Train from San Jose to San Francisco
A complete Northern California train trip isn’t a fantasy, but a possibility. Hop aboard the Capitol Corridor to discover Auburn, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. Providing up to 32 daily train rides, this train from San Jose to San Francisco is convenient, affordable, and frequent. Whether you ride the entirety of this California train trip or just one portion (maybe the train from Sacramento to San Francisco), you’ll love the adventure.
California railroad museums
Southern California Railway Museum
Location: 2201 South A Street, Perris
The Southern California Railway Museum focuses on the area’s railroad history. This museum has the largest collection of Pacific Electric Railway rolling stock in the world. A significant portion of it was rescued from scrap yards after the discontinuation of operations. The railroad museum houses a large collection of historical locomotives, railcars, trolleys, model trains, and a three-foot gauge. Take a California train ride on an operating trolley every Saturday and Sunday at the museum.
Parking and admission to the museum are free year-round except for special events. Tours of the grounds, static exhibits, and shops can also be self-guided. There’s a picnic area near the main entrance, as well as an interactive railroad signal garden on site.
Train museums in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum
Location: 5202 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
Located in Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum is a non-profit museum founded in 1956. Live steam enthusiasts established the museum to educate the public about railroad history. The founders also wanted to promote live steam and scale model railroad technology in L.A.
This train museum in Los Angeles operates a stationary 19th-century steam plant. The plant runs every third Sunday with a variety of vintage restored steam appliances. Almost everything you see at the museum—tunnels, bridges, tracks, switches, buildings—are built by members of the non-profit.
San Diego train museum