Best of Northern California Day Train Trips
Sierra Railroad Dinner Train in Oakdale
800.866.1690
www.sierrarailroad.com
You can take a ride on the historic Sierra Railroad while enjoying a delicious meal and beautiful countryside. The Sierra Railroad Dinner Trains is considered one of the five best dinner trains in the West. The Dinner train offers not only romantic dinners but Sunday Brunches, Murder Mystery dinners, Wild West shows and holiday specials. The 3 hour ride begins in Oakdale and travels for 16 miles before turning around in Warnerville.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Jamestown, CA
209.984.3953
www.railtown1897.com/railtown/default.asp
This one-of-a-kind attraction combines industrial heritage and railroad history with the Hollywood. It's known as "The Movie Railroad" because its trains have been featured in many, many movies from High Noon to Back To The Future 3 to Petticoat Junction. Tour the Historic Jamestown Shops and Roundhouse. You can also ride a historic steam train through scenic Gold Country.
Sacramento River Train
800.866.1690
www.sierrarailroad.com
The train takes you from Woodland to Sacramento through farmland along the Sacramento River and over an 8,000-foot long trestle. Beer & wine are available in the dining car, the Club Car or the open-air cars. The Club Car has a relaxed style and often has live music. The open-air cars are popular during Saturday Great Train Robberies or Sunday Brunches.
Skunk Train
866.457.5865
www.sierrarailroad.com
The Skunk line runs 40 miles from Fort Bragg on the coast to Willits. Along the way, the tracks cross some 30 bridges and trestles and pass through two mountain tunnels. The views from the trains are virtually the same as in 1885. The train was built as a logging train and was named for the original gas engines which you could smell before you could see them. The Skunk train offers dinners, overnight excursions and can be chartered for weddings and private events.
Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa
800.427.4124
www.winetrain.com
A 36-mile round-trip between Napa and St. Helena. You can ride the rails while enjoying some of the best wines the Napa Valley has to offer. The train has three different styles of restaurants during the three hour excursions, Champagne Vista Dome, Gourmet Express and Silverado Grill. They also have a number of special events including Murder Mystery ride, Moonlight Escape and holiday specials.
