Spectacular Fourth of July Celebrations in Southern California

When the Fourth of July weekend comes around, celebrate with a trip on the train! The Pacific Surfliner can take you to some of the top firework displays in Southern California. Instead of worrying about traffic and finding a parking spot, you’ll start and end your day with a comfortable ride and more time to relax.

Here were some of our favorites for 2019:

Photo courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara’s Fourth of July Celebration
Independence Day celebrations start as early as 11 a.m. in Santa Barbara, with live music, a parade, great food, face painting and more. The event ends with a 20-minute choreographed fireworks display that can be viewed from the waterfront.
Getting There: The train station in Santa Barbara is a short walk from Stearns Wharf, where most of the holiday activities take place. Show your Pacific Surfliner ticket ride the Santa Barbara MTD electric shuttles for free to the harbor, zoo and other areas.
Insider Tip: Join a harbor cruise to beat the crowds and get one of the best views of the fireworks show!

Downtown Ventura’s Fourth of July Street Fair
The city of Ventura celebrates with a street fair – a decades-old tradition featuring an art showcase, kids zone, parade, live entertainment and more.
Getting There: The festivities are in Downtown Ventura, a short walk from the train station.
Insider Tip: Bring your bike along for the ride and participate in the “Pushem Pullem Parade” in the morning. Learn how to reserve a place on the train for your bike.

July Fourth at the Ballpark
Watch the Dodgers play the Padres and stay after to watch one of the best fireworks shows in Los Angeles.
Getting There: From L.A. Union Station, catch the Dodgers Express Shuttle (free when you show your game ticket), for a short ride to the stadium. Consider booking an overnight trip if you plan to stay later than the last train of the day.
Insider Tip: Get to Los Angeles early and enjoy some time at the Fourth of July Block Party at Grand Park, just one stop from the station on the Metro Red or Purple Lines at the Civic Center/Grand Park stop. This free event features live music, fun activities for kids, and more.

Photo courtesy of Disneyland_® Resort

Celebrations at the Disneyland_® Resort
Known for amazing fireworks displays, the Disneyland_® Resort pulls out all the stops with a special choreographed fireworks show featuring patriotic songs and animated projections on the castle.
Getting There: From the Anaheim Station, show your valid Pacific Surfliner ticket to ride the Anaheim Resort Transit shuttle to the resort area for free! With late-night service down to San Diego or up to LA, it’s possible to have a full day at the park and stay for the fireworks. Or, book your return trip for the next day to have some more time to explore.
Insider Tip: The best places to watch the fireworks are at either ends of Main Street, at the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue, directly in front of the castle or near It’s a Small World.

San Diego’s Big Bay Boom
Downtown San Diego is host to one of the largest fireworks shows in Southern California. With four launching locations across the bay, there are plenty of areas that offer a great view of the choreographed display.
Getting There: Ride to the Santa Fe Depot and either walk or catch the trolley to North Embarcadero, Seaport Village, or South Embarcadero. The last train leaves around 9 p.m., so make it an overnight trip and head home the next day.
Insider Tip: For a truly memorable experience, book a harbor cruise with Hornblower Yachts or Flagship Cruises to watch the fireworks from the water. Or, visit the USS Midway for picnic-style family viewing and more fun.

Holiday Service All Pacific Surfliner trains operated on a holiday/weekend schedule (marked “SaSuHo” on the schedules) on Thursday, July 4 due to the holiday. Get tips for summer train travel, including expected seating availability by train, on our Tips for Riding at Peak Travel Times article.

Visit pacificsurfliner.com to view schedules, explore trip options.

 

Top Holiday Events in Southern California

There are countless holiday events and attractions to enjoy this season including parades, light displays, waterfront fireworks and more. Take a train ride along the coast on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and enjoy breathtaking views while spending quality time with friends and family as you travel to these festive events:

Holiday Time at the Disneyland® Resort – Friday, November 9 Through Tuesday, January 8 in Anaheim

Experience the magical atmosphere of the Disneyland® Resort beautifully decorated for the holidays. Both parks feature special holiday foods, entertainment and decorations through January 8.
Getting There: From the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), show your Pacific Surfliner ticket for a free transfer on Anaheim Resort Transit Route 15, which takes you to the front gates of the resort.
Insider Tip: When you ride the Pacific Surfliner, you can unlock a 5% savings on theme park admission at pacificsurfliner.com/disney.

Holiday by the Bay – Wednesday, November 21 Through Saturday, January 5 in San Diego

For a unique adventure, head to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and make your way through various holiday activities, from a 100-foot ice tubing slide, “iceberg” bumper cars, an interactive light show, cookie decorating and much more.
Getting There: The hotel is across the street from the historic Gaslamp Quarter in downtown. It’s a 5-minute trolley ride from the train station or a 30-minute walk along the bay. Tip: Purchase a discounted one-day San Diego MTS transit pass from the Café Car to use on the trolley.
Insider Tip: The hotel has a Holiday by the Bay package that includes an overnight stay and tickets to the special attractions.

