California’s Most Beautiful Train Rides For An Unforgettable Adventure
California isn’t just about highways and beaches – some of the most stunning views come from train windows. Riding the rails lets you relax while scenery glides past, from coastal cliffs to mountain forests.
Whether you’re a train lover or just looking for a unique day trip, these journeys offer memories that last forever.
1. Napa Valley Wine Train
Picture yourself sipping wine while rolling through endless rows of grapevines under California sunshine. This vintage train takes you on a three-hour journey through one of the world’s most famous wine regions.
You’ll enjoy gourmet meals prepared onboard while watching wineries and estates pass by your window. The restored 1915 Pullman cars make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Most packages include winery tours and tastings at celebrated vineyards along the route.
2. Pacific Surfliner Coastal Route
Nothing beats watching waves crash against the shore from your comfortable train seat. Running between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, this route hugs the Pacific coastline for miles.
You’ll pass famous surf spots, charming beach towns, and dramatic cliffs that drop straight into the ocean. Large windows ensure you won’t miss a single sunset or dolphin sighting.
The journey connects several coastal cities, making it easy to hop off and explore whenever you want.
3. Skunk Train through Redwood Forest
Giant redwoods tower overhead as this historic train winds through some of California’s oldest forests. Starting in Fort Bragg, the railway has been operating since 1885 and still uses vintage locomotives.
Your journey takes you deep into Mendocino County’s wilderness, where sunlight filters through trees hundreds of feet tall. The train crosses bridges and passes through tunnels carved into mountainsides.
Various routes are available, from short trips to full-day adventures through pristine wilderness.
4. Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
Steam billows from the engine as you chug through Sierra Nevada forests near Yosemite National Park. This narrow-gauge railroad once hauled lumber but now carries passengers through mountain meadows and pine groves.
The Logger Steam Train runs on tracks originally built in 1899, offering authentic old-west atmosphere. You’ll hear the conductor’s stories about logging history while breathing fresh mountain air.
Special evening rides include moonlight excursions and seasonal events that make the experience even more magical.
5. Fillmore and Western Railway
Ever wondered where Hollywood films its train scenes? This working movie railway in Ventura County has appeared in over 400 productions.
You can ride the same vintage cars seen in countless films while traveling through orange groves and farmland. The railway offers themed rides throughout the year, from murder mysteries to holiday specials.
Kids especially love the train robbery reenactments where actors in period costumes board the train. The depot itself looks like something from an old Western movie.
6. Roaring Camp Railroads
Narrow tracks wind steeply upward as this steam train climbs through Santa Cruz Mountains. Dating back to the 1880s, these locomotives were originally used for logging operations in redwood country.
The hour-long journey takes you up grades so steep you’ll wonder how the train makes it. Open-air cars let you smell the forest and feel the mountain breeze.
A separate route connects to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, combining mountain and coastal scenery in one trip.
7. California State Railroad Museum Excursions
Sacramento’s historic riverfront comes alive when these museum trains depart for weekend excursions. Restored steam and diesel locomotives pull vintage passenger cars along the scenic Sacramento River.
The rides vary from short trips to longer journeys through the Sacramento Valley. Before or after your ride, you can explore one of North America’s finest railroad museums.
Special events include the Polar Express during holidays, when the train transforms into a magical Christmas experience for families.
8. Sierra Railroad Dinner Train
Rolling through the historic Gold Country, the Sierra Railroad Dinner Train combines gourmet dining with spectacular scenery in California’s foothills. This three-hour journey takes passengers on the same tracks that once carried miners seeking fortune during the 1800s gold rush.
Guests enjoy multi-course meals prepared onboard while watching the landscape change from golden grasslands to rugged canyon walls. The restored vintage train cars feature elegant decor that brings back the romance of classic rail travel.
Special themed rides throughout the year include murder mystery dinners and holiday celebrations. The experience works perfectly for date nights, family celebrations, or anyone wanting to combine fine dining with California history.
9. Tehachapi Loop Railway Experience
Witnessing trains navigate the famous Tehachapi Loop feels like watching engineering magic come to life. Built in 1876, this spiral track allows trains to gain elevation by literally circling over themselves, creating one of railroading’s most photographed moments.
The surrounding Tehachapi Mountains provide dramatic backdrops of rugged peaks, wildflowers in spring, and endless desert vistas. Train enthusiasts travel from around the world to photograph locomotives winding through this incredible landscape.
While freight trains use these tracks daily, several observation points let visitors safely watch and photograph the action. The nearby Tehachapi Loop Park offers the best viewing spot with informational signs explaining this National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
10. Amtrak Coast Starlight through Cascade Mountains
Journeying through Northern California aboard the Coast Starlight reveals some of the state’s most dramatic mountain scenery. The route climbs through the majestic Cascade Range, offering passengers front-row views of towering Mount Shasta and pristine alpine forests.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the observation car let travelers soak in panoramic views of volcanic peaks, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and dense evergreen wilderness. During winter months, snow-covered landscapes transform the journey into a winter wonderland adventure.
The train features comfortable seating, a dining car serving regional cuisine, and helpful attendants who share stories about the passing landmarks. This segment represents one of America’s most scenic rail routes.
