Old Man Falls and Tidal
Wave Bay
by Jennifer Marx

Hey, dudes, d’ya need to cool off? Right next door to Knott’s Berry Farm is Knott’s Soak City, a clean, 13-acre water park open in late May through September. Note that there are two more Soak City parks in San Diego and Palm Springs, but this description refers only to the park in Orange County. The water park, which opened in June 2000, is themed after California’s surfing culture of the 1950s. While its slides are thrilling, they are not extreme, and we think this family-friendly park caters more to kids, young teens, and adults who don’t mind getting wet. Follow the directions on page 156 or use a routing service such as Google Maps with this as your destination address: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620.

Knott’s Soak City features 22 different slides and water attractions. The Pacific Spin is a six-story funnel tube slide. Old Man Falls is a set of three high-speed slides that start from a platform 62 feet high. Malibu Run and Laguna Storm Water Tower are multi-slide tube slides. Banzai Falls is a set of six speed lanes which guests slide down on mats. Beyond the slides, the park features Tidal Wave Bay (750,000-gallon wave pool), Sunset River (1/3-mile-long lazy river), Gremmie Lagoon (children’s pool and activity area), and Toyota Beach House and Slides (a four-story family funhouse and body slides for the younger kids).

Food is available in several counter-service spots (including Mrs. Knott’s Fried Chicken Express). There are also several picnic areas available.

Changing rooms are available free of charge. Lockers are $14 and up, plus a $3 deposit.

Swimwear with rivets, buckles, metal, or plastic ornamentation is not allowed on the body slides. We also suggest one-piece suits for modest females who want to slide.

You may rent inner tubes for $10 for use in the wave pool. Life vests are provided at no charge.

The slides have minimum height requirements between 42” and 48”.

You can rent semi-private cabanas starting at $130/day. The cabanas includes a patio table, umbrella, four chairs, four lounge chairs, four inner tubes, and private food service (the food itself is extra, of course). Prices are higher on weekends and holidays. For reservations, call 714-220-5200.

Having a birthday? Birthday “Splash Bash” deals include party invitations, admission, lunch, and cake in a reserved party area, plus a gift for the birthday boy or girl. Call 714-220-5200.

Shade is scarce here, so bring appropriate cover-ups, sunscreen, and hats.

Water park admission is $31.00/adults (12 and up) and $27.00/Juniors (ages 3-11). Discounts are available for SoCal residents and Costco frequently has deals on tickets.