Hi neighbor!
I took BART to work for years and never considered it anything more than a means to an end. But my kids have a special way of finding the joy in everyday activities and reframing my perspective.
We’ve had so many fun train adventures over the years and I’m excited to share them with you — including a few on BART.
Quick excursions
This little amusement park’s Pixieland Express circles the whole park for a ¼ mile long ride. Other rides include the tea cups, carousel, and dragon roller coaster.
Cost: 2 tickets, which can be purchased for $2 each or at a bulk discount.
Location: 2740 East Olivera Road, Concord (~20 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
A true local gem that takes you on a quick (10–15 minute) ride through a redwood grove.
Cost: $5 per ride or $20 for 5 rides. Children under 2 are free and tickets don’t expire.
Location: Tilden Park, Orinda
Bonus:
Walk down the hill past the engine on a Sunday between 12–3pm and you'll find the Golden Gate Live Steamers, a ride-on miniature railway run by a local hobby club. Donations are suggested.
Drop by Tilden Little Farm to see the animals and participate in some of their events. It’s always free to get in.
Stop at the Tilden Botanic Garden for a walk around the property. This also has free entry.
Take a ride on the Tilden Merry-Go-Round. It’s $4 per ride or $24 for 7 rides.
Take a loop through the park's Wild Australia area, which can’t be seen from anywhere else in the zoo. It lasts between 15–20 minutes, and there are a few other rides your kids can enjoy while they’re in this section of the zoo.
Cost: $15–$20 for a wristband or $45 for 16 tickets (the train is 2 tickets per person, including accompanying adults, and children under 2 are free).
Location: Oakland
Discovery Kingdom has two trains for little kids: one for kids at least 36” tall and the other for kids at least 48” tall.
Cost: Single-day tickets start at $45; Season passes for $99 can be worth it if you plan to visit more than twice or want access to Hurricane Harbor, Great America, and a few SoCal theme parks.
Location: Vallejo
Oakland's storybook park has its own train ride, the Jolly Trolley. They also have plenty of other rides and activities for small children.
Cost: Around $20 per person; memberships start at $149 per year
Location: 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland (~20 minutes from Pleasant Hill)
A seasonal (April through mid-November), 25 minute train ride through farm fields. You can also check out the animals or join an activity (like story time, ice cream making, and crafts).
Cost: $2–$6 per person for entry to the farm
Location: Fremont
A 20-minute miniature steam train ride through the theme park, with a petting zoo stop halfway. There’s also a carousel, ferris wheel, and a few other small rides.
Cost: Train trip is $9.75 per person, All other rides are $4.25 per person (or you can get 5 rides for $18.75)
Location: Sonoma
Not a train ride, but a model railroad where you can view their nearly 2,000 square foot layout. Check their website before you go: they’re only open select weekends.
Cost: $3-$5 per person
Longer train rides
BART is a choose-your-own-adventure train ride. Head to Rockridge for lunch and ice cream, ride to Downtown Berkeley for a day at BAMPFA, or go out to the city to ride the gondola and play at Salesforce Park.
Another choose-your-own-adventure train ride, leaving from Martinez. Take the train to Jack London Square for lunch and ice cream or head to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Amtrak is also a great option if you’re attending an event at the Oakland Coliseum or Oakland Arena.
A heritage train that travels through Niles Canyon (between Sunol and Fremont). You can choose between diesel and steam trains, and indoor or outdoor train cars. Each trip takes about an hour and costs between $15–30 per person. Children under 3 are free.
They also run an annual “Train of Lights” for the holidays, with tickets going on sale soon.
This train is a bit further out (Sacramento) but worth mentioning because they host so many family-friendly events and activities. The Pumpkin Patch Express runs all October and they have a holiday train ride as well. You can even ride a rail bike on their tracks!
Make a day of it by staying and playing at Elkhorn Station, where they’ve set up games, food, and a beer/wine garden with river views.
Another day trip that’s worth doing at least once. This steam train climbs through the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains, stopping at the top so you can get out and walk around for a bit.
They also have food onsite, kids’ activities like gold panning, and walking access to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Visit the museum and book an excursion ride in a historic railroad car. Trips leave from the Old Sacramento Waterfront and travel along the river for 45 minutes.
The California State Railroad Museum also hosts their annual Polar Express™ train ride in November and December, with tickets on sale now.
Have a favorite train ride I missed? Reply and let me know — I'll add it to the list.
See you around town,
Jen
