Winter has arrived! Amtrak San Joaquins is here to ease the stress of the holidays by making travel easy, affordable, and convenient. We've got you covered if you want to visit family or friends or just want to get out for an adventure. Make this holiday season extra magical by taking advantage of our Friends and Family discount for your trip to any of the following events happening across our corridor.
Sutter Health Park, 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento, CA 95691 | Thursday, December 8, 2022 - Sunday, January 1, 2023 |
Enchant is the world's largest illuminated winter wonderland located in West Sacramento! Stroll through the lighted maze adorned with lighted tunnels and larger-than-life displays. Be sure to find your way to the 100-foot-tall Christmas tree with fun surprises. Before you go, stop by the ice rink, where you can skate through a fun, vibrant forest of Christmas lights. Enjoy crafts, boutiques, vendors, and holiday treats and drinks. It’s the perfect way to start a new holiday tradition with the family! On select Wednesdays, kids are free. General Admission starts at $34, Senior and Military admission at $29, and kids ages 3-17 start as low as $18. For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, please visit the Enchant Christmas website.
Directions: Once Amtrak San Joaquins Riders arrive at the Sacramento Valley Station, they can take a quick 5-minute Lyft or Uber to Sutter Health Park. Riders can save 10% when booking with Hyatt Regency Sacramento. Visit our Stay at the Hyatt page to learn more about the discount.
Lincoln Center, 374 Lincoln Center, Stockton, Ca 95207 | Friday, December 9, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Come on down to the Lincoln Center and join the Holiday festivities. This event is an excellent way for the kids to make wonderful holiday memories as they play in the snow and visit with Santa. Mom and Dad can shop locally and support small businesses by buying any last-minute gifts or something for the family to enjoy. In addition, there will be plenty of holiday-themed treats to make the night magical. This event is free and open to the public! For more information on Santa's hours, please visit the Lincoln Center's events page.
Directions: Once Amtrak San Joaquins riders arrive at the San Joaquin Street Station, they can take a 14-minute Lyft or Uber to the Lincoln Center.
Stockton Children's Museum, 402 West Weber Avenue, Stockton| Wednesday, December 21- Friday, December 23, 2022 | 9:00 AM PDT - 4:00 PM PDT
Join the Children's Museum of Stockton for a magical week of spirited events. On Wednesday, December 21, kick off spirit week by wearing your favorite cozy pajamas; Thursday, December 22, be sure to show up in your best ugly sweater; and finally Friday, December 23, wear your best and brightest festive holiday gear. This event is a great way to make holiday memories and start a new tradition, memories with your children that will last a lifetime. Visitors Participating in Spirit Week will receive one dollar off admission prices.
Directions: Amtrak San Joaquins Riders who arrive at the San Joaquin Street Station can take a quick 5-minute Lyft or Uber to the Children's Museum of Stockton.
Downtown Modesto, 11th St, Modesto, CA | Saturday, November 19, 2022 - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Looking for a fun way to enjoy the winter weather with the family? Head to Downtown Modesto and enjoy Modesto on Ice! This holiday tradition is returning to Modesto for its 7th season! It's a sure way to bring a smile to your face as you enjoy skating with family, friends, or your significant other. Everyone can take part. Each skating session is about 90 minutes apart, including an hour and twenty minutes of skate time. Skate sessions start at $14 for skaters ages 3-12 and $18 for ages 13 and up. Skate rentals are included in the pricing. To learn more about Modesto on Ice, please visit their website.
Directions: Once Amtrak San Joaquins riders arrive at the Modesto Station, they can take a 15-minute Lyft or Uber to Modesto on Ice.
Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St, Modesto, CA | Tuesday, December 20, 2022 | 7:30 PM PDT
Music legend and Icon Dionne Warwick will be stopping by the Gallo Center to perform her holiday special, The Sounds of Christmas. Bringing you an evening of an enchanting blend of her greatest hits and a selection of treasured holiday favorites. Tickets for this legendary evening begin at $49. For more information on how to join and enjoy this magical musical extravaganza, visit the Gallo Center for the Arts event page.
Directions: Once Amtrak San Joaquins Riders arrive at the Modesto Station, they can take a 13-minute Lyft or Uber to the Gallo Center for the Arts.
699 Bellevue, Oakland, CA 94610 | Friday, December 16, 2022 - Friday, December 30, 2022 | Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, and Saturday, 4:00 PM PDT - 7:00 PM PDT
This winter, Oakland's Children's Fairyland transforms into a sparkling Fairy Winterland with halls decked out in thousands of twinkling lights. Black Santa will be at Winterland this year, visiting from the North Pole, and visitors will have the chance to meet him, snap photos, and share holiday wishes. He will also lead the Festival of Lights each evening at 6:30 PM. Join the magic and cozy up with a complimentary cup of hot cocoa or cider!
