No car? No problem! Lucky for us, the SF Bay Area is a great starting point for some of the most scenic journeys on the West Coast, at an even more affordable price thanks to Amtrak’s California Rail Pass. Whether you’re in for a long-haul voyage across the state, or you’re seeking out an easy nearby escape, here are some of the best train trips from San Francisco (or near San Francisco). Keep in mind that Amtrak routes leave out of Emeryville, so you’ll need to take BART across the Bay or a connecting Amtrak bus to get there.
We love to experience the city’s car-free transportation options, and there are many… consider reading our guide to car-free transport in SF and boat trips you can take from the Ferry Building for more inspiration.
1. Palo Alto
Caltrain will take you from San Francisco right to the heart of Downtown Palo Alto in under an hour. This puts you in a great position to visit the Stanford University campus, Stanford Shopping Center, and Arboretum Grove. The Palo Alto station is also near some of the Bay’s most popular restaurants including Ramen Nagi, Ettan, BIRD DOG, and Nobu. If you’re willing to go a bit out of the way, consider visiting the historic Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, which is about a 25-minute walk or bus ride.
🚂 Take Caltrain B7, L3, or L4 from San Francisco Station to Palo Alto Station
2. San Jose
Caltrain will drop you off at the San Jose Diridon station right next to the Shark Tank (SAP Center), which is in spitting distance of some gems in Downtown San Jose. See what Broadway shows are playing at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, visit The Tech Interactive, or spend an afternoon playing arcade games at Miniboss. If you head the other direction towards Fruitvale, you can check out the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum (next to “America’s best rose garden,” which blooms in May).
🚂 Take Caltrain B7, L3, or L4 from San Francisco Station to San Jose Diridon Station
3. Davis
Davis is a fun and vibrant college town that’s easily bikeable and walkable, making it a good place to visit via train from San Francisco. This is the “Bicycle Capital of America,” so consider renting some wheels and get ready to explore the ample parks and greenbelts throughout the city. Pick up some delicious local produce at the Davis Farmers Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or wolf down a massive hamburger at the crowd-favorite Burgers and Brew restaurant.
🚂 Take Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor or California Zephyr from Emeryville to Davis
4. Sacramento
California’s state capitol can make for an interesting weekend train trip from San Francisco. Amtrak will take you to the Sacramento Valley Station right near the Old Sacramento Waterfront, which is an underrated piece of California Gold Rush history. Take a boat cruise down the river, order an oversize cocktail at Joe’s Crab Shack, or take a ride on Waterfront Park’s 65-foot Ferris wheel. If you’re hoping to get a glimpse of the Capitol Building or visit the accompanying museum, it’s a quick bus ride or a 25-minute walk.
🚂 Take Amtrak’s California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, or Capitol Corridor train from Emeryville to Sacramento Valley Station
5. Chico
Discover Downtown Chico’s street festivals, historic museums, live music, and great food and drink. Craft beer lovers will want to take a tour of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., which many consider to be the origin of the craft beer movement. The Downtown area has some eclectic hidden gems to explore, including the National Yo-Yo Museum, the Bidwell Mansion, and of course endless artisanal beer establishments.
🚂 Take Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train from Emeryville to Chico Station
6. Truckee
Truckee is a picturesque mountain town well-located for visiting Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe National Forest, and Donner Memorial State Park. The Amtrak stop is right on Donner Pass Road, where you’ll find a charming combination of mom ‘n’ pop shops, elegant restaurants, and historic brick buildings dating back to the California Gold Rush. Whether you visit in the winter for a ski weekend or in the summer for a lake day, Truckee is a great destination for adventure seekers.
🚂 Take Amtrak’s California Zephyr from Emeryville to Truckee
7. Los Angeles
Did you know you that there’s a train from L.A. to San Francisco? Amtrak’s Coast Starlight runs through both Emeryville and L.A.’s Union Station, so it’s a good route to keep an eye on if you make frequent trips between NorCal and SoCal. From Union Station you can hop on the Metrolink to reach essential neighborhoods including Long Beach, Anaheim, Hollywood, and Pasadena.
🚂 Take Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Emeryville to Los Angeles Union Station
8. San Diego
Once you get into SoCal via the Amtrak Coast Starlight, you can transfer to the Pacific Surfliner, which takes passengers along the California coast between San Luis Obispo and San Diego. It makes a stop in Old Town San Diego, which is the first European settlement in California; and the Santa Fe Depot, which is in the heart of downtown.
🚂 Take Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Emeryville, and switch to Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner at one of the shared stops (San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, Burbank, or LA’s Union Station).
9. Yosemite
Although Amtrak trains won’t technically take you all the way to Yosemite National Park, they have a route from Emeryville to Merced that leads to an Amtrak bus going straight to Yosemite Valley. When you buy these tickets through Amtrak, the price of the Yosemite park shuttle and park admission are also included. The Yosemite Valley stop is well-located to the Yosemite Falls trailhead, the Yosemite Valley Lodge, and the welcome center. See if you can time your visit for the elusive Firefall or night rainbows.
🚂 Take Amtrak’s San Joaquins train from Emeryville to Merced and transfer to Amtrak Thruway Bus (Route 15) to Yosemite Valley
10. Seattle
Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train route goes all the way from Seattle to Los Angeles and passes right through Emeryville. This is one of the most beautiful train journeys you can take on the West Coast, with stunning views of the Cascade Range, Mount Shasta, and raw coastal cliffs. The Seattle stop is at King Street Station right near Lumen Field and downtown Seattle, so you’re well-connected to access some of the city’s best attractions via public transportation. Other nearby stops on the route include Portland, Klamath Falls, and Tacoma.
🚂 Take Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Emeryville to Seattle