Scenic Train Rides in California

Lodging Near California Train Rides Sacramento River Train Rides California Skunk Train Rides Napa Valley Wine Train

The Sierra Railroad Dinner Train provides visitors an opportunity to travel on the historic Sierra Railroad while enjoying a delicious meal, gorgeous scenery, and excellent entertainment. See unspoiled countryside while enjoying superb cuisine in the luxuriously restored railroad dining and lounge cars. The Sierra Railroad - formed in 1897 to connect the Central Valley to the Gold County and the third oldest railroad in North America - continues to carry passengers, make Hollywood movies, and share the history of California.

The Dinner Train offers romantic dinners, fun murder mysteries, lunches, Sunday brunches, Wild West shows, wine tasting, and special events. Sample the area's fine wines and drinks while savoring a freshly prepared meal. Passing Oakdale, the "Cowboy Capital of the World," the train winds past orchards and climbs Sand Hill to the cattle country of eastern Stanislaus County. Enjoy your entrée as you pass the lost town of Occidental, and a delectable dessert as the train journeys westward back to the Sierra Station in Oakdale. Experience a delightful evening of romance and intimacy dancing the night away or hearing live musical entertainment on the Lounge Car, The Mirror Lake. Choose from day or evening trips, seasonal rides around holidays, as well as special warm weather trips such as the Wildflower or Raft & Rail Trip. For information and reservations, call (800) 866-1690 or visit www.sierrarailroad.com.

Sacramento River Train Rides. Journey eastward from Woodland, California to the Sacramento River, and then on to West Sacramento through the rich agricultural land of Yolo County. Enjoy a relaxing 2 ½-hour train ride on a 1918 steam locomotive as you cross an 8,000 foot wooden trestle, travel through numerous orchards and past a variety of crops. Sample and purchase local produce when you stop at Uncle Ray's Fruit Stand. You can also enjoy various train excursions offered on the Sacramento River Train, such as The Great Train Robbery, Scottish Highland Train, Murder Mystery Train, the Sunday Picnic Train and the Mother's/Father's Day Trips. Group and company charters are also available. Call (800) 866-1690 for reservations: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ; Sunday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For information, visit www.sacramentorivertrain.com.  [Top]

California Skunk Train Rides. Experience California mountain railroading on the vintage coaches and open air cars of the historic Skunk Express. Travel from the Skunk Train depot in Fort Bragg to the Northspur station and enjoy the clean mountain air. Your trip will begin by crossing California State Highway 1 and running along Pudding Creek, cutting through beautiful redwoods. You will pass over bridges and trestles with water running under them, through a 1,100 foot tunnel, and see a 1,000 year old redwood. The Noyo River provides a scenic backdrop to this exciting rail trip. At Northspur, you can stretch your legs, relax on benches and picnic tables, or watch as the locomotive is turned on the'wye' for the trip back to Fort Bragg. Riders can snack on hot dogs, sandwiches, candy, beverages, beer, and popcorn. The Train Singer - known for his jovial wit and humor - and musicians delight young and old Tuesday through Saturday with railroad songs that make history come alive.

The Skunk Train hosts many special events and theme parties, including Rails, Ales and Wine, the Christmas Train, Wine & Redwoods, and the Cinco De Mayo - Margarita Express. For information, visit www.trainsinger.com.  [Top]

Napa Valley Wine Train. Experience a 3-hour culinary adventure on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy elegant rail travel with distinguished service, and savor an exquisite gourmet meal for brunch, lunch or dinner in lavishly-restored vintage 1915-1947 Pullman Dining, Lounge and Vista Dome Railcars representing three styles of restaurants. Enjoy a relaxing scenic journey through Napa Valley's picturesque vineyards, past world-renowned wineries. As you enjoy hors d'oeuvres that enhance the finest Napa Valley wines. Visit the Wine Tasting Car to enjoy a relaxing and informal wine education. Take a trip back in time as you delight to the gourmet cuisine and fine wine on this fantastic 33 mile journey through Napa. Special trips that include winery tours or murder mysteries are available. You can shop and wine taste prior to boarding in the McKinstry Street Station. The Wine Emporium features over 200 kinds of wine and related gifts. For reservations, call (800) 427-4124 or visit www.napavalley.com.  [Top]