Directions: From Oakland's Jack London Square Station, catch the AC Transit 12 bus at Alice Street and Second Street, just steps from the station. Ride for about 15 minutes and get off at Grand Avenue & Bellevue Avenue, right in front of the Children's Fairyland.
Main Street Plaza, Martinez, CA | Sunday, December 18, 2022 - Monday, December 26, 2022 | 4:45 PM PDT - 6:00 PM PDT
Join Downtown Martinez and Congregation B' nai Shalom for the annual Hanukkah Community Celebration! The week-long celebration kicks off December 18th from 4:45 pm - 6:00 pm to light the menorah and celebrate with music, sufganiyot, and family fun! From December 18th - December 26th, the traditional lighting of the menorah will take place every evening at dusk at the Main Street Plaza.
Directions: From the Martinez Amtrak Station, walk 5 minutes down Estudillo Street and turn right onto Main Street. Main Street Plaza will be on your right.
Downtown Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 | Old Courthouse Square | Now through December 31, 2022
All season long, downtown Santa Rosa will be holding winter festivities to bring holiday cheer! Enjoy ice skating on the square at Winter Lights Rink through December 31, and for the young ones, bring them to Tots on Ice, where instructors will guide them through learning ice skating in a relaxed and encouraging environment. After ice skating, peruse downtown shopping and dining, with dozens of local retailers offering special holiday deals and a weekly holiday market each Sunday to buy local gifts and celebrate the season. Closing out the Winter Lights is a New Years' celebration and ice skating performance on Courthouse Square on December 31 from 8-10 PM, with the Redwood Ice Theater company to ring in the New Year!
Directions: Take the Route 7 Thruway Bus service, connecting from the train station in Martinez or anywhere along Route 7 in Northern California. The bus stops in Santa Rosa at 917 Edwards Ave at Coddingtown Mall. From there, you can take the 10 Santa Rosa CityBus from Range Ave at Jennings Street, and get off at Santa Rosa Transit mall, just steps away from the Old Courthouse Square, where the ice rink is located.
Olvera Street, Los Angeles, CA | Friday, December 16, 2022 - Saturday, December 24, 2022 | 6:30 PM PDT - 8:00 PM PDT
Join Olvera Street for this annual tradition that has been around since the street's founding in 1930. Los Posadas at Olvera Street is reenacting Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. Enjoy traditional songs, colorful costumes, and vibrant music that brings one of the oldest Christmas stories to life. Each night the Pastores (shepherds) are led by an angel asking for shelter at one of the shops on Olvera Street. Finally, Mary and Joseph are given shelter, and songs of celebration can be heard up and down Olvera Street. The procession starts and ends at the Avila Adobe, the oldest house in Los Angeles. In the end, each visitor is given a cup of hot champurrado, delicious pan dulce, or sweet bread. This event is free for all ages and open to all members of the public.
Directions: Once Amtrak San Joaquins Riders arrive at Los Angeles Union Station, they can take a quick 5-minute walk to Olvera Street. Head north and turn left toward North Alameda Street, take a right onto North Alameda Street, turn left onto East Cesar Chavez Avenue, and finally turn left onto Olvera Street.
Downtown Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 | Old Courthouse Square | Now through December 31, 2022
All season long, downtown Santa Rosa will be holding winter festivities to bring holiday cheer! Enjoy ice skating on the square at Winter Lights Rink through December 31, and for the young ones, bring them to Tots on Ice, where instructors will guide them through learning ice skating in a relaxed and encouraging environment. After ice skating, peruse downtown shopping and dining, with dozens of local retailers offering special holiday deals and a weekly holiday market each Sunday to buy local gifts and celebrate the season. Closing out the Winter Lights is a New Years' celebration and ice skating performance on Courthouse Square on December 31 from 8-10 PM, with the Redwood Ice Theater company to ring in the New Year!
Directions: Take the Route 7 Thruway Bus service, connecting from the train station in Martinez or anywhere along Route 7 in Northern California. The bus stops in Santa Rosa at 917 Edwards Ave at Coddingtown Mall. From there, you can take the 10 Santa Rosa CityBus from Range Ave at Jennings Street, and get off at Santa Rosa Transit mall, just steps away from the Old Courthouse Square, where the ice rink is located.
We are excited to partner with the Handlery Union Square Hotel in San Francisco to provide special discounted room rates of up to 20% for Amtrak San Joaquins riders, along with 25% discounted train and Thruway Bus tickets! Access incredible savings for your next San Francisco vacation getaway using code AMTRAK when booking your […]
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Day Hour Minute Second Don’t Miss the Winter Flash Sale: Save Up to 40% on AMTRAK SAN JOAQUINS! Book your winter travel and save big with our Winter Flash Sale! For a limited time, you can enjoy up to 40% off your train fare when you book your tickets before November 14th. Whether you’re planning […]
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(October 30 -- Stockton, CA) – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have secured $54.5 million in federal grant funding through the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) MEGA initiative to support the Madera High-Speed Rail (HSR) Station Project.
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