Tehachapi Loop
Tehachapi Loop
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
244 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
71
Average
16
Poor
0
Terrible
4
Mike Kapusta
Sweetwater, TN4 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
You've heard of The Little Engine That Could...
Come see the marvel of 19th century engineering that allowed that engine, and all others that have followed it since, creep over a seemingly impossible mountain pass to allow a sleepy little farming village develop into one of the world's greatest cities... Los Angeles!
150 years later, this amazing spectacle continues to allow dozens of trains daily knit Northern California with Southern California, moving millions of dollars of goods between two of the most productive regions of the country.
Watch as trains pass within inches of each other through the treacherous mountain pass, and even cross over THEMSELVES, as they make their way around the 360+ degree turn, then pass through over a dozen tunnels on their way to market.
Be sure to stop at the Tehachapi Depot Train Museum to learn the full history of The Loop, it's development, an impact on this sleepy town, and California as a whole.
Both attractions are free and appropriate for all ages,.
Come see the marvel of 19th century engineering that allowed that engine, and all others that have followed it since, creep over a seemingly impossible mountain pass to allow a sleepy little farming village develop into one of the world's greatest cities... Los Angeles!
150 years later, this amazing spectacle continues to allow dozens of trains daily knit Northern California with Southern California, moving millions of dollars of goods between two of the most productive regions of the country.
Watch as trains pass within inches of each other through the treacherous mountain pass, and even cross over THEMSELVES, as they make their way around the 360+ degree turn, then pass through over a dozen tunnels on their way to market.
Be sure to stop at the Tehachapi Depot Train Museum to learn the full history of The Loop, it's development, an impact on this sleepy town, and California as a whole.
Both attractions are free and appropriate for all ages,.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyKansasCity
Kansas City1,409 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
There’s a nice place to pull out and watch the trains make the loop. There was a train idling in Keene, so we waited about 20 minutes to see if it or another train would come through. No luck, but I’m glad we stopped.
Written November 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LA_dweller
Joshua Tree, CA4,402 contributions
Sep 2021
Trains go by just about every 20 minutes (!) so if you can pull over and just hang out (could have to wait up to an hour) it's worth it to see this phenomenal sight as the train loops around itself while part of it disappears into a mountain. Amazing. You'll want to get a high view, and just find a spot to pull over at the Tehachapi Loop Overlook - if you go to Google maps, and enter in Tehachapi Loop then zoom in on satellite view, you'll see the overlook point.
Written October 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis F
Altus, OK1,200 contributions
Jun 2023
Even if you aren't a huge train fan, this is a really cool engineering marvel to check out. The drive to the overlook is also really gorgeous and the views from the overlook are pretty as well. Waited about an hour for train but it was worth it. There is no published schedule so you just need to wait around and see if a train comes.
Written July 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Kwechansky
Thornhill, Canada1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Solo
I'm biased as a railfan because Tehachapi Loop is one of the best places to watch trains in the US. It is a famed rail engineering marvel. The town of Tehachapi itself has good motels and restaurants. I had dinner at a sushi place that was the equal of any in a big city. There's a small rail museum too. Not far is Mojave which offers views of a huge aircraft graveyard but you can't get too close.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce J
Sierra Madre, CA69 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
I confess, I've been coming to the Tehachapi area to chase trains for 50 years. OK, 49 but in 2014 it will be 50. "Back in the day" you could drive right up to the tracks but now the Loop property is completely gated off. Repeat visitors take note. Now you must drive up to the Loop overlook where the historic markers are and be satisfied with the overview. Be patient. Trains run when they are ready but I can tell you Fridays, Saturdays and early morning and evening are the best time to catch a train on the Loop. These days most trains loop around themselves which is quite a thrill to the first-time visitor. There is nothing at the site so use the rest room and take water before you head out. It's well marked and about 15 minutes off highway 58 at the Keene exit.
Written September 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melsdad2002
Tehachapi, CA206 contributions
Mar 2012
Fun place to watch the train loop under itself. A real engineering feat.
