Walkable Places Near Train Stops in California

America isn't as train-friendly as Europe, in that usually you need a car to get to the fun places. But there are some places you can walk around straight from the train station! If you love train travel, these are the places to go! The Pacific Surfliner is the train that takes you from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Featured here are spots at these stations: San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Ventura, San Clemente Pier, Solana Beach, and Old Town San Diego. The only airport on a train stop is Burbank Airport, directly on Burbank Airport Train Station. 

Map View Back To California Bests

It's fun to take your kids on a train ride through town and past the beach. This is one of the nicest trains you can take in California.
Pacific Surfliner Train Ride

It's fun to take your kids on a train ride through town and past the beach. This is one of the nicest trains you can take in California.

Learn More
A main street of beautiful late 19th century ornate buildings, creekside cafes, and a hip college scene. 15 min walk from San Luis Obispo train station. 
Downtown San Luis Obispo

A main street of beautiful late 19th century ornate buildings, creekside cafes, and a hip college scene. 15 min walk from San Luis Obispo train station. 

Learn More
Spanish mission from late 18th century, in downtown San Luis Obispo, with giant roses in the garden behind. 18 min walk from San Luis Obispo train station, in downtown. 
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

Spanish mission from late 18th century, in downtown San Luis Obispo, with giant roses in the garden behind. 18 min walk from San Luis Obispo train station, in downtown. 

Learn More
A short steep walk up a hill, with 360 degree views of SLO. Five min walk from San Luis Obispo train station to 2034 Jennifer Street, where the hiking trail starts. As the concrete path ends, take the left fork for the nicest hiking path.
Terrace Hill short walk

A short steep walk up a hill, with 360 degree views of SLO. Five min walk from San Luis Obispo train station to 2034 Jennifer Street, where the hiking trail starts. As the concrete path ends, take the left fork for the nicest hiking path.

Learn More
Best playground you'll ever visit! Huge slides, hillside slides, steep grass slope for cardboard sledding, cable zipline, and pretty trees to picnic under. 25 min walk from San Luis Obispo train station.
Sinsheimer Park giant playground, SLO

Best playground you'll ever visit! Huge slides, hillside slides, steep grass slope for cardboard sledding, cable zipline, and pretty trees to picnic under. 25 min walk from San Luis Obispo train station.

Learn More
A ton of stuff to explore in a cute three-storey building in downtown San Luis Obispo. 20 min walk from San Luis Obispo train station. 
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum

A ton of stuff to explore in a cute three-storey building in downtown San Luis Obispo. 20 min walk from San Luis Obispo train station. 

Learn More
Take a walk past pretty Victorian homes and gardens. One block from San Luis Obispo train station. 
Old Town Historic District walk, SLO

Take a walk past pretty Victorian homes and gardens. One block from San Luis Obispo train station. 

Learn More
Gorgeous spot with wide pier, surfers carving the waves, whale playground, wide open attractive plaza, Pismo Beach selfie sign, and wooden promenade with views of the hills and sea. The boardwalk starts on Addie Street, 34 mins walk from Grover Beach train station. Take the Meadow Trail, then Highway 1, then Cypress Street to Addie Street.
Pismo Beach Pier, Playground, and Promenade

Gorgeous spot with wide pier, surfers carving the waves, whale playground, wide open attractive plaza, Pismo Beach selfie sign, and wooden promenade with views of the hills and sea. The boardwalk starts on Addie Street, 34 mins walk from Grover Beach train station. Take the Meadow Trail, then Highway 1, then Cypress Street to Addie Street.

Learn More
Sunny monarch butterfly grove amid tall eucalyptus trees, and a fantastic wooden boardwalk over dunes. Plus a wonderland of dunes to play in. The walk to the butterfly grove, Meadow Trail (a boardwalk on the dunes), starts 8 mins from Grover Beach train station. Fin's Bar and Grill is where the trail starts.
Monarch Butterfly Grove and Dunes Trail, Pismo

Sunny monarch butterfly grove amid tall eucalyptus trees, and a fantastic wooden boardwalk over dunes. Plus a wonderland of dunes to play in. The walk to the butterfly grove, Meadow Trail (a boardwalk on the dunes), starts 8 mins from Grover Beach train station. Fin's Bar and Grill is where the trail starts.

Learn More
Wonderful wooden boardwalk over the dunes, with gorgeous views of the sea! Plus eucalyptus forest. You can walk 1.7 miles in total! 8 min walk from Grover Beach train station. Start the walk at Fin's Bar and Grill. 
Meadow Creek Trail and Boardwalk, Pismo

Wonderful wooden boardwalk over the dunes, with gorgeous views of the sea! Plus eucalyptus forest. You can walk 1.7 miles in total! 8 min walk from Grover Beach train station. Start the walk at Fin's Bar and Grill. 

