Some beachfront stretches of Amtrak’s Surfliner service are among the world’s most scenic train trips © Trevor Fairbank / Shutterstock

Skip the freeway and explore Southern California by train

These days, freeways aren’t the only way to get around LA. Ever-worsening gridlock and major public investments in public transport mean that bopping around much of Los Angeles and Southern California via rail is an appealing option, and an ever-improving network of train tracks means that you can enjoy the region without blowing your horn – or your cool.

Direct train service will take you to many of SoCal’s top sights plus scores of equally worthy yet less-vaunted places. You can lie out on the beach, explore historically rich neighborhoods and cities, see world-class art, get a dose of Hollywood glamour or even leave the country. If you include short bus transfers, then even more of the region opens up, including LAX and Disneyland.

Another benefit to seeing Southern California by train: the low cost. Rather than letting your dollars burn up into your traffic-stalled car’s exhaust, save them for fun. Train fares range from only $1.75 for Metro to $36 for the Amtrak Surfliner from LA to San Diego.

When people ask how you coped with the terrible Southern California traffic, you can casually reply, “We didn’t. We took the train.” From north to south, here are some of the ways to get around Southern California by rail. 

Far north from the crowded beaches of LA, Grover Beach along the Central Coast makes for an excellent day trip. The journey includes a ride along one of California’s most beautiful stretches of shoreline, some of which you can only see from the train. Just south of the old-timey beach town of Pismo Beach, Grover Beach is part of a long swath of sand backed by dunes that run for over 10 miles south. A short walk is all it takes to leave most traces of civilization – and people – behind.

From LA, Grover Beach is a nearly 5-hour ride, but it’s only 2 hours north of Santa Barbara, and that includes the most beautiful stretch of coast. Catch the morning Amtrak Surfliner train north and the late-afternoon one south, you’ll have about 4 hours on the sand.

Santa Barbara’s train station is a short, equidistant walk from the beautiful Mission-style architecture (and cafes and shops) of downtown, and the sunny beach and pier. There’s so much to see and do here that a day trip from LA can easily turn into an overnight trip. Luckily, you’ll have options, with up to four Amtrak Surfliner round-trips each day. A one-way ride takes about 2.5 hours.

Take the Metro L/Gold Line train to Del Mar stop to explore downtown Pasadena, which is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Wander through lush Central and Memorial Parks, then walk west to the Norton Simon Museum, one of Southern California’s best, with a collection including works by Rembrandt, Rodin, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and more. The sculpture-filled gardens are modeled on Monet’s Giverny.

Metro’s B/Red Line subway goes right to Universal Studios Hollywood, where movies were first made in 1915 — and still are today. Next to the back lots, you can explore movie and TV lore and thrill to rides inspired by Jurassic World, Harry Potter and The Simpsons. Above the Metro station and outside the park are myriad shops, restaurants and movie theaters.

If want to keep going with Southern California theme parks, you can also get to Disneyland by train – almost. Take an Amtrak Surfliner or Metrolink train to the impressive Anaheim station, then get a free transfer on one of the frequent buses that make the 20-minute run to the main gates of the Magic Kingdom.

When the subway stop has the name Hollywood/Vine, there can be little doubt about what awaits. Frequent Metro trains on the B/Red Line serve the heart of Hollywood; hop off at Hollywood and Vine to stroll west along the Walk of Fame. Above the next subway stop, Hollywood/Highland, you’ll find the celebrity hand, foot and paw prints in the forecourt of what everybody calls Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (ignore any of-the-moment name change). Nearby, the fusty, musty Hollywood Museum is a storehouse of Old Hollywood ephemera.

Enjoy the beach with all the trimmings in Santa Monica, the last stop on Metro’s E/Expo light-rail line. Open-air cafes that have wealthy beach bums of all ages lounging about give the city a carefree air.

Just a half-mile west of the train’s stop, the glorious Santa Monica beaches await. Spread out your towel on the sand or head right out on the old Pier, with its photogenic amusement-park rides and arcades. Take the palm-tree-shaded waterfront walk a little over a mile south to Venice Beach, where colorful characters throng the Boardwalk.

Start a visit to East LA at the Mariachi Plaza stop on Metro’s L/Gold light rail line. As the name suggests, the eponymous musicians are often on sight and performing. Request a favorite ballad and tip well.

The surrounding Boyle Heights neighborhood is one of Southern California’s centers of Latinx culture; get to know the area by downloading one of several excellent walking tours from the Boyle Heights Museum. On your self-guided tour, you can stop at panaderias (bakeries), taco joints, top restaurants, historic churches and much more.

