Where to Ride Santa Trains in 2025
Napa Valley’s Guide To Santa Trains
Bay Area Santa Trains
Here are the top Santa Trains throughout the greater Napa, Sonoma, Marin, and Sacramento Areas. If you’re looking to make it a weekend getaway, we have some great options from the redwood forest in Mendocino to the salty sea in Santa Cruz.
When the holiday season rolls in, one of the most magical experiences for kids is a Santa Train ride. Nothing beats the holiday lights, hot cocoa, carols, and a visit from the jolly man himself. Below is your 2025 guide to Santa Train and holiday-themed train rides in Northern California including: Napa Valley, Suisun/Solono County, Sacramento, and Sonoma County.
Bookmark this post, share with your friends, and book those tickets because once they’re sold out for the year, they’re gone!
Napa Valley / Wine Country
Santa Train Jolly Journeys — Napa Valley Wine Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train runs its festive “Jolly Journeys” season, with themed rides like Santa’s Cookie Car, Gourmet Holiday Express, Jingle on the rails, and Very Merry Vista Dome.
Dates in 2025: November 30 through December 23, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
Price & Tickets: Children’s tickets often start around $80; adult pricing and premium experiences vary.
Why go: It’s local, scenic, and perfect for families wanting something close to home.
Sacramento Area
The Polar Express™ Train Ride — California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento
The museum hosts the Polar Express™ holiday train experience, complete with carols, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa onboard.
Location: Old Sacramento, CA
Why go: It’s an iconic train ride for may families; you combine the experience with a walk around historic Old Sacramento and the railroad museum
Check the museum’s official calendar for 2025 dates, because they rotate schedules
Magical Christmas Train — River Fox Train (West Sacramento)
This festive ride includes a one-hour or multi-hour ride, hot cocoa, cookies, elves, and a Santa visit.
Dates in 2025: Multiple departures between November 29 and December 23 (some two-hour and one-hour options)
Pricing: Around $65 for one hour, and $96 for two hours, with special pricing for children under 2.
Location: West Sacramento
Suisun Valley / Solano County
Western Railway Museum — Suisun City
Coming soon!
Marin County
SMART Holiday Express & Toy Drive (Marin / Sonoma Counties)
On Saturday, December 7, SMART (Sonoma - Marin Area Rail Transit) will host a Holiday Express where Santa Clause will be aboard for certain trips (trips 5 & 6).
Riders who bring a new, unwrapped toy ride free, as part of a toy drive.
Trip 5 departs southbound from Sonoma County Airport Station; Trip 6 departs northbound from Larkspur Station.
Santa and holiday helpers will be on board for photo ops and festive cheer
South Bay / Bay Area
Train of Lights (Niles Canyon Railroad)
Northern California Region: Weekend Getaways
Mendocino County
Skunk Train’s Magical Christmas Train (Mendocino County)
Skunk Train runs a “Magical Christmas Train” from Willits into redwood country, with holiday decor and Santa’s workshop themes
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train (Roaring Camp Railroads)
This is the big one in Santa Cruz! Vintage excursion cars festooned with twinkling lights, singing, hot cider, and a Santa visit onboard.
Runs November 28-29, December 6-7, and December 12-23
Departures from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Pricing: Children are typically around $38 for standard coach, with first class rates being much higher
Other holiday offering by Roaring Camp include:
Holiday Tree Walk
Daytime Steam Train + Santa
New Year’s Train (December 26-31)
Tips Before You Go
Book early — holiday train rides tend to sell out, especially premium dinner or multi-hour experiences
Check exact times and boarding stations — these can shift year to year
Arrive early for pre-ride festivities — many of these experiences offer caroling, hot cider, and photo ops in the station before departure
Choose age-appropriate rides — the 1-hour ones tend to be better for youger kids; 2-hour or dinner rides are better suited to kids who can sit through a longer trip.
Bundle with local visits — for example, in Sacramento you can pair a Polar Experss ride with a visit to the Railroad Museum or Old Sacramento shops. Go crazy, book a hotel and enjoy the town for a night!