Holiday Train Exhibits in the Bay Area

Trains, trains, trains! With the holidays coming up, train exhibits and rides abound. Here's where to get your train fix in the Bay Area this holiday season.

TRAIN WEEK AT HABITOT
What: Ride small-scale locomotives on “tracks” throughout the museum. Help decorate a giant train sculpture, make your own conductor’s hats, create railroad-track patterned pictures, and paint with wheels in the Art Studio.
Where: Habitot Children's Museum in Berkeley
When: November 28 to December 3
Ages: 1-6
Cost: Free with admission

CONSERVATORY OF FLOWERS - PLAYLAND TRAIN EXHIBIT
What:  Playland at the Conservatory - celebrating the legendary Playland at the Beach and a bygone era of seaside amusement from San Francisco's West End. Landscaped with hundreds of dwarf plants, model trains and trolleys wend their way past the famed Sutro Baths, a replica of the Victorian-era Cliff House and whiz through a fantastic mini version of San Francisco's beloved Playland at the Beach. You'll see attractions including the Big Dipper, Diving Bell, Fun House, Airplane Ride and more all creatively crafted from recycled and repurposed materials while the sounds of the arcade and even Laffing Sal's boisterous voice. 
When: November 18, 2011 to April 15, 2012

Where: Conservatory of Flowers at Golden Gate Park

Ages: all 

Cost: Free with admission

TRAIN OF LIGHTS
What: The Niles Canyon (East Bay) Train of Lights is an hour-long, 13 mile round-trip.

When: Friday, November 25th through December 29th. 

Where: Choose a Sunol or Niles Canyon departure.

Ages: all

Cost: $25 for general seating (a few select dates are $15). Kids 3+ need a ticket. It's a fundraiser, which explains the cost of the tickets.

HOLIDAY TREE WALK

What:  Ring in the holiday season at Roaring Camp’s Holiday Tree Walk. Passengers riding the steam train will delight in the tree-lined walk of festive holiday trees displayed atop Bear Mountain. Sponsored by Patchen California Christmas Tree Farm. Guests may sip hot cider and view beautifully adorned trees decorated by area businesses and organizations as they raise funds for their respective organizations. Story-telling for children in the General Store Annex

When: November 25-27, December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 (daytime - various times)
Where: Roaring Camp, Felton (near Santa Cruz)
Ages: all
Cost: $17-18 for kids ages 2-12, $24-26 for adults 13+

SANTA CRUZ HOLIDAY LIGHTS TRAIN

What: Ride vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, as they roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Sing along to seasonal carols while sipping hot-spiced cider, listen to musical entertainment, and enjoy a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Continue the merriment at Santa’s Kingdom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Choice of one activity: “Holiday” miniature golf, laser tag, or arcade games, is included with Holiday Lights Train ticket price. Advance reservations recommended.

When: November 26, December 3-4, 10-12, 17-23 (various times)

Where: Roaring Camp, Felton (near Santa Cruz)

Ages: all

Cost: $17-18 for kids ages 2-12, $24-26 for adults 13+