Learn More
Hip area with wine bars, cafes, and bakeries, where you can sit on a patio surrounded by ivy-covered walls. Across from Santa Barbara train station.
Funk Zone

Hip area with wine bars, cafes, and bakeries, where you can sit on a patio surrounded by ivy-covered walls. Across from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
The main pier in Santa Barbara, which offers spectacular views and a festive atmosphere! Two blocks down from Santa Barbara train station.
Stearns Wharf, The Pier

The main pier in Santa Barbara, which offers spectacular views and a festive atmosphere! Two blocks down from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
A remarkably pretty planned park with a stream that runs through it, lots of plants, an imaginative Spanish playground, and whale statues that spout water! 10 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.
Chase Palm Park

A remarkably pretty planned park with a stream that runs through it, lots of plants, an imaginative Spanish playground, and whale statues that spout water! 10 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
Things feel open and expansive under the skyhigh palms at West Beach boardwalk! Two blocks down from Santa Barbara train station.
West Beach Boardwalk

Things feel open and expansive under the skyhigh palms at West Beach boardwalk! Two blocks down from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
Whimsical masterpiece townhouses of vibrant colors, white-washed curves, and exquisite details, plus a Saturday farmer's market. 15 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.
East Cota Street Architecture

Whimsical masterpiece townhouses of vibrant colors, white-washed curves, and exquisite details, plus a Saturday farmer's market. 15 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
Beautiful museum with tons for kids to explore. At the Santa Barbara train station.
Museum of Exploration and Innovation MOXI

Beautiful museum with tons for kids to explore. At the Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
Two cafes and gorgeous Spanish architecture, across from Paseo Nuevo. 13 min walk from Santa Barbara train station. 
Paseo Chapala and El Andaluz

Two cafes and gorgeous Spanish architecture, across from Paseo Nuevo. 13 min walk from Santa Barbara train station. 

Learn More
A pedestrian-only area on State Street with sidewalk cafes, good shopping, and colorful Spanish architecture. 11 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.
Paseo Nuevo Mall

A pedestrian-only area on State Street with sidewalk cafes, good shopping, and colorful Spanish architecture. 11 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
An exceptionally beautiful courthouse, sunken garden, and tower with 360 degree views of Santa Barbara. 23 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.
Santa Barbara Courthouse

An exceptionally beautiful courthouse, sunken garden, and tower with 360 degree views of Santa Barbara. 23 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
A Spanish paseo and courtyard with archways, little lights, flags, murals, lifelike statues, and fountains. At night, a magical spot! 20 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.
La Arcada

A Spanish paseo and courtyard with archways, little lights, flags, murals, lifelike statues, and fountains. At night, a magical spot! 20 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
SB Public Market is a hip indoor space with cafes, and outdoor seating by a Spanish courtyard with views of quaint Victoria Court. 25 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.
Public Market and Upper State Street

SB Public Market is a hip indoor space with cafes, and outdoor seating by a Spanish courtyard with views of quaint Victoria Court. 25 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
Stroll to the end of the breakwater while waves tumble over the sea wall! Sip a pomegranate margarita at an attractive bar! 18 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.
Santa Barbara Harbor sea wall walk

Stroll to the end of the breakwater while waves tumble over the sea wall! Sip a pomegranate margarita at an attractive bar! 18 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
A huge green lawn looking out over the bright blue ocean and Leadbetter Beach. 24 min walk (some uphill) from Santa Barbara train station.
Santa Barbara City College Cliff Walk

A huge green lawn looking out over the bright blue ocean and Leadbetter Beach. 24 min walk (some uphill) from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
Giant wooden castle playground set among tropical palms. 30 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.
Kidsworld Castle Playground

Giant wooden castle playground set among tropical palms. 30 min walk from Santa Barbara train station.

Learn More
A park of exquisite beauty, with flowering trees and a picnic lawn fronting a pond full of turtles and koi. 30 min walk from Santa Barbara train station, next to Kidsworld. 
Alice Keck Park Gardens

A park of exquisite beauty, with flowering trees and a picnic lawn fronting a pond full of turtles and koi. 30 min walk from Santa Barbara train station, next to Kidsworld. 

Learn More
A popular bike path along the shoreline with bright beach succulents and rows of perfect California palms! 9 min walk from Santa Barbara train station, next to Chase Palm Park. 
Cabrillo Bike Path and Skater's Point

A popular bike path along the shoreline with bright beach succulents and rows of perfect California palms! 9 min walk from Santa Barbara train station, next to Chase Palm Park. 

Learn More
Small aquarium with beautiful jellies, touch tanks, and an opening to the sea floor! Two blocks from Santa Barbara train station, on Stearns Wharf. 
Santa Barbara Sea Center, Stearns Wharf

Small aquarium with beautiful jellies, touch tanks, and an opening to the sea floor! Two blocks from Santa Barbara train station, on Stearns Wharf. 

Learn More
Carpinteria town has a laidback beachtown/campground feel. Carpinteria train station is right in town. 
Carpinteria town and pool

Carpinteria town has a laidback beachtown/campground feel. Carpinteria train station is right in town. 

Learn More
Modern playground with Chumash Indian huts and canoe, seals and whales to climb, roller slide, rainbow bridge, and bald eagle in a nest. 3 min walk from Carpinteria train station.
Tomol Interactive Playground, Carpinteria

Modern playground with Chumash Indian huts and canoe, seals and whales to climb, roller slide, rainbow bridge, and bald eagle in a nest. 3 min walk from Carpinteria train station.

