Polar Express train rides in California.
California has 3 licensed Polar Express train rides for 2026: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, Southern California Railway Museum in Perris and California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.
On the ride, kids hear the story, get hot chocolate and a treat, and meet Santa. Each railroad sets its own dates, prices, and rules for lap kids and strollers, so check the details below. Rides often sell out, so book early.
Polar Express rides in California
Jamestown, CA
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Dec 20 · Fridays to Sundays, Nov 27-Dec 20, at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 pm
- Depot
- Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
- Price
- $85 per person in coach, fees included
- Length
- About 1 hour
- Lap children
- Under 2 rides free on an adult's lap (no ticket needed)
- Included
- Train ride, hot chocolate and a treat, park entry to pick up your Golden Ticket, and a visit with Santa in the Roundhouse
A one-hour weekend ride at a state historic rail park. After the ride, kids meet Santa in the old Roundhouse. Pajamas are welcome.
Booking: Arrive at least 1 hour early to park. Strollers go in the stroller parking area in the Ticket Office. No restrooms on the train. No refunds or exchanges.
Parent tip: There are no bathrooms on board. Take little ones to the restrooms on the depot deck before you line up.
Perris, CA
Southern California Railway Museum
- Dates
- Nov 11 - Dec 31 · Select days, Nov 11-Dec 31; afternoon and evening rides
- Depot
- Southern California Railway Museum, 2201 South A St
- Price
- Adults $56.25-$88.25, kids 2-11 $49.25-$81.25 by date, fees included; parking $6 per car
- Length
- Train show about 1 hour; about 2 hours in all
- Lap children
- Under 2 rides free on a lap; pick the free infant ticket at checkout and add the child's name
- Included
- Hot chocolate and a shortbread cookie, a reading of the book, Santa with the first gift of Christmas, and caroling on the way back
A one-hour ride at a large rail museum in Riverside County, with the book read on board and Santa handing out bells. Plan on about 2 hours from parking to the end.
Booking: Arrive about 60 minutes before showtime to park and check in. The box office closes at showtime and no one boards after that. The platform is not heated. Sensory-friendly rides Nov 24 at 4 and 6 pm.
Parent tip: Value-price rides run mostly on weeknights in mid-November. They cost $32 less per adult than premium nights.
Sacramento, CA
California State Railroad Museum
- Dates
- Nov 13 - Dec 21 · Select November days, then Wednesdays to Mondays after Thanksgiving, Nov 13-Dec 21; 3:30, 5:00, 6:30 and 8:00 pm
- Depot
- Central Pacific Passenger Station, 930 Front St, Old Sacramento
- Price
- Coach $80-$85, First Class $100-$110 per person; table cars $320-$440 for four; fees included
- Length
- About 1 hour on the train
- Lap children
- Under 2 rides free on an adult's lap (no ticket needed)
- Included
- Train ride, entry to the passenger station pre-show, and entry to the Eagle Theater to meet Santa
A one-hour ride from Old Sacramento with a short show in the station before you board. After the ride, families meet Santa at a nearby theater.
Booking: Arrive at least 1 hour early. The pre-boarding show starts 35 minutes before departure. Strollers and baby carriers are not allowed on the train; they are watched in the station. Missed trains can't be rebooked.
Parent tip: The station is covered but not heated. Put a warm layer over the pajamas for the wait.
Dates and prices were checked on each railroad's official site. Rides often sell out, and details can change, so check the official site before you go. THE POLAR EXPRESS is a trademark of Warner Bros.; rides are run by individual railroads under license.
Rides in nearby states
Williams, AZ
Grand Canyon Railway
- Dates
- Nov 6 - Jan 3 · Select nights, Nov 6-Jan 3, at 5:30 and 7:30 pm (Arizona time)
- Depot
- Williams Depot, behind the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
- Price
- Adults (16+) $64.99-$84.99, kids 2-15 $49.99-$69.99 by date, plus tax; hotel packages sold too
- Length
- About 90 minutes round trip
- Included
- Hot chocolate and cookies, the story, and a stop to see Santa and his reindeer at the North Pole
A night train leaves Williams for a pretend North Pole and comes back in about 90 minutes. Kids hear the story, get cocoa and a cookie, and see Santa. The train does not go to the Grand Canyon.
