Trails and Rails is a collaboration between the National Park Service and Amtrak. As their local partner, volunteers with the South Coast Railroad Museum train and coordinate Trails & Rails volunteers on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight along the Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail between Santa Barbara and San Jose. Most of the program takes place in the Sightseer Lounge car.
Volunteers with the Trails and Rails program provide Amtrak passengers with a unique experience of our National Parks.
Check out the video below for a taste of the Trails&Rails program between Santa Barbara—San Luis Obispo and San Jose—Paso Robles on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight
California Trails & Rails Program Overview
Guide teams start at either the San Jose Amtrak Station (map) or the Santa Barbara Amtrak Station (map), and must live within reasonable commuting distance of their respective stations. Guides are expected to volunteer a minimum of one day per month, usually on weekend days. A typical season for Santa Barbara-based guides is April–September; a typical season for San Jose based-guides is May–September.
- Santa Barbara-based guides begin their day at the Santa Barbara Amtrak Station at 11:30 am and ride the train to San Luis Obispo, returning to Santa Barbara at approximately 6:15 pm the same day.
- San Jose-based guides begin their day at the San Jose Amtrak Station at 9:30 am and ride the train to Paso Robles, returning to San Jose at approximately 7:45 pm the same day.
A detailed position description is available here.
Trails & Rails Guide Training Overview
Orientation—Potential Trails & Rails volunteers attend a mandatory online “meet and greet” orientation session (typically via Zoom) before formal training begins.
Self-paced Online Training—Must be completed before beginning onboard training.
• Emergency Operations and Safety (required by Amtrak)
• Introduction to Interpretation (required by the National Park Service)
Group Training
Santa Barbara-based guides will attend virtual training sessions via Zoom (exact dates to be determined by the group) and complete online “homework” assignments relevant to their route.
San Jose-based guides will attend a day-long classroom training in Santa Clara on April 19, 2026 and review self study materials relevant to their route.
Onboard Training—Trainees continue their training onboard Amtrak by observing and assisting seasoned guides in peer-to-peer learning on the train. Online self study, completed in between onboard training trips, includes reviewing historical articles and independent research to round out your skills and knowledge.
Training details and full requirements will be explained during the online “meet and greet” orientation session.
Want to learn more about other Trails&Rails programs throughout the U.S.?
The video below provides an overview of the Trails & Rails program nationally. Or Visit the National Park Service’s Trails & Rails information website here.