San Diego has something for everyone, plusgood weather to guarantee you wont get rained out. Luckily for us, it runs every day from 6:45 am to 10 pm on weekends and holidays too. First of all, its not just for bookworms. A total of 12 riders can ride at one time and one . ; railway opens from 11a.m.-5p.m. 'Tis the season for Polar Express train rides or Christmas trains for everyone in the family who likes to ride the rails, from an LA staple in Griffith Park to a book or movie-like adventure on the SoCal Polar Express. Trains arrive midday and return to L.A. around 5 p.m., so you could stay one night and have enough time to experience some of the city. Of course, if your kid will only be pleased with riding the real thing, hop on a Metrolink train from Union Station where kids ridefreeon the weekends with a paying adult. Bike and paddle boat rentals, OC Zoo and pony rides are also in the park. Guided tours are available. San Diego has something for everyone. Its the worlds shortest railway but gives a peek into the rich history. Check their calendar for events like moonlight hikes. Trains arrive in the evening and return to L.A. in the morning, so booking accommodations in the city for two nights is best in order to have a full day in Oakland (or San Francisco). Hop aboard and take a little journey on the railway for a scenic train ride in SoCal, as these are the types of experiences that are wonderful to savor. 1418 Descanso DrLa Caada Flintridge, CA 91011. It is also a highly acclaimed entertainment center featuring an aquarium, a small amusement park, several shops, a video arcade, a trapeze school, and concession stands. And theres a scavenger hunt that you must absolutely take part in. I really appreciate doing business with "good businesses". Upper Klamath Lake has a canoe trail, or head to Moore Park and the Link River Trail for waterfront hiking and bird-watching. Recommended Hotel Nearby: La Quinta by Wyndham Santa Clarita Valencia, 4949 York BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90042(213) 250-9995. There are a few rotating exhibits that will keep you busy. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Mail Stop #: 663 Download files: Travel Town Map - Griffith Park Map. Open: Fri. through Sun., 10a.m.5p.m.,Cost: $4 for adults, $2 for children, free for children under 2, 2137 W. 250th St.LomitaOnline:lomita-rr.org. Related: Southern California with Kids Fun Things to Do. We also rent trackless trains, which allow all of the guests to enjoy the thrill of a train ride at your event without being confined to a single track. Step inside a holiday classic! Parents, theres a little something for you too. The Los Angeles State Historic Park is back in business after being closed for three years. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Los Angeles Athletic Club, Also See:Things to Do in Morro Bay, CA with KidsVentura Attractions for Kids, 125 Paseo De La PlazaLos Angeles, CA 90012. You could get a studio tour, classics tour or a deluxe tour. A variety of special events are held throughout the year, such as Railroadiana Swap Meets, Dino Train and Steam Festival, Day Out with Thomas, The Polar Express and more. Ocean Front WalkLos Angeles, CA 90291(310) 396-6794. This is the only battleship on the West Coast that is open to the public. Put those pajamas on and hop aboardThe North Pole Limited. Plan to stay at least two nights as the return train to L.A. departs around 7:15 a.m. San Luis Obispo is a great family getaway or a wine trip thats 5.5 hours away from L.A. Explore the West's largest collection of railway locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars, interurban electric cars, buildings and other artifacts dating from the 1870's. Ride streetcars, interurban electric cars, and trains on the Museum railway. Our schedule fills up quickly, so please give us a call today at (310) 532-6223 or email us at info@trainsonthemove.com to request a date for your next special event. It is also a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. It is located between the Music Center and City Hall. To begin with, theres an indoor imagination workshop. Families can ride the miniature train that circles the perimeter of the museum. With an unending supply of beaches, mountains, deserts, and historic highways just a short distance away from the city, theres always an excuse for a day trip. Wednesday's we are in Westchester Farmers Market! to request a date for your next special event. The Grand Central Market is a magnificent 30,000-square-foot food court and downtown landmark that dates back to 1917. Travel Town Transportation Museum 5200 Zoo Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Operations: (323) 662-5874 Email: Travel.Town@lacity.org . Enjoy the San Diego countryside on a leisurely 12-mile train trip on the historic San Diego & Arizona railway. It opened in 2014 and has a ton of exhibits that will delight the little ones. The kids are also allowed on a virtual helicopter tour on whats called the Zamboni machine. This one is for the whole family and if you plan it well, it will take a whole day for you to really enjoy it. Danny's Farm Danny's Farm was founded by former Los Angeles Dodger (and pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimno matter which LA team you root for, he's got you covered!) Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Beverly Hills Hotel Dorchester Collection, 3720 Stephen M White DrSan Pedro, CA 90731. Hop aboard the North Pole Limited, where Santas elves sing favorite Christmas carols, read a Christmas storyto young ones, and pass out cookies and hot chocolate to all passengers. Los Angeles Live Steamers & Railroad Museum | Los Angeles It's definitely an excellent spot for walking, as the ocean views are truly beautiful. For more Holiday adventures, like Christmas lights in Los Angeles and Santa visits, be sure to visit our Los Angeles Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide. But what are the options if youre looking to leave cars out of the equation and travel by train to your favorite SoCal destination? Whatever you choose,youll feel like you'vegoneto beach bum heaven. The kids had an absolute blast and we got many compliments on what a great idea it was to have the train and how it fit the birthday partytheme so perfectly. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all train routes, the Coast Starlight links the greatest cities on the West . Note that the Texas Eagle trip from Chicago to L.A. takes about 66 hours, but youll see different scenery and cities on this route. Our Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Play area provides entertainment for up to 25 children at one time. Tots under 2 are admitted free. With five Amtrak routes arriving and departing from Los Angeles Union Station, and more than 70 Amtrak stations just in California, there are a variety of options for a train trip. This LA museum has a ton of childrens activities that will undoubtedly keep them engaged for hours. Theres also a fog grotto and a prism tunnel to climb through. It is one of the few remaining Harvey Houses that were built along railroads at the turn of the century. Train Rides; School Trips & Group Tours; History & Learning. Tear your kids away from the kids train table set-up near the gift counter, head out to climb through the historic caboose and engine, the push-car and the water tower, and then maybe enjoy a picnic at one of the two train-centric parks next door, which together feature a contemporary caboose, a tank car and a boxcar. For your littledinolovers, a trip to theCabazon Dinosaur Museumwill surely make you their favorite parent for a while. The Southwest Chief departs daily from L.A. in the early evening and arrives in Albuquerque 16.5 hours later. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa. Theres an indoor area for them to lose themselves in activities and also an outdoor one where they can educate themselves about the environment. Privacy Policy, By signing up to Tinybeans newsletters you agree to our Terms and for an up-close look at real trains in Los Angles moving people in and out of our city. Descanso Gardens. And dont miss the rainbow room. Irvine Regional Park's annual Christmas Train offers both daytime and nighttimerides through the historic park to meet Santa at his Village. I will definitely recommend to our family and friends. most daysCost per ride: Free with admission (tickets start at $53, but you can find discounted tickets here). Open 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the free public ride days (weather permitting); donations are welcome. Or if you are really going to make a train day of it, take the metro to the Civic Ctr/Grand Park stationAngel's Flight is 5 minute walk. It has some great trails and an amazing view waiting at the end of it. Of course if your little trainspotter is still obsessed with all things choo-choo come birthday-time, you can have a train-themed birthday party in one of their train cars. But the best part is the space shuttle Endeavour in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion. Check out their explorer pagefor all the places you can go including Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, Ventura County or even the Antelope Valley. Experience the fun and history of railroading at Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum in Griffith Park. Attend during a special event and you may be treated to a train ride on the Orange Empire Railway that takes you all the way to the historic 1892 Perris train depot which is a treat to experience. This is a theater operated by Disney and is designed purely for family fun. Thanks for sharing! The museum is housed in a 19th-century New England small-town train depot replica, and after you purchase your tickets at the old-fashioned train-ticket counter, the well-informed staff will welcome your little ones with some background on the museum, while demonstrating the facilitys genuine train lights and whistles. If you head to Cabrillo Beach on the weekends, you can enjoy their free guided tidepool walk. Terms & ConditionsListen to our podcast! Klamath Falls is a 22-hour train trip from Los Angeles. the train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, give-a-ways, and more. Located in Charles H. Wilson Park, Southern California Live Steamers offers free trains rides on miniature 7.5 gauge trains. Be sure to book tickets to the Jack London Square station (there are multiple Oakland stations to choose from). Train: Amtrak Friends and family of all ages will enjoy a train ride in wine country. The 1/3-scale train is located in the foothills of Orange and is open daily (weather permitting, excluding certain holidays). Youll need to stay in Chicago at least one night, with the option to fly back to California or ride the Southwest Chief or Texas Eagle Amtrak train back to Los Angeles. If you ever end up in a situation like that, theres no place better than The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles. This is no ordinary aquarium, dear friends. It first opened in May 1939 under the name of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal and serves roughly 1.4 million passengers each year. You could hike up or get hitch a horseback ride through Hollywood Hills to get here. Fee for miniature train rides. A typical train ride takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park. Hours: 9 a.m.-5p.m. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Luxe City Center Hotel, 700 Exposition Park DrLos Angeles, CA 90037. 1 HOUR PARTY TRAIN RENTAL = $450 EACH ADDITIONAL HOUR $225 Travel charges may apply. Prepare to be amazed as you and your little ones watch puppet shows, musicals, plays, kid-friendly concerts, and other entertaining shows. Whether you are local to Southern California or just visiting, these train rides will transport you to a different time when life was a bit more leisurely and old-fashioned. 320 Golden Shore #100Long Beach, CA 90802. Valid system-wide on either Saturday or Sunday. The view from the train as it travels through the charming beach in Del Mar is breathtaking. A light rail station is across the street, or take Uber, Lyft or ferry to get around. If youre looking for something different, book a sustainable wine tour, or even charter your own yacht. You can find our trains here: 4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027, image from https://www.tripsavvy.com/griffith-park-los-angeles-4123401. Have a blast with your kids as you build towering sandcastles, play sandy volleyball, shoot hoops at a basketball court, teach your little ones how to fish, go for a leisurely swim, or enjoy a fun round of frisbee. Visit the Bay Area with an Amtrak trip to Oakland on the Coast Starlight. In the summer, the kids can have fun at the splash pad and theres a playground for those who want to stay dry. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. You dont need a reason to go here. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and a delicious cookie are served by dancing chefs. What are the best day trips in Southern California? This aquarium on the Santa Monica pier is run by a non-profit called Heal The Bay.

Lipscomb University Administration, What Year Transmission Interchange Chart, Articles T