There are quite a lot of amazing scenic train rides in California and in this post I’m going to provide you with a list of some of my favorites. Some of these are short, but amazingly scenic, while others are several hours to days long, but still offer breathtaking views.
Here are the best scenic train rides in California:
- Pacific Surfliner
- Napa Valley Wine Train
- Sierra Railroad Dinner Train
- Roaring Camp Railroads
- Skunk Train
- Amtrak’s Coast Starlight
- Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
- Fillmore & Western Railway
- Poway-Midland Railroad
Napa Valley Wine Train:
The Napa Valley Train is a journey through the heart of Napa Valley’s picturesque wine country, this luxurious train ride offers passengers the opportunity to dine in elegantly restored vintage Pullman cars, enjoy gourmet meals, and sample wines from various local vineyards. The train follows a historic route that allows stunning views of Napa’s rolling vineyards.
- Duration: 3-6 hours
- Price range: $165-$400+ per person
Pacific Surfliner:
The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner connects San Diego to San Luis Obispo. It traverses the stunning Southern California coastline, offering passengers breathtaking views of beaches, coastal cities, and undeveloped landscapes. Highlights include the stretch between San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, where the train runs right along the beach.
- Duration: 5-6 hours
- Price range: $40 to $60 for one-way tickets
Sierra Railroad Dinner Train:
The Sierra Railroad Dinner Train is set in the picturesque Gold Country of the Central Valley, this train combines scenic views with dining and entertainment. Passengers can enjoy dinner, brunch, or themed events like murder mystery dinners, all while traveling through the historic and scenic landscapes of rural California.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Price range: $100 to $150 per person
Roaring Camp Railroads:
From the towering redwoods of Bear Mountain to the sunny beaches of Santa Cruz, Roaring Camp Railroads offers two distinct rail experiences. The Redwood Forest Steam Train takes passengers on a journey through ancient redwoods, while the Santa Cruz Beach Train travels from the mountains to the Pacific Ocean, showcasing the breathtaking views of California’s landscapes.
- Duration: 1-3 hours depending on which route you use
- Price range: $30 to $50+ per adult
Skunk Train:
The Skunk Train traverses the heart of Northern California’s Redwood forests, the Skunk Train offers rides from Fort Bragg to Willits. The train passes through tunnels, over bridges, and along river estuaries, offering passengers an immersive experience of the region’s natural beauty and history. This is a short ride but because it takes you through some of California’s most beautiful coastline areas (including amazing Redwood tree areas), it’s well worth visiting.
- Duration: 1 to 4 hours
- Price range: $55 to $95 per adult
Amtrak Coast Starlight:
Known as one of the most scenic train rides in North America, the Amtrak Coast Starlight links Los Angeles to Seattle, passing through California’s picturesque landscapes, including the Pacific Ocean coastline, the Santa Ynez Valley, and the Cascade Range. The observation car offers panoramic views of the passing scenery.
- Duration: 35 hours for the full route
- Price range: $100 to $200+ for reserved seats (on the California portion of the trip)
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad:
The Yosemite National Sugar Pine Railroad is located near the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park, this historic steam train takes passengers on a journey through the Sierra National Forest. The ride offers a glimpse into the area’s logging history and the role of railroads in developing the region, all set against the backdrop of towering pine trees and mountain scenery.
- Duration: About 1-3 hours
- Price range: $20-$100+ per adult
Fillmore And Western Railway:
This railway offers a variety of themed rides through Ventura County’s rural landscapes. From murder mystery dinners to holiday-themed events, each ride provides a unique and entertaining experience along with scenic views.
- Duration: Varies by event, from 3-4 hours
- Price range: $26 to $50+ per adult
Poway-Midland Railroad:
This volunteer-operated heritage railroad in Old Poway Park offers rides on antique equipment, including a steam locomotive and a trolley. Though the rides are short, they are rich in history and charm, providing a glimpse into California’s railway past in a picturesque park setting.
- Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
- Price range: $3 to $5 per ride
These scenic trail rides in California offer a diverse array of experiences, from luxurious wine tastings in Napa Valley to historic steam train adventures through the Redwoods, making them perfect for exploring the scenic beauty and rich history of California. Other than these, there are also equally amazing train rides to check out in states close to California which include Oregon (see the best scenic train rides in Oregon) and Arizona (see the best scenic train rides in Arizona).
Thanks for checking out this article and if you have any questions on these rides or have another suggestion which wasn’t mentioned on the list above, feel free to post it below and I’ll happily research it and possibly add it to the list above!
