Train rides and railroads for kids around the Bay Area
For a train-obsessed kid, the ride is the destination. These range from a few-minute miniature loop to a full steam train through the redwoods, and from a cheap Caltrain hop to a day trip to the state railroad museum in Sacramento.
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad in Los Gatos is the easiest start: a real miniature train through Vasona park with an antique carousel, and under-3s ride free. Roaring Camp in Felton runs steam trains through the redwoods, and Niles Canyon Railway near Sunol runs vintage trains on select weekends from spring to fall, plus its Train of Lights in winter. For zero planning, ride Caltrain from Sunnyvale to Mountain View or Palo Alto and back.
- 7 places
- 6 stroller-friendly
- closest is 5 min away
7 places
Drive times from Sunnyvale
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad & Carousel
5.0Los Gatos · 20 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Free at Oak Meadow Park (Blossom Hill Rd); Vasona $6
Roaring Camp Redwood Steam Train
5.0Felton · 45 min drive
2.5 h · stroller-friendly · reservation needed
$$ · Parking: $10 parking at the Felton depot
Sonoma TrainTown
5.0Sonoma · 95 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
$$ · Parking: Free
California State Railroad Museum
5.0Sacramento · 120 min drive
3.5 h · stroller-friendly
$$ · Parking: Old Sacramento garage about $2/hour
Ride Caltrain (Sunnyvale ↔ Mountain View / Palo Alto)
4.0Sunnyvale · 5 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Station parking about $5.50/day, free at some stations on weekends
Niles Canyon Railway (Sunol Depot)
4.0Sunol · 35 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly · reservation needed
$$ · Parking: Free at Sunol Depot (6 Kilkare Rd)
Ride a Cable Car (Powell-Hyde Line)
4.0San Francisco · 60 min drive
2 h · carrier recommended
$$ · Parking: Best to park at a North Beach / Fisherman's Wharf garage and board at the Hyde Street turnaround
💡 Good to know
- Heritage railroads often run only on weekends or select dates — check the schedule before you drive.
- Niles Canyon's Train of Lights sells out within days of tickets going on sale in October.