We’re happy and honored to be part of the 2019 Knott’s Berry Farm #BerryBloggers program. This blog post is part of our partnership with Knott’s Berry Farm.
School’s out and it’s open season for Knott’s Soak City summer fun! Here’s our Complete Guide for Knotts Soak City!
Are you ready for lazy summer days relaxing and having fun in the sun? Knott’s Soak City is one of our favorite places to spend the day when the weather is warm and the grands are out of school. There are 15 acres of something for everyone: toddlers, kids, teens, parents and grandparents! There are a plethora of lifeguards throughout the entire park for the safety of all.
We’d like to share everything you need to know about spending the day at Soak City, including locations of restaurants, restrooms and prices.
The complete guide!
Parking
Parking for Soak City is in the main Knott’s Berry Farm parking lot across from the entrance to Knott’s Berry Farm. After driving through the parking lot kiosks, continue to the far end of the lot and then towards the right.
The big Soak City Water Park sign leads to the entrance.
Set up Camp for the Day
As soon as you arrive you want to decide where you’re going to set up camp for the day. Choose your lounge chairs or your cabana (if renting one) before your favorite spots are taken.
There are seriously hundreds of lounge chairs grouped throughout Soak City. There’s also plenty of lawn areas where people spread out their towels, blanket and even put up their own umbrellas. The choice is yours however on busy days the shady spots go first and fast.
Changing Rooms with Showers
Just inside the entrance/admission gate is the surfer water fountain. It makes for awesome photo ops. On the other side of the fountain is Bikini Beach and Muscle Beach Changing Rooms. They’re located on either side of the large Welcome to Soak City Buena Park mural.
Both have private dressing rooms, showers and restrooms. They make for a great place to shower and change before leaving the park to head home. Or to walk over to Knott’s Berry Farm to continue the fun!
Davy Jones Lockers
Davy Jones Lockers is located right next to the Changing Rooms by the Surfer Fountain. It’s a great place to secure valuables and store any excess belongings. If renting a cabana, each one has an individual safe for valuables. (More on that later.)
Wipeout Surf Shop
Wipe Out Surf Shop has most everything you need but may have forgotten to bring. Wipe Out Surf Shop has you covered from towels to sunglasses, swimsuits and water safe pockets for your cell phone (great for in-the-water action shots!). It’s located just past the Surfer Fountain on the right.
Attractions and Water Slides
There are a total of 23 speed, tube and body slides to choose from. Something for everyone! But that’s not all. There are also the gigantic Tidal Wave Bay, Lazy Sunset River, Gremmie Lagoon and Beach House.
Banzai Falls is located behind Davy Jones Lockers and next to the Shore Break water slides.
- 41 feet high
- Ride on a mat face first
- 6 lanes
- You race 5 other water slide loving people for the win
- Height Requirement: 42 inches (barefoot)
Laguna Storm Watch Tower is located over a small bridge, in the center of one of the Sunset River loops, in the middle of the park.
- 43 feet high tower
- Ride on an inflatable raft alone or with a friend
- Water depth: 3.5 feet deep
- Height requirements: 42 inches (barefoot)
- Must wear a life vest if height is between 42 to 48 inches
Malibu Run is located in the back corner of the park next to the Malibu Cabanas. There are 4 tubes: Dropoff, Heavy Swell, Rincon, and Wave Chaser.
- 39 feet high tower
- Riders sit on inflatable rafts
- Wave Chaser and Drop Off are open tubes
- Rincon and Heavy Swell are enclosed tubes for a dark ride
- Water depth: 3.6 feet deep
- Height requirement: 48 inches (barefoot)
Old Man Falls is a very steep drop! There are 3 slides to choose from: Pipeline, Point Break and Riptide. Just lie on your back, relax and let it all go as you race to the bottom! Old Man Falls is located in the back corner of the park next to Malibu run and Malibu Cabanas.
- 63 feet high tower
- 3 slides to choose from
- Height Requirement: 48 inches (barefoot)
- Rider Safety —> Swimwear with metal or plastic is not permitted. T-shirts are not permitted, unless made of rash guard fabric
Celebrating it’s 2nd birthday, Shore Break is the newest attraction at Soak City. It’s located behind Davy Jones Lockers, next to Banzai Falls, in the front of the park. Shore Break is an exciting experience, BUT not for the weak at heart! There are 4 Aqua Launch chambers where the bottom drops out sending you on a high speed free fall. Yes … free fall!
