Some of the best ocean views in Southern California are from a train seat, not a beach towel. For kids, the top train rides are the coastal trains (the Pacific Surfliner and COASTER) for a real trip, and park railroads like Balboa Park and Irvine Park for the under-3 crowd. Here are 12 rides from San Diego to Los Angeles, a pick-by-age guide and a sample first-ride morning.
The short version
- Ocean views on a real train: the Pacific Surfliner or COASTER along the North County San Diego coast.
- Under 2: a park train like the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad or Irvine Park Railroad.
- Big train fans: Griffith Park's Travel Town, the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, or the museum in Campo.
- Keep a first ride to about 1 hour each way, sit on the left heading north, and plan a playground at the other end.
- Schedules and fares change, so check the operator's website the week you go.
What are the best train rides for kids in Southern California?
| Ride | Area | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Surfliner | San Diego to LA | Intercity train | Ocean views, a big first trip |
| COASTER | North County San Diego | Commuter train | Double-decker cars, beach towns |
| SPRINTER | Oceanside to Escondido | Inland commuter train | Short, easy hops |
| Metrolink | Greater Los Angeles | Commuter train | Union Station adventures |
| San Diego Trolley | San Diego | Light rail | A quick first taste |
| Balboa Park Miniature Railroad | San Diego | Miniature train | Under 2s |
| Poway-Midland Railroad | Poway | Heritage rides | Small, gentle outings |
| Pacific Southwest Railway Museum | Campo | Heritage excursion | Ages 4 and up |
| Irvine Park Railroad | Orange | Small-scale train | A park day with a ride |
| Griffith Park trains | Los Angeles | Museum and miniature rides | A half day of trains |
| Southern California Railway Museum | Perris | Museum and rides | Big train fans |
| Angels Flight | Downtown LA | Funicular | A tiny, memorable ride |
Schedules, seasons and fares change, and some small railroads run only on certain days. Check each operator's website before you go.
Which train ride is best for my child's age?
Pick by age
- Under 2: a park miniature train or three stops on the trolley. All the bells and motion, none of the waiting.
- Ages 2 to 3: peak train love. One hour on a real train between two coastal stations, with a playground at the other end.
- Ages 4 to 6: a museum day with a heritage excursion, or a trip into Union Station to watch the departure boards.
- Any age: the best ride ends with someone waiting on the platform. If grandparents can meet the train, let them.
12 train rides for kids from San Diego to Los Angeles
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
San Diego to Orange County, LA and beyondThe real ride from our book. Long stretches run right beside the ocean north of San Diego, with big windows and room to walk the aisle. For a first trip, pick two coastal stations about an hour apart and make the round trip your whole day.
COASTER
Oceanside to downtown San DiegoNorth County San Diego's commuter train hugs the coast and lagoons in double-decker cars. The upper deck is the prize for toddlers. Pair it with a beach town for an easy morning.
SPRINTER
Oceanside to EscondidoA smaller inland train through North County valleys. Short hops between stations suit little legs and short attention spans.
Metrolink
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura countiesThe region's commuter rail. Weekends are calmer with little ones, and a ride into Los Angeles Union Station, one of the grandest stations in the country, is a destination by itself.
San Diego Trolley
Across San DiegoBright red light-rail cars that come often, so you wait less and ride more. Kids love the bells. A cheap, quick first taste of riding a train.
Balboa Park Miniature Railroad
Balboa Park, San DiegoA small open-air train on a short loop near the zoo entrance. Short enough that nobody gets restless, long enough to feel like a real trip.
Poway-Midland Railroad
Old Poway Park, PowayVolunteers run short rides on historic equipment, with a little depot to explore. A gentle, small-town outing.
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
Campo, east San Diego CountyHistoric train excursions through the backcountry, plus old engines and cars up close. Better for preschoolers and older kids who can handle a longer day.
Irvine Park Railroad
Irvine Regional Park, OrangeA small-scale train looping through a big, shady park with plenty else to do. One of Orange County's favorite first rides.
Griffith Park's train corner
Griffith Park, Los AngelesThree train stops in one park: Travel Town Museum with retired locomotives, a miniature train ride, and the Los Angeles Live Steamers with small-scale trains you can ride. An easy half day.
Southern California Railway Museum
Perris, Riverside CountyStreetcars, trolleys and trains, with rides on historic equipment. It's big and outdoors, so plan for sun and walking.
Angels Flight
Downtown Los AngelesA tiny historic funicular that carries you up one steep block in a vintage car. The ride is short and the grins are big. Pair it with Union Station.
Ride the coast in a book the night beforeRally Takes the Train follows a corgi on the real Pacific Surfliner route, from a Spanish-style station in San Diego to his grandparents up the coast. Read it at bedtime, then find the window, the conductor and the tunnel on your trip.
Buy on AmazonWhat does a good first train ride look like?
