San Diego to Denair train

San Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.

Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.

Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.

Denair is a small town between Modesto and Merced on the Amtrak San Joaquins route. Many of the restaurants, shops, and amenities are in the neighboring town of Turlock, and you won't find chain restaurants in this quiet, friendly community. Instead, you can find local favorites like Riveras Crazy Snacks, Denair Donuts, and the El Jidalguense taco truck when hunger strikes.

Plus, since you're in the agricultural embrace of central California, there is no shortage of foodie experiences in the area around Denair and Turlock. Bring an appetite to Resendiz Family Fruit Barn, where you can sample fresh fruit, baked goods, and to-die-for smoothies. Meet the local chicks at Hen and Harvest Farm, open in Turlock on Sundays.

There is also plenty of outdoor adventure in Stanislaus County. Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is just one of central California's gorgeous spots to go boating or camping. A little further west, you'll find Don Pedro Lake in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

Thanks to the San Joaquins trains that stop in Denair each day, it's easy to reach the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, or Bakersfield within a few hours. Plus, it's a straight shot on the train from Denair to Merced, one of the main gateways to Yosemite National Park. Although Denair does not have intercity bus service, Greyhound runs several routes to its neighbor, Turlock.