Add extra nights in a favorite destination. Explore helpful videos and webinars with virtual tours of our rail journeys. Please let me know about how many days a train trip along the west coast would take and cost. © 2023 Amtrak Vacations. Is such a thing feasible ? These five Pacific Surfliner trips feature sightseeing, exploration, and sun. TripSavvy rounded up some of the best train routes in California to supplement your staycation, road trip, or domestic travel plans. The Wine Train isnt so much about the destination as it is about the journey, since the track is a fairly short 36-mile loop starting and ending in the small town of St. Helena. The delights of Sacramento can be forgotten when you list the things to see and do in California, but this scenic train ride is an excellent way to remember them. 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. San Luis Obispo is nestled among the hills, just south of Paso Robles, Atascadero, and north of Pismo Beach; the city is halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. View Destination Quebec City, QC Combine the best of land and sea with these vacations exploring the breath-taking beauty of Alaska. Explore San Diego - Downtown. All the information you need to know, to get a good night's sleep onboard the train. Or spend a unique day on the tracks by railbike: These are nearly silent, electric-powered two-person railbikes that breeze along the serene track. This train is a little off the beaten path, but worth the effort it takes to get there. One-way travel time to both destinations is 2.5 to 3 hours. One unique train station along the Surfliner route is San Clemente. The Coast Starlight departs both Los Angeles and Seattle once daily, stopping in 28 cities in between. Visit Santa Cruz County/Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train train tickets buy online at Amtrak Californias website, train stations, or onboard trains. 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. Sunny Santa Barbara awaits you on this roundtrip getaway. However, what is unique about the Western Pacific Railroad Museum is that it allows you, under supervision, to drive one too. There is also an excellent museum on-site with rolling stock and railroad artifacts. The train lets passengers enjoy beautiful Northern California scenery with views of redwood trees. Here are six ideas for your Santa Cruz road trip itinerary, each one giving a glimpse of local life in the coastal destination. Los Angeles to San Diego travel time is a little under three hours. The romance and convenience of train travel is something that countries throughout Europe and Asia have embraced with open arms. And if you want to get off the beaten path, drive to Quail Hollow Ranch County Park in Felton and try the Sunset Trail. It would be best to contact Amtrak for exact cost and departure dates. The start and endpoints of the trip are San Luis Obispo and San Diego. 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. Enjoy scenic vistas from the train en route to Americas greatest national treasures. From the Merced River and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the tall redwoods and rushing waterfalls, Yosemite is truly a sight to behold. Coach passengers will still enjoy roomy, comfortable seats with much more legroom than a plane or car, and Business Class guests receive an onboard credit for food or drinks and a fully refundable ticket. Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of our guests. 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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. Enjoy scenic vistas from the train en route to Americas greatest national treasures. Offering a choice of rides - from Hampton to El Dorado, or perhaps to Latrobe if youd prefer, the Placerville Sacramento Valley Railroad takes you through the heart of Gold country at a leisurely pace. What better way to experience Californias Golden Coast than from onboard Amtrak? Book a ticket online and travel by train along the Southern California coast to destinations like San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. La Purisima Mission in Lompoc, California, is one of the state's most complete missions, with popular activities for school field trips and visitors. Safe, efficient, and comfortable service to all of our customers is very importance to us. 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. Or you think a package would be better in reverse? For a limited time only, save $150 per couple on any of our Grand Canyon National Park vacations inclusive of 4 nights or more. Theme rides range from beer and wine experiences to murder mystery trips to holiday excursions. 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 whole route takes 5 hours and 45 minutes to complete and covers 351-miles. Can I get on in San Diego, get off at stops along the way and reboard on the same ticket, same day? Login in for helpful resources, free trainings, and promotional items. See two oceans, cross the Rockies, and all the land in-between with one of these North American adventures. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data. 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. Grover Beach Amtrak station is located on Grand Ave, which is also the entrance road to the Pismo Dunes recreation area. Start from any of the 500+ Amtrak Stations across the United States. Website: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. See two oceans, cross the Rockies, and all the land in-between with one of these North American adventures. For a limited time only, save $150 per couple on any of our Grand Canyon National Park vacations inclusive of 4 nights or more. Why not take the chance to enjoy one? Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad 56001 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, CA 93623. Disembarking from Seattle, Washington and running all the way to Los Angeles, California, Amtrak's Coast Starlight line shows travelers the most beautiful views of the Pacific coast. The journey includes a ride along one of California's most beautiful stretches of . A bit south lies Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, full of gorgeous redwoods and pines, as well as creeks snaking through the trees. This Gorgeous Coastal California City Is a Perfect Road Trip Destination With Steam Train Rides, Hiking Trails, and Small Towns . 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. Stretch out and relax with your very own bedroom during your Amtrak train trip! Theres no assigned seating on trains so most likely if you have a group that large it would fill a train car. 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.. Sign up today to save up to $350 on your next vacation! Taking the train for a day trip to San Diego is a fun alternative to driving the busy 405 freeway. The Skunk Train, 299 E Commercial St, Willits, CA 95490, USA. Learn from our experts with insider tips, read helpful suggestions, be inspired for your next trip, and much more! Trips from the Park go through Gold Country and the Sierra Mountains, offering stunning views through sweeping countryside over the course of a 45-minute round trip. Extend the trip with a longer stay in downtown Los Angeles, which has abundant hotel options, including the historic Hotel Figueroa, one of the citys oldest; it opened nearly a century ago as lodging for professional women travelers, a rarity for the era. Ride along stretches of the Pacific ocean, up through San Francisco and past lush forests and snow-covered Mount Shasta. Goleta, California, is just north of Santa Barbara. Visiting Californias wineries in Napa can be a nuisance and potential hazard by car. 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. That was the genesis of what is now commonly known as the Skunk Train (for the pungent fumes it once emitted). more adult-oriented evenings. Rail options from the Amtrak train station include the San Diego Trolley to Old Town San Diego or the border. Niles Canyon Railroad also operates special train excursions during the year, including wine-tasting trains, beer-tasting trains, holiday excursions, and summer school trains. A Diesel-electric locomotive pulls vintage passenger cars over this historic railroad route. The train station is located at 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, CA. Oceanside is perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway by train. The two largest train stations on the Surfliner route are Los Angeles Union Station and San Diego Union Station. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Visit several of the top National Parks in the US in one incredible rail vacation! A local, family-run train line, the journey takes you on a 14-mile (22.5km) jaunt from West Sacramento to Woodland. One way adults tickets from Los Angeles to San Diego about $35 and from Los Angeles to San Barbara about $30. Don't leave your car behind when you travel - bring your car with you while on the Amtrak Auto Train. We have you covered - if the train goes there, so do we. Sign up today to save up to $350 on your next vacation! One day is just not enough for most travelers. If offers a wide array of accommodations as well, ranging from luxury RV rentals to eco hotels. 20 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the U.S. Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiring travel guides and articles from around the world! Travel time on the Coast Starlight from LA to Seatle is 36 hours. The Skunk Train offers two journeys year-round: the Wolf Tree Turn and and Pudding Creek Express. Map Modified Service and Other Adjustments Santa Barbara California Amtrak train station is only a ten-minute walk to Stearns Wharf and beach hotels. Private rooms get priority boarding, a dedicated Sleeping Car attendant, access to the train lounge, and complimentary meals included. Your options are unlimited, we have thousands of stations from Florida to California and everywhere in between. Between April and September, trips from the historic attraction of Railtown 1897 will offer you the chance to step back more than a century and see the way the railroads used to work. Unwind and enjoy the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean with a stroll along the pier. This charming vintage railroad rides around - not unreasonably, youll surely agree - the Niles Canyon, a region in the San Francisco Bay Area. San Clemente is a popular summer beach day trip from inland areas of Southern California. Now, it offers dreamy rides through the majestic redwoods with a heavy dose of nostalgia; the views have remained largely unchanged since its original days. Travel the entire route, and the Coast Starlight will be a starting cost of about $100 to $150, or closer to $200 for a business-class seat. It serves dozens of stations, but unfortunately doesnt connect riders to the heart of San Francisco (youll need more local public transportation for that). Whether you plan a north- or southbound trip, you'll be on the train about 35 hours total. Your Amtrak Vacation journey can start from any of the over 500 Amtrak stations across North America. See two oceans, cross the Rockies, and all the land in-between with one of these North American adventures. 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 you are set on going south downtown Los Angele (Union Station). While this trip may be short, its worth checking out Poway-Midland Railroad. Kids and adults will enjoy a trip to this fun little railroadSoCal Live Steamers 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501. Classic and well known routes across America. Explore the spectacular Canadian Rockies by rail with these chart-topping vacations. Old Town San Diego State Historical Park is a short walk from the train station. Our signature excursion along the scenic Tillamook Bay and the Oregon Coast offers a relaxed ride and a step back in time behind an authentic steam locomotive! Create the perfect train vacation designed exclusively for you, by you! 