If you like trains, you will love this list of train rides in Southern California: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Kids Trains, Dinner Trains, Weekend Rail Excursions, and Historic railroads. Riding the rails is a fun and exciting way to see California and often lets you enjoy sights that cannot be viewed from an automobile or bus. If it runs on rails, you will find it here—all Aboard for a fun train trip.
Northern California Train Rides – Nevada Train Rides
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Pacific Surfliner is a train service offered by Amtrak, which runs along the coast of California from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. It is popular among travelers visiting Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Juan Capistrano, and San Diego. The trains used by Amtrak are modern double-deckers and can reach speeds of up to ninety miles per hour on specific sections of the route. Overall, the Pacific Surfliner is an excellent way to explore Southern California’s scenic coastline.
What cities does Surfliner stop at?
Pacific Surfliners travel from Santa Barbara to San Diego, with popular stops in Los Angeles, Fullerton, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and Oceanside. It takes approximately 12 hours to travel the entire route of the Surfliner, which includes 29 stations. However, most trains do not stop at each station.
Train rides in Orange County
Goat Hill Junction
Goat Hill Junction, located in Costa Mesa, is popular among kids who are passionate about riding trains. The Orange County Model Engineers offer free rides to children of all ages once a month. The miniature train layout at Goat Hill Junction is one of the largest on the West Coast, providing a unique and enjoyable experience. Each ride lasts approximately 15 minutes, and the best part is that you can enjoy unlimited free rides without any restrictions.
Irvine Regional Park Railroad
During the 12-minute ride, you will take a scenic route that passes the park’s lakes and around one of the oldest oak tree groves in Irvine Park. Your conductor will highlight the critical points along the way and give you a brief introduction to the park. The ride’s top speed is only a few miles an hour, allowing you to take your time and appreciate the view.
Adventure City Railroad
Adventure City Railroad is a vintage miniature train from 1938 that travels around the theme park. Although the journey only lasts a few minutes, it is one of the most popular attractions in the small garden. What makes the Adventure City Railroad special is that it passes right through the center of the park’s birthday party area, adding an exciting touch to the experience.
Santa Ana Zoo Train
The Zoofari Express is a fun miniature train ride within the Santa Ana Zoo. The train was previously situated at Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead, an attraction that is no longer operational in the Southern California San Bernardino Mountains. The zoo currently operates two electric-powered train engines, which has resulted in reduced noise and gas fumes around the animals. The train takes passengers on a half-mile loop around the east side of the zoo and then returns to the station.
Strand Beach Funicular Cable Car
The Strand Beach Funicular Cable Car connects Strand View Park to the beach in Dana Point. The ride on the funicular is free for visitors. We recommend taking the stairs to the beach and using the funicular back to the parking lot. The cable car runs daily during the summer but on weekends only during the rest of the year.
Train rides in the Los Angeles Area
Los Angeles Live Steamers
Los Angeles Live Steamers offers a unique attraction where visitors can ride on intricately crafted 7½” gauge model trains that pull miniature passenger cars. The train ride takes approximately 15 minutes and covers over two miles of track. Passengers are immersed in a charming world filled with delightful towns, low-hanging tunnels, and delicate bridges. The trains are perfectly built and well-maintained, providing a fun and enjoyable experience for people of all ages.
Travel Town Train Museum
At Travel Town, visitors can explore a fascinating collection of locomotives, cabooses, passenger cars, and motor cars from 1880 to the 1930s. This fantastic experience allows children to climb aboard some engines and enjoy what it would feel like to be an engineer. Visitors can enjoy a ten-minute miniature train ride circling the Travel Town Train Museum for a mile in Griffith Park.
Angels Flight Railway
One of the most iconic landmarks in Los Angeles, the shortest railroad in the world, was built in 1901 and is located on the Southwest corner of Third and Hill Streets. Its purpose was to transport passengers between downtown and Bunker Hill, a fashionable residential district at the time, due to the steep incline between them.
