Vintage Holiday Train Excursions in California

Vintage trains offer holiday excursions with Santa, song, merriment and family fun. An excursion on a holiday train is a lesson in transportation history, important to the development of North America. Many historic train locomotives and coaches have been restored and are ready for a jolly family excursion. Following are the highlights of the holiday excursions in California.

Santa Claus Express, Napa Valley Wine Train, CA. Santa and his Elves ride the rails fin wine country from Napa to Yountville. Passengers on the Holiday Express enjoy Christmas Caroling and Coloring. Food available for sale on the excursion. Full cocktail service is available on all morning and afternoon rail cars. Holiday Express runs in the afternoons on December 10 to 13 and in the mornings from December 14 to 24. Advance reservations required. Tickets: Adults $20 to $40. Children 12 and under free with paid adult. Maximum of two children with one paid adult. 1-800-427-4124.

Orange Empire Railway Museum, Perris, CA. Railway in Southern California offers Santa Train excursions December 8.9, 15, 16. Family oriented entertainment with refreshments, gifts and holiday music. A steam engine pulls the train on th second weekend of the event.

Holiday Lights Train, Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton, CA. Holiday excursion runs the first four weekends in December. The holiday train is decorated with sparkling lights. Evening departures are between 5 pm and 8 pm The one hour excursion through Santa Cruz boards and unloads at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Vintage excursion cars and decorated by thousands of colorful lights. Passengers sing Christmas Carols and drink hot spiced cider. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on board and visit with all. . Reservations recommended. 1-831-335-4484.