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. Skunk Train. Trains are much better for the environment than flying or driving. 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. The Amtrak Coast Starlight runs daily and covers a distance of 1377 miles over 35 hours. 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. Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. This sleepy suburb on the Santa Barbara Channel of the Pacific will put visitors in touch with destinations that make Californias coast a travelers delight. With so many incredible views and sights to see on this Pacific Surfliner trip, you may want to add more nights! No trip along the Golden Coast would be complete without visiting some of Californias most iconic cities, including: Among your included sightseeing tours in these impressive cities is also a ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sonoma Valley, along the El Camino Real, and into the heart of Napa Valley for tours and tastings of up to three vineyards. Riding the Surfliner allows you to see scenic areas of the coast not viewable by car. There used to be a company that hooked on a Parlor car to Amtrak trains. Oceanside Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train station is three blocks from the beach and the towns huge wooden pier. Grover Beach is the nearest station to Pismo Beach. Filed Under: CALIFORNIA Tagged With: Top Ten California. Explore the spectacular Canadian Rockies by rail with these chart-topping vacations. Your included wine tour visits between 4-6 different award-winning wineries! Plus, you can take some home by the case if you find a favorite. If you wish to travel further north from here, you can continue on the Coast Starlight train. Some restrictions may apply. 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. 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. 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. Railbikes start at $109, which covers two riders midweek. Visitors at Roaring Camp in Santa Cruz County can ride magnificent steam trains reminiscent of those critical to the logging economy that thrived here. The narrow-gauge trains are an opportunity to travel through time in the most relaxing way imaginable. There is a broad selection of themed rides, with some including picnics and others offering an onboard beer tasting - there is no better way to see California! It may sound like a short ride, but the train wont go above 15mph (24kph) at any point, so you have all the time in the world to enjoy a fine dinner, accompanied by quality beer and wine, before disembarking; themed trips include Wild West and Zombie shows. 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. Some Amtrak trains stop here along with the San Diego Red Car Trolley. This carefully curated list has the top suggestions of vacations for first-time rail travelers. Looking for a Pacific Surfliner trip? Website: California State Railroad Museum. Think riverfront views and ivy-draped woodlands. 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. The park itself is pretty, fringed around with trees and filled with greenery, but there is certainly something about the boxcars youll spend time on in these hour-long rides - a pleasing gentility that makes for a relaxing ride. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices 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. Also, Amtrak San Joaquins doesnt offer a Business Class ticket selection, so reserving seats isnt possible. 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. On another note Due to repairs on an unstable cliff in San Clemente that caused the tracks to shift, Metrolink and Amtrak shut down service and hope to resume it by Oct. 4, 2020.. 5 Pacific Surfliner Train Trips to Enjoy the California Coast, 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/, San Diego Getaway Roundtrip from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara Getaway Roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Francisco to San Diego Californias Golden Coast. There are miles of pristine coastline that are not accessible by car on this section of the track. Head to the trains comfortable observation car and settle in for panoramic views the entire way. Follow the coast to Grover Beach. The best plan is to buy a wristband for everyone in your party so you can enjoy unlimited rides all day long, including the Giant Dipper, a historic wooden roller coaster thats been moving and grooving for nearly 100 years. It also hosts live bands most weekends. Visiting Old Town San Diego is like taking a step back in history. 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. Take the famous Coast Starlight all the way through California (with the possibility of continuing to Oregon and Washington). Due to the size of the state - its Americas third-largest behind Alaska and Texas. Carpinteria is south of Santa Barbara, and the Amtrak station is within easy walking distance of Carpinteria State Park. Some of the most exciting events only come around once a year. Often called the birthplace of California, Old Town is the first Spanish settlement in the region and near the site of the first of Californias 21 missions. While it is possible to take the Surfliner train to Santa Barbara for a day trip, we suggest spending at least one night. Train rides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 2:30 pm. Through groves filled with Giant Redwoods, over pretty bridges, towards the spellbinding estuary of the Noyo River. Amtrak Vacations is a proud part of the Railbookers Group family of brands. Upper Klamath Lake has a canoe trail, or head to Moore Park and the Link River Trail for waterfront hiking and bird-watching. Theres nothing quite like a scenic train ride, and California has no shortage of wonderful reminders of this. Any railroad attraction can allow you to ride a train - and a welcome opportunity it is, too. We are pleased to provide additional services to customers with disabilities. Oregon Coastal Excursion - Rockaway Beach or Garibaldi. If the train goes there so do we! 