Top 10 California Train Trips Best Places to Ride Trains Top 10 California Train Trips 12/21/2022 by DayTrippen Napa Valley Wine Train Napa Valley Wine Train has been in operation since 1989. This section of the track is wide open, and the engineer operates the train at top speed. The Southern California coast unfolds before your eyes from your seat aboard The Pacific Surfliner. From here, many riders choose to continue the ride (and the views) further south on the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. Amtrak's private sleeping rooms include in-room features, services, and amenities to ensure a smooth and relaxing journey. Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad. You never know what youll find in a small-town thrift shop. 35 hours Daily Departure A grand west coast train adventure, en route daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, the Coast Starlight train passes through Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland. Both of these destinations offer easy access to numerous nearby attractions along with connections to a trolley or underground train systems. There are homeless people in and around the LA station. The $101 super saver option is for a one-way, single ticket. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data. Far north from the crowded beaches of LA, Grover Beach along the Central Coast makes for an excellent day trip. San Diegos historic Santa Fee train Station is the end of the Pacific Surfliner route. It runs from the ballpark in San Francisco south through San Jose, Silicon Valley, and ends in Gilroy. Known for its incredible coastal and scenic views, Amtraks Pacific Surfliner travels over 350 miles along the coastal region of Southern California and makes for an incredible vacation highlight. Make a trip of it with a stay at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento, with curated political art throughout and architecture from George Selland, the first state architect of California. Due to the size of the state - its Americas third-largest behind Alaska and Texas. The park is open daily in summer and Saturdays and Sundays the rest of the year. If youre interested in a gold mine trail, you can enjoy the additional treats such as a chance to try your hand at panning for gold. These five Pacific Surfliner trips feature sightseeing, exploration, and sun. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offering a choice of rides - from Hampton to El Dorado, or perhaps to Latrobe if youd prefer, the Placerville Sacramento Valley Railroad takes you through the heart of Gold country at a leisurely pace. The Skunk Train offers two journeys year-round: the Wolf Tree Turn and and Pudding Creek Express. In addition to the amazing sights youll see onboard the Pacific Surfliner, this trip also includes a fully guided tour of scenic Yosemite National Park. The delights of Sacramento can be forgotten when you list the things to see and do in California, but this scenic train ride is an excellent way to remember them. Goleta beaches are typically less crowded than Santa Barbaras, and Goleta Beach Park is the ideal destination for a quiet family day trip or a romantic weekend getaway. Along the West Coast of the United States, 1,377 miles of railroad tracks run from Seattle to Los Angeles - a route often named as one of the most beautiful train journeys in America. The train cars are made up of restored vintage Pullman cars from the early 20th century and the decor is an homage to the glory days of luxury train travel with all its mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched glass partitions, and intimate seating. Plus, you can take some home by the case if you find a favorite. The narrow-gauge trains are an opportunity to travel through time in the most relaxing way imaginable. Disembarking from Seattle, Washington and running all the way to Los Angeles, California, Amtrak's Coast Starlight line shows travelers the most beautiful views of the Pacific coast. Cruise by sparkling beaches and rolling hills as you . Get a good nights sleep onboard the train! One day is just not enough for most travelers. Explore the spectacular Canadian Rockies by rail with these chart-topping vacations. Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of our guests. Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. While riding Amtrak's Coast Starlight train from Los Angeles to Seattle is spectacular following the coast for nearly 350 miles, traveling through mountains and rolling hills, including Mount Shasta, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Rainier it can be an even greater adventure if you plan to stop at some of the amazing destinations a picturesque harbor, and the longest wooden pier on the California coast. The railway runs excursions on Sundays year-round, usually every week during the summer and less frequently during the winter. Classic and well known routes across America. My recommendation would be to go north to San Luis Obispo. View Destination Quebec City, QC View the latest deals, grab early booking discounts, and check out our everyday special offers. Would like to take the train south and back for the day mostly just to experience the ride. Your included sightseeing tour visits many of the famous spots, like: Plus, there are great hotels to choose from for your stay, like the Wyndham San Diego Bayside, which features an outdoor heated pool and is right next to Waterfront Park and the USS Midway Museum. Train Rides and Railroad Adventures for Kids in the Bay Area and Northern California March 21, 2023 It's hard to resist the romantic notion of riding the rails in a train car pulled by an old-fashioned steam locomotive. 