Whether you’re stationed in Southern California or visiting, you’ll want to take a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm. This fun amusement park, located in Buena Park, California, offers a fabulous military discount.
I grew up going to Knott’s Berry Farm and especially enjoyed the times we went during school breaks when most other kids were not off from school. We could walk on the rides! I’m not sure that’s even possible today, but I do know you can still have a fun day at the park.
History of Knott’s Berry Farm
The history of Knott’s Berry Farm dates back over 100 years to 1920, when the Knott family relocated from Central California to Buena Park, Orange County, in search of a fresh start. Walter Knott and his cousin, Jim Presten, an experienced berry farmer, leased land, and Walter began farming berries.
By 1923, he had built a roadside stand on Grand Avenue. The family bought their land in 1927 and built a home with a permanent berry market. They also had a nursery to sell plans as well as a tea room. They called it “Knott’s Berry Place.” Little did they know what it would eventually become.
Berries, Pies, and Jam
Walter was able to buy more land and make a name for himself. In 1932, Walter met Rudolph Boysen, who experimented with berries. Walter was able to get some of Boysen’s cuttings, which were a combination of a red raspberry, blackberry, and loganberry. He planted and cultivated them, and in 1934, he was able to introduce the new bosenberry and sold it in the tea room.
The berries, jam, and pies did well. It was then during the Great Depression that Walter’s wife, Cordelia, had an idea. She started making chicken dinners for her tea room guests. She also served them salad, rhubarb, biscuits, vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy, with berry pie for dessert. She charged them $ 0.65 for the meal.
As you can imagine, word spread about their delicious meal, and so many people started coming to the tea room that they had to keep expanding it until it became an actual restaurant that seated 350 people. Even so, people still had to wait.
To give the people something to do, Walter and Cordelia’s daughter, Virginia, set up a card table selling small gifts, which eventually evolved into a full-sized shop that is still in operation today.
Ghost Town is Born
It was due to the success and long waits that Walter built a Ghost Town in 1940, inspired by his mother’s journey in a covered wagon to California in 1868. People started coming to see the Ghost Town on its own. Walter hired actors to populate the town and amuse the guests.
Ghost Town expanded in the 1950s with the addition of the Calico Saloon, the Ghost Town and Calico Railroad, and the schoolhouse, which was a favorite of mine as a kid in the 1980s and 1990s. They added amusement rides such as the Calico Mine Ride, which opened in 1960.
Enclosing the Park
In 1968, they enclosed the park and began charging $1 to enter. They also expanded beyond Ghost Town and created Fiesta Village, inspired by the early days of California. On July 11, 1969, my favorite Knott’s Berry Farm ride, the Calico Log Ride, now called the Timber Mountain Log Ride, opened. It was the first log flume ride in the United States.
They continued to add rides and lands to the park, including Montezooma’s Revenge, a favorite of mine as a teenager, and then Camp Snoopy in 1983. There have been many more changes during the years, new rides, attractions, and even a water park.
I have been able to take my own children a couple of times, and it has always been such a fun day!
Knott’s Berry Farm Military Discount
Knott’s Berry Farm offers several ways for military families to save money.
Military Tribute Days
Military Tribute Days are in November and December of each year. Active-duty military personnel, retired military personnel, and veterans can receive discounted admission tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm. The tickets were $25 last year. You can purchase one for the service member, and five for family and friends. You can buy these online or at the ticket booth.
Regular Knott’s Berry Farm Military Discount
They also have a regular Knott’s Berry Farm military discount. Currently, in 2025, the price is $57 per ticket. Active-duty and retired military personnel, as well as first responders, can purchase up to six of these tickets. They are available online only. You must be registered with ID.me.
You can also find a military rate at the Knott’s Hotel.
Please visit the Knott’s Berry Farm website for the most up-to-date information!
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