Who doesn’t like a good old train ride?! For me personally, extra bonuses go to Christmas train rides in California. There is just no winter holidays for me without a jolly ride on a beautifully decorated train to meet Santa, drinking hot cocoa and listening to holiday tunes.
There are lots of Christmas activities in San Francisco but I enjoy a Christmas train rides more than anything else because it is always a fun family adventure plus you are always guaranteed coverage from inclement weather, which is not uncommon in Northern California in December. Tickets for many Christmas events in Bay Area are sold out well in advance so when you are buying yours you just have no idea if it is going to “rain on your parade”. A train ride is predictable, cozy and toasty.
Luckily, there are several Christmas train rides in California not far from San Francisco Bay Area and l am happy to share with you all the details since we tried most of them, and I hope that these wonderful journeys will make your holiday season extra special.
Christmas train rides in California
Niles Canyon Railway, Sunol CA
This is probably one of my most favorite Christmas train rides in California. The Train of Lights at Niles Canyon Railway is extra special because each car is decorated in a different theme and part of the fun is to go from one car to another to check out the décor. If you buy tickets for an earlier ride when it is not too dark you will be able to see the scenic beauty of the Niles Canyon. A meeting with Santa is part of the experience. Prices start from $30 depending on the type of the train car you select – there are 5 types of cars to choose from.
Roaring Camp Railroads
Roaring Camp Railroads offer not one but TWO Christmas train rides in California:
Holiday Lights Train, Santa Cruz, CA
Holiday Lights Train in Santa Cruz is a fun trip with spiced cider and meeting with Santa and its elves. The train is not as lavishly decorated as the one at Niles Canyon Railway and the train just goes through the town of Santa Cruz which is not much of a scenic ride but there is an added bonus of live entertainment and holiday tunes sing-along. Ticket prices start from $30.
Since this Christmas train ride starts and ends at the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk, you can add some fun activities to your trip. The last time we took this ride in 2019 we played mini golf at the Boardwalk. At that time one free Boardwalk activity was included with your train ticket. I am not positive it is still the case but it is worth asking about.
Holiday Tree Walk, Felton CA
This Christmas train ride in California is pretty unique because it takes you through the redwoods forest to the summit of the Bear Mountain. At the top of the mountain the riders will be able to drink hot cider and view decorated holiday trees. Visit with Santa is included. Prices start from $24.
Western Railway Museum
Western Railway Museum in Suisun City, CA offers a cool Santa Train experience which includes a ride on a historic electric railway (which is a bit of a different experience then riding a traditional train) and visit with Santa at Santa’s Village where kids can participate in fun activities: a bounce house and activity tables. Hot cocoa, marshmallows, cookies and popcorn are all included. Free Conductor’s hats are provided too while supplies last. Tickets are $20 per person.
Sacramento Area
In greater Sacrament Area there are two Christmas train rides to enjoy:
California State Railroad Museum
California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento offers an official Polar Express ride. If you read the book or watched the movie you pretty much know what to expect. It all starts with a special ticket and a conductor, and then you take a trip to the North Pole, drink lots of hot cocoa, meet Santa and get a very special gift from him – the sleigh bell.
I love this train ride because it starts from Old Sacramento and goes along the Sacramento River, which makes it a very scenic ride. You may want to choose an earlier departure during the day to witness all this beauty.
An added bonus – a possibility to visit the Museum itself which has many great exhibits. A ticket to the Museum is not included with the ride but it is definitely worth exploring since you are there anyway. You can also just explore Old Sacramento itself with its cute shops and eateries.
Ticket prices start from $45 and there are 9 types of sitting cars to choose from on this train ride.
River Fox Train
River Fox Train in West Sacramento offers a holiday experience that includes hot cocoa (with a mug as a gift), a sweet treat, holiday sing-along, games and other festive activities. Visit with Santa is included in your ticket. Prices start from $45 for kids ($10 for 2 years and under).
Skunk Train
Skunk Train experience in located in Mendocino County and it has 2 departure locations: Fort Bragg and Willits. Both are considered scenic train rides but the one departing Willits has much better views due to the ride through the majestic redwoods forest. That is why, I think, the Willits ride is a bit more expensive. However, the depot at Fort Bragg has a cool model railroad exhibit that I find very interesting for both kids and adults.
The entire Christmas train experience is focused around listening to the reading of Skippy the TrainDeer book during the ride. Ticket prices start from $39.95 ($10.95 for kids 2 and younger)
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, CA offers the same Polar Express train ride as California State Railroad Museum, there is no difference in experience. And the same as Sacramento location, this Christmas train ride offers something more than the ride itself. If you have time to visit the entire Park and enjoy all the exhibits, your experience will so much more rewarding. Tickets are $50 per person.
Additional information
If you have heard of Napa Wine Train doing Christmas train rides in California, unfortunately, that event has been cancelled for 2021 and we don’t know if it will return in the future.
I hope you can find your favorite Christmas Train ride in California and start your own holiday tradition. Do you have a favorite already? Let me know in the comments below.
Do you need more Christmas travel ideas? Please, check out our other Christmas related articles:
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