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA. San Luis Obispo is nestled among the hills, just south of Paso Robles, Atascadero, and north of Pismo Beach; the city is halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The train station is located at 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, CA. The Amtrak Coast Starlight runs daily and covers a distance of 1377 miles over 35 hours. The extensive Thruway Bus network can even take passengers as far as Las Vegas or Napa, and the train connects directly to BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) at the Richmond Station. Instead, hop aboard the private Napa Valley Wine train, a 36-mile winetasting loop with wine and artisanal food cooked to order on board. Explore San Diego - Downtown. Niles Canyon Railroad operates along a portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad constructed in the 1860s. Take the famous Coast Starlight all the way through California (with the possibility of continuing to Oregon and Washington). Login in for helpful resources, free trainings, and promotional items. Kids and adults will enjoy a trip to this fun little railroadSoCal Live Steamers 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Coach passengers will still enjoy roomy, comfortable seats with much more legroom than a plane or car, and Business Class guests receive an onboard credit for food or drinks and a fully refundable ticket. Here are six ideas for your Santa Cruz road trip itinerary, each one giving a glimpse of local life in the coastal destination. The seven-mile round-trip Pudding Express departs from the Fort Bragg depot and runs along the estuary of the same name, where blue herons, ospreys, egrets, and more wildlife all make their homes. https://www.instagram.com/AmtrakVacations, https://www.pinterest.com/amtrakvacations/. Map Modified Service and Other Adjustments See a rail vacation package you like, but it would be even better with an extra day at the beginning or end of the journey? Along the way, you'll enjoy views of the coastline and Pacific Ocean before arriving in the scenic oceanside town of Santa Barbara. The whole trip takes about 35 hours start to finish and the train departs daily, with different accommodations to fit different travel styles and budgets. Exciting escapes to a breath-taking national park or spectacular city destination. Then board the Pacific Surfliner and head to San Diego to spend your final day of your California vacation exploring on your harbor cruise. We have you covered - if the train goes there, so do we. The train ride takes about 15-minutes and runs along the Southside of Charles H. Wilson Park in Torrance, California. Train ridership in California is up 13% over the past five years, and an estimated 95% of the population lives within 30 miles of an Amtrak station, making train travel within The Golden State an easy, convenient, and pleasant option for driving and flying. Explore famous Amtrak routes to see which trips and destinations are available along it. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Explore helpful videos and webinars with virtual tours of our rail journeys. Amtrak Vacations is a proud part of the Railbookers Group family of brands. San Luis Obispo is the Northern Most stop of the Amtrak Pacific Surfline. They are sure to bring you relaxation, joy, and memories to last a lifetime. On special occasions, a 1950 Fairmont Speeder can be seen rolling along the track. more adult-oriented evenings. If you want to see the best of the west coast, take a train. It would be best to contact Amtrak for exact cost and departure dates. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safely moving people between large cities and rural towns are key to sustaining our business for decades to come. Take a California train ride on an operating trolley every Saturday and Sunday at the museum. The new Tasting on the Rails trip launches in May, with tickets starting at $395. May 20, 2023 - September 24, 2023. This carefully curated list has the top suggestions of vacations for first-time rail travelers. Visitors can enjoy a day at the beach and avoid summer traffic and parking problems. Chula Vista Live Steamers This out-and-back path will take you about two hours, and it shows off some unique regional geography. I want to take advantage of discount tickets. The San Diego Getaway Roundtrip from Los Angeles is a great choice for a relaxing coastal vacation. Duration: 35 hours. Grover Beach is the nearest station to Pismo Beach. Our signature excursion along the scenic Tillamook Bay and