Train Rides in Northern California
Trains nearby to just ride for dinner and the scenery. Some historic trains take you back in time. Some still require masking, so be sure to have yours along with you.
Dinner Trains
Napa Valley Wine Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train takes you on a 36-mile round-trip discovery to St. Helena and back, stopping at celebrated wineries along the way. But it’s more than a train. It’s a luxuriously vintage setting. A lush, mesmerizing landscape. A divine four-course meal. Exclusive insider winery tours. An intimate shared experience.
River Fox Train
A local, family-owned business dedicated to preserving a piece of Northern California history, and providing a wide variety of unique things to do for our community. Our rail line spans 14 miles from West Sacramento to Woodland, and at a leisurely 10 to 15 miles per hour, there’s plenty of time for a cozy dinner, social wine or beer tasting event, or even an entertaining show.
Historic Trains
California Railroad & Trolley Corporation
Trolley rides available at the San Jose Historical Museum.
California State Railroad Museum
Open daily 10am-5pm every weekend April-September, ride behind a steam locomotive on the Museum’s Sacramento Southern Railroad.
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad
Now open Saturdays, 10am-4pm. Began operations 1876 to link the rich mining districts of western Nevada County, California, with the Central Pacific’s trans-continental railroad in Colfax.
Portola RR Museum
Reopen to the public July 1, 2021 at noon. Open Thursdays-Sundays. See link for times. You get to actually be the engineer and drive a real locomotive (under the close supervision of an instructor).
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
This park unit is open at limited capacity. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. – (June 24, 2021). Located in Jamestown. Known as The Movie Railroad, Railtown 1897, its historic locomotives and cars have starred in hundreds of film and TV productions, including High Noon, Back to the Future 3, and Petticoat Junction.
Western Railway Museum
The Western Railway Museum is now open! Please book your tickets in advance. Ride or view over 100 interurban, streetcar, rapid transit, electric, steam and diesel locomotives, workcars, and classic heavyweight mainline passenger cars. In Suisun, on Hwy 12, east of I-80.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a fun-filled excursion for the entire family, located only 10 minutes from the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park off of Highway 41. The historic railroad offers train rides, gold panning, an on-site rail museum, and a fun gifts and collectibles store. Our mission is to inspire learning and fun while experiencing our passion for local history! Open April through November. Fish Camp.
Scenic Train Rides
Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad
Roaring Camp is open and using Covid-19 protocols. Take a open car train ride through giant redwoods, stop for a picnic and catch the next train back. Take a train from Felton to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Participate in historical reenactments. Located in Felton.
Niles Canyon Railway
We are thrilled to be back for 2021 and offer a new set of special trips with new opportunities to ride through October 2021 on both Saturday and Sundays. Take a scenic ride on the historic steam locomotive trains and route along Niles Canyon, located between Sunol and Fremont.
San Francisco Cable Cars
Probably the steepest rail rides and in city traffic, too! This site tells you everything from the history to the routes and fares. Try operating the interactive cable car. Cable cars run seven days a week with special schedules on weekends. For a complete updated listing of all cable car stops and time tables, visit www.sfmta.com.
Skunk Train
Step back in time for a magical ride through the redwoods on the world-famous Skunk Train. Since 1885 the historic 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. Today’s riders enjoy the same pristine views that have remained largely unchanged for well over a century.
100 West Laurel Street Fort Bragg, California 95437 or 299 East Commercial Street Willits, California 95490
See also: Kiddie Train Rides