Shore Break also has two different dueling tube slides. (Our girls screamed and giggled all the way down!)
- 60 feet high tower
- 3 different slides
- Free fall
- Ride inflatable tubes
- Height Requirement: 48 inches (barefoot)
- Rider Safety —> Swimwear with metal or plastic is not permitted. T-shirts are not permitted, unless made of rash guard fabric
While Knott’s Soak City is packed with thrilling slide, there’s also my personal favorite: Sunset River. It also happens to be one of Cody’s favorite places to enjoy fun in the sun! (As you can see from the photo. Ha!)
The lazy Sunset River is 1/3 mile long and located smack dab in the middle of the park. You can float on an inflatable tube, float on your own, or take a stroll. No need to paddle. There’s a gentle current that does all the work for you. It’s pure relaxation for as long as you want!
- 1,780 feet, or 1/3 of a mile long
- Water depth for this attraction: 2.5 feet deep
- Inflatable tubes available for floating
- Float on your own, or or walk the river
- Height requirement: children who are less than 42″ tall (barefoot) must be accompanied by a supervising companion
- Provided life jackets are required for children who are less than 48″ tall (barefoot)
The Wedge is located by Shore Break and Banzai Falls at the front of the park. It’s an open air raft ride for up to 6 people. You can ride with your friends or join another group for the ride. Raft holds 2 to 6 riders.
- Water depth: 2.6 feet
- Height Requirement: 42 inches (barefoot)
Tidal Wave Bay is gigantic and very popular. With 750,00 gallons of water, the state of the art wave pool has room for the entire family along with new fiends. Grab an inflatable tube or swim on your own… it’s all up to you. The zero-drop entrance makes it easy for the kids and the thrill seeking teens love the 4-foot waves.
- Zero-drop entrance
- 6 feet at the deepest point
- Height Requirement: Children who are less than 42 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult
- Provided life jackets are required for children who are less than 48 inches tall in bare feet.
Beach House
Ah, yes! Beach House! It’s 3-stories of wet fun for all ages. With 200 water guns, nozzles, sprayers and so many other interactive fun options. Once again, there’s something for everyone. There are three huge buckets that fill with water. Once they each reach their tipping point they dump water on waiting guests who absolutely love it!
Gremmie Lagoon
Gremmie Lagoon is an interactive, pint-sized, water playground for little kids. Gremmie Lagoon is over a small bridge to the right of Beach House.
- Water depth at this attraction: 1 foot
- Height Requirement: Must be under 54 inches (barefoot)
Restraunts and Food Stands
Longboard’s Grill is located to the left of the Beach House. It’s a buffet style restaurant serving burgers, hotdogs, salads, fresh fruit, fish & chips, chicken and more. Vegetarian and vegan options on request. There are plenty of tables with chairs located right outside. But you’re free to take your food wherever you’ve set up camp for the day.
Our favorites:
- Cody likes the burgers
- Kennedy likes the chicken tenders
- I like the fresh fruit and vegan chicken tenders
- David likes the deli sandwiches
Long Board’s Grill accepts:
- Single Meal plan
- All Day Dining plan
- All Season Dining plan
Stop by Portside Pizza, not only for pizza, but funnel cakes and salads as well. Get your pizza by the slice or a whole pizza pie for the family. Easy peasy counter service located next to Wipeout Surf Shop.
Portside Pizza excepts:
- Single Meal plan
- All Day Dining plan
- All Season Dining plan
The dippin’ dots kiosk is located across the walkway from Portside Pizza. It’s convenient, refreshing and delicious. It’s also a must have for our granddaughter!
Refresh Stations for Drinks and Knott’s Refillable Cups
There are two Refresh Stations in Soak City. One is on the right side of Longboard’s Grill, and one is towards the back of the park by Tidal Wave Bay and Cabana and Tube Rental Booth.
