Looking for a Soothing Alternative to a California Road Trip? Take the Train Instead.

Stretching over 1,000 miles from north to south, California is a vast and varied state, renowned for its scenic road trips. However, consider a different approach to exploring the state that alleviates the stress of potential traffic jams and offers a fresh viewpoint: by train.

California's railways feature historic excursions through majestic redwood forests, opulent wine trains, and Amtrak routes along the stunning Pacific coast and beyond. Here are five of the most picturesque train rides to experience in California.

1. Pacific Surfliner

• Route: From San Diego to San Luis Obispo

Amtrak’s renowned Pacific Surfliner provides a 351-mile journey through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, with portions of the route hugging the stunning Pacific coastline in Southern California.

Travel from San Diego through Anaheim (a convenient stop for Disneyland), then continue into the vibrant and historic downtown of L.A. Next up is Santa Barbara—the so-called American Riviera, celebrated for its breathtaking coastal views, excellent wines, and film festivals. The route culminates in San Luis Obispo, famous for its outdoor adventures, farm-to-table cuisine, and top-notch wineries.

How to experience it

• Plan your journey: pacificsurfliner.com

The Pacific Surfliner operates five daily round-trips between Santa Barbara and San Diego, as well as 13 services between San Diego and Los Angeles. Fares begin at $16 for a one-way trip. Many stations are conveniently located within walking distance of popular attractions, and various transit providers offer free bus connections for Pacific Surfliner riders.

Enhance your journey with a longer visit to downtown Los Angeles, which boasts a wealth of hotel choices, including the historic Hotel Figueroa. This establishment, one of the city's oldest, opened nearly a century ago as accommodation for professional women travelers, a rarity at the time. The Spanish adobe-style structure features 268 rooms and suites and fosters a vibrant, creative atmosphere with exceptional dining and beverage options.

2. Coast Starlight

• Route: San Diego to Seattle

Ready for a lengthy ride on Amtrak? Experience the renowned Coast Starlight, which travels through California and can extend to Oregon and Washington. The complete 35-hour journey stretches from Los Angeles to Seattle, showcasing breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, lush forests, valleys, and sections of the Pacific Ocean. It’s regarded as one of the most scenic train journeys in the nation.

How to embark on this journey

• Plan your journey: amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train

For those traveling the full distance, the Coast Starlight's starting fare ranges from approximately $100 to $150, with business-class seats approaching $200. If you prefer to stay overnight, a roomette will cost around $700, while a family room is about $1,300, which includes meals, water, and coffee.

3. Napa Valley Wine Train

• Route: Napa Valley

Exploring California’s wineries in Napa can be cumbersome and risky by car. Instead, board the exclusive Napa Valley Wine Train, a 36-mile loop featuring wine tastings and gourmet food prepared fresh on board.

The train features beautifully restored vintage Pullman rail cars adorned with mahogany paneling, brass details, etched glass dividers, and luxurious armchair seating, reminiscent of the elegant rail journeys of the Gilded Age.

How to embark on your journey

• Schedule your ride: winetrain.com

Select from three- or six-hour daytime trips or opt for a two-hour dinner experience. A new offering, “Tasting on the Rails,” will debut in May, with tickets starting at $395. This includes a three-hour ride on the 1915 Pullman Lounge car, featuring an exclusive observation platform for guests, along with a seven-course meal paired with seven wines from the valley.

The wine train is conveniently located in downtown Napa, just a 15-minute stroll from the Andaz Napa. This Hyatt property boasts 141 guest rooms, complete with hickory hardwood floors and midcentury decor. The hotel’s bar, the Mercantile Terrace, offers a lively atmosphere with a bar menu and fire pits.

4. Skunk Train

• Location: Mendocino

This historic train dates back to the 1880s, originally serving the Fort Bragg Railroad to facilitate lumber transportation in Northern California’s Mendocino County. The name Skunk Train comes from the strong odors it used to produce. Today, it offers enchanting rides through the towering redwoods, steeped in nostalgia; the stunning views have remained remarkably similar to those from its early days.

How to experience it

• Reserve your journey: skunktrain.com

The train provides a variety of trips beginning at $50. The seven-mile round-trip Pudding Express departs from the Fort Bragg station, traversing the estuary where blue herons, ospreys, egrets, and other wildlife thrive.

Alternatively, enjoy a unique adventure on the tracks with a railbike: These nearly silent, electric-powered two-person bikes glide effortlessly along the tranquil route. Rates start at $265 per bike.

5. River Fox Train

• Where: Sacramento

Originally established in 1911 by Northern Electric Co., the River Fox Train provides visitors with a chance to discover the Sacramento River along a 10-mile stretch through the scenic Yolo County countryside. Themed rides include beer and wine tastings, murder mystery adventures, and festive holiday outings. Picture riverfront vistas and woodlands draped in ivy. Like its counterpart, the Skunk Train in Mendocino County, this route also features the enchanting railbike experience.

How to experience it

• Reserve your journey: riverfoxtrain.com

Ticket prices for the train start at $59 for adults and $29 for children. Railbikes are available starting at $109, accommodating two riders during the week. Boarding occurs in West Sacramento. Enhance your visit with a stay at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento, showcasing curated political art and architecture by George Selland, California’s first state architect.