By Stacey Wittig
Buena Park, California, could pawsibly be the best choice for a woof-worthy summer vacation. Known as SoCal’s Fun City, it’s jam-packed with theme parks, attractions, and a happening foodie scene. As an added bonus, one of the best leash-optional California beaches, Dog Beach, is nearby. And they’re all within driving distance of northern Arizona.
Buena Park is best known for Knott’s Berry Farm, and although only service dogs are allowed, you won’t want to miss the beloved theme park. There are plenty of doggy daycare services in the area, so your four-legged friend can have a day of SoCal fun at day camp while you enjoy the coasters, live entertainment, and food at Knott’s Berry Farm.
The 27-acre park is four theme parks rolled into one: Camp Snoopy with various shows featuring the Peanuts characters, Old West Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, and The Boardwalk honoring the California beach lifestyle. On a separate ticket, enjoy the water at Knott’s Soak City Water Park, one of the only waterparks in Southern California.
If you’re a horsey girl like me, you can’t miss the majestic Andalusian horses at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament that happens in a replica of a Spanish castle. Spending an evening immersed in a bygone era, complete with jousting knights, vibrant pageantry, and the graceful dance of long-maned Spanish horses, will fill you with a sense of adventure.
While visiting Buena Park, a half-day at the renowned Dog Beach in Huntington Beach is a must. Romp and play on a 1.5-mile stretch of beach between Goldenwest and Seapoint off-leash. For the safety of your sweet pup, dogs must be leashed in the parking lot and on the upper bluff, as the beach is very close to Highway 1.
You’ll meet many local canine companions at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park. It’s difficult to tell that the lush green park was once a sand and gravel pit used during the Santa Ana and Riverside Freeways’ construction.
In the 1950s, quarry workers unearthed extensive fossil beds, revealing the area’s prehistoric past. Visitors can observe the colossal fossils of ancient mammals like giant sloths and Ice Age whales that once roved this region. Additionally, on Saturdays, the park offers a glimpse into the meticulous work of scientists and volunteers as they carefully prepare fossils in the freshly updated interpretive center.
Dog-Happy Dining
For a leisurely lunch, explore three floors of outdoor space at The Source OC, a hip entertainment, shopping, and dining complex. Leashed pups are welcome in the outdoor spaces, but not in the colorful food courts. The multiplex chock full of restaurants featuring diverse cuisines made it easy for me to sample Korean fare, which is so prevalent in Buena Park now.
You’ll find many locals eating Korean BBQ fare at Gangnam House—an indication of good food—so choose outside dining for a meal with your four-legged traveling companion.
You won’t be disappointed with the Bulgogi, thin strips of marinated beef served with a spread of kimchi, steamed rice, pickled radish, Korean potato salad, soybean sprout salad and grilled vegetables.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ is also a fun and unique place to bring your pooch for an authentic taste of the islands. Enjoy one of their signature plate lunches and drink milk from a young coconut at one of the six pet-friendly outdoor tables. Or grab a burger, hot dog, or salad at Portillo’s and settle into the California vibe on one of the outdoor tables.
The outdoor seating welcomes pets at Rock & Brews, a rock and roll-themed restaurant with blackened salmon on their American menu.
Pet-Friendly Accommodation
Hampton Inn & Suites Buena Park and Motel 6 Buena Park are pet friendly. As usual, when traveling with your furry friends, check the pet policy and let reception know you are arriving in case they have special instructions or a welcoming treat.
If you’re planning Fall travel, put Silverado Days on your October Buena Park travel itinerary. The annual festival, which includes events such as a dog show, draws over 80,000 people to Peak Park over a three-day period.
If you’d like to go: VisitBuenaPark.com
Stacey Wittig is a travel writer based outside Flagstaff, Arizona. She’s currently walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Follow her adventures at UnstoppableStaceyTravel.com.