Descanso Gardens Enchanted Railroad
If you want a fun activity, try riding the Enchanted Railroad. It’s a 1/8th replica of a diesel train that takes you around a section of the Descanso Gardens. You can only ride it on weekends, from 10 am to 3:45 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. You can purchase tickets for just a few dollars at the train station near Center Circle.
Griffith Park & Southern Railroad
Griffith Park & Southern Railroad was established in 1948. The ride aboard the miniature train covers a distance of approximately one mile and takes around 15 minutes to complete. During the ride, you’ll cross over a creaky fifty-year-old bridge and venture into the lush forests of Griffith Park.
El Dorado Express
If you’re looking for something fun in El Dorado Park in Long Beach, you might want to check out the seasonal little train there. The train covers a distance of around one mile and even passes through a tunnel adjacent to the park lake, making for a unique experience. However, before you make your way to Long Beach, it’s best to call ahead and confirm if the train is running on the day you plan to visit.
Southern California Live Steamers
Free trains ride on the 1st Sunday from 11 am-3 pm and the 3rd Saturday from 12 pm-4 pm each month. Donations are appreciated as they help with the upkeep of the miniature railroad. The train ride takes about 15 minutes and runs along the Southside of Charles H. Wilson Park in Torrance, California. Kids and adults will enjoy a trip to this fun little railroad—SoCal Live Steamers 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501.
Fillmore & Western Railway
Returning through the Heritage Valley on board the Fillmore and Western Railway. Weekend scenic excursion trains, dinner trains, and seasonal events make the Fillmore a popular destination for Southern California Railfans. (Currently, trains are not running.)
Train rides in the San Diego Area
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
The museum offers train rides on most weekends. The Golden State train excursion takes a 12-mile round-trip journey along the old San Diego & Arizona Railway track. A Diesel-electric locomotive pulls vintage passenger cars. On the grounds, you will find numerous pieces of railroad equipment in various stages of repair, from passenger cars to engines.
Poway-Midland Railroad
Visitors can enjoy a ride on a short track at Old Poway Park on a vintage 1907 Baldwin No. 3 Steam Locomotive, an 1894 Los Angeles Yellow Trolley Car, or a 1950 Fairmont Speeder. The trains operate on weekends, except for the 2nd Sunday of each month, a quiet day with no train rides available.
Balboa Park San Diego Miniature Railroad
If you plan on visiting the San Diego Zoo or Balboa Park, you might want to check out the Balboa Park Miniature Train outside the zoo entrance. This train has been running since 1948 and takes visitors on a short half-mile loop, passing through a tunnel and running alongside the zoo parking lot, before returning to the station. The fare is only $3.00, making it a fun and affordable activity for the whole family.
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
This little train was hand-built in the 1960s and donated to the museum, where volunteers built a train station and laid about a quarter-mile of the track. The train runs on special event days only. Visitors can check out a vast indoor N’ scale model railroad gallery for the rest of the year.
San Diego Red Trolley
San Diego’s Red Car Trolley system spans three lines: Blue, Orange, and Green, with over 50 miles of track to take you anywhere in San Diego County.
Chula Vista Live Steamers
Train rides are open to the public every second weekend of the month from noon – to 2:30 pm. Train rides are free; donations are appreciated. Rides last about 15 minutes and are suitable for both adults and children. Chula Vista Live Steamers are in Rohr Park’s corner in the City of Chula Vista, California.4548 Sweetwater Rd Chula Vista, CA 91902.
Inland Empire Train Rides
Southern California Railway Museum
Southern California Railway Museum has a collection of restored urban trolley cars. On most weekends, passengers can ride on a 1.5-mile mainline, previously part of the Santa Fe Railroad, in trolley cars and a diesel-powered train. If you are a train enthusiast, the Orange Empire Railway Museum is an ideal destination for a day trip.
