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. Redwood logging was commonplace up and down California for decades. One day is just not enough for most travelers. Gain instant access to our online brochures and download them for free. 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. 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. 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. The train passes through Santa Barbara, Gaviota State Beach, Jalama Beach, Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo. Taking the train for a day trip to San Diego is a fun alternative to driving the busy 405 freeway. From Oceanside to Torrey Pines, the train runs along the coast and then turns inland for the final miles before it reaches downtown San Diego. Ride the rails of California from San Francisco to San Diego. Santa Cruz is rich with incredible hikes, so pack your most comfortable shoes and favorite snacks. Prices for the train start at $59 for adults and $29 for kids. Fillmore & Western Railway 351 Santa Clara, Fillmore, California. Explore San Diego - Downtown. For the last eight years, she has been a lifestyle journalist for. 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. Any suggestions? This train goes back to the 1880s, when it ran along the Fort Bragg Railroad to make transporting lumber easier in Northern Californias Mendocino County. Can I get on in San Diego, get off at stops along the way and reboard on the same ticket, same day? Open since 1907, this seaside amusement park was the bees knees for NorCal kids growing up in the 1990s, and the fun continues today. The train offers an array of trips starting at $50. There are homeless people in and around the LA station. The famous brand has been producing beloved beverages for more than 150 years, and is headquartered in the Santa Cruz County city of Watsonville. Save time for mini golf at Neptunes Kingdom and carnival games located at the Midway Games section of the park. 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. Chelsee Lowe is a Los Angeles-based writer with an obsession with good eats and interesting stories. Some of the more scenic highlights of this route include the section between Stockton and Oakland with views of the Delta and the Bay, between Lodi and Sacramento through vineyards, and between Merced and Fresno with views of the sierras and Central California farmland. The Amtrak Coast Starlight runs daily and covers a distance of 1377 miles over 35 hours. Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angelesbased writer and editor focusing on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, health, and events. It's a one-of-a-kind experience through the beautiful redwoods. Unlike the Starlight, the Pacific Surfliner doesnt include any sleeper trains, making it more of a day trip type of train. If you are a railfan, you should check out Goletas South Coast Railroad Museum. There are seven daily round trips featured on this train, five between the cities of Oakland and Bakersfield, and two between Sacramento and Bakersfield. Theme rides range from beer and wine experiences to murder mystery trips to holiday excursions. All rights reserved. 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. © 2023 Amtrak Vacations. The best scenery is the segment between Emeryville, California (near San Francisco) and Denver, Colorado. Downtown Los Angeles Union Station nearby attractions include Chinatown and Olvera Street. 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. From here, the Surfline route turns inland to San Luis Obispo. It's about as California as it gets. Here's how to plan the ultimate Santa Cruz road trip itinerary. Website: Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. The Fort Bragg Redwood Company originally built the fort Bragg Skunk Train as the Fort Bragg Railroad in 1885. Due to the size of the state - its Americas third-largest behind Alaska and Texas. Stretch out and relax with your very own bedroom during your Amtrak train trip! Visitors can enjoy a day at the beach and avoid summer traffic and parking problems. It's something that captivates most kids and many adults, too. Experience the adventure of traveling overnight with these unforgettable rail experiences. Learn more from our most commonly asked questions from travelers. The romance and convenience of train travel is something that countries throughout Europe and Asia have embraced with open arms. 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. Then, stroll Shark Fin Cove, named for a massive rock formation that stands guard just off the sand. The coast-hugging train goes from San Diego to San Luis Obispo with in-between stops at some of Southern California's most beautiful towns. You will have to call Amtrak with that question. 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 The Surfliner drops off passengers at the San Clemente Pier and only steps to the sand. 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. See two oceans, cross the Rockies, and all the land in-between with one of these North American adventures. Tours available include the, Hollywood is a star-studded destination, even for those that aren't star-struck. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West Coast. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure, TravelAge West, Ventura Blvd, and L.A. Parent, writing about food, family travel, and more. 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. Or an extra day in between in a different destination? For a limited time only, save $150 per couple on any of our Grand Canyon National Park vacations inclusive of 4 nights or more. