California Train Vacations

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

• The tracks of this popular Amtrak route hug the California coast for much of the trip between Paso Robles to the north and San Diego to the south. There are stops at San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Anaheim along the way. This is a real do-it-yourself vacation, as any side trips at those stops are up to you to organize. Bikes and surfboards are permitted as carry-on baggage. On the train, snag a seat on the west side of the car to be assured of an ocean view, otherwise you may spend much of the journey staring at gridlock on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  Amtrak
  800-872-7245
  amtrak.com

Napa Valley Wine Train

• Less a railway than a rolling restaurant, the Napa Valley Wine Train serves gourmet meals while chugging through famous vineyards. Lunch and dinner trips depart from Napa, travel to the village of St. Helena, and return along a parallel track. While on board the antique Pullman train cars, you'll be treated to classic California cuisine. The produce is locally sourced, the fish line caught, and the meat hormone free. Since you've left the driving to the engineer, indulge in wine pairings from more than 30 local wineries.

  Napa Valley Wine Train
  1275 McKinstry St.
  Napa, CA 94559
  707-253-2111
  Winetrain.com

Skunk Train

• What was once originally a logging railway is now a passenger train getaway that runs 40 miles through a coastal redwood forest between Fort Bragg and Willits, Calif. The tracks run along the banks of the Noyo River, over bridges, through tunnels and past meadows. You'll make one stop at the tiny town of Northspur, and from October through April, you can also have lunch there. You have your choice of steam engine and diesel train trips, as well as turnaround and overnighters.

  Skunk Train
  100 W. Laurel St.
  Fort Bragg, CA 95437
  707-964-6371
  skunktrain.com

Filmore and Western Railway

• This is California, baby, and everyone wants to be in pictures---even the trains. This is Hollywood's go-to railway, having been in dozens of television shows, such as "Mad Men," "CSI" and "The Office," and period films including "Seabiscuit," "O Brother Where Art Thou" and "Bugsy." In between shoots, you can ride the train during one of its many special events, ranging from murder mystery dinners to "Thomas the Tank Engine" shows.

  Filmore and Western Railway
  351 Santa Clara St.
  Fillmore, CA 93015
  805-524-0330
  Fwry.com