Written April 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fritz59
Honolulu, HI170 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
Aloha Everyone,
Much chagrined, I have lived in the Bakersfield area in the past for many years and have been up and down Hwy 58 a ga-gillian times without ever stopping at the world-famous Tehachapi Loop. I've always promised myself that when I had a rare moment, I'd go take a look. Well, as it happened, such a moment arrived on the heels of a short PCT section hike. I had a few days to spare so I decided to knock off one of those, "I've always wanted to see that" items on my long list of the same. The Loop is about 15 miles west of Tehachapi and easily accessible from Hwy 58 at the Keene exit. It's about a 3 mile windy, curvy drive up (east) to the loop. There are two good vantage points. One is at the historic marker and the other is up the road towards the Tehachapi direction about another 300 yards past the marker. From there you can walk out a dirt road and have a great view of a pretty amazing engineering spectacle. (In either spot the view is fine.) In any case, there are more than 30-plus trains a day on average that go up and down this grade, so the chances are if you're patient for 30 minutes or less, you'll likely see a train. And it's truly worth seeing a train loop over itself. I gather there's really only one or two spots where you can see that...Tehachapi Loop being one of them. Now to be honest, I'm not a train freak, so once is good, but there were several folks from all over the world standing there the other day, so the word is out amongst train geeks. Many of them stayed for repeat performances. Either way, it's not a bad, low-cal (cheap) pastime on some lazy Saturday or Sunday and the drive can be combined with stops at the Cesar Chavez National Historic Monument site and the nearby Keene Cafe. All together, it's a very manageable little day trip from Bakersfield or other local points. Recommended for at least a one-time visit!
Much chagrined, I have lived in the Bakersfield area in the past for many years and have been up and down Hwy 58 a ga-gillian times without ever stopping at the world-famous Tehachapi Loop. I've always promised myself that when I had a rare moment, I'd go take a look. Well, as it happened, such a moment arrived on the heels of a short PCT section hike. I had a few days to spare so I decided to knock off one of those, "I've always wanted to see that" items on my long list of the same. The Loop is about 15 miles west of Tehachapi and easily accessible from Hwy 58 at the Keene exit. It's about a 3 mile windy, curvy drive up (east) to the loop. There are two good vantage points. One is at the historic marker and the other is up the road towards the Tehachapi direction about another 300 yards past the marker. From there you can walk out a dirt road and have a great view of a pretty amazing engineering spectacle. (In either spot the view is fine.) In any case, there are more than 30-plus trains a day on average that go up and down this grade, so the chances are if you're patient for 30 minutes or less, you'll likely see a train. And it's truly worth seeing a train loop over itself. I gather there's really only one or two spots where you can see that...Tehachapi Loop being one of them. Now to be honest, I'm not a train freak, so once is good, but there were several folks from all over the world standing there the other day, so the word is out amongst train geeks. Many of them stayed for repeat performances. Either way, it's not a bad, low-cal (cheap) pastime on some lazy Saturday or Sunday and the drive can be combined with stops at the Cesar Chavez National Historic Monument site and the nearby Keene Cafe. All together, it's a very manageable little day trip from Bakersfield or other local points. Recommended for at least a one-time visit!
Written October 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pedro r
Vespasiano, MG194 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Tehachapi Loop is a wonder of railroad engineering. Is is located in Walong, about ten miles from the town of Tehachapi. It is located in a rural area. There is public area dedicated to the rail fans that usually go there to watch the train running in the loop. The public parking lot is closed since some people used to dump trash there. But you can park the car at side the road and walk to the observation area. The average trains running in the Loop is among 15 to 20 per day. On monday, the line use to be closed for maintenance from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is recomended to use boots and long pants because there are snakes and other poisonous animals in the fields and rocks in that area. If you decide to stay in the parking lot area, it is not necessary to use this kind of protection. There is not place to buy food or water nearby, so, provide them before drive to the Loop area. It is not permited to approach the tracks nor cross the fences of the private property around the tracks. Respect the non trespassing plates.
