Sonoma, CA
Photo by Cullen328 (Jim Heaphy), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
About Sonoma Traintown
Sonoma TrainTown Railroad offers a 20‑minute miniature journey through a wooded 10‑acre park in Sonoma, California, traveling on 15‑inch (381 mm) gauge track that stretches four miles. The ride weaves past waterfalls, detailed quarter‑scale houses, a trestle and several tunnels, accommodating up to 90 passengers per trip. Operated by the Frank family, the line features a replica New York Central Hudson locomotive and an additional historic electric engine.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- Sonoma, CA
- Rating
- 4.5 ★ 1,563 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Sonoma Traintown. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Trip Length
- 20-minute trip
- Parking
- Free lot · paid lot · street parking
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Good For
- Families & rail enthusiasts
- Hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
Sonoma TrainTown Railroad runs a 15‑inch (381 mm) gauge miniature line that stretches for four miles through a wooded 10‑acre park, carrying up to 90 passengers per trip. Its operating fleet includes a replica New York Central Hudson steam locomotive numbered 5212—an imagined 1930s Hudson—and a 4‑6‑4 Hudson steam locomotive numbered 6088, built in the 1980s and formerly used on the Goleta Valley Railroad. The line also features an electric engine, though its designation is not specified in the available sources.
History
See full history
Stanley L. Frank of Oakland, California began building Sonoma TrainTown in 1958, creating the miniature railway, landscaping, houses and the original steam and electric locomotives himself. The railroad opened to the public in 1968, establishing a 10‑acre amusement park that has been called the most well‑developed miniature railroad in the Americas. After Stanley Frank’s death in 1977, his son Robert Frank assumed day‑to‑day management, working alongside his wife Barbara and daughter Monica to continue operations.
Around the Depot
California's Sonoma Traintown sits about 10 mi from both the Napa Valley Wine Train and the Petaluma Trolley — three rides within easy reach.
Golden Gate Railroad Museum (GGRM)Museum·★ 5 (1)2.3 miView →
Napa Valley Wine TrainTrain Ride·★ 4.6 (4993)9.7 miView →
Petaluma TrolleyTrain Ride·★ 4 (8)10 miView →
Redwood Valley RailwayTrain Ride·★ 4.9 (1864)30 miView →
Western Railway MuseumTrain Ride·★ 4.6 (685)32 miView →
San Francisco's Municipal Railway (MUNI)Train Ride·★ 3.2 (5)34 miView →Nathanson Creek Preserve Demonstration GardenPark·★ 5 (1)<1 miDirections →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities near Sonoma
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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