Warning: The train has the highest crime rate in all of Orange County (wink, wink), as notorious bandits stage hold-ups on every ride. Things To Do In Joshua Tree: 12 Things Not To Miss with Kids in this Desert National Park . The Grand Central Market is a magnificent 30,000-square-foot food court and downtown landmark that dates back to 1917. Few SoCal towns are better atturning the ocean into some serious family fun. This is the largest used (and new) books and records store in all of California. This is where the magic of movies takes place. Just Enter your Date and Time and See Everything That is available. Do your kids love party highlights in which everything is set to bring wonder to their eyes, smile on their faces? . Book your Amtrak train and bus tickets today by choosing from over 30 U.S. train routes and 500 destinations in North America. For adults, there are many wineries in the area (the Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards has peacocks). Travel Time: 2 plus hourseach way, Breakwater Way Beach in Oceanside. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a historical childrens theater company that debuted in 1963. Check out their explorer pagefor all the places you can go including Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, Ventura County or even the Antelope Valley. The Train Ride phone number is (323) 662-9678. . Amtrak Guide aims to make rail travel easier with helpful information and tips on train routes, stations and destinations across the United States. Top photo credit: Image by Steven Cox from Pixabay (San Diego sunrise), Your email address will not be published. The train was the first of one of the many surprises that we had in our Christmas Eve program, but it was by far the crowd favorite. A post shared by Angels Flight Railway (@angelsflightrailway). Founded in 1956 by a group of train enthusiasts, we educate the public in railroad history and show live steam, gas-mechanical and electric railroad technology in actual operation. When booking your tickets, you can choose between a Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight train (the Coast Starlight has roomettes and bedrooms if you want privacy). | Fun Factory Parties Trackless Train rentals for kid's birthday parties! So thank you very much. In addition to being a movie star, the, Fillmore & Western Railway Co., 351 Santa Clara St, Fillmore, CA 93015, USA, Poway Midland Railroad Depot, Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064, USA. Originally opened in 1901, Angels Flight Railway has given more than 100 million rides on its hillside track. Visit the Bay Area with an Amtrak trip to Oakland on the Coast Starlight. Were taking your train-lovin family on an adventure across SoCal, chugging along to must-see train stops. Have a Great Year!, ~ Kasey from Abundant Living Family Church, Learning Curve International Brand Legal Copy. Check out Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego for a unique beach experience. Now, the USS Iowa Museum is also a great place to catch a glimpse of US maritime history through interactive exhibits. The Travel Town Museum is a railway established in 1952 and owned by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. Take short day-trips to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Barbara or other cities from local stations in Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine and Santa Ana. Train rides on select vintage trains and trolleys are available to guests during their visit. Dont miss the Griffith Observatory while youre here. There are interactive exhibits that everyone will quite enjoy. 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Travel time on the train is 23.5 hours each way. Donations are welcome, but not required. You can choose to have a picnic in the park or near the tar pits. If you like to go around a water body in a boat, this is the place to be in LA. This spectacular attraction was featured in numerous movies and TV shows, like Greys Anatomy, Hannah Montana, Sharknado, 90210, Modern Family, New Girl, and many others. Angela is the staff writer for Only in Your State - Southern California. Travel time on the train is 11 to 12 hours. There are 18 observation decks here which give you a stunning view of the city. The exhibits are in a building that is located on southern Californias oceans, so thats already something to look forward to. . With about 35 million objects in store, this is a stunning collection of exhibits. And theres a scavenger hunt that you must absolutely take part in. It's a fun way to see the area and it's something the kiddos will surely enjoy. Have your golden tickets ready for the Conductor! The children will love walking around and exploring this natural beauty. In the summer, the kids can have fun at the splash