about you most looking forward to about summertime at Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City? Share it in the comments!

I received complimentary admission to facilitate this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We visited Soak City last summer and immediately fell in love with the family fun.  We ended up spending the summer there, arriving early in the morning to get in line for the best slides before the crowds arrived.  It also allowed us to nab a great spot for our towels and snacks.

Get to know Soak City, a family-favorite summer destination!

Knott’s Soak City Attractions

Thrilling Slides

Drop in on slides like Malibu Run, Laguna Storm Watch Tower, Old Man Falls, Shore Break, and Bonzai Falls.  The Wedge with family and friends in the open air raft ride. The latest trend in slides are aqua chambers where the floor drops out from underneath you, sending you swooshing down slide tubes at high speeds and with high thrills.  Height requirements range from 42-48 inches for the slide options at Soak City.

Tidal Wave Bay

With depths up to 6 feet, the tidal wave pool is a great way to get catch a wave.  Wade in with or without inner tubes and let the movement of the water transport you to fun.

Sunset River

Looking for a way to soak in the sun while relaxing too?  Try the lazy river.  Inner tubes are available at entrances so you can float your day away.

Beach House

Perfect for school-aged children who are taking a break from sliding, the Beach House offers three stories of water play with water guns, waterfalls, and more.  The best part is the bucket drop when 500 gallons of water spill on crowds below.  You must be 42 inches to enjoy the Beach House Slides, which are a great intro into water slides for those who may not be ready for the multi-story slides like Malibu Run.

Toddler Area at Soak City — Gremmie Lagoon

With a preschooler in tow, it’s important that everyone enjoys the watery wonderland.  Gremmie Lagoon is perfect for toddlers and young visitors.  A submarine is central to the water playground with exploring and sliding available.  There are also cute sea creatures to climb on and a fun interactive play structure.

If you are experiencing Soak City with young children, take advantage of the complimentary life vests available for use.

Soak City Dining Options

We arrive early to Soak City on days we plan on visiting so we can maximize the fun.  But all that sliding does work up an appetite.  Portside Pizza offers pizza by the slice or whole pie.  If you’re using the Passholder Dining Plan, this includes one of the following options:

• Cheese Pizza Wedge Slice & Side Salad
• Pepperoni Pizza Wedge Slice & Side Salad
• Caesar Salad & Breadstick

Funnel cakes and salads are also available.

Surf on over to Longboard’s Grill for burgers, fries, and other American favorites.  The Dining Plan options here include:

• Cheeseburger & Fries
• Grilled Chicken Burger & Fries
• Hot Dog & Fries
• Hand Breaded Chicken Strips & Fries
• Fish & Chips

Servings are generous for items like the chicken strips, so I often split two orders among my three children. Snacks are allowed within the water park.  However, it’s been suggested to me to put snack items in Ziploc bags ahead of time.

Insider Tip: When it comes to amusement parks, water parks included, adhere to the policy “Come full, leave hungry.”  Shared meals and snacks can tide you over throughout the day for a budget-friendly hack.

If you’re a passholder, remember to bring your refillable cups for free or discounted beverage refills all day long!

Soak City Cabana

Available for day rental, Soak City offers cabanas on a first come, first serve basis.  If you want to maximize your fun at Soak City, the cabanas are a must!

Cabanas hold up to 8 guests with standard pricing, with 2 additional guests allowed with additional fee.  When checking in for your cabana, you will need your entire party available as wristbands are distributed.   You can select your cabana from a park map.  We opted for one centrally located so our older kids could have a little more freedom to explore the park and ride nearby slides independently.

With your rental you will also receive four inner tubes for your private use throughout the day.  On busy summer days, there may be a small wait for tubes so this is a great benefit.

Each cabana comes with a table and chairs with umbrella providing shade.  There are also four lounge shades completely shaded.  The chairs were perfect for mid-day naps for my youngest (and maybe myself).  A pitcher of ice water is provided by a server who will also take meal and drink orders.  No waiting in line for pizza or chicken strips!

How much do the Soak City Cabanas cost?

Upon writing this, the day use of a cabana starts $199 for Malibu Cabana Rentals and $249 for Wavepool Cabana Rentals.  Now that may seem like a hefty price tag, but it breaks down to $25 a person for 8 people to enjoy all day long.  It is absolutely worth the value.  Previous visits to Soak City, especially with a little one, meant we arrived at park opening and left at naptime.  With a cabana, everyone was able to relax when needed, meaning we could stay all day.  It’s welcome relief from sunshine and a huge time saver having wait staff available.  There’s plenty of room to store your personal belongings.  Plus, my older kids were granted a slightly longer leash since they knew where to return after riding on slides.

Reserve your VIP Cabana and get more info here.

We had so much fun kicking off the summer season as Soak City!  Gold and Platinum Passholders can enjoy Soak City all season long for free.  If you aren’t a member yet, click here to grab your access to all the seasons of fun.

It’s going to be a great summer at Knott’s Soak City!  Share what you’re looking forward to in the comments! 

I received complimentary admission to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We’ve still got a few weeks left in the school year–yes, weeks.  But with the temperatures rising and the homework load lightening, it certainly feeling like summer.  So Knott’s Soak City Water Park was the perfect getaway for our pre-summer day.  I was able to bring my three daughters and my mama for a girls’ day.  We splashed, we floated, we had so much fun!

