The Essential Guide to Amtrak’s Gold Runner Route

California’s coast-hugging Pacific Surfliner gets plenty of attention for its ocean views, but the Golden State has plenty of charm inland, too.

The Gold Runner, formerly known as the Amtrak San Joaquins, crosses 365 miles of track to connect the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento and Bakersfield. The route travels through the heartland, with lovely, idyllic vistas of almond orchards, vineyards, and on clear days, the snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains. 

“The valley floor is populated with row upon row of agricultural staples such as almonds, pistachios, corn, tomatoes, and grapes,” an Amtrak Gold Runner representative said in a statement to Travel + Leisure. “As trains make their way into the Bay Area, there will be western views of the San Francisco Bay for miles and miles, with a backdrop of [the city] as you are nearing or departing Oakland.”

Perhaps best of all, the route offers easy access to four national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Death Valley. It has 18 station stops, multiple daily departures, onboard Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks. The journey from Sacramento to Bakersfield takes about 6 hours, with Amtrak Thruway buses extending connections to Los Angeles and Southern California.

“The Gold Runner is a beautiful snapshot of California agriculture. You pass long stretches of almond orchards and vineyards, and on clear days you can see the snowcapped Sierra Nevada running parallel in the distance,” says Cassie Yoshikawa, a Fresno resident and travel blogger who regularly rides the route. “It highlights how the Central Valley can serve as a destination in itself or as a starting point for bucket list adventures.”

Here’s what you need to know before riding Amtrak’s Gold Runner route.

Sacramento

The state capital kicks off the route at its northern end with farm-to-fork restaurants and world-class museums. The Crocker Art Museum, the oldest art museum in the western U.S., specializes in California Impressionist art and European master drawings, while the California State Railroad Museum tells the story of the transcontinental railroad through restored locomotives and interactive exhibits. Bacon & Butter turns out seasonal American comfort food, and Mulvaney’s B&L sources upscale New American dishes from nearby farms. You can try craft cocktails in a speakeasy setting at The Snug, while Frank Fat’s Chinese has anchored Sacramento’s dining scene since 1939. The Citizen Hotel and Kimpton Sawyer Hotel are two stylish hotel options, and the latter has a rooftop pool overlooking downtown Sacramento.

Stockton

About 50 miles south, this city claims to be San Joaquin County’s most culturally diverse city. The Haggin Museum in Victory Park houses 19th-century art and local history in a Beaux-Arts building, while the 1930s Bob Hope Theatre is a great place to enjoy concerts and its Spanish Colonial and Art Deco architecture. For something unexpected, visit Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple, home to more than 90 colorful statues and a sculpture garden. When meal time rolls around, consider the farm-to-fork wood-fired pizzas and signature Thai Brussels sprouts at Market Tavern, or Dave Wong’s Restaurant, which has served Chinese cuisine for over 50 years. Fans of barbecue and ribs will want to stop by the Waterloo Club or grab some sauce as a souvenir at a local store. End your day with craft beer and live music at Cast Iron Trading Company downtown, or Thai tapas and happy-hour margaritas at Thai Me Up, then check into the waterfront University Plaza Waterfront Hotel near the arena and ballpark.

Modesto

Pink and white almond blossoms carpet the orchards surrounding Modesto each late February to early March, making this agricultural hub a beautiful yet unexpected photo opportunity. Take a free tour at the restored Victorian-era McHenry Mansion, where you can get a glimpse into the city’s farming heritage. Try Galletto Ristorante’s upscale farm-to-fork Italian under a vine-arbor patio that somehow accentuates the flavors of the handmade pastas and seasonal ingredients. If you’re into something more casual, Food Fix Butcher & Baker’s menu features creations like the Porkstrami & Pretzel sandwich. La Morenita, family-owned since 1972, serves up authentic Mexican food, while Contentment Brewing Company has small-batch beer brewing. The DoubleTree by Hilton Modesto and the Residence Inn by Marriott Modesto North are both comfortable options. 

Merced

Merced is often known as one of the gateways to Yosemite since the national park sits less than two hours away. “Making the connection from Gold Runner to Yosemite is easy and seamless,” the Amtrak Gold Runner representative said. “The local YARTS service partners with Gold Runner to pick up and drop off passengers directly from the Merced Station.”

But this city of 90,000 has plenty to offer beyond its proximity to nature. West Main Street is home to the 1938 Mainzer theater, now an entertainment hub with films, karaoke, Skee-Ball, and pour-your-own beer taps. History buffs will appreciate the Merced County Courthouse Museum and its 1875 Italian Renaissance building. Try Rainbird at the El Capitan Hotel on Main Street for foraged wild mushroom risotto and Muscovy duck confit alongside artisan cocktails. Hi-Fi Wine pours West Coast vintages with fresh-baked breads, while Tioga-Sequoia Taproom hosts game nights in a converted 1928 hotel. The El Capitan Hotel’s 114 updated rooms and the newly renovated Courtyard by Marriott Merced are both solid places to stay.

Fresno

Fresno sits roughly halfway along the route as the Central Valley’s largest city and is known by locals as the “Raisin Capital of the World.” Fresno Chaffee Zoo has plenty to offer, and you can even go behind the scenes to watch zookeeper training sessions. While in town, you won’t want to miss going underground to see the marvels of Forestiere Underground Gardens, a California state landmark made of underground tunnels and grottoes hand-dug by a Sicilian immigrant. Productive fruit trees and grapevines still grow below ground. From mid-February through March, the Fresno County Blossom Trail winds past thousands of blooming fruit and nut trees across 62 miles. For food, you can’t go wrong with handcrafted pastas and wood-fired pizza at the Annex Kitchen. Grab a drink at Quail State, Fresno’s only rooftop bar, and enjoy it from an outdoor patio. For more craft cocktails, Modernist in the Brewery District serves beautifully crafted cocktails in a New York-style setting. 

Hanford

Hanford’s Gold Rush-era character hasn’t been lost—here you’ll find plentiful Victorian architecture and an ice cream shop that’s been open since 1929. At the geographic center of California, you’ll want to take a peek at the city’s Hanford Fox Theater. Built in 1929, the theater brings in national acts like Dave Mason, Béla Fleck, and Bryan Adams, and screens throwback movies with live Wurlitzer organ accompaniment in a space featuring castle balconies and a starlit ceiling. China Alley’s 11 historic buildings date back to 1877 and tell the story of the area’s Chinese population through structures built from bricks formed and fired on-site. Of course, no visit to Hanford is complete without a scoop of handcrafted ice cream from Superior Dairy, which has been in operation since 1929, complete with retro booths and checkered floors. Try La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant for flavors from Colima and Michoacán, or Irwin Street Inn & Restaurant for fine dining. Hop Forged Brewing Company, Hanford’s first and only brewery, crafts small-batch beer with live music on Fridays. For a truly memorable stay, the Irwin Street Inn keeps period details like pull-chain toilets and claw-foot tubs. 

Best Time to Ride

The Gold Runner rewards riders year-round, though each season delivers a distinct landscape and experience. Late February through early March is the perfect time to watch the spectacular pink and white almond blossoms in the orchards. Temperatures are pleasant in the spring and early summer, and the Fresno County Fruit Trail, where roadside stands overflow with strawberries, cherries, and apricots, starts in late May. The perfect weather for exploring nearby national parks is in the fall, with the colors of harvest season, though winter offers the clearest days for viewing the snowcapped Sierra Nevada from train windows and for experiencing Hanford’s Winter Wonderland with its small-town holiday atmosphere.