Booking: Train-only riders should arrive about 90 minutes early. Strollers can be parked outside the depot, since the train has little room for them. Not every car is wheelchair accessible.
Parent tip: Holiday-rate nights cost $20 more per adult than value nights. Most early and mid-November dates are value nights.
Carson City, NV
Virginia & Truckee Railway
- Dates
- Nov 13 - Dec 23 · Thursdays to Sundays, Nov 13-Dec 20, plus Dec 21-23
- Depot
- Eastgate Depot, 4650 Eastgate Siding Rd
- Price
- Classic Coach $60-$80 per 2-person bench, plus fees
- Length
- About 1 hour round trip
- Lap children
- Under 24 months rides free on a lap
- Included
- Hot cocoa and a cookie, carols, a live telling of the story, Santa in every car, and a silver bell for each child
A one-hour diesel train ride from east Carson City, with a live show in each car. Santa walks through every car and each child gets a bell.
Booking: Arrive 45 minutes early. Strollers, wheelchairs and large diaper bags stay at the depot. Seats are sold as 2-person benches only. No refunds.
Parent tip: Seats are sold by the bench, so a parent and one child fill one bench. Leave the stroller in the car.
Hood River, OR
Mount Hood Railroad
- Dates
- Nov 20 - Jan 2 · Select days, Nov 20-Jan 2
- Depot
- Hood River depot, 110 Railroad Ave
- Price
- Adults $59-$109, kids 2-12 $49-$99, by day and seat type (Standard, Parlor, Premium, VIP)
- Length
- About 90 minutes round trip
- Lap children
- Infants 0-2 ride on a paying adult's lap for $10; every rider needs a ticket
- Included
- Cocoa and cookies on board and a silver bell for each child; VIP adds a ceramic mug, Premium a tumbler
A 90-minute ride from Hood River in the Columbia River Gorge, east of Portland. Every seat type gets the same show.
Booking: Arrive 45-60 minutes early. Park at the overflow lot at 113 Portway Ave and take the shuttle to the depot. Will Call opens 1 hour before the first train. The platform is not heated.
Parent tip: The show is the same on every date, so value days save money with no trade-off.
Dates and prices were checked on each railroad's official site. Rides often sell out, and details can change, so check the official site before you go. THE POLAR EXPRESS is a trademark of Warner Bros.; rides are run by individual railroads under license.
Questions parents ask
Where is the Polar Express train ride in California?
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park runs it from Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown. Southern California Railway Museum runs it from Southern California Railway Museum, 2201 South A St in Perris. California State Railroad Museum runs it from Central Pacific Passenger Station, 930 Front St, Old Sacramento in Sacramento.
When does the Polar Express run in California in 2026?
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park: Nov 27 - Dec 20 (Fridays to Sundays, Nov 27-Dec 20, at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 pm). Southern California Railway Museum: Nov 11 - Dec 31 (Select days, Nov 11-Dec 31; afternoon and evening rides). California State Railroad Museum: Nov 13 - Dec 21 (Select November days, then Wednesdays to Mondays after Thanksgiving, Nov 13-Dec 21; 3:30, 5:00, 6:30 and 8:00 pm).
How much is the Polar Express train ride in California?
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park: $85 per person in coach, fees included. Southern California Railway Museum: Adults $56.25-$88.25, kids 2-11 $49.25-$81.25 by date, fees included; parking $6 per car. California State Railroad Museum: Coach $80-$85, First Class $100-$110 per person; table cars $320-$440 for four; fees included. Check the official site for the price on your date.
See every Polar Express train ride in the US or Christmas in San Diego, Christmas in San Francisco, Christmas in Los Angeles.
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