California Christmas Trains

FORT BRAGG-WILLITS: Magical Christmas Tree Train November - December 31, 2023
Actual dates Dec.2-23 & 26-31, 2023

60 minute ride from Fort Bragg typically sells out. $68.35 approx.,skunktrain.com 
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.

ORANGE: Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train & Santa's Village November 24-December 30, 2023 | closed December 24 & 25, 2023
Free admission, fee parking and $tickets, irvineparkrailroad.com
 Come with family and friends and take this enchanting ride through historic Irvine Regional Park. Although you must have reserved Christmas Train tickets to board the train to see Santa, you may still enjoy thousands of lights and festive decorations throughout Santa’s Village without any reservation.

WEST SACRAMENTO: Magical Christmas Train
Actual dates November 24, 25 & 26, 2023; December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26 & 27, 2023
$79.92, riverfoxtrain.com
Christmas Tiki Train, December 1, 2023, 7-9 p.m. $84 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 ticket includes a 1-hour train ride, hot cocoa, a souvenir mug, and a cookie. Each car will have their very own Elf who will guide them in Christmas sing-a-longs, elf games, and fun elf activities. Santa Claus visits  each family. 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  November 24-December 31, 2023
299 E. Commercial St.
Willits, CA
$68.35, skunktrain.com
2 hour train with time options starting at 10:30 a.m. Magical Christmas Train from Willits  includes a ride through a storybook wonderland with cookies, hot chocolate in a souvenir mug, and Santa Claus. The train makes a stop at the "World's Largest Living Christmas Tree" which is the home of Mr. Skunk's Workshop.

OCEANSIDE/SAN DIEGO: Coaster Holiday Express December 2, 3, 9 & 10, 2023 SOLD OUT
Oceanside Transit Center
235 S Tremont St.
Oceanside, CA 92054
gonctd.com/holidayexpress/

PERRIS Southern California Railway Museum Polar Express November 19-December 30, 2023
THE POLAR EXPRESS 
Train Ride is coming to Southern California Railway Museum for the Holiday season
2201 South A Street
Perris, CA
$68, socalrailway.org

SACRAMENTO: Polar Express Train  $80-100, californiarailroad.museum
November 24, 25, 26, 29 & 30, 2023; December SOLD OUT

SANTA CRUZ - FELTON: Holiday Lights Train
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.

SUNOL & NILES Train of Lights SOLD OUT in 2021, 2022 & 2023
ncry.org 

BAY AREA: Caltrain Holiday Train December 2-3, 2023

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

PORTOLA  Christmas Train December 2-16, 2023

LOS ANGELES: Travel Town Museum 
 Griffith Park
5200 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, California 90027
Free admission, traveltown.org

POWAY: Christmas in the Park December 8-9, 2023
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.

JAMESTOWN: Railtown's The Polar Express November 24-December 17, 2023 sold out again this year
 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.

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