If offers a wide array of accommodations as well, ranging from luxury RV rentals to eco hotels. We have you covered - if the train goes there, so do we. Login in for helpful resources, free trainings, and promotional items. 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 railroad museum houses a large collection of historical locomotives, railcars, trolleys, model trains, and a three-foot gauge. 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. Theres no assigned seating on trains so most likely if you have a group that large it would fill a train car. 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. The company recently installed brand new ticket machines located at each station, but tickets can also be purchased through a mobile app. A local, family-run train line, the journey takes you on a 14-mile (22.5km) jaunt from West Sacramento to Woodland. Keep in mind that this route has a lot of stops, and can get pretty crowded. It also hosts live bands most weekends. One unique train station along the Surfliner route is San Clemente. While this trip may be short, its worth checking out Poway-Midland Railroad. 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. At one time, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Slogan promoted this beach town with a huge billboard along Highway 101, Tan Your Hide in Oceanside. These days the Chamber of Commerce has a slightly different vision Oceanside Classic California Beach Community.. Los Angeles to San Diego travel time is a little under three hours. The Surfliner drops off passengers at the San Clemente Pier and only steps to the sand. Your options are unlimited, we have thousands of stations from Florida to California and everywhere in between. The nearest train station to Trestles is in San Clemente. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Drop by the company store for complimentary cider tastings; youll be surprised how many flavors they make, including peach, apple, mango, and pear. However, what is unique about the Western Pacific Railroad Museum is that it allows you, under supervision, to drive one too. Take the famous Coast Starlight all the way through California (with the possibility of continuing to Oregon and Washington). Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. If you choose to travel the Coast Starlight, youll get to enjoy an onboard theater and arcade room to help pass the time (or if you need a break from the scenic views) and sleeper car passengers even have access to local wine and cheese tastings in the Parlour Car. © 2023 Amtrak Vacations. Theres nothing quite like a scenic train ride, and California has no shortage of wonderful reminders of this. There are miles of pristine coastline that are not accessible by car on this section of the track. There is free Wi-Fi available onboard as well as a cafe car for food and drink purchases. Whether its a full sit-down meal or more informal food service, many trains have one or more options for onboard dining. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Reservations are not normally required on Pacific Surfliner trains; however, its best to book a few days ahead of your departure date on busy summer weekends. Discover our newest vacations created just for you. For guests traveling with a disability, the train has several Accessible Bedrooms located on the entry level with space for a wheelchair and two adults. Train rides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 2:30 pm. If youve ever taken the train along Californias picture-perfect coastline, you know what a feast for the eyes the journey can be. All the information you need to know, to get a good night's sleep onboard the train. Read on to learn more about these iconic routes and discover the perfect train vacation along the California Coast! But consider exploring the state in a different way to remove the stress of potential gridlock in car traffic and gain a novel perspective: by train. The Skunk Train offers two journeys year-round: the Wolf Tree Turn and and Pudding Creek Express. Private rooms get priority boarding, a dedicated Sleeping Car attendant, access to the train lounge, and complimentary meals included. 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. 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. With near perfect weather year round and more than 70 miles of beautiful . Your Amtrak Vacation journey can start from any of the over 500 Amtrak stations across North America. Kids and adults will enjoy a trip to this fun little railroadSoCal Live Steamers 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501. Some of the most exciting events only come around once a year. Discover all options for customizing your rail vacation! There are several popular attractions within walking distance of the station. Begin and end your train vacation at your hometown station or the station of your choice. Fillmore & Western Railway 351 Santa Clara, Fillmore, California. 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. The Sacramento River Fox Train runs from West Sacramento 10 miles to the outskirts of Woodland and back. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains run along the coast of Southern California from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Pulled by a diesel locomotive, the Sacramento River Train features two dining cars, a club car, a concession car, and two open-air cars. 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. Fill out our helpful form and we'll be in touch shortly. From San Francisco to Los Angeles to San Diego, the Essential Californian is an exciting Pacific Surfliner trip that allows you to discover all the best of California. Theres also the option to sleep aboard, with the cost of a roomette about $700, or a family room about $1,300which includes meals, water, and coffee. 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. 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. Explore the spectacular Canadian Rockies by rail with these chart-topping vacations. It's a one-of-a-kind experience through the beautiful redwoods. a picturesque harbor, and the longest wooden pier on the California coast. Route: Seattle Portland Sacramento San Francisco Santa Barbara Los Angeles. Exciting escapes to a breath-taking national park or spectacular city destination. The San Diego Getaway Roundtrip from Los Angeles is a great choice for a relaxing coastal vacation. Enjoy scenic vistas from the train en route to Americas greatest national treasures. All rights reserved. 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. The line returns briefly to the coast at Pismo Beach and then turns inland along Price Canyon for the final leg of its journey to San Luis Obispo. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. And if you need a break from the lines or crowds, the beach is right there, so you can dig your toes in the sand or even catch a wave between rides and concessions. After turning inland, the Surfliner travels through oak-covered valleys filled with miles of grapevines until it reaches the rich farmland of Santa Maria Valley. 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. If youre looking to take the scenic route then this selection offers some of the very best views in North America. The Fort Bragg Redwood Company originally built the fort Bragg Skunk Train as the Fort Bragg Railroad in 1885. There are homeless people in and around the LA station. While on board, you can take advantage of the leisurely pace to enjoy some of the themed events that are a stalwart aspect of the attraction; these include tea, wine and beer tastings as well as regular charity events. Don't leave your car behind when you travel - bring your car with you while on the Amtrak Auto Train. The Coast Starlight departs both Los Angeles and Seattle once daily, stopping in 28 cities in between. Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of our guests. Travel in comfort and style as you explore top attractions like Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and Niagara Falls State Park, surrounded by stunning views of the falls and the Niagara River. Along with business and vacation travelers, cyclists and surfers are welcome on board with bikes and boards. If you wish to travel further north from here, you can continue on the Coast Starlight train. Youre paying for the ride, but also for the food or wine along with it, so save this train ride for a special occasion. Login in for helpful resources, free trainings, and promotional items. The new Tasting on the Rails trip launches in May, with tickets starting at $395. The Los Angeles to San Diego track was once served by the Santa Fe San Diegan trains. Perhaps the best part? Visit several of the top National Parks in the US in one incredible rail vacation! A Diesel-electric locomotive pulls vintage passenger cars over this historic railroad route. The two largest train stations on the Surfliner route are Los Angeles Union Station and San Diego Union Station. Upgrade to a sleeping accommodation onboard the train. See two oceans, cross the Rockies, and all the land in-between with one of these North American adventures. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safely moving people between large cities and rural towns are key to sustaining our business for decades to come. Combine the best of land and sea with these vacations exploring the breath-taking beauty of Alaska. There are six daily trains from Los Angeles Union Station north to Santa Barbara. Far north from the crowded beaches of LA, Grover Beach along the Central Coast makes for an excellent day trip.