Senior Ambassador, Patricia Briney’s Trip to Sacramento!
All Aboard for Adventure: A Sacramento Day Trip on the Gold Runner
I'm Patricia Briney, a senior from Hanford, California. A friend and I recently took a one-day getaway aboard the Gold Runner train to Sacramento. We had such a great time both on and off the train and I wanted to share our adventure with fellow seniors who might be looking for their next easy escape.
The Gold Runner train travels to all major to all the major cities throughout the Central Valley. In the far north, it connects with Sacramento, in the south with Bakersfield, and via Stockton, it connects you with Oakland. But that is not it. The system also has an extensive Thruway bus network that connects Bakersfield to Los Angeles, Hanford to San Luis Obispo, Fresno and Merced to Yosemite, and as far north as Cal Poly Humboldt and Redding.
Across that geography, there are endless destinations that are easily accessible, affordable, and fun to get to! Even better, seniors save 15% year-round, and coming soon Seniors save 50% on midweek travel.
Back to our trip!
Adventure Begins!
We departed Hanford just before 6:30am, ready for the fun day ahead. Friendly local staff and conductors made boarding a breeze, and once aboard, we settled into comfortable seats equipped with all the amenities we needed, including charging outlets for our phones, plenty of snacks, and clean restrooms.
Our destination was Old Town Sacramento, where we planned to visit the California State Railroad Museum and ride its adjacent Excursion Train. The journey north was smooth and relaxing, with quiet train cars and ever-changing views through the large windows. California's Central Valley is crisscrossed by several rivers, and we enjoyed glimpses of the mighty Kings, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus rivers along the way.
At the Sacramento Valley Station, a helpful shuttle driver greeted us and offered a much-appreciated lift to the street adjacent to the Railroad Museum. We checked in, picked up our Excursion Train passes, and strolled toward the boarding area.
Families with excited youngsters and fellow senior travelers alike boarded together for an open-air train ride along Sacramento's historic waterfront, a highlight of the day.
Back at the museum, we photographed vintage automobiles parked out front, admired the green central village square, and smiled at the giggles of children enjoying horse-drawn carriage rides. Inside, we stepped back in time exploring California's rich railroad history.
Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the Amtrak station, where we grabbed sandwiches for the return trip. Settled into our seats once more, we enjoyed a peaceful ride home to Hanford.
Our stop for this trip was Old Sacramento, but there are over 100 destinations accessible via the Gold Runner service. You can visit Jack London Square in Oakland, Yosemite, Wine country in both Napa and Lodi, Santa Barbara, and much more.
To plan your trip, visit the Gold Runner Trip Ideas Page and don’t forget to utilize the Senior Discount!
Our one-day getaway was relaxing, informative, and memorable from start to finish. The Gold Runner truly delivers on its promise to connect travelers to countless adventures across California, easily, affordably, and comfortably. We're already planning our next trip!