It all started with a berry. Before the thrill rides and roller coasters, before the themed shops and Western shows, Knott’s Berry Farm was exactly that: a real-deal California farm.
Today, Knott’s Berry Farm is one of the most beloved family destinations in the Golden State. Its roots are traced to a roadside berry stand in Buena Park. But its origin story isn’t just about a theme park; it’s about how one Southern California farm helped introduce a now-iconic fruit to the world.
The California Grown team recently visited Knott’s Berry Farm to discover more about its place in California’s agricultural history. We learned how the farm’s past still shapes its present, especially during the annual Boysenberry Festival.
Here we’re exploring Knott’s Berry Farm’s early days, how it became the birthplace of the boysenberry, and why it continues to honor its farming heritage nearly 100 years later.
The Roots of Knott’s Berry Farm
The history of Knott’s Berry Farm begins in the 1920s, when Walter and Cordelia Knott settled in Buena Park and began farming berries on a small 20-acre plot.
Like other family farms of the era, the Knotts sold produce at a roadside stand along State Route 39, today known as Beach Boulevard. But everything changed in the early 1930s when Walter began experimenting with a little-known hybrid fruit: the boysenberry.
A cross between a raspberry, blackberry, loganberry, and dewberry, the boysenberry was the brainchild of horticulturist Rudolph Boysen, who had attempted to grow it in nearby Anaheim. Recognizing their potential, Walter revived the struggling vines and began cultivating the berries on his farm.
By the 1940s, the boysenberry had become the farm’s signature crop, and the Knott family was instrumental in bringing it to the American public. Knott’s Berry Farm is credited with commercializing the boysenberry, transforming it from a horticultural curiosity into a staple of jams, jellies, syrups, and pies nationwide.
From Berry Stand to Cultural Landmark
As word of the boysenberry spread, so did the Knott farm’s popularity. Cordelia served fried chicken dinners to customers waiting their turn at the berry stand.
That simple meal, and the long lines it drew, became the catalyst for developing the property into a full-fledged attraction. Walter built a replica Old West town, stagecoach rides, and even a working blacksmith shop to entertain guests.
By the 1960s, Knott’s Berry Farm had evolved into America’s first theme park. Despite its modern day roller coasters and thrill rides, the agricultural spirit has never left. The boysenberry is still the heart of it all.
A Southern California Farming Story
Knott’s Berry Farm could only have happened in California, and more specifically, in Orange County. Once covered in citrus groves, berry farms, and ranchlands, this region has long been a hub for small-scale agriculture.
The Knotts were part of a wave of enterprising families who helped transform the county from farmland to a family destination while keeping a link to its roots.
Even today, Orange County boasts one of the most diverse populations in California and a surprising number of local farms, farmers markets, and food artisans. Knott’s Berry Farm reflects that evolution: it celebrates history and innovation, agriculture and entertainment.
The Boysenberry Festival: A Celebration of California-Grown Flavor
Each spring, Knott’s Berry Farm hosts the Boysenberry Festival, a multi-week celebration of the fruit that started it all. More than 75 boysenberry-themed dishes—from barbecue to cocktails to baked goods—highlight the versatility of this unique California-grown ingredient.
What sets the festival apart is its genuine connection to agriculture. It’s not just about novelty foods; it’s about storytelling. The festival showcases how the boysenberry inspired the farm’s success and how the park continues to support California farming today.
Whether sampling boysenberry elote or picking up jam at the Marketplace, every bite is rooted in nearly a century of farming tradition.
Plan Your Visit to Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm is a tribute to California’s agricultural legacy, a celebration of the boysenberry, and a living piece of food history. Whether you go for the rides or the recipes, you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for how one family farm helped shape the Golden State’s food story.
Knott’s Berry Farm + Knott’s Soak City Waterpark: see calendar + hours here
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
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Article by Aida Mollenkamp. Photos by James Collier.