Toms Farm Railroad
Tom’s Farm train is a reproduction of an 1800s steam train. This fun little train trip takes you over a covered bridge and through an undeveloped area of Toms Farm in Corona. I plan to spend a few hours at the farm and take home a bag of nuts and candy. Have lunch and enjoy riding the ride train and carnival rides.
Riverside Live Steamers Train Rides
Train rides are open to the public every second and fourth Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. With 10,000 feet of track, Riverside Live Steamers features one of Southern California’s largest miniature train layouts. This group of volunteers stays true to its name and only runs steam engine trains. Riverside Live Steamers 1496 Columbia Ave, Riverside, CA 92507.
Calico Ghost Town Train
The Calico & Odessa Railway was initially used to transport from Calico to the Waterloo Mills near Daggett during the 1880s. Nowadays, visitors can enjoy a replica train tour that takes them through the Calico Hills, showcasing old mines and the surrounding desert. Even though the train trip is short, it is still an exciting and recommended activity while visiting Calico Ghost Town in Barstow, California.
Santa Barbara Area Train Rides
Santa Barbara Zoo Train
The Santa Barbara Zoo features two miniature C. P. Huntington trains that travel along a half-mile track. The train ride is an excellent way to explore the beautiful Andre Clark Bird Refuge behind the zoo. If you plan a day trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo, you can conveniently reach it using Amtrak. A shuttle bus service along State Street and El Cabrillo Boulevard is available, providing easy zoo access.
South Coast Railroad Museum
The South Coast Railroad Museum is located in Goleta, California. The 1901 Southern Pacific Railroad Depot used to be situated about two miles away from its current location. The museum offers a variety of attractions to its visitors, but the miniature train and handcar ride are the most popular. The Goleta Short Line operates every weekend throughout the year.
California Living Museum
The Central California Children’s Railroad can be found on the grounds of the Living Museum, located near Bakersfield. The train operates on weekends and during special event days. A train ticket costs only one dollar and takes you on a scenic loop around the backlot of the museum.
What is the most scenic train ride in California?
Many websites claim the Napa Valley Wine Train is California’s most scenic train ride. However, we have a different opinion. The Napa train only runs for a short distance, and the route is adjacent to the highway for most of the trip. The California Zephyr from Sacramento to Reno and beyond is North America’s most beautiful train trip. The California Zephyr is our top pick for California’s most scenic train ride.
Southern and Central California Train Museums
California Railroad Depot Museums
Visitors can connect with the past and local history at California’s railroad depot museums, which have been relocated and restored by volunteers.
Seal Beach Red Car Museum
The Seal Beach Red Car Museum can be found on the corner of Main and Electric, inside Car No. 1734 – a restored Pacific Electric Railway car. This museum offers a rare and unique look into the mass transit system that once used streetcars to serve Southern California. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about the history of transportation in the area and to see how things have changed over the years.
Harvey House Railroad Depot Barstow
The Western America Railroad Museum also has free admission and is jam-packed with information about Casa Del Desierto and the trains that used to stop there. Outside is a collection of rail cars, locomotives, rolling stock, and general railroad operating equipment.
RE: rearding the Ops of the Fillmore & Western;
though the city of Fillmore is still there, since prior Ventura County supervisors hated the railroad, sued it, & failed to support it, the owners decided to retire (the vandals were very kind to the excursion equipment left behind there…), a new operator was found, the present Supervisors don’t hate their RR like their predecessor had… the group bought is Sierra Northern RR, who have experiences w/ tourist operations.
This is by far the best list of trains to ride in SoCal, NorCal, and Nevada.
Thanks for putting together this resource for everyone that like trains.
Hello Jeannie
Yes is no secret we love trains at Daytrippen.com
Thanks for visiting
Gordon
I am looking for A nice Christmas Dinner train ride for a group
What do you suggest.
Hello
For a dinner train in Southern California, I would suggest the Fillmore and Western Railway. They offer a Dinner With Santa Train on December 20, 21, and 22. The train departs at 5:30 pm.and returns at 7:30.