Learn More
Listen to the ocean's roar, and take in the fun festive atmosphere at Carpinteria Beach! 7 min walk from Carpinteria train station.
Carpinteria Beach and the Tar Pits

Listen to the ocean's roar, and take in the fun festive atmosphere at Carpinteria Beach! 7 min walk from Carpinteria train station.

Learn More
Walk along the boardwalk, and out on the pier! Have a great meal with an ocean view! 12 min walk from Ventura train station.
Ventura Pier and Promenade

Walk along the boardwalk, and out on the pier! Have a great meal with an ocean view! 12 min walk from Ventura train station.

Learn More
An amazing place to watch surfers ride the waves close up and in the shade, at that! 6 min walk from Ventura train station.
Surfer's Point (C Street Surfbreak)

An amazing place to watch surfers ride the waves close up and in the shade, at that! 6 min walk from Ventura train station.

Learn More
Downtown Ventura has historic architecture on hilly streets and beautiful tall trees, plus plenty of cafes. 13 min walk from Ventura train station.
Downtown Ventura Main Street and Front Street

Downtown Ventura has historic architecture on hilly streets and beautiful tall trees, plus plenty of cafes. 13 min walk from Ventura train station.

Learn More
Gorgeous park with new playground, pagoda, cannon, and views of the eucalyptus-covered hills that back Ventura. 11 min walk from Ventura train station, in downtown.
Plaza Park, Downtown Ventura

Gorgeous park with new playground, pagoda, cannon, and views of the eucalyptus-covered hills that back Ventura. 11 min walk from Ventura train station, in downtown.

Learn More
Large windy beach with fun dunes to play on, a bike path, and a grassy picnic area in a valley set back from the beach. There is a 1.2 mile bike path, with views of dunes and sea, from Ventura Pier to this beach. The beach is a 30 min walk from Ventura train station, mostly on this bike path.
San Buenaventura Beach

Large windy beach with fun dunes to play on, a bike path, and a grassy picnic area in a valley set back from the beach. There is a 1.2 mile bike path, with views of dunes and sea, from Ventura Pier to this beach. The beach is a 30 min walk from Ventura train station, mostly on this bike path.

Learn More
The prettiest part of Ventura! A pristine mission, a gorgeous square, all backed by the blue-green mountains. 9 min walk from Ventura train station.
Mission San Buenaventura

The prettiest part of Ventura! A pristine mission, a gorgeous square, all backed by the blue-green mountains. 9 min walk from Ventura train station.

Learn More
Gorgeous aquamarine water at a long strip of sand with a pier at the end. The San Clemente Pier train station is right at the base of the pier! Not all trains stop at this stop, so check the schedule. Old Town San Juan Capistrano, and Oceanside Pier, also have trains stations right beside them- these locations haven't been added to the website yet.
T-Street Beach and Pier, San Clemente

Gorgeous aquamarine water at a long strip of sand with a pier at the end. The San Clemente Pier train station is right at the base of the pier! Not all trains stop at this stop, so check the schedule. Old Town San Juan Capistrano, and Oceanside Pier, also have trains stations right beside them- these locations haven't been added to the website yet.

Learn More
Pretty spot, with cliffs and palm trees, and lawn over the sea. 6 min walk from the Solana Beach train station.
Fletcher Cove Beach Park, Solana Beach

Pretty spot, with cliffs and palm trees, and lawn over the sea. 6 min walk from the Solana Beach train station.

Learn More
Cute, bright historic area with cafes and gift shops, and a lovely park in front of Temple Beth Israel. Nice views of hills covered in houses and desert plants. 5 min walk from the Old Town San Diego train station.
Old Town San Diego

Cute, bright historic area with cafes and gift shops, and a lovely park in front of Temple Beth Israel. Nice views of hills covered in houses and desert plants. 5 min walk from the Old Town San Diego train station.

Learn More
Lovely park atop a high hill, with Spanish presidio (fort) and monuments to early European settlers in California, plus flowers and gorgeous trees. 15 min uphill walk from the Old Town San Diego train station. <br />You will need a car to see most of the nice places in San Diego. The Downtown San Diego train station is a 13 min walk from Seaport Village, USS Midway Museum, and Waterfront Park, which I haven't added to the website yet. It is a high crime area, and there are much nicer places you need to check out!
Presidio Park, near Old Town

Lovely park atop a high hill, with Spanish presidio (fort) and monuments to early European settlers in California, plus flowers and gorgeous trees. 15 min uphill walk from the Old Town San Diego train station.
You will need a car to see most of the nice places in San Diego. The Downtown San Diego train station is a 13 min walk from Seaport Village, USS Midway Museum, and Waterfront Park, which I haven't added to the website yet. It is a high crime area, and there are much nicer places you need to check out!

Learn More

Text and Image copyright: © 2006-2025 LotsaFunMaps.com.
Copying prohibited. Contact the editor | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram
Blog | The Official Mug | Privacy Settings | About Us