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. Duration: 35 hours. Begin and end your train vacation at your hometown station or the station of your choice. It serves dozens of stations, but unfortunately doesnt connect riders to the heart of San Francisco (youll need more local public transportation for that). Tour Southern California aboard Amtrak trains, including the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner, to visit cities like San Diego and Los Angeles and taste the Paso Robles wine region's varietals. Learn more from our most commonly asked questions from travelers. Some restrictions may apply. 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. All rights reserved. Your California Coast journey begins in San Francisco with a day full of sightseeing on board a double-decker bus. Tour options range from 2-3 hour journeys complete with a four-course meal to full or half-day trips that last for 3 to 6 hours and include wine tastings at some of Napa Valleys most famous wineries. After increasing service last fall, the route now offers 11 round-trip services each day, and five between Santa Barbara and San Diego. You never know what youll find in a small-town thrift shop. Unlike the Starlight, the Pacific Surfliner doesnt include any sleeper trains, making it more of a day trip type of train. A one-hour train ride through the environs of Yosemite National Park will be a thrill for any tourist, with the majestic scenery of the Sierra Mountains as your backdrop. Many stations are within walking distance of key attractions; various transit providers also offer free bus connections to Pacific Surfliner passengers. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Explore the stunning natural landscapes of the United States' national parks in a unique and Now that the tax deadline is finally here, chances are you're thinking about how to spend your Spring is a great time to travel and right now is the perfect time to start planning that spring See our customers' most favorite rail vacations. © 2023 Amtrak Vacations. Choose from Roomettes with two seats that fold up into bunk-style cots at night and a private restroom with shower; a Bedroom with twice the space; an even bigger Bedroom Suite; and a Family Bedroom with room for two adults and two children. This Pacific Coast Train Ride Needs to Be on Your Bucket List - Best Get a good nights sleep onboard the train! This 20 minute train ride stops at Lakeview, a miniature town and petting zoo play area where kids can hop out and explore. One day is just not enough for most travelers. Coastal Trains of California - Vacations By Rail The Wine Train isnt so much about the destination as it is about the journey, since the track is a fairly short 36-mile loop starting and ending in the small town of St. Helena. And like its sister Skunk Train in Mendocino County, this track also offers the whimsical railbike experience. Have a burger at Davenport Roadhouse, which gives off perfect saloon vibes with its dark interior. Redwood Grove Loop and River Trail are recommended for kids due to their length and proximity to water, especially if its a warm day to splash and play. The park also features a few historic train cars that guests can tour. Just a short walk from the San Diego train station is the USS Midway Museum, restaurants, and the ferry to Coronado Island. Up for a long haul on Amtrak? Amtrak Vacations is a proud part of the Railbookers Group family of brands. 3. The famous brand has been producing beloved beverages for more than 150 years, and is headquartered in the Santa Cruz County city of Watsonville. Known for its incredible coastal and scenic views, Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner travels over 350 miles along the coastal region of Southern California and makes for an incredible vacation highlight. 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. Build the right vacation to fit your budget. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safely moving people between large cities and rural towns are key to sustaining our business for decades to come. Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of our guests. Login in for helpful resources, free trainings, and promotional items. From here, many riders choose to continue the ride (and the views) further south on the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. Trains can move a larger number of people at once than cars can, which means they produce less CO2, lower pollution levels, and healthier air quality. All rights reserved. A local, family-run train line, the journey takes you on a 14-mile (22.5km) jaunt from West Sacramento to Woodland. Ride the rails of California from San Francisco to San Diego. Open since 1907, this seaside amusement park was the bees knees for NorCal kids growing up in the 1990s, and the fun continues today. If you're cruising the westernmost edge of the Golden State, you'll find Santa Cruz County right in the middle a low-key swath that may surprise you with its redwood-lined trails, historic boardwalk, and shorelines adorned with seabirds and formidable rock formations. I believe the Starliner is my interest. The Surfliner travels through Santa Ana, Irvine, and San Juan Capistrano from the Fullerton train station. Nowadays, its a more pleasant experience! Is such a thing feasible ? Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Oceanside Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train station is three blocks from the beach and the towns huge wooden pier. AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media. Route: Ride north from Los Angeles through Portland to Seattle. Stretch out and relax with your very own bedroom during your Amtrak train trip! How to explore Southern California by train - Lonely Planet It's also worth noting that during the long trip, the super saver option does not include a sleeping arrangement. San Clementes Train Station is adjacent to Pier, only steps to beach and nearby hotels. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train train tickets buy online at Amtrak Californias website, train stations, or onboard trains. Enjoy scenic vistas from the train en route to Americas greatest national treasures. Build the right vacation to fit your budget. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano is within easy walking distance of the Amtrak station. Its about as California as it gets. For a limited time only, save $150 per couple on any of our Grand Canyon National Park vacations inclusive of 4 nights or more. 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. At the time of writing this article, Travel + Leisure found the super saver price as early as April, and the availability was sparse, sometimes with only one ticket available on certain days. Don't leave your car behind when you travel - bring your car with you while on the Amtrak Auto Train. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Learn More Meals and Dining Bring some saltwater taffy to the beach, too some of the best can be bought at Marinis Candies, found right on the boardwalk. The Amazing Sights You'll See on California's Best Coastal Train Route It also hosts live bands most weekends. Her favourite domestic destinations include Snowdonia and the Brecon (Do a quick search on the following sites). May 20, 2023 - September 24, 2023. Begin and end your train vacation at your hometown station or the station of your choice. Classic and well known routes across America. The morning arrival means you can start enjoying the nearby lakes, rivers and waterfalls early in the day. Los Angeles to San Diego travel time is a little under three hours. We are pleased to provide additional services to customers with disabilities. Grover Beach is the nearest station to Pismo Beach. You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Combine the best of land and sea with these vacations exploring the breath-taking beauty of Alaska. Fill out our helpful form and we'll be in touch shortly. Sleek double-decker trains whisk you along the coast at speeds up to 90 miles an hour. Heading into Sacramento, the train crosses the American River, passes through Old Town, then crosses the Sacramento River as it heads south through the scenic towns and agriculture of San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, and the breathtaking cliffside ocean scenery from San Luis Obispo to Ventura. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner serves stations on the southern side of the state. 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. That was the genesis of what is now commonly known as the Skunk Train (for the pungent fumes it once emitted). If you wish to travel further north from here, you can continue on the Coast Starlight train. The railway runs excursions on Sundays year-round, usually every week during the summer and less frequently during the winter. Railbikes start at $109, which covers two riders midweek. Would like to take the train south and back for the day mostly just to experience the ride. List of points of interest, destinations, and popular day trips by train along Californias Pacific Surfliner train route. La Purisima Mission in Lompoc, California, is one of the state's most complete missions, with popular activities for school field trips and visitors. You can still do it. Train Rides and Railroad Adventures for Kids in the Bay Area and For the last eight years, she has been a lifestyle journalist for. Most scenic Amtrak routes on the West Coast Exciting escapes to a breath-taking national park or spectacular city destination. Discover our three easy ways to book your perfect train vacation. What the Experts Think, Have a Trip to Paris Planned? Old Town San Diego State Historical Park is a short walk from the train station. Your options are unlimited, we have thousands of stations from Florida to California and everywhere in between. https://www.instagram.com/AmtrakVacations, https://www.pinterest.com/amtrakvacations/. Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad 56001 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA 93623. The slow ride takes passengers through stunning redwood forest, and the steam whistle is plug-your-ears loud. Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. There used to be a company that hooked on a Parlor car to Amtrak trains. There is free Wi-Fi available onboard as well as a cafe car for food and drink purchases. The wine train can carry nearly 400 passengers through Napa Valley and usually makes two daily trips. San Diegos historic Santa Fee train Station is the end of the Pacific Surfliner route. © 2023 Amtrak Vacations. If the idea of the hunt appeals to you, try your hand at thrifting in the Santa Cruz area. San Luis Obispo is the closest train station to Hearst Castle. Gain instant access to our online brochures and download them for free. The company recently installed brand new ticket machines located at each station, but tickets can also be purchased through a mobile app. Skunk Train. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner travels along the California coast from San Luis Obispo and ends in San Diego. Keep in mind that this route has a lot of stops, and can get pretty crowded. 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. Don't leave your car behind when you travel - bring your car with you while on the Amtrak Auto Train. Your options are unlimited, we have thousands of stations from Florida to California and everywhere in between. 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The start and endpoints of the trip are San Luis Obispo and San Diego. Please let me know about how many days a train trip along the west coast would take and cost. Take a California train ride on an operating trolley every Saturday and Sunday at the museum. This train is a little off the beaten path, but worth the effort it takes to get there. However, there are many sections where the train travels adjacent to the Pacific. Due to the size of the state - its Americas third-largest behind Alaska and Texas. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This California National Park With Towering Redwoods Also Has Some of the Most Beautiful Wildflowers in the U.S. How I Found Solitude and Freedom on a Weeklong Solo Road Trip Along California's Famed Highway 1, 50 Best Romantic Getaways for a Couples Trip, Nevada's 370-mile Death Drive Is One of the Best Road Trips in the State. Families, school groups, and day-trippers all enjoy the convenience of traveling by train to see the mission. In case youre wondering, the name Skunk Train comes from the gasoline-powered engines that once kept vehicles moving - which were not sweet-smelling, as you would imagine. Travel time on the Coast Starlight from LA to Seatle is 36 hours. Fullerton offers a family-friendly environment. If the train goes there so do we! A local, family-run train line, the journey takes you on a 14-mile (22.5km) jaunt from West Sacramento to Woodland. A short ride in the scenic grounds of the museum takes you through the lush countryside of Northern California aboard a traditional caboose; an actual driver will take over for the full ride, but the chance to be in their seat for a moment is one thats hard to resist! Amtrak Vacations is a proud part of the Railbookers Group family of brands. 7 Memorable And Scenic Train Rides In Southern California 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. Upper Klamath Lake has a canoe trail, or head to Moore Park and the Link River Trail for waterfront hiking and bird-watching. Our Rail Vacation Consultants or a local Travel Advisor will assist you in making any adjustments to fit your travel style. The park is open daily in summer and Saturdays and Sundays the rest of the year. flickr/Photos By Clark The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum has a vintage dining car on display at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. The train ride takes about 15-minutes and runs along the Southside of Charles H. Wilson Park in Torrance, California. 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. The whole route takes 5 hours and 45 minutes to complete and covers 351-miles. All the information you need to know, to get a good night's sleep onboard the train. Explore the stunning natural landscapes of the United States' national parks in a unique and Now that the tax deadline is finally here, chances are you're thinking about how to spend your Spring is a great time to travel and right now is the perfect time to start planning that spring See our customers' most favorite rail vacations. 6. 10 Scenic Train Rides In California | Trip101 A bit south lies Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, full of gorgeous redwoods and pines, as well as creeks snaking through the trees. Your Amtrak Vacation journey can start from any of the over 500 Amtrak stations across North America. The Pacific Surfliner takes travelers 351 miles along the California coast, but other trains explore different parts of the state. Theres no assigned seating on trains so most likely if you have a group that large it would fill a train car. Explore San Diego - Downtown. Travel to the City of Angels and enjoy the views from the train onboard the Coast Starlight and take advantage of the narrated tour that includes iconic attractions, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Paramount Studios, and many others. Often named as the most scenic Amtrak route in the United States, the California Zephyr is a cross-country train with an amazing route through the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is a surfer's dream train journey, taking passengers and their surfboards along the California coast. 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. Sign up today to save up to $350 on your next vacation! Visiting Old Town San Diego is like taking a step back in history. The Hyatt property offers 141 guest rooms, with hardwood hickory floors and midcentury furnishings. One unique train station along the Surfliner route is San Clemente. Fullerton has a large modern train station with a short walk to the old town with dining & shopping options. There are six daily trains from Los Angeles Union Station north to Santa Barbara. Its a great time for train enthusiasts of all ages. 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. Every month you can find a fair, festival, The Queen Mary has resumed tours for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic beginning April 1, 2023. The Skunk Train offers two journeys year-round: the Wolf Tree Turn and and Pudding Creek Express. Oregon Coastal Excursion - Rockaway Beach or Garibaldi. If you are a railfan, you should check out Goletas South Coast Railroad Museum. But it seems they no longer operate due to the current public health issue (Covid). 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Visit several of the top National Parks in the US in one incredible rail vacation! California Train Vacation Packages - Vacations By Rail Explore helpful videos and webinars with virtual tours of our rail journeys. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of the coastline and Pacific Ocean before arriving in the scenic oceanside town of Santa Barbara. The Spanish adobe-style building has 268 rooms and suites and offers a lively, creative scene with top-notch food and drink outlets. Adventurous travelers could spend weeks traversing Californias 840-mile coastline, stopping to hike its rugged, seaside cliffs or explore destinations like Santa Barbara and Big Sur. The Southern California coast unfolds before your eyes from your seat aboard The Pacific Surfliner. Here are six ideas for your Santa Cruz road trip itinerary, each one giving a glimpse of local life in the coastal destination. Coast Starlight Train | Amtrak If youre looking to take the scenic route then this selection offers some of the very best views in North America. . 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. Coast Starlight: 24 hours on one of America's most scenic train - CNN California has plenty to offer, such as theme parks and bird sanctuaries. Any suggestions? Carpinteria is south of Santa Barbara, and the Amtrak station is within easy walking distance of Carpinteria State Park. Complete Guide to Train Travel in California - TripSavvy Perhaps the best part? Amtraks iconic Pacific Surfliner offers a 351-mile trip through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with stretches of the route abutting the Pacific coastline in Southern California. It has a huge variety of sights to see, from seashores to mountain valleys and from big cities to the open countryside. Website: Placerville Sacramento Valley Railroad. From here, the Surfline route turns inland to San Luis Obispo. Or an extra day in between in a different destination?