Knott's Scary Farm - Buena Park

It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that someone who writes a blog like OC Oddities might watch a pretty good amount of Travel Channel. Thus, I expect no gasps of disbelief when I reveal to you that this post was inspired by some couch time in front of everyone's favorite shameless plug channel on the Discovery Network.

Recently a show aired detailing the scariest Halloween attractions in the United States. You can hold your heads a little higher, my dear OC friends, because your county is home to one of the Travel Channel's top picks: Knott's Scary Farm.

For about $50, you can have the pants scared right off of you by over 1,000 actors in stage makeup and masks who love nothing more than to see you jump into the arms of an unsuspecting passerby from fright. You can also enjoy one of the delightful mazes with such names as Cornstalkers, the Slaughterhouse, Club Blood, Killer Clown Kollege, Axe Murder Manor, and Alien Annihilation! Described as a "160 acre horror movie" by the amusement park's MySpace, Knott's Scary Farm is guaranteed to have you in tears of either laughter or terror. Care to see which?

Links:
Knott's Scary Farm website
The Travel Channel segment
KSF on MySpace - proof that absolutely EVERYONE is on MySpace

Directions from VU:

1.	Head east on Fair Dr toward Newport Blvd		0.3 mi
2.	Continue on Del Mar Ave		371 ft
3.	Turn left at Newport Blvd (signs for CA-55 N)		167 ft
4.	Take the ramp on the left onto CA-55 N		5.6 mi
5.	Slight left at I-5 N		9.3 mi
6.	Continue straight to stay on I-5 N		1.7 mi
7.	Take the La Palma Ave/Brookhurst St exit		0.4 mi
8.	Turn right at N Brookhurst St (signs for La Palma Ave/Brookhurst St N)		0.2 mi
9.	Turn left at W La Palma Ave		2.2 mi
10.	Turn left at Beach Blvd/CA-39 Destination will be on the right		262 ft

8039 Beach Blvd Buena Park, CA 90620

The Dreger Clock - Buena Park

If you've ever wondered, "Gee, why hasn't anyone created a clock that can tell me the time, date, phase of the moon, and solar time in major cities worldwide," I've got some fantastic news for you: Someone did!

That's right. In the 1930's Andrew Dreger built such a clock and installed it on East Anaheim Street in Long Beach. The four-sided clock stood approximately fifteen feet tall, with each of its faces measuring three feet in width. Dreger would mount a ladder every day to polish the clock, which ran on a small electric motor and used a system of 19 synchronized dials to operate. After his passing in 1952, his daughter attempted to donate the clock to the city, but was shocked to learn that no one was interested. When the property on which the clock stood was later sold, the clock disappeared. Its new home? Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park.

The quirky timepiece stood in the park until 2007 when, after yet another mysterious disappearance, it was spotted on eBay. The Buena Park Historical Society purchased the clock, and now hopes to be able to proudly display it once more. Dreger's descendants have started a website in order to raise money to get this OC oddity put back in the public eye.

According to Dreger Clock Restoration Project task-force leader Glenn Frank, "The Dreger Clock is currently undergoing renovation at a clock shop in Fullerton and we hope to have the clock completed and put back on public display in spring or summer of next year."

Links:
The Dreger Clock Website
Article in the OC Register

Angelo's & Vinci's Ristorante - Fullerton

It's like Buca Di Beppo on steroids... and if you were already under the impression that Buca was on steroids, be prepared to meet the Jose Canseco of Italian joints. Angelo's & Vinci's in downtown Fullerton is wall-to-wall with crazy photos and artwork, acrobatic mannequins, and even a giant altar honoring, well, SOMEONE's dead family. I'm not entirely sure whose. Opened as a restaurant 36 years ago, the building once served as a marketplace for local farmers. In its current form, it bares closer resemblance to a circus than to a market. Without a doubt, the strangest part of the establishment is the Monster Wine Cellar. The dungeon-like room is several degrees colder than the rest of the building and houses a few broken arcade games, various caged nightmare creatures, and an assortment of mannequin body parts strewn about the ceiling, among other charms and delights.
Unusual atmosphere aside, there ain't nothing strange about the food. If you're like me and have a penchant for the splendor that is Italian cuisine, Angelo's & Vinci's will not disappoint. Reasonably priced and complete with all the Italian favorites, the eccentric ristorante is a gustatory treat appropriate for any occasion.... Valentine's Day for example! That said, have a wonderful Hallmark holiday, everyone! May you all be blessed with enough candy to keep you satisfied till Easter.

Links:
Dinner Menu

Getting there from VU:

	1:	Start out going EAST on FAIR DR toward NEWPORT BLVD.	0.2 miles	Map
	2:	Turn LEFT onto NEWPORT BLVD.	<0.1>	Map
	3:	Merge onto CA-55 N via the ramp on the LEFT.	6.2 miles	Map
	4:	Merge onto I-5 N via EXIT 10B toward LOS ANGELES.	4.1 miles	Map
	5:	Merge onto CA-57 N via EXIT 107A toward POMONA.	4.8 miles	Map
	6:	Merge onto CA-91 W toward LOS ANGELES.	2.7 miles	Map
	7:	Take the LEMON ST exit- EXIT 28- toward ANAHEIM BLVD / HARBOR BLVD.	0.2 miles	Map
	8:	Turn RIGHT onto S LEMON ST / N LEMON ST.	0.3 miles	Map
	9:	Turn LEFT onto E ORANGETHORPE AVE.	0.2 miles	Map
	10:	Turn RIGHT onto S HARBOR BLVD.	1.0 miles	Map
	11:	End at 550 N Harbor Blvd Fullerton, CA 92832-1516, US		Map
Total Est. Time: 24 minutes Total Est. Distance: 20.18 miles