Outside Knott's Berry Farm

As much as we enjoyed our time in the park, we found the California Marketplace to be delightful. No admission is necessary there.

Of course, they get your money in other ways.

Coming from the hotel, the first thing we hit was a general souvenir store with an old-fashioned feel. Think the Emporium on Main Street in Disneyland. In fact, it is called Marketplace Emporium.

It connects to a candy store and bakery, and the bakery is what I want to recommend the most.

The prices were surprisingly affordable. They did a good job of highlighting boysenberries while still having other options. Those boysenberry tarts were only $4 and delicious.

Across the street was Peanuts Headquarters, for all of your Snoopy-themed merchandise, and displays.

Even the building got into the spirit of things.

While over there, we were surprised to notice some chickens walking along the road, including one magnificent rooster.

We watched in amazement, and worry that they might try crossing the road, but noticed other drivers stopping to look at them too.

We asked our waiter, who told us that there were more chickens on the other side of the underpass, but this trio liked to come over. When the street was closed they walked back and forth freely, but apparently they are in fact very aware of the cars.

I think the flock may have been originally been kept at ride designer Bud Hurlbut's office, but there is not a lot of information. (Humans can use the underpass to access additional parking, Knott's Soak City Waterpark, and the free Independence Hall replica.)

Perhaps they feel some affinity with this guy, but they are in an area where lots of chicken gets eaten.

If you want to eat at Mrs. Knott's, it fills up quickly. We were lucky to get in early (though that was kind of an accident in that the shopping caused a delay where waiting a little longer to enter the park seemed to make sense).

Chicken-To-Go only offers the fried chicken with sides and desserts, but the full menu offering in the restaurant is worth checking out, including these chicken and dumplings.

To-Go sides include the biscuits and boysenberry jam, but we also had the option of whipped boysenberry butter, so I think we made the right call.

Trips will often include travel days, where it may not be worth purchasing a ticket due to the limited time you can spend inside the park. You may find that you can happily spend that day outside the park.