Santa Arrives on the Surfliner – Saturday, December 1 in San Luis Obispo

As part of an annual tradition, Santa Claus will arrive in San Luis Obispo on the Pacific Surfliner! Children can greet him at the station and walk together over to the nearby San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum for photos and more.
Getting There: It couldn’t be easier – simply wait for Santa to arrive at the station at 2:30 p.m.! The museum is less than a 5-minute walk from the station platform.
Insider Tip: Make time to explore the unique shops of downtown San Luis Obispo to uncover special holiday gifts!

Christmas at the Mission – Saturday, December 1 in San Juan Capistrano

Celebrate the holidays at beautiful Mission San Juan Capistrano, and enjoy live performances, hot cocoa, visits with Santa and their first-ever Christmas Tree Lighting program.
Getting There: The festivities are just a short walk away from the train station. Stroll through historic Downtown San Juan Capistrano and reach the Mission in under 5 minutes.
Insider Tip: Event tickets ($7 each) are limited, so purchase yours early.

Holidays at the Plaza – Friday, December 7 Through Wednesday, January 2 in Ventura

The laid-back town of Ventura is a perfect place to do some holiday shopping, with dozens of unique boutiques in downtown. Make sure to visit nearby Plaza Park, which is beautifully transformed into “Candy Cane Forest”, with dozens of decorated Christmas trees and special events all month long.
Getting There: Plaza Park is an easy 10-minute walk from the Ventura train station.
Insider Tip: Ventura Harbor (which is a trolley ride away) will have more holiday fun, including a parade of lights and holiday carnival, on December 15 and 16.

Santa Barbara Parade of Lights – Sunday, December 9 in Santa Barbara

Celebrate the holidays on the water in beautiful Santa Barbara. Start with a visit to Santa’s Village at the harbor to play in 10 tons of snow and take photos with Santa. Then, watch 30 beautifully decorated boats make their way along the coastline and watch a fireworks show from the beach.
Getting There: The beach is a short walk from the train station. To get to the harbor, you can take a 15-minute walk along the shoreline or hop on the electric trolley from Cabrillo Blvd. Tip: Show your Pacific Surfliner ticket for a free ride.
Insider Tip: Grab a spot on Stearns Wharf for a great view of the boat parade and fireworks. The wharf also features popular restaurants and specialty shops.

San Diego Parade of Lights – Sunday, December 9 and 16 in San Diego

Crowds line the bayfront for one of San Diego’s most beloved holiday traditions, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. This event was nominated as the Best Holiday Parade by USA Today and features 80 boats that are lavishly decorated in lights and decorations.
Getting There: The fun is a short walk from the Santa Fe Depot, and you’ll be glad you didn’t drive, because parking is extremely hard to find due to the popularity of the event.
Insider Tip: Consider going on a harbor cruise or dining at one of the waterfront restaurants for the best views.

Julefest – Various dates through Monday, December 31 in Solvang

One of the top 10 most “Christmassy” towns in America, the historic Danish village of Solvang brings Old World traditions to the holiday season with lights, pop-up shops, tours, live music and a parade.
Getting There: From the Santa Barbara station, connect to the Amtrak Thruway bus, which offers daily connections to downtown Solvang.
Insider Tip: Follow the “Sweet Treats Trail” to try delicious Danish pastries, hand dipped chocolates, fudge, and even dessert wines while you explore Solvang.

Disney on Ice – Wednesday, December 19 – Sunday, December 23 in Anaheim

Take the kids to this engaging and uplifting performance featuring some of the most beloved Disney heroines, including Moana, Belle, Elsa and more.
Getting There: The Honda Center is directly across the street from ARTIC, so it’s only a short walk from the station.
Insider Tip: Continue the Disney fun after the show with a visit to Downtown Disney. It’s one shuttle-ride away from the train station, and is a great place to pick up gifts or grab a bite.

Rose Parade – Tuesday, January 1 in Pasadena

Visit Pasadena to experience the historic Rose Parade, an internationally-recognized New Year’s celebration. This tradition has been part of the community for more than 100 years, with floats that are meticulously decorated with flowers and plants by hundreds of volunteers.
Getting There: Avoid traffic and parking hassle by taking the Pacific Surfliner to L.A. Union Station and connecting to the Metro Gold Line, which stops near the parade route. Tip: Purchase a discounted one-day LA Metro transit pass from the Café Car and skip the lines when transferring.
Insider Tip: Visit the post-parade showcase to see the floats up close! Tickets are $15 each and advance online reservations are recommended.

Visit pacificsurfliner.com to view schedules and explore trip options. We’d like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Extend Your Trip with the Transit Transfer Program

Thanks to our Transit Transfer Program, your Pacific Surfliner ticket can take you beyond the train station! Simply show your valid ticket for a free ride on connecting buses and shuttles with 12 local transit providers.

The program is funded by a cap and trade grant received from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) through the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

Public transit providers participating in the free transfer program include: San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority, City of San Luis Obispo Transit, South County Transit, Guadalupe Flyer, Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, Ventura County Transportation Commission Intercity Bus, Gold Coast Transit, Glendale Beeline, Anaheim Resort Transportation, Orange County Transportation Authority, iShuttle and North County Transit District.

Some of the destinations you can ride to free thanks to the Transit Transfer Program include Pismo Beach, the Santa Barbara Zoo, Disneyland, Oceanside Harbor and many more.

In addition, Pacific Surfliner passengers can visit the Café car to purchase discounted one-day transit passes for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System.