Knotts Berry Farm vs SeaWorld San Diego

Let’s take a look at the neighborhoods these parks are in and how they compare.

Knott’s Location

Knott’s Berry Farm is a bit outside of San Diego proper, sitting in Buena Park in Orange County. It’s an easy day trip if you’re staying in the city, but it does mean you’ll need a car to get there.

There are some excellent family-friendly attractions in the area - most notably Disneyland park and the Disney California Adventure Park - but the area is more inland and, I think, not as nice as San Diego.

What’s Near SeaWorld?

SeaWorld is in the coastal neighborhood of Mission Bay, which has excellent access to beaches.

Not only can you stay in San Diego and take advantage of public transit to get around, but you can hit up Mission Bay Park and try out fun watersports, from stand-up paddleboarding to jet skiing and more.

There are also some great area hotels to choose from, most of which are more wallet-conscious than what you’ll find around Knott’s and definitely cheaper than a stay at a Disneyland resort. In particular, we love the Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown, Curio Collection By Hilton which has a great location near Downtown and the San Diego Bay.

Seaworld from Mission Bay with Downtown San Diego in the Background

My Favorite Location: SeaWorld San Diego

In my opinion, there’s no comparison between these two locations; Mission Bay’s seaside views make it the winner.

The biggest reason to visit either park is the hours of fun you and your family will share! With that in mind, here’s a sampling of things to do at each park.

Calico River Rapids at Knotts Berry Farm

Rides and Games at Knott’s Berry Farm

There are over 50 rides at Knott’s Berry Farm. There are some for little kids and some faster ones for older kids and adults. Many rides are themed around the western feel of the park or incorporate familiar characters from the Peanuts.

Personally, I’d say that Knotts far outshines the ride selection at SeaWorld in sheer number and variety. The inclusion of specially-themed areas like Camp Snoopy and the Old West Ghost Town are great as well.

Knott's MarketPlace

Technically located before the park proper, getting into Knott's MarketPlace doesn’t require you to have a ticket to the theme park, so it’s a great option for families on a budget.

There, you’ll find tons of stores like The Berry Market, cute gift shops, and even the Peanuts Headquarters.

Soak City

Knotts Soak City is the waterpark attached to Knotts Berry Farm. It’s separately gated, but if you choose to buy admission for both parks, you can cool off on water slides, lazy rivers, and splash pad playhouses, with cabanas for parents.

Getting on to the Manta Ride at Seaworld San Diego

What to Do at SeaWorld

SeaWorld’s main attractions are split between two camps: animal-focused attractions and amusement park rides.

Animals

The biggest difference between Knotts and SeaWorld is that SeaWorld has marine animals. With thousands of species of fish and other marine life in the park’s aquariums, any wildlife enthusiast is sure to have a blast.

Some of my favorite aquariums are the Shark Encounter, the Orca Encounter, and the Wild Arctic with walruses, beluga whales, and penguins.

Rides

SeaWorld has both classic theme park rides and water rides. The selection here is smaller than at Knott’s Berry Farm with more for younger children, but you’ll still have your pick of thrills on a coaster, swing ride, water slide, and more.

Manta Roller Coaster at Seaworld San Diego

More Things to Do: SeaWorld San Diego

Each park has a leg up in their respective areas of expertise. But while both parks have rides, Knotts lacks SeaWorld’s animal exhibits, giving it a bit less variety.

Bigger doesn’t always mean better, but knowing the relative sizes of these parks can help you make a more informed decision.

Fountain Outside Knotts Berry Farm

The Berry Farm’s Size

Knotts Berry Farm spans about 57 acres, though it’s densely packed with rides, so you may not notice its smaller size. I’d plan to spend between 5-7 hours, or more, at the park depending on crowds.

Getting Ready to Enjoy Seaworld San Diego

Exploring SeaWorld’s Property

SeaWorld is a larger park at 189 acres. The layout is more spacious to account for the size of the aquariums and show stages, so you may have to spend more time walking between attractions, but there’s also a bit more to do.

Dolphin Point at Seaworld San Diego

The Bigger Theme Park: SeaWorld San Diego

Just looking at the sizes, SeaWorld is the much bigger park, and offers more than enough activities to justify a full day there.

General admission tickets are a fine way to spend the day at either location, but some families may want to purchase tickets for additional experiences like backstage tours and animal encounters.

Here’s a look at what’s available.

Calico Saloon Show at Knotts Berry Farm

Experiences at Knott’s

Knott’s offers a VIP Tour with a private guide. You’ll get 6 hours at the park with priority access to rides and shows.

Shows

Live entertainment options at Knotts include music and comedy performances at Wagon Camp Theatre, plus shows for younger audiences at the Camp Snoopy Theatre.

Mariachi Band Playing on a Stage at Seaworld San Diego

SeaWorld’s Additional Experiences

SeaWorld’s Ultimate VIP Tour promises express access to shows, rides, and dining in the park, all with your own tour guide.

If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, adding an animal encounter to your ticket is another way to make your day memorable without breaking the bank.

Shows

Like Knotts Berry Farm, SeaWorld has its share of shows, but they spotlight their animal residents. Live performances include dolphins doing tricks, the exciting Orca Encounter, and the new Sea Lion Experience which is both fun and educational.

Beluga Whales Being Fed at SeaWorld San Diego

Comparing Add-Ons: SeaWorld San Diego

The VIP Tour at SeaWorld offers more customization options so you can fit the experience to your preferences and budget, making it our preferred pick.

Lucas Loves the Bratwurst on a Pretzel Bun at the Seven Seas Food Festival in Seaworld San Diego

When we write these comparison articles, it’s a fair bet that there are aspects of both attractions that we truly love.

Knott’s Berry Farm is a historic park our founder Todd first visited as a young boy. SeaWorld San Diego is a park not far from his home where he recently took his entire family to the Seven Seas Food Festival.

But while both parks are well worth a visit, we’re here to help you make the tough decision between the two!

Our big winner is SeaWorld San Diego, in large part due to its incredible aquariums. That said, if you prefer a ride-focused theme park with more thrills over marine animals, Knott’s Berry Farm might be the pick for you instead! Both parks are excellent and it’s mostly up to preference.