Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour worth booking?
Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour is a 8-hour experience in Oakland, United States, from $230 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (15)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $230 per person
Travel from San Francisco to the Santa Cruz Mountains for a vintage steam train ride through towering redwood groves. Continue to Santa Cruz Harbor and colorful Capitola Beach for relaxed coastal sightseeing before retur
What you get
About this experience
Travel from San Francisco to the Santa Cruz Mountains for a vintage steam train ride through towering redwood groves. Continue to Santa Cruz Harbor and colorful Capitola Beach for relaxed coastal sightseeing before returning to the city. With the train ticket included, this day trip combines forest scenery, railroad history, and the California coast.
What's included
Included
- Redwood Forest Steam Train admission ticket
- Admission ticket to Redwood Forest Steam Train
- Travel with an expert Tour Guide/Driver Guide for a Smooth and Insightful Journey
- Fuel surcharge
- Select Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations available in San Francisco
- Ride in Comfortable and Professionally Maintained Vehicles (vehicle based on number of guests)
Not included
- Personal Expenses
- Meals, Food and Drinks
- Gratuities (15% - 20% Recommended)
What you'll see and do
San Francisco
Your day begins with an easy pickup in San Francisco, where you can settle into a clean, comfortable vehicle before heading south. This kickoff ensures travelers skip traffic stress and enjoy the views of the coast and rolling hills as the city fades behind them, a perfect start to a day of nature and relaxation.
Pass by without stopping
Roaring Camp Railroads
Visit a recreated 1880s logging town surrounded by redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Pass by without stopping
Roaring Camp Railroads
Ride a historic narrow-gauge steam train through towering redwoods toward Bear Mountain.
75 minutes here · Admission included
Santa Cruz Harbor
Enjoy free time around the marina and watch boats along the Santa Cruz waterfront.
60 minutes here
Capitola Beach
Stop at this colorful seaside village for beach views and coastal photos.
30 minutes here
San Francisco
After a full day of redwoods and coastline, guests are comfortably driven back to San Francisco. No long drives, no hassle, just a smooth, scenic return that lets everyone unwind, scroll through their photos, and relive the highlights of their California escape.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oakland
08:00AM Departure Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Downtown. Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Meeting point
Oakland
07:30AM Departure 99 Ranch Marketing Warm Springs Plaza; Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Meeting point
Oakland
07:15AM Departure 99 Ranch Market San Jose Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Meeting point
Oakland
06:30AM Departure Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Francisco Airport Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Meeting point
Oakland
07:30AM Departure Union Square Macy's. Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
08:00AM Departure Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Downtown. Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Ends at
07:30AM Departure 99 Ranch Marketing Warm Springs Plaza; Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Ends at
07:15AM Departure 99 Ranch Market San Jose Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Ends at
06:30AM Departure Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Francisco Airport Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Ends at
07:30AM Departure Union Square Macy's. Please note: no parking or bathrooms available at starting point.
Options you can book
Fairfield Inn Millbrae (SC1)
Starting point: 250 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030, USA
Courtyard Oakland (SC1)
Starting point: 988 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607, USA
Union Square Macy's(SC1)
Starting point: 291 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
99 Ranch Market San Jose (SC1)
Starting point: 1688 Hostetter Rd, San Jose, CA 95131, USA
Fremont(SC1)
Starting point: 99 Ranch Market, 46551 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539, USA
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Jupiter Legend Corporation
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers under 18 must be with an adult. Pregnant travelers allowed if under 24 weeks.
- Tour duration includes visit times, travel, traffic, and driving between locations.
- Please verify your name and contact details; errors may incur additional costs.
- Please note: Cash is required during the tour for certain attractions, shops, and tickets. Guests are advised to prepare sufficient cash in advance.
- For multiple bookings, please provide all confirmation numbers after booking to ensure you travel on the same bus.
- By selecting an option and completing your booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the tour's full product description, including all details about itinerary, included and excluded fees. Your payment indicates your acceptance of these terms.
- Tickets & Admission: Third-party attraction tickets or city passes are not accepted. All admission tickets must be purchased during booking or from your guide on the day of the tour.
- Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, cash, and water for hydration. A valid reachable phone number is required for safety and trip communication.
