Family Trip - Knotts Berry Farm and Strawberry Festival
This is was a trip I took with my parents and younger brother earlier this year to my mom's home town of Garden Grove, California. We were on a berry adventure, starting with Knotts Berry Farm, then the Strawberry Festival, and finally the Strawberry Festival Parade with a small detour to the beach since its a requirement if you go to California to visit the beach while you are there.
We started out with Knott's Berry Farm. I have been wanting to visit this place for a while because I hardly remember it from when I went as a kid.
It was a great day to be there, and we even had the pleasure of getting to hang out with my cousin Timothy the whole day!
The next day we made a slight detour on the way to the beach. We stopped at my mom's alma mater - Garden Grove High School where she and dad met some very nice students who helped her find the bookstore and some souvenirs from the school. Daniel and I weren't so keen on wandering around the school bookstore, so we explored the park across the street and had a blast watching the animals. There were ducks, geese, turtles, bunnies, and some people feeding the ducks right next tot he sign saying not to! Here is a video of a crazy bully duck who kept quacking at the other ducks to keep them away from the food.
After this we headed out to the Corona del Mar Beach. This was really cool as it had a lot of rocks along the shore, and was very scenic! Would love to come back here again when it was slightly warmer so we could swim!
I especially loved this rock as the water would lap up and around it completely and left behind enough water to reflect the image of the rock. Dad and Daniel were brave enough to time the waves and walk on the other side of the rock! They did get a tad wet, but the tide had moved in too much for mom and I to try it on our way back.
Afterwards We found this great little place for lunch and we loved it! If you are in the area I highly recommend it.
great place to eatawesome burgers!
That evening we explored the Strawberry Festival, and enjoyed some awesome strawberry shortcake, strawberry cake, strawberries.. umm need I say more?
The next morning was the Strawberry Parade, where mom got to cheer on her high school! Dad found some not-quite jeeps.. but I don't recall what they were called.
And there were a couple very interesting schools. One was in some cultural costumes with masks, almost felt like a New Orleans style with a single trumpet and 2 other brass playing accompaniment. Another was a school called McGarvin with beautiful uniforms and violins in their marching band! Here is a video, it was really a cool combination.
We also had the chance to experience Farrell's for my mom's birthday party. My Uncle Norm, Aunt Sharon, and all 4 of their sons were able to join us! It was so much fun, and the food was good and the ice cream was amazing!!
dinner with norm and sharon and the boys
On the way home we stopped by the Salton Sea (more on that place here) and the Sand Dunes.
All in all it was a great trip and we had a wonderful time! All photos can be seen here:
