California Christmas Trains

FILLMORE: Fillmore Western Railway's Holiday Express Train
$, fwry.com
Holiday Express - Daytime & North Pole - After Dark Trains
Holiday Express: Departing from & returning to the historic Fillmore Depot. Enjoy a fun scenic train ride on vintage train cars this holiday season! Then experience approximately 1 hour 20 minutes visiting "Prancer's Christmas Farm" and/or the "Loose Caboose" (next door)! BONUS: Free "Tractor Sleigh Ride" included (1 per person) when showing proof of train ride purchase at Prancer's Christmas Farm! Free Admission Prancer's Christmas Farm transforms 30 acres to a winter experience complete with Christmas Trees (for purchase), Sleigh Ride, Horse Rides, Barrel Train Ride, Fire Pits, Farm Animal Center, Christmas Lights , Music, Food Truck, Santa and more! Some attractions have an additional charge on-site. Loose Caboose Garden Center & Gift Shop includes purchasing tasty fresh produce, snacks & drinks, feeding the chickens & quail and having a look around the country store, holiday display room and gift shop. Snacks and beverages (including beer) available for purchase on train. Purchase of a Tree is optional at Prancer's Christmas Farm. Netting (required) prices are separate. Train crew will transport your tree back to Fillmore. Please bring your own rope to tie down tree to vehicle once back in Fillmore.
North Pole Experience: Departing From & Returning to Prancer's Christmas Farm located in Santa Paula off the Highway 126 invites participants to a magical 1 hour evening train ride to the "North Pole." This train ride does not involve a stop where you exit the train. No food or drinks will be allowed on train. See and wave at Santa and his elves! Enjoy some storytelling fun. Wear your pajamas and bring blankets (optional). Please be sure to wear good walking shoes and additional warm clothing. Free "Tractor Sleigh Ride" included (1 per person) when showing proof of train ride purchase at the farm!

FORT BRAGG: Magical Christmas Skunk Train    60 minute ride from Fort Bragg typically sells out. $,skunktrain.com 
Fort Bragg tickets include a 60 minute train ride through a storybook wonderland, cookies, hot chocolate in a souvenir mug, and a personal visit with Santa Claus himself. Wear your Christmas morning pajamas, if you'd like, and join in carols and reindeer games. 

JAMESTOWN: Railtown Santa Express Train Ride November 27-December 19, 2020
November 27-28, December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 2020
$100 per person, railtown1897.org
Railtown 1897 SHP and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation are pleased to welcome guests aboard the historic Sierra Railway for evening holiday themed train rides. Guests on these special excursions will delight in the decorated coaches, an appearance by the big man in the red suit, a sweet treat, a reading of the famed poem The Night Before Christmas, and lots of holiday cheer.  Dates: Nov.27-28, Dec.4-5, Dec.11-16

ORANGE: Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train November 28-December 23, 2020
$tickets, irvineparkrailroad.com
 Come with family and friends and take this enchanting ride through historic Irvine Regional Park. This year, passengers will remain seated on the train at the North Pole as Santa and Mrs. Clause greet passengers from a safe distance. There will be no photos with Santa (including sitting on his lap). Social distancing rules and mask rules enforced.

WEST SACRAMENTO: Magical Christmas Train November 27-December 23, 2020, $tickets, riverfoxtrain.com
18095 County Road 117, West Sacramento, CA 95691
Step aboard and ride this magical train to be transported on a holiday wonderland complete with hot cocoa and a treat. Each car will have their very own Elf who will guide them in Christmas sing-a-longs, elf games, and fun elf activities. After your train ride, Santa will be waiting for you at our Winter Wonderland park. Each family will have the opportunity to have a socially distanced experience with Santa. Mrs. Claus and Santa’s Elves will be on hand as well. Feel free to come dressed in your cozy PJs to add even more magic to your overall experience. Kids of all ages will enjoy this enchanting holiday tradition and children will have fond memories that last a lifetime.

WILLITS: Skunk Train Magical Christmas Train  (90 minutes) several time options starting at 10 a.m.
$ skunktrain.com  Sells out! Magical Christmas Train from Willits  includes a 90-minute ride through a storybook wonderland with cookies, hot chocolate in a souvenir mug, and Santa Claus. 

 

VIRTUAL 2020

OCEANSIDE/SAN DIEGO: Coaster Holiday Express Virtual in 2020
Oceanside Transit Center
235 S Tremont St.
Oceanside, CA 92054
gonctd.com/holidayexpress/

 

NO-GO 2020

BAY AREA: Caltrain Holiday Train Not listed in 2020

COSTA MESA: Goat Hill Junction, Orange County Model Engineers Miniature Train Ride & Santa Photos / Cancelled in 2020
Fairview Park
2501 Placentia Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA
Free, ocmetrains.org

SANTA CRUZ - FELTON: Holiday Lights Train Cancelled in 2020  roaringcamp.com
Departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk  with vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights. Ticketed guests climb aboard and roll through the streets of Santa Cruz singing holiday carols, sipping hot spiced cider and listening to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart!  Also enjoy the daytime holiday walk and Chanukah train.

PORTOLA  Christmas Train Cancelled in 2020

LOS ANGELES: Travel Town Museum closed in 2020 due to COVID
Polar Express Pajama Party Not Available
Griffith Park
5200 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, California 90027
$Become a member, traveltown.org

PERRIS Orange Empire Railway Museum Polar Express
Cancelled in 2020
2201 South A Street
Perris, CA
socalrailway.org

POWAY: Christmas in the Park Cancelled in 2020 (Re-imagined)
Old Poway Park
14134 Midland Road
Poway, CA 92064
858-668-4576
FREE admission, poway.org
Steam locomotive train rides and model trains at Christmas in the Park. Includes Christmas tree lighting, Santa, Horse-drawn hay and pony rides, petting zoo, and face painting and live entertainment. 

SACRAMENTO: Polar Express Train Cancelled in 2020. californiarailroad.museum

NAPA: Wine Train Santa Train Not Listed in 2020
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa, CA, 94559
winetrain.com
Interactive musical journey at the Station
1.25-hour Christmas train ride to The North Pole
Onboard music, games, and entertainment
Hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies onboard. Board the Santa Train to add some sparkle and spirit to your Christmas season. Sip hot cocoa, munch freshly-baked cookies, and join in games and sing-alongs with a jolly cast of characters headlined by Santa himself. Wind your way to The North Pole on a special mission to help Jolly the Bear. Treat the little ones to a truly magical, musical, and memorable family Christmas adventure! Includes 1.5 hour Christmas train ride to The North Pole Music, games, and entertainment Hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies

SUNOL & NILES Train of Lights not listed in 2020.
ncry.org  

All events are subject to change. Check with the train company or museum before going -- always check first!