There’s something about riding on a train that’s just… cool. And to ride along with your family, friends, or significant other while celebrating the holidays is all the better. Each year several local train companies festoon their engines and vintage passenger cars with thousands of lights and ornaments. It’s quite a sight to see at night, a massive torpedo of luminosity rolling down the tracks as bands play and revelers dance the night away.
So if you still haven’t made any New Year’s Eve plans or are looking for something fun to do with the kids while they’re on school break, take a look at my train of thoughts below (oh my that’s a bad pun). I’m sure there’s something here in your neck of the woods that offers the perfect excuse to hop in the car for a rolling holiday getaway.
NYE on the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train
It’s hard to imagine a more romantic way to spend New Year’s Eve then on a vintage 1916 passenger train—replete with rich mahogany and brass interiors—while rolling through the awe inspiring scenery of the High Sierra dusted in snow and bathed in moonlight. At the end of each year the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train hosts a New Year’s Eve Dinner Party Special, where guests board the “heavyweight” cars with their deep Pullman Green and gold exterior finish, then enjoy a four course dining experience with ivory linens, fine china, polished silver, and sparkling stemware as the train winds its way through the pristine northern reaches of California near Mt. Shasta. After dinner the party rolls on well into the evening, returning to the rustic McCloud Railroad Station at 1am. For more info visit www.shastasunset.com or call 530/964-2142.
Sacramento & Sierra Christmas Trains
Every year’s end the Sacramento RiverTrain hosts a hugely popular holiday event where the RiverTrain is transformed into the Sacramento Christmas Train. The celebration st
arts the minute everyone boards the train in Woodland (about a 15-minute drive from Sacramento), and continues with a leisurely trip along the Sacramento River while Santa, elves, storytellers, and musicians entertain the lucky kids. Hot cocoa and cookies are in abundance, and you’re even welcome to wear pajamas (well, the kids are welcome). Hey, I grew up near Woodland. How come my parents never took me on this?
The same outfit that runs the Sacramento Christmas Train also runs the Sierra Railroad Dinner Train, which also hosts an annual Christmas Train featuring Santa, elves,
musicians, storytellers, cocoa, and cookies. The only difference is the scenery (rolling foothills instead of river views) and the station location: Oakdale, a small Central Valley farming and ranching community about 30 miles southeast of Stockton. For more info about both train rides visit www.sacramentorivertrain.com or www.sierrarailroad.com, or call 800/866-1690.
Napa’s New Year’s Eve Express
One of the most leisurely ways to view the Wine Country is aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, a rolling restaurant of vintage-style cars—each finished with polished Honduran mahogany paneling and etched-glass partition—that makes a scenic journey through the vineyards of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena. Now imagine that same trip but throw in 1) a sparkling wine reception with oysters, caviar, and live music; 2) a 5-course gourmet dinner on the train; 3) a sparkling wine toast at midnight, and 4) dancing and drinking to live music under the requisite disco ball until the wee hours of the night. Now that’s a party! Heck, they even throw in a souvenir photo and shuttle service from selected hotels. For more info log onto www.winetrain.com or call 800/427-4124.
Niles Canyon Railway’s Train of Lights
If you live in the Bay Area and want to take the kids on a Christmas Train ride that’s a bit closer to home, head over to the Sunol Depot (off Hwy 680 south of Pleasanton) or Niles Station in Freemont and hop on board the Niles Canyon Railway’s Train of Lights. Four times a night the brightly decorated holiday train—covered with thousands of festive lights—winds through Niles Canyon on a 75-minute round-trip ride either from Fremont to Sunol or from Sunol to Fremont and back. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, with seats located either inside or outside. It’s run by a non-profit charitable organization made up entirely of volunteers who love this historic locomotive. For more info log visit www.ncry.org or call 925/862-9063.
The Christmas Train to Willits
Each Christmas season the venerable Skunk Train in Willits (about 20 miles north of U
kiah on Hwy 101) is transformed into a rolling Santa’s sleigh, complete with Santa and his elves listening to children’s wishes, strolling musicians and engaging storytellers, hot chocolate and homemade cookies. They’ve even strung lights on the redwood trees as the train passes through the forest. The 90-minute trip is truly a magical experience that even gets harried adults—who can wear their holiday jammies as well—in the holiday spirit. For more info call 866/45-SKUNK or visit www.skunktrain.com.
And if you have your own tips and recommendations on fun holiday getaways that you’d like to share, feel free to add your own comments to our blog below. We’d love to hear from you.
Romantic Getaway: A romantic 2-night Santa Cruz getaway package to 
I have only taken the Willits train, but I do suggest that those who love Springtime in the state take the San
Joaquin to Bakersfield. The train goes through miles of orchards, as far as the eye can see, and you see
rural California as you have never seen it. Watching the climate and dirt change as one goes southward
is fascinating, and don’t count off Bakersfield. In spite of the bad air, there is a fine art museum and a number
of good cafes in the downtown historic area, well worth a visit.