the Oregon Coast offers a relaxed ride and a step back in time behind an authentic steam locomotive! For a limited time only, save $350 per couple on our 'West Coast to East Coast Rail Experience from Los Angeles' vacation inclusive of 10 nights or more. Explore the spectacular Canadian Rockies by rail with these chart-topping vacations. Our Rail Vacation Consultants or a local Travel Advisor will assist you in making any adjustments to fit your travel style. The 35-hour route covers 350 miles through Washington, Oregon and California countryside, making about 30 stops, including Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland, Oregon. Metrolink has a $10 Weekend Day Pass that is good for unlimited system wide travel either Saturday or Sunday (perfect for that Disneyland vacation) and a five day flex pass that gives riders 10 percent off. Gain instant access to our online brochures and download them for free. The Pacific Surfliner route runs along California's central and southern coastline, transporting passengers from San Diego north to Santa Barbara and terminating at San Luis Obispo. Attractions are plentiful in this wonderful coastal town. Once in California, the line travels through Sacramento, San Francisco, and down the coast to Los Angelesand features both right and left side views of impressive mountain ranges, inland valleys and vineyards, and spectacular shorelines. © 2023 Amtrak Vacations. There are six daily trains from Los Angeles Union Station north to Santa Barbara. Coast Starlight trains run from Guadalupe to Washington State. The Coast Starlight is easily one of the most beautiful train rides in North America. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner route hugs the majestic California coastline to top destinations in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. For a limited time only, save $150 per couple on any of our Grand Canyon National Park vacations inclusive of 4 nights or more. A local, family-run train line, the journey takes you on a 14-mile (22.5km) jaunt from West Sacramento to Woodland. 3. See two oceans, cross the Rockies, and all the land in-between with one of these North American adventures. The Sacramento River Fox Train runs from West Sacramento 10 miles to the outskirts of Woodland and back. Perhaps the best part? For the last eight years, she has been a lifestyle journalist for. Don't leave your car behind when you travel - bring your car with you while on the Amtrak Auto Train. Explore helpful videos and webinars with virtual tours of our rail journeys. Book a ticket online and travel by train along the Southern California coast to destinations like San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safely moving people between large cities and rural towns are key to sustaining our business for decades to come. Theres also an onboard cafe with fresh food, snacks, and drinks. Learn about your dining choices, onboard dining reservations, and the different types of dining cars. If you ever got to stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve as a child, chances are you sipped Martinellis apple cider to celebrate. Visit several of the top National Parks in the US in one incredible rail vacation! Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast. Explore helpful videos and webinars with virtual tours of our rail journeys. The Coast Starlight departs both Los Angeles and Seattle once daily, stopping in 28 cities in between. There are seven daily round trips featured on this train, five between the cities of Oakland and Bakersfield, and two between Sacramento and Bakersfield. Read on to learn more about these iconic routes and discover the perfect train vacation along the California Coast! Upper Klamath Lake has a canoe trail, or head to Moore Park and the Link River Trail for waterfront hiking and bird-watching. Some restrictions may apply. One way adults tickets from Los Angeles to San Diego about $35 and from Los Angeles to San Barbara about $30. Travel the entire route, and the Coast Starlight will be a starting cost of about $100 to $150, or closer to $200 for a business-class seat. If you wish to travel further north from here, you can continue on the Coast Starlight train. Our Rail Vacation Consultants or a local Travel Advisor will assist you in making any adjustments to fit your travel style. The ride is a lot more scenic, and downtown SLO is within walking distance. Visiting Old Town San Diego is like taking a step back in history. Learn more from our most commonly asked questions from travelers. Create the perfect train vacation designed exclusively for you, by you! Metro rail lines connect with the rest of the city, Including Universal Studios Hollywood. Start from any of the 500+ Amtrak Stations across the United States. If the thought of traveling by train didnt give you enough of a European feel, try throwing in the Mediterranean-esque views of the Napa Valley along with it. From the Merced River and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the tall redwoods and rushing waterfalls, Yosemite is truly a sight to behold. There used to be a company that hooked on a Parlor