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Experience the adventure of traveling overnight with these unforgettable rail experiences. Youre paying for the ride, but also for the food or wine along with it, so save this train ride for a special occasion. The Los Angeles to San Diego track was once served by the Santa Fe San Diegan trains. Win, win, win. These five Pacific Surfliner trips feature sightseeing, exploration, and sun. 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. 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. If you want to see the best of the west coast, take a train. 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. Or you think a package would be better in reverse? Many stations are within walking distance of key attractions; various transit providers also offer free bus connections to Pacific Surfliner passengers. Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of our guests. Photo by Cory Woodruff/Shutterstock If the idea of the hunt appeals to you, try your hand at thrifting in the Santa Cruz area. Think riverfront views and ivy-draped woodlands. California is a great state for a road trip, but theres one drawback to that: if youre driving, youre sure to be missing something worth looking at, and wheres the fun in that? The end of the line to the north is San Luis Obispo, known for outdoor activities, farm-to-table dining, and world-class wineries. Plus, enjoy all the famous sights of Santa Barbara with your included Trolley Tour, which visits the famous Stearns Wharf, the Harbor, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, and more! It also hosts live bands most weekends. Carpinteria is south of Santa Barbara, and the Amtrak station is within easy walking distance of Carpinteria State Park. The train station is located at 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, CA. Attractions are plentiful in this wonderful coastal town. Whether its a full sit-down meal or more informal food service, many trains have one or more options for onboard dining. 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. Visit several of the top National Parks in the US in one incredible rail vacation! Passengers have the opportunity to pass by each climate that California is famous for, from snowy Mount Shasta to the coast of the Pacific Ocean and everything in between. 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. 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. 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. In San Francisco, enjoy a bay cruise adventure, the San Francisco Zoo, and the Walt Disney Family Museum and get a great feeling for why this is one of the most beloved cities in California. Niles Canyon Railroad also operates special train excursions during the year, including wine-tasting trains, beer-tasting trains, holiday excursions, and summer school trains. Luckily, we no longer fell these giant beauties, and some of the machinery used to move them once upon a time remains, giving visitors a peek into the past. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. 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. Amtrak took over the route in 2000, and the Pacific Surfliner was born. 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. Would like to take the train south and back for the day mostly just to experience the ride. 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. Because it is a commuter train and pretty casual, it is much cheaper than Amtrak, and will take you further than the BART and MUNI public transportation networks that mostly cater to the Bay Area regionally. The narrow-gauge trains are an opportunity to travel through time in the most relaxing way imaginable. 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. Her favourite domestic destinations include Snowdonia and the Brecon (Do a quick search on the following sites). San Juan Capistrano is one of the most popular day trips by train along the route of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. The Skunk Train, 299 E Commercial St, Willits, CA 95490, USA. Buses and trolleys depart every few minutes from the train station to many of San Diegos most popular attractions. The two largest train stations on the Surfliner route are Los Angeles Union Station and San Diego Union Station. Whether you plan a north- or southbound trip, you'll be on the train about 35 hours total. Your options are unlimited, we have thousands of stations from Florida to California and everywhere in between. There is also an excellent museum on-site with rolling stock and railroad artifacts. This Gorgeous Coastal California City Is a Perfect Road Trip Destination With Steam Train Rides, Hiking Trails, and Small Towns . If you wish to travel further north from here, you can continue on the Coast Starlight train. Antonia Kelly is a freelance writer based in Leicester, UK and she enjoys European travel as well as road trips closer to home. Pismo Beach, Oceano, Arroyo Grande, and Shell Beach. https://www.instagram.com/AmtrakVacations, https://www.pinterest.com/amtrakvacations/. Nowadays, its a more pleasant experience! Santa Barbara is a three-hour train trip from Los Angeles. The Pacific Surfliner route offers five daily round-trip services between Santa Barbara and San Diego, and 13 between San Diego and Los Angeles. But if you're just looking to sightsee and save, you can't get much better than a relaxing train ride. something to keep in mind. Trains are easy to navigate, budget-friendly, space-saving, and are oftentimes safer than driving. The entire 35-hour route goes from Los Angeles to Seattle with views of snow-peaked mountains, green forests and valleys, and stretches of the Pacific Ocean, too. List of points of interest, destinations, and popular day trips by train along Californias Pacific Surfliner train route. Among the many sites you'll see along the way, you can gaze upon gorgeous mountains, forests, valleys, and the Pacific Ocean during just one trip. Your California Coast journey begins in San Francisco with a day full of sightseeing on board a double-decker bus. 