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. Her favourite domestic destinations include Snowdonia and the Brecon (Do a quick search on the following sites). Take a scenic train ride to Niagara Falls, NY, and witness the natural wonder of the world. The wine train is located in downtown Napa, which is only a 15-minute walk from the Andaz Napa. Many riders continue to the border via San Diego red trolley. If the train goes there so do we! Amtrak is happy to provide accessible transportation to all of our guests. Discounts: 62 years and over 15% discount, AAA members can save 10%, students 15%. Amtrak Vacations is a proud part of the Railbookers Group family of brands. Journey up the west coast in style on an Amtrak Coast Starlight train, as you travel from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara for a day of exploration. Running around the grounds of Old Poway Park, this vintage railroad - with equally vintage cars and equipment - is a simple, leisurely trip where the trains themselves are the main attraction. Gain instant access to our online brochures and download them for free. Both of these destinations offer easy access to numerous nearby attractions along with connections to a trolley or underground train systems. Next, youll take in the famous sights of Los Angeles, like Rodeo Drive, the Santa Monica Pier, and more before you board the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. Up for a long haul on Amtrak? Each train has observation cars with floor-to-ceiling windows. 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. One of the best train rides in the entire USA, you'll travel parallel to the pristine Pacific on this Amtrak train that travels 351 miles through southern California. Theres also an onboard cafe with fresh food, snacks, and drinks. Shorter rides clock in at 45 minutes and offer jaw-dropping panoramas of the Sacramento Valley, while longer trips go over the superb Deer Creek Bridge. 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. Your options are unlimited, we have thousands of stations from Florida to California and everywhere in between. Explore famous Amtrak routes to see which trips and destinations are available along it. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. San Diego, which has an average temperature of 70 degrees, has over 70 miles of gorgeous coastline. It doesn't make a difference if you know anything about how engines work or if you can tell the difference between a carburetor or a crankshaft, or a, Copyright 2023 https://www.daytrippen.com | Site Design by 3200 Creative | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | User Agreement | Contact Us, Places to Ride Trains in Southern California, 2023 Southern California Events Festivals & Fairs, Queen Mary Long Beach Tours and Attractions 2023, Hollywood Day Trip What to Do Along Hollywood Blvd, Santa Clarita Valley Day Trip Attractions Things to Do, La Purisima Mission Day Trip Lompoc California, Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum Vintage Car Rides, Unusual Things to Do in Southern California. California Coast | Amtrak Vacations Onboard Accommodations Get a good night's sleep onboard the train! If youre looking to take the scenic route then this selection offers some of the very best views in North America. Unlike the Starlight, the Pacific Surfliner doesnt include any sleeper trains, making it more of a day trip type of train. Create the perfect train vacation designed exclusively for you, by you! Sleek double-decker trains whisk you along the coast at speeds up to 90 miles an hour. 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. There is free Wi-Fi available onboard as well as a cafe car for food and drink purchases. Various routes through Ventura County are available, but what is special about these three- to four-hour rides is that each has a theme - there are Murder Mystery tours, Steam Train rides and, on weekends, special scenic tours that take in such delights as the historic town of Santa Paula, or into the countryside through citrus groves - stopping off at an authentic honey farm on the way. The Sacramento River Fox Train runs from West Sacramento 10 miles to the outskirts of Woodland and back. The states railroad offerings include historic journeys through redwood forests, luxurious wine trains, and Amtrak routes along the vibrant Pacific coastline and beyond. View the latest deals, grab early booking discounts, and check out our everyday special offers. 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. something to keep in mind. Amtrak trains, for example, are 47 percent more energy efficient than traveling by car and 36 percent more efficient than domestic air travel. Our Rail Vacation Consultants or a local Travel Advisor will assist you in making any adjustments to fit your travel style. See our customers' most favorite rail vacations. Parking and admission to the museum are free year-round except for special events. Route: Seattle Portland Sacramento San Francisco Santa Barbara Los Angeles. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safely moving people between large cities and rural towns are key to sustaining our business for decades to come. Cruise by sparkling beaches and rolling hills as you . The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner travels along the California coast from San Luis Obispo and ends in San Diego. 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.
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