10 Quiet Train Routes In California That Locals Use For Scenic Journeys
California is gorgeous, but it can also be oddly draining when the “scenic” drive turns into traffic, parking hunts, and viewpoints packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Locals have a calmer solution that still delivers the wow factor: they take the train, settle into a window seat, and let the landscape do the work while the miles unwind on their own.
On these routes, the scenery feels less like a checklist and more like a slow reveal, coastline appearing between bluffs, wetlands and vineyards sliding past, and mountain silhouettes sharpening as you roll toward small-town stations.
Here are 10 quiet California train rides locals use when they want the journey to feel like the getaway, not the chore.
1. Amtrak Coast Starlight (Los Angeles–Santa Barbara–Bay Area/Sacramento)
Riding along California’s coastline never gets old, especially when you’re watching waves crash from your window seat.
This route stretches from Los Angeles up through Santa Barbara and continues north to the Bay Area and Sacramento, offering some of the most stunning ocean views you’ll ever see from a train.
Early morning departures are magical because the sunlight dances on the water.
You’ll pass through charming beach towns, agricultural valleys, and rolling hills that change with every season.
Pack snacks and bring a camera because the views are absolutely worth capturing.
2. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner (San Diego–Los Angeles–Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo)
Imagine gliding past sandy beaches where surfers catch waves just feet from the tracks.
From San Diego to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, this route hugs the Pacific coastline so closely you can almost feel the ocean breeze through the window.
Locals love this ride for weekend getaways or even daily commutes.
The train passes through cute coastal communities, historic missions, and vibrant harbor towns that make you want to hop off and explore.
Sunset rides are particularly beautiful when the sky turns pink and orange over the water.
3. Amtrak Capitol Corridor (San Jose–Oakland–Sacramento/Auburn)
Connecting Silicon Valley to California’s capital, this route offers surprisingly peaceful views despite linking busy cities.
You’ll travel through the East Bay, catching glimpses of San Francisco Bay’s shimmering waters and the distant hills that frame the region.
Business travelers and students use this line regularly, but weekend riders discover its quieter charm.
The train winds through historic towns, past wetlands where birds gather, and alongside waterways that reflect the changing sky.
Auburn’s Gold Rush history makes the northern terminus especially interesting to explore.
4. Amtrak Gold Runner (Bay Area/Sacramento–San Joaquin Valley–Bakersfield)
California’s agricultural heart unfolds before your eyes on this journey through the San Joaquin Valley.
Endless orchards, vineyards, and farmland stretch toward distant mountain ranges, painting a picture of California that most tourists never witness.
Small farming communities dot the route, each with its own character and history.
You’ll see workers tending crops, irrigation systems creating geometric patterns, and seasonal changes that transform the valley’s colors throughout the year.
Spring brings wildflowers while autumn turns the vineyards golden and crimson.
5. Amtrak California Zephyr (Emeryville/Sacramento–Truckee)
Climbing into the Sierra Nevada mountains feels like entering another world entirely.
This legendary route takes you from the Bay Area or Sacramento up to Truckee, passing through dramatic canyons, alongside rushing rivers, and into forests thick with towering pines.
Winter transforms the landscape into a snowy wonderland, while summer reveals alpine meadows and crystal-clear mountain lakes.
Locals heading to ski resorts or mountain retreats choose this train over driving through treacherous mountain passes.
The engineering feat alone is impressive as the train navigates steep grades.
6. NCTD COASTER (Oceanside–San Diego)
Short but incredibly scenic, this commuter train follows San Diego County’s gorgeous coastline for the entire journey.
Surfers, beach lovers, and commuters share this ride, all enjoying uninterrupted ocean views that make the daily grind feel like vacation.
The train stops at charming beach communities like Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar.
You can literally hop off at any station and be steps from the sand within minutes.
Morning fog often blankets the coast, creating mysterious, dreamy landscapes that gradually reveal sunny beaches underneath.
7. Metrolink Ventura County Line (Los Angeles–Ventura)
Escaping Los Angeles traffic becomes a pleasure when you take this coastal route to Ventura.
The train hugs the shoreline for much of the journey, offering spectacular Pacific views that make you forget you’re on a commuter line.
Malibu’s famous beaches pass by your window, along with rugged cliffs and hidden coves.
Locals use this route to reach Ventura’s laid-back downtown, charming harbor, and excellent restaurants without the stress of freeway driving.
Weekday morning trains are quieter, and the light hitting the water is absolutely stunning.
8. SMART Train (Sonoma–Marin–Larkspur)
Wine country meets coastal beauty on this newer rail line connecting Sonoma and Marin counties.
Rolling vineyards, charming small towns, and glimpses of San Pablo Bay create a relaxing journey that feels worlds away from urban California.
The train passes through Petaluma’s historic downtown, winds through pastoral farmland, and approaches the bay with views of distant San Francisco.
Bike-friendly cars make it easy to explore wineries and trails at each stop.
Fall is particularly gorgeous when grapevines turn brilliant shades of red and gold.
9. Skunk Train (Fort Bragg–Willits)
Ancient redwood forests tower above you on this historic logging railway turned tourist treasure.
Running between the coastal town of Fort Bragg and inland Willits, this train takes you deep into old-growth forests where sunlight filters through trees hundreds of feet tall.
The nickname comes from the original gas-powered engines that locals could smell before seeing.
Today’s trains are cleaner, but the magic remains unchanged as you wind through tunnels and over trestle bridges.
It’s like stepping back in time while surrounded by nature’s giants.
10. Roaring Camp Redwood Forest Steam Train (Felton–Bear Mountain)
Steam whistles echo through towering redwoods as this vintage train climbs Bear Mountain from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Genuine steam locomotives pull you up steep grades, through ancient forests where massive trees have stood for centuries.
The narrow-gauge track winds past moss-covered stumps, babbling creeks, and fern-filled gullies that feel prehistoric.
Kids and adults alike marvel at the engineering and natural beauty combined in this short but unforgettable journey.
Spring brings wildflowers while summer offers cool shade beneath the redwood canopy perfect for escaping heat.