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. Then board the Pacific Surfliner and head to San Diego to spend your final day of your California vacation exploring on your harbor cruise. 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. 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. The Sacramento River Fox Train runs from West Sacramento 10 miles to the outskirts of Woodland and back. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains consist of double-decker California passenger cars with wide windows perfect for viewing the Pacific ocean. If youre looking to take the scenic route then this selection offers some of the very best views in North America. Looking for the perfect Pacific Surfliner trip? 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. We have you covered - if the train goes there, so do we. Next is Santa Barbarathe so-called American Riviera for its coastal views, fine wines, and film festivals. Sunny Santa Barbara awaits you on this roundtrip getaway. Passengers still get comfy reclining seats with power outlets, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, bike and luggage racks, and massive windows to enjoy the views of the sea as it whips by. The two steam locomotives operate daily during the summer months. Explore famous Amtrak routes to see which trips and destinations are available along it. What You Need to Know Before You Book That $200 Cross-country Train Ride, This Underrated Train Is the Most Picturesque Way to See the Mississippi River, Glacier National Park, and the Pacific Northwest, This Train Travels Through 9 States From Washington, D.C. to a Tiny Town Near the Canadian Border, The Most Beautiful Winter Train Rides in North America, 12 Scenic U.S. Its widely considered one of the most beautiful train trips in the country. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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Adding nights to your California Coast vacations is easy just ask your rail vacation specialist and theyll be happy to help. Private rooms get priority boarding, a dedicated Sleeping Car attendant, access to the train lounge, and complimentary meals included. Enjoy scenic vistas from the train en route to Americas greatest national treasures. Follow the coast to Grover Beach. Santa Barbara California Amtrak train station is only a ten-minute walk to Stearns Wharf and beach hotels. 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,. San Luis Obispo is the closest train station to Hearst Castle. And if you want to get off the beaten path, drive to Quail Hollow Ranch County Park in Felton and try the Sunset Trail. Katherine is a freelance writer who covers Hawaii and California travel for Tripsavvy. The solution, obviously, is to let the train take the strain, and enjoy the chance to look out the window onto the wonders of the Californian landscape. Far north from the crowded beaches of LA, Grover Beach along the Central Coast makes for an excellent day trip. Learn about your dining choices, onboard dining reservations, and the different types of dining cars. Grover Beach Amtrak station is located on Grand Ave, which is also the entrance road to the Pismo Dunes recreation area. Discover our newest vacations created just for you. Enjoy the San Diego countryside on a leisurely 12-mile train trip on the historic San Diego & Arizona railway. Discover our newest vacations created just for you. A local, family-run train line, the journey takes you on a 14-mile (22.5km) jaunt from West Sacramento to Woodland. 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. Departing from Garibaldi or Rockaway Beach, this excursion is 30 minutes each direction. 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. 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 railway runs excursions on Sundays year-round, usually every week during the summer and less frequently during the winter. It has a huge variety of sights to see, from seashores to mountain valleys and from big cities to the open countryside. The wine train can carry nearly 400 passengers through Napa Valley and usually makes two daily trips. Warning for riders: If you're hoping to take a trip, you should plan several weeks in advance if you want to book multiple tickets. Learn about your dining choices, onboard dining reservations, and the different types of dining cars. The Skunk Train offers two journeys year-round: the Wolf Tree Turn and and Pudding Creek Express. Gain instant access to our online brochures and download them for free. Start from any of the 500+ Amtrak Stations across the United States. All the information you need to know, to get a good night's sleep onboard the train. Explore California National Parks The San Joaquins The Golden State, California, is one of the most prominent regions of the USA, home to cities such as San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and more. 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Plus, it sure beats having to keep your eyes on the road while venturing up the beautiful California coast. On special occasions, a 1950 Fairmont Speeder can be seen rolling along the track. The Pacific Surfliner in San Diego. 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.
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