Historic Steam Train Excursion Rides

Once a stop on the First Transcontinental Railroad, Sacramento’s history with locomotives, train tracks, and engineers dates back nearly 150 years.

The California State Railroad Museum -- one of Sacramento’s most popular tourist attractions -- showcases that history, displaying 21 restored cars as well as various exhibits on all things rail-related.

And, since trains are much more fun to ride than look at, they offer seasonal steam train rides on the Sacramento Southern Railroad line on weekends, April through September.

The six-mile, 40-minute trip runs along the levees of the Sacramento River while you take in the sights, sounds, and smells of old-fashioned train travel. Take a seat in either a vintage closed coach, an open-air gondola car, or a restored 1920s first-class observation car.

Trains depart hourly from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Depot is seven blocks from the museum itself, and train tickets are separate from the museum admission price ($9 admission for adults / $4 for kids ages 6-17). You don't need to visit the museum to ride the trains!

Coach and gondola seats on the train are $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6-17 (kids under 5 are free). First-class seats on the El Dorado car cost $15 per person. Train tickets are sold at the depot, or online.