pad and theres a playground for those who want to stay dry. You will see popular Disney characters in all their glory. A typical train ride takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park. Try all sorts of mouth-watering dishes, like loaded tacos, Thai rice, decked sandwiches, Japanese bentos, freshly baked pastries, homemade pies, hand-made pastas, ramen, decadent donuts, and other yummy treats. Get a shuttle from the Gold Line to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. From there get a glimpse of the Plaza Firehouse. Travel Time: 2 1/2 hours each way, Get out and hike the beautiful Indian Canyons in Palm Springs. promotions and other partner offers EVERYDAY DISCOUNTS Savings for Kids, Seniors, Military, Groups and More VACATIONS & RAIL TOURS Train vacation packages throughout North America MULTI-RIDES & RAIL PASSES USA Rail passes, . The Lorikeet forest has beautiful birds and you can feed them. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Shutters On The Beach, 200 Santa Monica PierSanta Monica, CA 90401(310) 458-8900. Hope your business is prosperous this year so you get to put BIG smiles on small people more often. The fare is $1.00 each way, and you can purchase a souvenir round-trip ticket for $2.00 to take a piece of history home with you. Yes, Im talking about Los Angeles, the second-largest urban region in the United States. Prepare to be amazed as you and your little ones watch puppet shows, musicals, plays, kid-friendly concerts, and other entertaining shows. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Mama Shelter Los Angeles, Related: Things to Do in Hollywood with Kids, Related: California with Kids Top Things to Do, 3400 Warner BlvdBurbank, CA 91522(818) 977-8687. Tip: If you depart Los Angeles on Friday, youll arrive in time to hang out at the Eugene Saturday Market, which has live music, food and artisan vendors selling local goods. And by the way, if youre a Potterhead, this place is a must visit. There is an Enterprise near the Amtrak station; call ahead and make sure they can pick you up from the train station with a car reservation. More details to come. It was never meant to be a permanent fixture but its funny how plans work out, isnt it? "We bring the thrill of a train ride to your event." We service all of Orange County and parts of San Diego, Riverside & Los Angeles. It is on 12 acres of land and has fountains and green space that promises a pleasant evening. Travel Time: 1 1/2hours each way, Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner heads down the coast. Train: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Theres an excavator tour where kids can check out what the scientists of the day are digging out of tar pits. This place is pretty great for a family day out in Los Angeles. Theres Tiny Tot Tuesdays which adds a little zing to the experience. One intriguing hidden gem in Southern California to visit is The Lummis House, a hidden castle where you can go to take an interesting tour. You could also relax with a ride on the merry-go-round. Additionally, on weekends, each adult pays just $10 for a Weekend Day Pass so families small and large can have an affordable experience. Related: Southern California with Kids Fun Things to Do. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Select dates November 20th-December 28th, 2022. Theres also a fossil lab to see what came out of the fossils dug out from the tar. Required fields are marked *. In the spring you will see blooms in every direction, in the winter theres camellias and theres majestic oaks all through the year. This is an event where the streets are temporarily open for everyone to bike or walk or skate or dance. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites. In the outdoor arena, theres the Arroyo Adventure area to learn about various ecosystems and a hawks nest they can climb upon. Your kids will particularly like taking photos with the stars of animated characters Mickey Mouse, Godzilla, Big Bird, Donald Duck, Shrek, Tinkerbell, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Bugs Bunny, Kermit the Frog, and countless others. Hours: 9 a.m.-5p.m. There are a few motels in walking distance from the Amtrak station, or explore Airbnb options. The SAP Center (concerts and NHL hockey games) is in walking distance of the Amtrak station along with Arena Green West park. Take a little day trip to experience these charming train stations and enjoy a pleasant ride. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel Amarano Burbank-Hollywood. Train Rides; School Trips & Group Tours; History & Learning. Some of them are guided in case you want to make the most of your time here. Doesnt taking a train ride in SoCal look like a fun way to spend the afternoon? Camping near Los Angeles: 17 Great Campgrounds for Tent Camping with Kids . If you're near the Inland Empire, head to the University of California in Riverside and head to the Botanic Garden. Which hidden gems should I visit in Southern California? 