The historic Southern California town of Santa Paula is a quiet, rural community known for its calm, friendly vibe, its citrus and avocado groves, and its famed railroad. The town itself is a lovely place to spend the day and now you can experience it in a fun new way. Enjoy the great outdoors like never before when you set off rail biking in Santa Paula, CA.
The home base for your rail biking adventure with The Sunburst is the Santa Paula train depot, located just off Highway 126. This family-friendly activity is suitable for any age or skill level.
Santa Paula is rich in history, much of it related to this railroad track. Constructed in 1887 by Southern Pacific Railroad, this track was part of the major transportation line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Since those early years, millions of people have enjoyed riding through the scenic Santa Clara River Valley.
This expanse of the track has been used as a backdrop for Hollywood films and was used for decades to bring citrus from local packing houses to various communities in the valley. While no longer used by trains, this well-loved railroad is enjoying a new life by means of The Sunburst.
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Uniquely-designed two-seat rail bikes are pedal-powered and electric-assisted. You control the gears (and the handbrakes) so you can choose your level of activity, from a nice workout to letting the bike do the work.
These bikes sit securely on the track so there is no need to steer; just sit back and relax as you enjoy the views.
Your guided tour starts in town and then takes you on toward Fillmore, through the scenic Santa Clara River Valley with its vibrant fields and lush groves of avocado, lemon, and orange trees against a backdrop of picturesque mountains.
Part of the way into your rail biking journey, you will stop at Prancer’s Farm. This is a family-owned and operated working 40-acre farm with a lovely little farm stand.
Pick up some snacks, beverages, and maybe a little gift or souvenir. Prancer’s sells all kinds of seasonal local produce including oranges and other citrus that grows on the trees you pass by along the ride.
In addition to browsing the farm stand and picking up some provisions, you will be able to meet the farm’s family of goats, horses, llamas, cows, and more at the petting zoo.
The Sunburst offers two different rail biking experiences. The primary Sunburst Railbikes tour is a three-hour, 17-mile journey. Or you can opt for a shorter tour, Railbikes by Sunset, which is ten miles and about 1.5 hours. This tour is a great way to end the day in Santa Paula, watching the sun go down over the trees and mountains.
Rail biking is a one-of-a-kind way to enjoy the great outdoors, and one everyone can enjoy. Have you ever experienced a rail bike ride? What do you think of rail biking in Santa Paula CA? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments! You can book your exciting rail biking experience on The Sunburst website. For more Santa Paula fun, visit this incredible campground.
