The United States has been celebrating Black History Month since 1976 and recognizes the achievements of prominent figures such as Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, Shirley Chisholm, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and others who play a central role in U.S. history. Each February, Amtrak San Joaquins joins the nation in celebrating the history of Black people, black-owned businesses, culture, and highlights local events along the San Joaquins corridor. This year, Amtrak San Joaquins will be offering a single day special train service to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Trains 702, 713,714,717, and 719 will provide riders direct access to and from Allensworth. Riders can use promo code V302 to receive up to 50% off on five companion tickets when purchasing the first ticket at full price.
Below are various events and monuments to attend and visit during Black History Month:
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park: 4011 Grant Drive, Earlimart | February 12 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Join Amtrak San Joaquins for a special service to Allensworth to celebrate Black history and culture at AllensworthAllensworth was founded in 1908 and was the first community founded exclusively by African Americans in the state of California. The Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park was dedicated to preserving Allensworth's historic and cultural significance to the state of California. This Black History Month, the Friends of Allensworth Foundation will be hosting a Black History Month Celebration to celebrate and honor the life of Historian Carter G. Woodson, one of the first historians to study African American History, and established the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Visitors will be able to do a self-guided tour of the historic buildings and interact with museum docents dressed in period attire. Northbound Trains 713, 717, and 719 as well as Southbound Trains 702 and 714 will be your rail lines to this historic destination.
Directions: Amtrak San Joaquin riders are dropped off at the Allensworth station, only steps away from Colonel Allensworth Historic State Park.
Chase Center: 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco | February 3 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Kick Black History Month off by celebrating with friends and family at African American Heritage Night at the Chase Center as the Golden State Warriors play against the Sacramento Kings. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM! The event will include cultural performances and fans will receive a commemorative African American Heritage Night T-Shirt. Ticket costs start at $46.00.
Directions: Amtrak San Joaquin riders arriving from the Central Valley arrive at the Oakland Amtrak Station. Riders exit the station and take a 15 minute walk along the water to the Oakland Ferry Terminal, exit at the Ferry Building, then walk to the Embarcadero Station, and take the KT subway line to the Chase Center, or catch a 10 minute Uber/Lyft ride from the Embarcadero Station.
19th and Broadway, Downtown Oakland | February 27 | 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Bring your friends and family to one of the largest public gatherings in the Bay Area to celebrate the Black experience. The 5th Annual Black Joy Parade begins on 14th and Broadway in downtown Oakland at 12:30 PM and lasts for about an hour and a half. Following the parade, there will be a celebration held on 19th and Broadway, which will feature more than 200 local artists, craftsmen, food vendors, special performances and other fun activities. The event is free and open to the public.
Directions: Amtrak San Joaquin riders arriving from the Central Valley exit at the Amtrak Oakland Station and can take a short Uber/Lyft ride or walk from Jack London along Broadway Street (approximately a 25 minute walk).
600 State Drive, Los Angeles
Visit the California African American Museum's Rights and Rituals: The Making of African American Debutante Culture exhibit. Through photographs, objects, and ephemera, the exhibition explores the foundational ideas of W.E.B Du Bois's racial uplift movement and how African American social organizations melded a unique cultural phenomenon that still exist today.
333 S Spring Street, Los Angeles
The Biddy Mason memorial park is dedicated to remember the inspiring story of a 19th-century Los Angeles resident. The memorial is a detailed history of Bridget "Biddy" Mason, who was born into slavery in 19th-century and used her freedom to transform the burgeoning city for the better.
Directions: Amtrak San Joaquin riders arriving at Union station can walk 0.9 miles to the memorial. Head southwest on Union Station Walkway, right on Los Angeles Street, left on Main Street, left on Spring Street, and the memorial will be near the Spring Street and 3rd Street intersection.
4225 S Central Ave, Los Angeles
The Dunbar Hotel is at the center of Los Angeles' jazz scene. Well-known artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, and others have performed and stayed at the Dunbar Hotel.
Directions: Amtrak San Joaquin riders arriving at Union station can take a quick Uber/Lyft ride to the hotel or catch a ride on the Metro bus.
(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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Take a trip to the Inland Empire for a unique California experience. Riverside offers visitors a look at the historic origins of the region and exciting cultural attractions, with the charm and ease of quaint small town America.
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Trains 712 and 717 are both cancelled Tuesday, October 2, 2024. For passengers that intended to travel on those trains, please contact 1-800-USA-RAIL to rebook.
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