The most biodiverse state in the country, California has fragrant ponderosa and ancient redwood forests, fields of wildflowers, and a deep-blue Pacific coastline stretching 840 miles. The ultimate relaxing, low-effort way to watch these beautiful landscapes roll by is not from a car, but from the comfort of a train.
Some are Amtrak rides that journey through the entire state, while others are short rides through the Sierra National Forest or Napa’s vineyards. Forget gridlock, scarce parking, and skyrocketing gas prices: Book a ticket on these seven scenic train rides in California, and watch the Golden State go by.
Central and Southern California
Pacific Surfliner
One of the country’s most beautiful Amtrak trips, the 351-mile Pacific Surfliner route makes five daily round-trips between Santa Barbara and San Diego, and 13 between San Diego and L.A., running through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. The train travels along the Pacific coast between San Luis Obispo and Ventura and again from San Clemente to San Diego. Many stations are within walking distance of key attractions; various transit providers also offer free bus connections to Pacific Surfliner passengers.
Starting in San Diego, you’ll pass through Anaheim (get off here for Disneyland, less than a 10-minute drive away), then continue to Los Angeles’ Union Station, surrounded by Downtown L.A., Chinatown, and Little Tokyo. Next is Santa Barbara—the so-called American Riviera—for its coastal views, fine wines, and film festivals. The end of the line to the north is San Luis Obispo, known for outdoor activities, farm-to-table dining, and world-class wineries.
Where to stay
Stay near Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles at the historic Hotel Figueroa, one of the city’s oldest. The 268-room hotel opened nearly a century ago as lodging for professional women travelers, a rarity for the era.
A couple of blocks from the beach, the Santa Monica Proper Hotel‘s 267 guest rooms and suites marry clean, curvaceous lines with organic textures and soothing neutrals. On the roof, guests can take in panoramic views while lounging poolside; downstairs, boards and bikes are at the ready for a surf or a ride.
Related: The 19 Best Luxury and Boutique Hotels in Los Angeles
Southern, Central, and Northern California
Coast Starlight
Up for a long haul on Amtrak? Take the famous Coast Starlight along most of the California coastline (with the possibility of continuing to Oregon and Washington). The 35-hour route goes from Los Angeles to Seattle with views of snow-peaked mountains, verdant forests and valleys, and stretches of the Pacific Ocean, too. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful train trips in the country.
For many travelers, the most fun trip will be taking a section of this as a daytime train, such as from Los Angeles to Oakland (12 scenic hours). If you do want to sleep on the train, the trip from Dunsmuir (the first stop in California just after Oregon) to Los Angeles takes 20.5 hours; rooms start at $537 for two adults.
As with the Pacific Surfliner, the Coast Starlight is a good option for travelers who want to explore California without a car. The Amtrak stations are right in town, with bus connections to nearby cities; you can disembark at Salinas and take the bus an hour or a cab 30 minutes to coastal Monterey for whale-watching opportunities and a world-class aquarium.
Related: From Jollof Rice to Spicy Aguachile, These 7 Restaurants Offer Global Flavor Near L.A.’s World Cup Stadium
Northern California
Napa Valley Wine Train
Rather than worry about driving between Napa Valley wineries, hop aboard the private Napa Valley Wine train. The 36-mile wine-tasting train invites you to sip wine from Napa’s vineyards while you view their immaculately pruned vines and tuck into afternoon tea or multicourse meals.
The train includes vintage Pullman railcars restored with mahogany paneling, brass accents, etched-glass partitions, and either plush armchairs or seating that evokes the glamorous rail travel of the Gilded Age.
Choose from a two-and-a-half-hour dinner ride or three- or six-hour daytime journeys, including a champagne afternoon tea and a seven-course tasting menu lunch.
Where to stay
The wine train departs from downtown Napa. Book a room at the Andaz Napa, a 15-minute walk from the station. The Hyatt property has 141 guest rooms with hardwood hickory floors and midcentury furnishings. The location is in Napa’s center, a block from indie bookstore Napa Bookmine and 10 minutes from the twice-weekly Napa Farmers Market.
Related: The Best Luxury Hotels in Napa Valley for Staying Near the Vineyards
Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad
Hop aboard one of Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad‘s two heavy black steam trains, both built in 1913 and 1928, and trundle through the 1.3 million-acre Sierra National Forest. Rolling along a forest of trees unfurling like a green ribbon, riders enjoy a narrated journey on which you’ll hear how, in the early 20th century, trees were felled and sent to the nearby town of Madera by flume.
This train ride is easy, family-friendly fun for anyone with young children in tow or with reduced mobility. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch alfresco during the hour-long, open-air ride through beautiful forests of oaks, willows, and fir trees. Combine a ride on this scenic train with a visit to Yosemite National Park, whose southern entrance is 10 minutes away by car.