Refresh Stations are where you can fill up your Knott’s Berry Farm Refillable Cups, or purchase drinks. Water and ice are free in your own cups/drink containers. You can also purchase Refillable Cups. There are single day use cups, or cups to use throughout the current calendar year.
Restrooms
Knott’s Soak City has 3 restroom areas, including the Bikini Beach and Muscle Beach Changing Rooms.
Bikini Beach and Muscle Beach restrooms are located just inside the entrance to the park on either side of the large Soak City mural. As we mentioned, they also have private dressing rooms and showers.
To the left of Longboard’s Grill near Sunset River and Laguna Storm Watch tower there are restrooms. There are also family bathrooms at this location as shown on the right side of the photo.
Located in back of the park next to the Refresh Station by Tidal Wave Bay and Cabana and Tube Rental Booth are restrooms.
Cabanas
For us, Cabanas are the best way to go. Last year we chose the Shore Break Cabanas. This year we opted for the Malibu Cabanas. The Malibu Cabanas are quieter as far as piped in music throughout the park.
There are three cabana areas to choose from: Shore Break, Malibu and Tidal Wave Bay. All the amenities are the same, but the location of the cabanas are in different areas of the park. Each cabana has an individual safe to secure valuables.
Each cabana comes with:
- Up to 8 non-transferrable wristbands (allows entrance into Cabana area)
- Patio table with umbrella and four chairs
- Four lounge chairs
- Four inner tubes
- You can add more guests for an extra cost of $15 each
- Waiter service (SO awesome!!)
- Food choices are listed on the surfboard Cabana Menu
- Servers accept All Season Meal Plans*
*Cabana servers accept All Season Meal Plans, but it takes time for orders to be processed and delivered. Plan accordingly for the four hour interval between ordering next.
Cabana Prices:
Shore Break and Malibu Cabanas are $245 for the day when purchased at Soak City or $170 if purchased online.
Tidal Wave Bay Cabanas are $256 for the day when purchased at Soak City or $185 if purchased online.
Cabana prices do NOT include park admission.
Admission and Season Pass Holders
Platinum and Gold Season Passes include admission to both Knott’s Berry Farm AND Soak City. There are no blackout dates, although Soak City is open during summer months only.
Platinum Season Pass: $218.
A Gold Season Pass: $143.
Single day Soak City admission at the gate: $53.
Single day Soak City admission online ticket: only $42 (You can purchase this at home or on your phone in the parking lot. It’s that easy!)
A Platinum or Gold Season Pass might be more cost effective if planning to visit Knott’s more than once during the year.
Parking: $20. With a Platinum Season Pass parking is included. RV or bus parking: $25.
PLEASE NOTE: Prices are subject to change. Call or check online for updates.
~ Good to Know ~
Who: David, Cathi, Cody and Kennedy (and a friend!)
David says: It’s a fun, relaxing get away. The kids enjoyed the fun water attractions and joined us in the cabana to rest and eat. Then off they went again and again.
Cathi says:
Cody says: Of all the things to do my favorite is just floating down Sunset River. It’s cool and relaxing. And I love the burgers. They brought lots of Ranch dressing too, which is great.
Kennedy says: I brought a friend and we went on almost everything. It’s so much fun! The faster and higher the better! And we liked being under the buckets at Beach House when the water dropped on us.
Why: Summer fun day at Knott’s Soak City
When: May 25, 2019
– Weekends through March 10th including plus February 11, 15 & 18.
Where: Knott’s Soak City Water Park
Address: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
Phone: 714.220.5200
Website: Knott’s Berry Farm
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If you like this, you’ll love what we’ve picked out just for you!
Mary Spencer says
Was wondering for us larger girls can we wear shorts and a T-shirt if only going on the lazy river
Cathi says
Hi Mary!
I emailed the park public relations this morning and she referred to the ‘Appropriate Attire” section at this link: https://www.knotts.com/soak-city/waterpark-information
I also wanted to share what I have worn at Soak City.
I am not comfortable in a typical bathing suit and I also want good coverage from the sun.
I wear the following swim rash guard and swim rash shorts at pools, beach and water parks.
https://amzn.to/3zYyngO
https://amzn.to/3wYon5m
Enjoy your time at Knott’s Soak City!!
Cathi