For decades, one of the unmissable sights in South LA has been Watts Towers, the soaring masterpiece of “found” folk art that first began over 100 years ago. Today, it anchors a vibrant community cultural center that celebrates African American creativity, from music to art. Sign up for the free tour and get ready for creative immersion. Metro’s A/Blue Line trains stop at the 103rd St/Watts Towers Station, mere feet from the site.

At coastal San Clemente, the only thing between your train and the Pacific Ocean is the beach. So begins a long and spectacularly scenic run for the historic railroad line as it continues south to San Diego.

Amtrak Surfliner and Metrolink trains pause at the San Clemente Pier stop, which (as you might surmise) is right at the base of the town’s pier that juts out into the Pacific. Hit one of the many casual seafood shacks and cafes, then stretch out on the beach, watch the surfers, wait for sunset and savor the full Southern California beach vibe.

Scores of ginormous container ships lurk just off the harbors at Long Beach, each waiting for their chance to offload delayed cargo. And the maritime spectacle doesn’t end there at this once-gritty sibling city to LA’s south. The iconic 1930s trans-Atlantic steamship the Queen Mary is permanently moored near downtown, with its vintage cabins open for tours. For something much more vibrant, take in the vast briny spectacle of the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Metro’s A/Blue Line trains circle through the center of Long Beach, close to the shore and with scores of cafes and bars with cool patios. The run south from Downtown LA takes under an hour.

Alight from your train in the heart of colonial California in San Juan Capistrano, along the Orange County coast. Famous for its swallows – which return every year on or around March 19 – the compact center revolves around the namesake 18th-century mission. At this complex, you can contemplate the legacy of Spanish colonization and its disruption of Indigenous cultures. Spend some time in the serene gardens, then explore the surrounding historic district.

Regular Amtrak Surfliner and Metrolink trains serve San Juan Cap from LA (2 hours).

Believe it or not, you can reach Mexico by train: the San Diego Trolley’s Blue Line ends right at a pedestrian border crossing in San Ysidro. From there it’s only a 1.2-mile walk along a popular pedestrian route (cut-rate pharmacies abound) to Plaza Santa Cecilia, one of Tijuana’s oldest public squares.

From the plaza, stroll one of the main pedestrian drags, Avenida Revolución (La Revo), which is lined with restaurants, bars, shops and more. Duck into pasajes (passages, or alleys) for galleries and arty cafes. Head east for the craft beer bars of Plaza Fiesta, then walk the 1.8 miles back to the border crossing or use a ride app like Uber.

Amtrak Surfliner trains serve San Diego’s Santa Fe Depot from LA (3 hours). The trolley to the border takes 45 minutes from there.

Historic and beautiful Union Station in Downtown LA is the hub for much of the region’s rail service. You might recognize it from the dozens of film and TV shows shot there, including the noir classic Criss Cross, Bugsy, Catch Me If You Can and Hail, Caesar!

You might also like: The ultimate guide to California's Channel Islands Survivor's guide to a stress-free Disneyland vacation Watch dolphins swim through glowing bioluminescent waters off the California coast

Make the most of your time in the USA with Lonely Planet’s range of travel guides. Be the architect of your own trip as you discover the best things to do in the USA through insider tips, suggested itineraries and handy maps.

From people watching at the beach to trapeze on the pier, there are plenty of great things to do in Santa Monica.

With dinosaur adventures, 25,000 artworks under one roof and rooftop vistas aplenty, Santa Barbara’s best museums have it all.

There's more to San Diego than sandy beaches, surfers and sunshine. Dive into the incredible live music scene with our guide to the best venues in San Diego.

The best bites from one of the most exciting taco scenes in the US.

Once you've had your fill of relaxing on the beach, look to the hills and mountains around Santa Barbara for scenic hikes and challenging treks.

Tantalizingly close to shore, the Channel Islands offer hikes and camping adventures within easy reach of the California coast. Here's a guide to every island.

Santa Barbara is not just for the A-listers – there are lots of sights and activities for all budgets. Here are the city's best free things to do.

It's hard to leave lovely Santa Barbara behind, but we've got six incredible day trips just beyond the city limits.

The neighborhoods of Leimert Park, Inglewood and Crenshaw are on the cusp of something new and exciting in travel.

Subscribe to our newsletters and promotions. Read our Privacy Policy.

Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Read our Privacy Policy.

© 2022 Lonely Planet. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.