Where to stay
A glamping brand known for its safari-style tented camps near national parks, Under Canvas Yosemite opened in spring 2026. Seventy-one tents are set on 80 acres of pine-dotted forest about 10 minutes by car from the park’s west entrance and an hour and 40 minutes from Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad. Each tent has a king-size bed with a heated mattress pad, bedside lanterns, and USB charging packs, along with an en suite bathroom.
Less than an hour from the train depot is another glamping option, Wildhaven Yosemite. Located 45 minutes from Yosemite National Park’s Mariposa entrance, the property includes 12 heated and air-conditioned cabins—more like tiny houses—all with a kitchenette, a bathroom, and an outdoor seating area with a firepit. There are also 30 safari-style tents, each with one or two queen beds or a queen and two sets of bunk beds. Each tent has a private covered deck, and all tents share a communal bathroom and a shower building.
Skunk Train
The Skunk has been trundling through groves of old-growth redwood trees since 1885, when it ran along the Fort Bragg Railroad transporting lumber around Mendocino County. Its name didn’t come until 1925, inspired by the rather putrid mix of gas and crude oil that powered and heated the train. Today, the stink is gone, but the vintage trains remain, with the Skunk Train offering dreamy rides through these same majestic redwoods.
The 90-minute round-trip Pudding Express departs from Fort Bragg and runs along the estuary of the same name, where blue herons, ospreys, and egrets all make their homes. The train makes a 45-minute stop at Glen Blair Junction, where you can wander surrounded by towering redwoods. If you’d rather board in Willits, an hour inland from Fort Bragg, the ride is two hours and climbs to 1,740 feet before descending into Noyo River Canyon, bursting with redwoods.
For a more interactive activity, book one of Skunk Train’s nearly silent, electric-powered two-person railbikes and breeze along the serene track flanked by giant redwoods. Go during the day when dappled sunlight filters through the tree canopies, or book a moonlight four-hour ride between Pudding Creek and Glen Blair Junction, where you can toast marshmallows, have a drink, and play cornhole.
Where to stay
Base yourself at JD House in Mendocino, 20 minutes south of Fort Bragg on California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Picture a ship captain’s home with a modern vibe, and you’ve got this six-room bed-and-breakfast in the heart of town, where three of the rooms have ocean views. Breakfast dishes are delivered to your door each morning in a cooler and might include coconut chia pudding, chocolate olive oil loaf, and biscuits and gravy.
Related: This Underrated California Region Is Getting Three New State Parks
River Fox Train
Originally built in 1911 by Northern Electric Co., the River Fox Train now offers an opportunity for visitors to explore the Sacramento River along a 10-mile stretch of track through Yolo County’s countryside. Trains roll past farmland, including groves of walnuts and fields of sunflowers. Theme rides range murder-mystery trips, afternoon tea (complete with scones and a porcelain tea set), and even a boba train. Several of River Fox train’s journeys are popular with families; for an adults-only scenic train trip, book the wine, beer, or murder-mystery rides. Plus, like its sister Skunk Train in Mendocino County, this track also offers whimsical one-hour railbike rides.
Where to stay
The Citizen Hotel in downtown Sacramento sits inside a 1925 building designed by George Selland, the first state architect of California. The 196 rooms have views of the city skyline; on the walls hang political cartoons by Pulitzer Prize–winning artist Jack Ohman and the late Newton Pratt. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from California State Capitol Park and its museum and rose garden, filled with more than 650 roses.
Central Coast
Roaring Camp Railroad
Roaring Camp‘s 1890 steam engines, originally used to carry redwood logs, are among the country’s oldest narrow-gauge steam trains offering passenger service. Guests have two scenic train rides to choose from: the 75-minute Redwood Forest train that departs from Roaring Camp, a 15-minute drive outside Santa Cruz (also accessible by a 20-minute bus ride and 1.5-mile walk), running through sky-high redwood groves and up to the 892-foot summit of Bear Mountain.
For a longer ride that’s even easier to access, hop aboard the Santa Cruz Beach Train, which departs from the boardwalk for its three-hour journey. Leaving from the beach, this train runs through a tunnel built in 1875, across a steel truss bridge built in 1909, down the San Lorenzo River Gorge, and through the 1,750-acre Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park before arriving for a one-hour stop in Felton, where you can stroll or picnic before the return journey. Boarding in Felton, the train does this route in reverse, with a one-hour break at Santa Cruz Beach..
Where to stay
After three decades in limbo, La Bahia Hotel & Spa reopened on the Santa Cruz waterfront in September 2025. The beachfront hotel, built by the same company that did the Santa Cruz boardwalk, first opened as a Spanish colonial revival complex in 1926. Today, its 155 rooms, including 29 suites, wrap around a restored courtyard with four restaurants, a spa, and a pool. Start the day with morning yoga on the rooftop every Saturday and Sunday, or borrow one of the hotel’s Linus cruisers for a ride along the 11-mile Santa Cruz Bikeway.
Related: From Ojai to Santa Cruz, These Historic California Hotels Are Being Reborn as New Luxury Getaways
This article was originally published in 2023 and most recently updated on May 14, 2026, with current information.
