By Teresa Mills-Faraudo
Riding on a train decked out for the holidays while singing songs, sipping hot cocoa and meeting with Santa is an annual tradition for many families. In the Bay Area, there are plenty of holiday trains to choose from, featuring everything from carolers to twinkling lights to a toy donation drive.
East Bay
Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights – NOV. 22-DEC. 30. The Train of Lights is a holiday tradition for many Bay Area families. The train is decked out with lights and decorations inside and out on this 1.5-hour ride through Niles Canyon. It includes refreshments, music and cheer. Tickets are already sold out, but if there’s additional availability it will be posted on the train’s Facebook page (facebook.com/nilescanyonrailway). Trains depart from Niles at 4:30pm and Sunol 7:30pm on weekends and select weekday evenings except for Christmas Eve and Christmas. $40 coach, $70 first class.
Niles Train Station, 37001 Mission Blvd., Fremont
Sunol Train Station, 6 Kilkare Road, Sunol
Glowfari – NOV. 8-JAN. 26. The Express Train will be running during the Oakland Zoo’s annual Glowfari event, which features larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the zoo. The train ride goes through an Avian Odyssey full of the zoo’s feathered friends, including parrots and puffins. Unlimited ride wristbands for the train and other rides are available for $20 for general admission and $15 for members. Timed ticket reservations required for Glowfari. Prices vary. 4:30-9pm.
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
San Francisco and Peninsula
Caltrain Holiday Train – DEC. 7-8. Santa and friends will travel aboard the decorated Holiday Train stopping at stations along the Caltrain corridor providing holiday entertainment and collecting donations of toys for local children who otherwise might not receive a gift during the holidays. Bring new, unwrapped gifts to stations, where there are donation bins. The train will start in San Francisco at 4pm. Check the schedule for details on train stops.
North Bay
Santa Train Jolly Journeys – NOV. 29-DEC. 23. The Napa Valley Wine Train will offer several different journeys for its Santa Train this year. The experiences include Santa’s Cookie Car, Gourmet Holiday Express, Jingle on the Rails and the Very Merry Vista Dome. All Santa Train tickets include visits with Santa, hot cider or cocoa, carolers at the station and cookies. A portion of the proceeds go to Expressions of Hope, a Napa organization that provides resources and support for foster youth, and The Napa Communities Firewise Foundation, which strengthens Napa Valley’s fire protection. Check website for times. $80-200.
Napa Train Station, 1275 McKinstry St., Napa
Silicon Valley and South
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad Holiday Train – DEC. 12-29. Children love this kid-sized decorated steam train that runs through the Fantasy of Lights festival in Vasona Park. It’s a shorter train ride, making it ideal for little ones, and it’s easy on the wallet. All events are weather permitting. Thu.-Sun. 6-9pm. $6.
233 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
Roaring Camp Railroads Holiday Events – Roaring Camp offers several great holiday train events for families. On the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train, passengers ride vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of colorful lights while rolling through the streets of Santa Cruz. There will be a sing-along, live music, hot spiced cider and visits with Santa. Nov. 29-30, Dec. 7-8, 14-23. $38.11-48.71.
For the Holiday Tree Walk, passengers ride a steam train to Bear Mountain, get off at the summit and view beautifully decorated holiday trees as they sip hot cocoa, visit with Santa and enjoy winter-themed activities. Nov. 29-Dec.1 and Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. $42.35 general admission, $26.45 ages 2-12.
Bring in the new year on the New Year’s Holiday Lights Train. Ride vintage train cars decorated with lights through Santa Cruz and enjoy light-up hula hoopers, party favors and a live DJ. Dec. 26-31. $48.71-68.85.
The Chanukah Train, which goes through Santa Cruz, features Hanukkah stories, dreidel playing and kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea. There will also be a Menorah lighting 15 minutes before departure. Jan. 2. 5pm and 6:30pm. $34.93-47.65.
Forest Train, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton
Beach Train, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
Weekend Getaway
Christmas Tree Train – NOV. 23-DEC. 31. Climb aboard the Skunk Train to visit what is said to be the world’s largest Christmas tree. Enjoy seasonal treats and decor on the train ride through the redwoods to Mr. Skunk’s Giant Christmas Tree, a decorated redwood along the line. Check website for times. $59.95, $94.95 VIP ticket, $10.95 for dogs.
299 East Commercial St., Willits
Polar Express Train Ride – NOV. 22-DEC. 21. This hour-long train ride through Gold Country includes hot chocolate, cookies and characters from the story “The Polar Express.” Once you reach the “North Pole,” you get to meet Santa, and each passenger will receive a silver sleigh bell, the “first gift of Christmas.” Trains are scheduled for 4:30pm, 6pm and 7:30pm Fri.-Sun. $80-85.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, 10501 Reservoir Road, Jamestown
River Fox Train – NOV. 29-JAN. 4. Santa’s elves will guide passengers in holiday sing-alongs, games and festive activities. The train ride includes hot cocoa, a souvenir mug and a cookie. There will also be snacks and beverages on board to purchase. Check website for times. Tickets start at $64.75.
18095 County Road 117, West Sacramento
riverfoxtrain.com/experiences/magical-christmas-train
Teresa Mills-Faraudo is an associate editor at Bay Area Parent.