car to Amtrak trains. Your Amtrak Vacation journey can start from any of the over 500 Amtrak stations across North America. Win, win, win. Many stations are within walking distance of key attractions; various transit providers also offer free bus connections to Pacific Surfliner passengers. The end of the line to the north is San Luis Obispo, known for outdoor activities, farm-to-table dining, and world-class wineries. Families, school groups, and day-trippers all enjoy the convenience of traveling by train to see the mission. It has a huge variety of sights to see, from seashores to mountain valleys and from big cities to the open countryside. It also hosts live bands most weekends. Its countryside is more epic and awe-inspiring - and on some of the longer rides, youll have the chance to see it in all of its glory, from verdant forests to arid landscapes. Any suggestions? The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is a surfer's dream train journey, taking passengers and their surfboards along the California coast. 15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit on the West Coast From Charming Small Towns to National Parks, 25 Best Mother-daughter Trips Around the World, These Steam Trains Bring You From the Towering California Redwoods to the Pacific Ocean, How to Have a Luxurious Day Trip in Santa Barbara for Under $100 Beautiful Beaches, Charming Towns, and Wine Tasting Included, These 10 Hidden Gems Are California's Best-kept Secrets, The 10 Destinations That Make a Road Trip Romantic in the US, This Small California Town Is One of the Most Beautiful Coastal Destinations in the State, 23 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California. Stretch out and relax with your very own bedroom during your Amtrak train trip! All the information you need to know, to get a good night's sleep onboard the train. Follow the coast to Grover Beach. Visit Santa Cruz County/Walter Scriptunas. With unprecedented ocean views and stops in beautiful oceanside cities like San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco, Amtraks routes winding along the California coast are some of the most scenic and popular in the country. Los Angeles to San Diego travel time is a little under three hours. If the idea of the hunt appeals to you, try your hand at thrifting in the Santa Cruz area. The Fort Bragg Redwood Company originally built the fort Bragg Skunk Train as the Fort Bragg Railroad in 1885. All rights reserved. Passenger trains depart hourly South to San Diego and North to Santa Barbara and points beyond. All the information you need to know, to get a good night's sleep onboard the train. Sunny Santa Barbara awaits you on this roundtrip getaway. The Amtrak. Theres nothing quite like a scenic train ride, and California has no shortage of wonderful reminders of this. Between April and September, trips from the historic attraction of Railtown 1897 will offer you the chance to step back more than a century and see the way the railroads used to work. With 135 destinations to choose from, 365 miles of track, 18 stations, and over a million riders every year, the Amtrak San Joaquins offers a connection to the Central Valley and popular spots like Yosemite National Park. Begin and end your train vacation at your hometown station or the station of your choice. The park itself is pretty, fringed around with trees and filled with greenery, but there is certainly something about the boxcars youll spend time on in these hour-long rides - a pleasing gentility that makes for a relaxing ride. The best scenery is the segment between Emeryville, California (near San Francisco) and Denver, Colorado. There is a broad selection of themed rides, with some including picnics and others offering an onboard beer tasting - there is no better way to see California! Sign up today to save up to $350 on your next vacation! Login in for helpful resources, free trainings, and promotional items. Some of the most exciting events only come around once a year. The rest of the year, the Poway-Midland Railroad uses a Los Angeles Yellow Trolley Car for trips around the park. So, what are you waiting for? Staying in Santa Barbara. The Surfliner drops off passengers at the San Clemente Pier and only steps to the sand. Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano is within easy walking distance of the Amtrak station. Visitors can ride on a vintage 1907 Baldwin Steam Locomotive during the summer and holiday weekends. If youre looking to take the scenic route then this selection offers some of the very best views in North America. North from Los Angeles, the Surfliner hugs the coast from Oxnard past Vanderberg Air Force Base. The Amazing Sights You'll See on California's Best Coastal Train Route, Six Ways to Enjoy Americas National Parks by Train, 7 Train Getaways to Take with Your Tax Refund, https://www.instagram.com/AmtrakVacations, https://www.pinterest.com/amtrakvacations/, Pacific Northwest and Roundtrip from Los Angeles. Seats for both Caltrain and Metrolink commuter trains arent assigned, and are much smaller than the long-distance train, similar to city-wide public transportation or subways. Often called the birthplace of California, Old Town is the first Spanish settlement in the region and near the site of the first of Californias 21 missions. Whether its a full sit-down meal or more informal food service, many trains have one or more options for onboard dining. Now, it offers dreamy rides through the majestic redwoods with a heavy dose of nostalgia; the views have remained largely unchanged since its original days. Explore the spectacular Canadian Rockies by rail with these chart-topping vacations. A bit south lies Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, full of gorgeous redwoods and pines, as well as creeks snaking through the trees. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. For a limited time only, save $350 per couple on our 'West Coast to East Coast Rail Experience from Los Angeles' vacation inclusive of 10 nights or more. Take in some incredible history by visiting the Old Mission, a National Historic Landmark founded by Padre Fermin Lasuen in December of 1786. Learn about your dining choices, onboard dining reservations, and the different types of dining cars. The train boards in West Sacramento. Business Class tickets offer guaranteed seating and a few other perks like more legroom and complimentary snacks, but advance reservations are required. Distance: 564 Kilometers or 351 Miles. This carefully curated list has the top suggestions of vacations for first-time rail travelers. Looking for the perfect Pacific Surfliner trip? Discover our newest vacations created just for you. California Train Routes Amtrak trains and connecting buses reach more than 150 destinations in the Golden State, including top cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Sacramento; national parks; wineries; deserts and beaches. The Redwood Forest Steam Train takes passengers on a scenic ride through the towering redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, while the Santa Cruz Beach Train travels along the coast to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. One unique train station along the Surfliner route is San Clemente. The delights of Sacramento can be forgotten when you list the things to see and do in California, but this scenic train ride is an excellent way to remember them. flickr/Photos By Clark The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum has a vintage dining car on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. Your Amtrak Vacation journey can start from any of the over 500 Amtrak stations across North America. If you are set on going south downtown Los Angele (Union Station). The journey includes a ride along one of California's most beautiful stretches of . Union Station is a hub of activity with Metro and Amtrak trains arriving hourly. Excursions take you through the Sacramento Valley to see the historic railroad that still works, while on your return to the depot, you can check out the exhibits, such as an event commemorating 150 years of the Transcontinental Railroad. The wine train can carry nearly 400 passengers through Napa Valley and usually makes two daily trips. But if you are, Hollywood's reputation as an iconic place to rub, Located in the northern part of Los Angeles County, the Santa Clarita Valley is home to Six Flags Magic Mountain and the epicenter of Hollywoods film. The park also features a few historic train cars that guests can tour. Head to Wilder Ranch State Park first, where the popular Old Cove Landing Trail delivers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean along an easygoing, 2.5-mile loop. Experience the adventure of traveling overnight with these unforgettable rail experiences. Add extra nights in a favorite destination. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The Pacific Surfliner takes travelers 351 miles along the California coast, but other trains explore different parts of the state. The train passes over the Trestles Bridge and follows the beach past upper, middle, and lower trestles surf breaks. Stretch out and relax with your very own bedroom during your Amtrak train trip! If offers a wide array of accommodations as well, ranging from luxury RV rentals to eco hotels. You really couldnt wish for a more scenic train ride than this one - the route, which traverses Mendocino County, could have been hand-designed for its picturesque touches. However, there are many sections where the train travels adjacent to the Pacific. Starting at the Roaring Camp depot in Felton, California, the line runs steep winding grades through the redwood forest to the top of nearby Bear Mountain. For a limited time only, save $350 per couple on our 'West Coast to East Coast Rail Experience from Los Angeles' vacation inclusive of 10 nights or more. Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angelesbased writer and editor focusing on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, health, and events. Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Head from San Diego through Anaheim (a useful port of call for Disneyland), then up through L.A.s historic and lively downtown environment.
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