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. Passengers must be at least 31 tall to ride. 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. Once you've made the 2 1/2 hour journey, you'll want to be strategic;there are plenty of fun activities to choose from. Youll need to stay at least one night; the return train to Los Angeles departs around noon each day. WELCOME & all aboard! The kids are also allowed on a virtual helicopter tour on whats called the Zamboni machine. Have a fun time with your family as you take plenty of pictures with the stars of your well-loved actors, directors, fictional characters, musicians, actors, and other famed celebrities. You can also try our T-6 simulator ride, a fun adventure for all ages! Tom was very helpful and a joy to work with in our production., ~ Kasey from Abundant Living Family Church(12/28/11), "I wanted to email and say that we were very pleased with the train and conductor that attended our party yesterday. One hour further up the coast from Eugene on the train, Portland is full of great street food, breweries, unique restaurants and formal gardens. Call the Foundation: (323) 668-0104. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a world-famous historic landmark and must-see attraction. If you love space and astronomy, this is a fantastic choice. It's such a sweet place that you'll want to stay all afternoon. Just visit AmtrakVacations.com or call 1-800-268-7252 to learn more about our unforgettable rail journeys. We are not affiliated with Amtrak.com. Simply because you dont want to miss the experience of watching over 11,000 animals and more than 50 exhibits. It's definitely an excellent spot for walking, as the ocean views are truly beautiful. You'll cross bridges, pass through tunnels and alongside miniature towns. After riding our miniature train, explore dozens of old-time railroad locomotives and cars. For train-crazy toddlers, make sure to catch appearances by Thomas and Percy, and a special Christmas-timePolar Express Train Ride. Youll arrive Jack London Square (pictured above), and you can walk to the ferry that will take you to San Francisco. As Oregons largest city, theres also many festivals to check out all year long, such as the International Film Festival, UFO Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, Cathedral Park Jazz Festival and many food events. Passengers then read along with the classic childrens book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. (Los Angeles): Take I-10 east or Route 60 east or Route 91 east to I-215 . The Amtrak Surflinercan make a nice day trip of it, andDowntown Disney is still a good destination. The train at Travel Town Museum travels around theperimeter of the museum two times. Check outthe local zoo, or take a hike. There is a great variety of items here that will mark any time period of your choice. This 6.2-acre park opened in 2013 and is a favorite among locals and tourists. One child ages 2-12 is eligible to receive a 50% discount on the lowest available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains with each fare-paying adult (age 18+). Be sure to check out the wine tours and shuttles. This Southern California Bike Ride Leads To The Most Stunning Fall Foliage Youve Ever Seen, The Southern California Park Where You Can Begin A Hike Across 7 Different Bridges Is A Grand Adventure, This Wine Cruise Is One Of The Most Unique Experiences You Can Have In Southern California, This Open Air Train Ride In Southern California Is A Scenic Adventure For The Whole Family, Youll Absolutely Love A Ride On Southern Californias Majestic Mountain Train This Summer, Take A Ride On This One-Of-A-Kind Canal Boat In Southern California, After A Hike To Southern Californias Lake Los Carneros, Board The Pacific Surfliner For A Memorable Adventure, This Dreamy Train-Themed Trip Through Southern California Will Take You On The Journey Of A Lifetime, HPort of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line. 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. The train arrives around 8 p.m., and theres various transportation options in the city once you arrive at the Seattle Amtrak Station. The Amtrak station is conveniently in walking distance of Skinner Butte Park and downtown hotels and restaurants (including many local and Asian options), so you dont have to rent a car. Irvine Park Railroad takes children and adults through historic Irvine Regional Park. Los Angeles Live Steamers & Railroad Museum | Los Angeles 800 N Alameda StLos Angeles, CA 90012(800) 698-4833. 