Looking for a fun summer outing? There are a wide variety of train rides in Northern California. Check out this great list of suggestions for your next afternoon excursion.
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Los Gatos
Ride aboard a real steam engine as it goes through beautiful Oak Meadow and Vasona Parks. Tickets are just $3.00 per person and operating hours are posted on the website.
233 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, 95032, www.bjwrr.org
California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento
The museum tells the story of trains in California from the Transcontinental Railroad to the present day. After touring the museum, enjoy a 50 minute round trip ride along the scenic Sacramento River, as you experience railroading firsthand as it was in the early part of the 20th century. There is a separate fee for museum admission and train rides and tickets can be purchased online. Children under the age of 5 are free for both.
125 I Street, Sacramento 95814, californiarailroad.museum
Howarth Park, Santa Rosa
The simulated 1863 C.P. Huntington steam train takes guests on a quarter-mile train ride through a tunnel, to the pond, across a bridge, and into the forest. All riders under 42 inches in height must be accompanied by someone at least 16 years of age. Tickets are $2 each. The park also has a carousel, animal barn, and pony rides.
630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa 95405, www.howarthpark.com
Niles Canyon Railway, Fremont
This railway runs full-size trains behind steam or diesel-powered locomotives through Niles Canyon. Select weekend dates are available through August. Check the website for dates and ticket information.
37029 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, 94536, www.ncry.org
The Little Puffer, San Francisco Zoo
One of San Francisco Zoo & Gardens’ most unique attractions isn’t an animal, instead it’s a rare miniature steam train known affectionately as “Little Puffer.” All visitors, including SF Zoo Members, must reserve a date and time and purchase tickets online, prior to your visit. Tickets are $7 per person, children under 3 may ride free.
1 Zoo Road, San Francisco 94132, www.sfzoo.org
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown
Visit the historic state park or ride behind a historic steam or diesel locomotive on a train trip through California’s scenic Gold Country. Your 6-mile, 45-minute roundtrip train ride will take you past the water tower from Petticoat Junction and transport you from the backyards of Jamestown to the rugged hillsides of California’s Mother Lode country. After your ride, you can explore the grounds, have a picnic, and spend the day.
10501 Reservoir Road, Jamestown, 95327, www.railtown1897.org
Redwood Valley Railway, Tilden Park, Orinda
Redwood Valley Railway in Tilden Regional Park offers steam train rides along a scenic ridge on a scaled-down steam train. The Steam Trains at Tilden Park are open on their summer schedule now. Advanced reservations are not be required. Tickets for adults and children are $3.50 (children under 2 years old ride free).
2481 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Orinda, 94563, redwood-valley-railway.business.site
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
Families have two options: The Redwood Forest Steam Train which travels over trestles, through redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain. Conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest along the way. Or, choose the Santa Cruz Beach Train departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains. You’ll travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Ticket pricing varies and can be purchased online.
5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, 95018, www.roaringcamp.com
Skunk Train, Mendocino County
Step back in time for a ride through the redwoods on the world-famous Skunk Train. Since 1885 the Skunk has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River Canyon. You can choose from two routes. Ticket prices vary depending on route and tickets may be purchased online.
100 Laurel Street, Fort Bragg, 95437, 299 East Commercial Street, Willits, 95490, www.skunktrain.com
Sonoma TrainTown, Sonoma
TrainTown, evolving since 1958, was founded by Stanley L. Frank of Oakland, a printing magnate and adamant table-top model builder. TrainTown features a quarter-scale railroad on four miles of track. Each train trip lasts 20 minutes and goes through tunnels, over bridges, and makes a stop at Lakeview – a miniature town and petting zoo. Tickets are $8.25 per person for every rider over 12 months old.
20264 Broadway, Sonoma, 95476, www.traintown.com
Western Pacific Railroad Museum, Portola
The museum grounds hold over 100 pieces of historic railroad rolling stock. Visitors are encouraged to climb aboard and experience the collection in a hands-on way. Ride with the crews of today’s “Western Pacific Railroad” on a leisurely journey around the museum grounds in a vintage caboose. The trains run weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day from noon to 3:30 pm. Train rides are approximately 1 mile in length and take about 10 minutes. Portola is about an hour from Lake Tahoe.
700 Western Pacific Way, Portola, 96122, wplives.org
Western Railway Museum, Suisun City
The Museum features historic railway exhibits, vintage streetcar and interurban train rides, large shaded picnic grounds, museum store, library archives, and Depot Cafe. Hour-long trips depart four times daily recreating the experience of riding a historic electric railcar between two rural stops. Tickets must be booked online in advance. Open year-round on Saturdays and Sundays and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm during the summer.
5848 Highway 12, Suisun City, 94585, www.wrm.org
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, Fish Camp
Experience the beauty of the Sierra National Forest with a fun train ride. You can enjoy a scenic rail ride, have a great dinner on board, or take a special seasonal ride. The daily narrated 1-hour scenic railroad rides take you along the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Tickets are $16-28 depending on age and can be booked online.
56001 Highway 41, Fish Camp, 93623, ymsprr.com