- For individual special needs, tour operator may not be able to guarantee it. For special reasons, please confirm with the tour operator whether your special request is feasible after your booking is confirmed.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
have fun with jason
Such a fun and memorable day trip! The Redwood Forest Steam Train was a unique experience, and the beautiful redwood scenery was incredible. We also loved spending time in Santa Cruz and enjoying the coast. Our guide Jason was excellent — very friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. He kept everything organized, shared interesting information throughout the trip, and gave us plenty of time to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed. A wonderful way to experience the redwoods and Santa Cruz in one day. Highly recommend this tour and Jason! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
via Tripadvisor
Great trip, highly recommend!
This was such a fun and relaxing day trip! The redwoods were stunning and Santa Cruz was a perfect place to unwind and enjoy the ocean views. Jason was an excellent guide — very easygoing, patient, and made everyone feel comfortable. He kept the schedule well-paced and gave us plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. Would definitely book again and recommend Jason to anyone visiting San Francisco!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing day trip with Jason!
We had a wonderful experience on the Redwood Forest and Santa Cruz Harbor tour. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, from the peaceful redwood forest to the relaxing coastal views. Our guide Jason was friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable. He made the whole trip smooth and enjoyable, sharing interesting stories without being overwhelming. We especially appreciated how well everything was organized and on time. Overall, it was a relaxing and memorable day. Highly recommend this tour, especially with Jason as your guide!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
via Tripadvisor
Very nice tour guide but not a great tour.
Picked up at Union Square San Francisco & driven in small car to San Josè. Met tour guide in a hotel lobby and swapped to tour bus. Only 6 of us. Lovely tour guide. Went to Capitola beach for 1 hour but too early as most things closed. Then went to Santa Cruz boardwalk for 1 hour. Too far to walk to town so just tourist gift shops and cafes on boardwalk. Went to Roaring Camp for the steam train through the redwoods but after a 4 hour delay Roaring Camp cancelled the whole train and kicked us all out. Not our tour guide’s fault and he made sure we all got a cash refund for that part of the trip. To make up for the disappointment he took us to Mystery Spot but it was fully booked. Whole day a big disappointment to be honest. Certainly not a trip I would take again or recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your recent tour experience. We were very sorry to learn that your day was significantly impacted by the unexpected cancellation of the steam train at Roaring Camp. We would like to provide some context regarding that difficult situation. The train service was cancelled by Roaring Camp management due to a serious medical emergency involving another guest who was critically injured in an unrelated accident. This required immediate and full access for emergency services, resulting in the closure of the facility. We understand this was a highly unusual and disappointing circumstance for all guests present, and we sincerely apologize for the disruption it caused to your plans. We are glad to hear that our tour guide acted promptly to secure a cash refund for the train portion and attempted to arrange an alternative activity. We have passed along your kind words regarding his efforts. We truly value your feedback and hope for the opportunity to provide you with a more seamless and enjoyable experience in the future.
via Viator
Highly recommended! Ask for Charlie!
It was an interesting tour. I would recommend the tour and the Guide. Charlie spoke mandarin to the other guests but always made sure I also got the information in english. Charlie was very knowledgable about every stop on the tour and a very safe driver. Capitola was a lovely little spot for a great margarita. Abolone farm was closed but there was a lovely senic beach we were able to enjoy instead. Santa Clara wa sgreat. We had almost two hours there and walked every bit of the pier and board walk which had an awesome VW car show that day. From there we went to the Steam train and it was a blast! Only drawback to the tour?There was some confusion about the pick up stop and we ended up going from San Jose to Oakland to meet our tour...which then drove us back through san jose, so it would have been nice if we could have avoided the first two hours of backtracking and transferring to another van. Highly recommended! Ask for Charlie!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oakland.
How much does Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour cost?
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Prices start at $230 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oakland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oakland is not rushed.
Is Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Oakland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oakland can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oakland and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oakland within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Oakland?
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Oakland covers bay sailing and kayak trips on the estuary, Lake Merritt walks, food tours through Temescal and Fruitvale, and easy access to Berkeley and wine country. On Outty we rank every Oakland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Yosemite National Park & Sequoias Private Tour from San Francisco, Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland, Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Oakland?
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May to October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Oakland?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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