New Expansion at Knott’s Soak City Water Park

Orange County’s largest water park is even bigger for the 2017 season with 2 acres of fast-paced slides being added.  Additionally, return guests will notice additional cabanas and shaded areas.  When all that swimming and splashing has worked up an appetite, heard over to the renovated Longboard’s Grill.

The Wedge

Grab five of your best friends and take the plunge on The Wedge.  With surprising twists & drops, you’ll sail down stories on an open air-raft.

Shore Break

While waiting in line, my daughter and I struck up conversation with a few guests in front of us.  One said, “These are like the rides I see on YouTube.”  She’s right!  The additional 2-acres feature the newest styles of water slides.

Shore Break features six drops down seven stories.  Four of these slides have guests step inside an Aqua-Chamber before the floor literally falls out from underneath them.  Don’t let the idea of free fall scare you; you’ve only got to be brave for a moment.  Once the fall begins you’ll find yourself looping and and curving.  One neat feature for those watching is you can see the person sailing along the translucent tubes.  My little one, not 48 inches tall, loved cheering them on.

Shore Break also offers two dueling slides.  Ride in solo inner tubes or in the double occupancy tubes.  The tube offers both dark spots and big splashes making it a great way to share in the fun with your family or friends.

15 Acres of Water Park Fun

Growing up in sunny Southern California, it’s crazy to admit that this was my first visit to Soak City.  I definitely regret the years of missing out.  I was so impressed with all of the slides and water play options.  With three kids of different ages, they all had favorite experiences.

Some of the highlights:

Banzai Falls – My 7-year-old loved racing down the huge slides on rafts! It reminded me of the carnival slide where you ride down on burlap sacks.

Malibu Run – Open and closed flumes allow single riders to soar down almost 40 feet.

Tidal Wave Bay – The breakers are rolling in.  Whether you want to jump through the waves or ride through them on an inner tube, the crowds all adored the 750,000 gallon wave pool.

Beach House –  A playground for mermaids awaits.  The Beach House features water guns, slides, and the big bucket!  Crowds gather awaiting the bucket to fill and then dump 500 gallons of water upon them!

Sunset River – My mama loved the lazy river.  Hop on an inner tube and float the one-third mile winding path, that boasts the title of one of the world’s longest.

Gremmie Lagoon – For my preschooler, Gremmie Lagoon was the perfect oasis.  A wading pool with ocean critters also hosts a submarine to explore.  She could have spent all day with the kid-sized fun.

Check out more of our day in this overview video.

After spending the day at Soak City, I know we’ll certainly be spending a lot of time there this summer.  I wanted to share how to make the day even more fun.

Tips for A Day at Knott’s Soak City Water Park

Get there early – With temperatures over 90 degrees, it was warm enough to dip our toes in the water the second we arrived.  We went straight for the big slides, before the lines got long.  Because I’m a planner, I’m already planning out our summer schedule.  It’d be perfect to spend the first half of our day at Soak City and head home for naptime (the preschooler’s and mine).   Check out the awesome deals on a season pass.

Getting there early also meant we got to nab a spot for our stuff.  Make sure your spot will have some shade throughout the day.  Tons of families set up umbrellas on the numerous grassy areas as a respite and gathering spot.

Consider a Cabana – Speaking of your spot, consider renting a cabana.  Up to 8 guests can escape to private getaway with table and chairs.  You also receive 4 inner tube rentals (no waiting for tubes at the bottom of rides) and waiter service.  At $220, it’s a bit more than I’d want to say on a random Tuesday.  However, it’d take a family fun day to seriously special as a private retreat.

Save on Tubing – Opening day was pretty packed.  But we still had a pretty easy time with inner tubes.  If you’re looking to save a little, skip the $10 rental.

Pack Your Flip Flops – Racing from attraction to attraction is part of the fun.  As the day warmed, so did the concrete.  Pack your flip flops for keeping your feet happy.

Consider the Plunges When Picking Your Suit – There are guidelines for attire while at the park; some attractions prohibit various items like metal components for your safety.  But let’s just say free falls have a way of moving your bathing suit into places.  Opt for conservative and coverage.

Keep the Kids Covered – It’s the ex-life guard in my mama that had her complimenting the Soak City staff’s attentiveness again and again.  They were on point.  Yet, it’s important to set some ground rules with your kids and address safety concerns.  We opted to bring our own Puddle Jumpers Life Jacket for 3-year-old; however, life jackets are available for free throughout the park.

Save Your Skin – Even if you’re there early, load on the sunscreen.  My Mediterranean skin does well in the sunshine, but I’m still not willing to suffer for days after when a quick application of SPF would save me.  If you’ve forgotten yours, Wipeout Surf Shop has you covered.

Dive into Lunch – All that splashing can work up an appetite.  The expended menu at Longboard’s Grill features cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and yummy fries.  Or swim over to Portside Pizza or Surf Daddy’s Food Hut.  Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, but you can always picnic outside the park at Breaker’s Park.

I was super thrilled to find Knott’s Berry Punch available in the soda machines!  If you plan on spending the season there, purchases a souvenir cup and get free refills all season long.  Tickets and seasons passes can be purchased online.

Knott’s Soak City Water Park is now open!  Will we be seeing you there this summer?  If so, share which attraction you’ll be sliding on first!