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. Andbecause Anaheim's so close, you can still be home in time to watch a little Disney Channel before bed. Idyllwild is another fun spot to drive to for a day or a weekend. Full of restaurants, bars, shops, and shows, this part of the city makes it easy to amble away the day wandering its sunny streets. Docent-led tours, monthly events, party rentals (includes a Thomas the Tank Engine Playday! The morning arrival means you can start enjoying the nearby lakes, rivers and waterfalls early in the day. During the trip, characters on each car immerse passengers in theatrical onboard entertainment just like in the film! Train Tickets It is also a designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Depending on their schedule, you can get the chance to attend movie screenings, participate in game nights, and other events. 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. Due to the 6.5 hour train commute and one daily Coast Starlight train, youll need to stay overnight at least one night. If that doesnt sound too enticing, take them to the Enchanted Railroad or check out the daily storytimes and if you visit in the summer, be sure to check the concert calendar. El Dorado Frontier is currently only open on weekends. Visiting wineries is the top thing to do, and there are more than 200 to choose from. If you ever end up in a situation like that, theres no place better than The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles. 1418 Descanso Dr. La Caada Flintridge, CA 91011. There are a few rotating exhibits that will keep you busy. This is a perfect addition to your Thomas the Train theme party. Travel through the New Mexico desert and mountains to reach Trindad, Colorado. 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 . 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. Take a stroll through the picturesque Harbor Village,take in the California Surf Museum, rent a bike right on the beach, or do a little whale watching. only, 11a.m.3p.m.Cost per ride: $3, 5202 Zoo Dr.Los AngelesOnline:lalsrm.org. Its a good place for the family to spend some quality time and bond with each other. 35 hours Daily Departure. This renowned attraction is a learning center and zoological park home to at least 100 exotic animals of more than fifty diverse species. (213) 626-1901 [email protected] Monday - Friday: 6:45 AM - 10:00 PM. The morning arrival means you can start enjoying the nearby lakes, rivers and waterfalls early in the day. 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. Located at Westchester Park on Lincoln Boulevard/PCH and La Tiera Boulevard (across the street from Otis College of Arts - 9045 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045). Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, 750 Depot St, Campo, CA 91906, USA. If youre in the right spot, it will be raining confetti. You will see little ponds filled with roses, lilies and trees in every direction. Take the kids to bring them into a real-life fairytale. You can also rent a bike to pedal through its length and view occasional live entertainment from street performers, like musicians and jugglers. Descanso Gardens. The birthday boy was excited to take many rides on the train! Luckily for us, it runs every day from 6:45 am to 10 pm on weekends and holidays too. There is also a garden where you can eat the lunch you brought or organize a picnic for the family. Here's a list of activities that'll help you plan. I didnt think this day would come. Learn about the heritage of American railroading through educational programs, displays, toy trains, and scale models of California railroads and communities. Hidden in a residential neighborhood in the South Bay city of Lomita, it's full of train history, educational dioramas and hundreds of models depicting train cars from the 1830s to the present. The second floor is called the Labyrinth. First of all, its not just for bookworms. Train: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner It's located in a grassy, relaxed area of Griffith Park and happens to also be a great place to spread out a picnic. Take your train-loving kids to Union Station and get the opportunity to watch several state-of-the-art passenger trains passing by. Because of this, we DO NOT cancel and provide you with a $25 guarantee that we will be at your event. Recommended Hotel Nearby: JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. Few SoCal towns are better at turning the ocean into some serious family fun. The Ultimate Guide to Train Outings in Northern California for Kids - Mommy Nearest ATLANTA BOSTON CHICAGO DALLAS DENVER HOUSTON LOS ANGELES NYC PHILADELPHIA PHOENIX SAN DIEGO SEATTLE SOUTH FLORIDA WASHINGTON DC CATEGORIES MOMMY NEAREST PLAYDATES PARTNERS ABOUT US CONTACT US The Ultimate Guide to Train Rides in Nor by Leslie Harvey