Here is a sample morning for a 2 or 3 year old on a coastal train. Swap in any ride on this list, and check the current schedule before you plan around it.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| The night before | Read a train book. Let them pack a small bag: a snack, a toy, a book. |
| 45 minutes before departure | Arrive at the station. Sort out tickets and find your platform. |
| 30 minutes before | Watch other trains come and go. This is half the fun. |
| Boarding | Lift them up the tall step with a big “up you go.” Head for an ocean-side window. |
| First 20 minutes | Window time. Name what you see: surfers, birds, boats, bridges. |
| Halfway | Snack, then a slow walk down the aisle to stretch. |
| Arrival | Playground, beach or lunch near the station, for an hour or two. |
| Ride home | Expect a nap. Bring a small blanket. |
Tips for a first train ride with a toddler
- Know the step. Train stairs are tall for short legs. In the book, Rally needs a boost from Dad, and most toddlers will too.
- Copy Rally's bag. He packs a turtle toy, a green bone and a yellow ball. Kids love packing their own three things.
- Warn them about tunnels. Some routes pass through tunnels or under bridges. Say “It gets dark for a minute, then the light comes back.”
- Stop while it's fun. End the day while everyone still loves trains.
We wrote a full first train ride checklist for toddlers. Riding the coast? Our family guide to the Pacific Surfliner covers stations, seats and timing.
The station from the book
The Spanish-style station with palm trees in the book is the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego. Toddlers love pointing at the arches and saying “that's Rally's station.” Read about the real train ride behind the book.
Are there holiday train rides in Southern California?
Yes. From late November through December, many museums and park railroads above run holiday trains with lights, music and sometimes Santa. They often sell out weeks ahead.
Watch the operators' websites in the fall, book early, and pick an early evening slot so a toddler isn't riding past bedtime. No tickets? A regular coastal train at sunset in December is its own quiet holiday outing.
Why read a train book before the ride?
Kids handle new things better when they know what's coming. A train book lets them rehearse: the ticket, the conductor, the window, the stop. Our list of train books for toddlers has good ones, and we dug into why toddlers love trains so much.
Pack the free coloring pages and activity pack too. It has a train maze, a word search and a ticket to fill in, and it folds into a diaper bag.
Our own book is this exact trip. Kelsey's mom dreamed up a corgi riding the coastal train to his grandparents, and Kelsey finished it after she died. Here is our story.
For the toddler counting down to ride dayReal watercolor of the coastal ride, a friendly Mr. Conductor, a dark tunnel and a bright light. Five rhyming minutes, $13.99.
Get it on AmazonQuestions parents ask
Which side of the Pacific Surfliner faces the ocean?
On the coastal stretch between San Diego and Orange County, the ocean is on the left side of the train when you head north from San Diego, and on the right side when you head south. Arrive a little early so you can board and find a window seat on the ocean side before the train fills up.
Is the COASTER or the Pacific Surfliner better for kids?
Both run along the North County San Diego coast; the COASTER is a commuter train with double-decker cars, which many toddlers love, and it stays within San Diego County. The Pacific Surfliner goes farther, into Orange County and Los Angeles, with views of the ocean for long stretches. For a short first ride, either works well.
How long should a first train ride be for a toddler?
About an hour or less each way is a good first trip for a toddler. Choose two stations close together, ride there, enjoy a playground, beach or lunch, and ride back. Ending while your child still loves the train matters more than how far you go, and you can always ride farther next time.
Are there train museums for kids in Southern California?
Yes. Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park, the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris and the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo all let kids see real trains up close, and several offer rides on certain days. Check each museum's website for current hours, ride days and special events before you go.
Do toddlers need a ticket to ride the train?
It depends on the operator. Rules for young children differ between Amtrak, commuter railroads, light rail and park trains, and they can change, so check the fare rules on each operator's website before you ride. Small attractions, such as park railroads, often sell ride tickets separately from museum entry.
Can you do a San Diego to Los Angeles train day trip with kids?
You can, but the full ride is long for a toddler, and the round trip fills most of a day. Many families ride a shorter coastal stretch instead, such as two beach towns about an hour apart. If you do go all the way, plan a simple outing near Union Station and expect a nap on the ride home.
What should I pack for a train ride with a toddler?
Pack light: snacks and water, wipes, a diaper or change of clothes, a light layer, and a small blanket for the nap on the way home. Add three small things to do, like a book, a toy and crayons. Let your toddler pack their own small bag, the way Rally packs his toys. Our guide to riding Amtrak with kids has more.
Can you bring a stroller on the Pacific Surfliner?
Check Amtrak's current policy before you go, since baggage rules can change. Whatever the rules, a compact folding stroller is the easiest to manage, because train aisles are narrow and the steps are tall. Many parents carry a toddler on and off and fold the stroller quickly. A soft carrier can be simpler still for a short first ride.
Where can you see the ocean from the train in Southern California?
Some of the best views are on the coastal stretch between San Diego and Orange County, including near Del Mar and San Clemente, where the tracks run close to the water. The Pacific Surfliner and COASTER both follow the North County San Diego coast. Our Pacific Surfliner family guide covers seats and easy trips, and Rally watches this same ocean in our book.
What is the best time of year to ride the train with kids in Southern California?
Any time works, since Southern California weather is mild most of the year. Spring and fall are often comfortable for a station playground or beach stop, and weekday mornings tend to be calmer than summer weekends. In late November and December, many museums and park railroads run holiday trains that book up early. Check each operator's website for current schedules.