Written August 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan B
Charlotte, NC81 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
The Tehachapi Loop is a 0.73-mile long spiral, or helix, on the Union Pacific Railroad line through Tehachapi Pass, of the Tehachapi Mountains near the unicorporated town of Keene in Kern County, south-central California. "The Loop" sees an average traffic of 40-plus trains a day, some over 7,000 feet long. Most of the trains on The Loop these days are BNSF (Burlington Northern and Santa Fe) powered, with all kinds of freight.
To visit THE LOOP, I leave Hwy 58 at the Keene exit and follow the signs to the viewing areas both below and above The Loop. While famous to railfans, the Loop isn't your typical tourist spot, so there is not much here. The closest gas and snacks are 3 miles away in Keene (and that's only one very small market). The closest real lodging, gas and food will be found in Tehachapi around 11 miles away. You can expect to see a whole lot of trains, of many different flags, with awesome scenery, rolling hills and long sweeping valleys. Paved, and good dirt roads, provide access. A little hiking will get you even further.
Anytime of year will provide a different look. Spring is green, and Autumn rather brown. Winter will sometimes provide very cold weather and possibly snow, so beware. Weekends tend not to have the long work windows that the weekdays have, so train frequency will be maximized. Bring something to read, when its quiet on the hill... it is quiet!
To visit THE LOOP, I leave Hwy 58 at the Keene exit and follow the signs to the viewing areas both below and above The Loop. While famous to railfans, the Loop isn't your typical tourist spot, so there is not much here. The closest gas and snacks are 3 miles away in Keene (and that's only one very small market). The closest real lodging, gas and food will be found in Tehachapi around 11 miles away. You can expect to see a whole lot of trains, of many different flags, with awesome scenery, rolling hills and long sweeping valleys. Paved, and good dirt roads, provide access. A little hiking will get you even further.
Anytime of year will provide a different look. Spring is green, and Autumn rather brown. Winter will sometimes provide very cold weather and possibly snow, so beware. Weekends tend not to have the long work windows that the weekdays have, so train frequency will be maximized. Bring something to read, when its quiet on the hill... it is quiet!
Written November 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There's 30 to 40 freight trains a day over it so usually you don't have to wait too long for action.
Written April 7, 2023
where do i get tickets for the Tehachapi Loop?
Written March 11, 2022
Yup, as lloydmax wrote. no fee. All you need is a good view point. Start with the Tehachapi Loop Overlook on Woodford/Tehachapi Rd. Expect to wait 20 minutes to an hour but could be less!
Written March 13, 2022
Would love to revisit the Loop but remember the road as being narrow and windy. It's been 40 years. Is the road safe for large motorhomes? Parking? Turn around?
Written April 3, 2020
Yes, the road is somewhat narrow. Coming from the West the road isn’t too bad and a much shorter drive to the overlook than coming from the East.
Written April 11, 2020
I'm from UK and would love to see the tehachapi loop and trains. I've watched trains at tehapachi depot on webcamtaxi which is awesome. However I don't drive and i wondered how accessible area is ? Is there public transport? Thanks
Written January 6, 2020
I'm not sure if Uber or Lyft operate in Tehachapi but that is a possibility. It's about 13 miles from downtown to the Loop. My suggestion is to check in at the Tehachapi Depot Museum and inquire of the people there about a way to the Loop. They are very nice and most accommodating. Best of luck to you.
Written January 10, 2020
Want to learn about dates, times to see the train full circle on the Tehachapi Loop. Other things to see while in Techachapi, and nearby cities.
Thanks.
Written December 27, 2017
Haven't been to the Tehachapi Loop many times, I have never missed seeing the train Loop itself. This is such a heavily traveled train track that you never have to wait very long to see a train come through. Rather than overthink it and try to find a schedule, which I would guess does not exist. I would say go stand up by the monument which you will see on the roadside as you take the Keane off ramp and go up the hill. It won't take long and a train will appear. Now on the same road you will find the Cesar Chavez Memorial which I find to be a wonderful stop on the way to look at the attached at the Loop. It's a nice little Museum and Monument. It's free. And has beautifully clean restrooms. When you continue on the road toward Tehachapi at least the Side Road you will get to go through a lot of the wind power generators. They are amazing to see up close. Now on to Tehachapi. First off there is a beautiful German bakery there with wonderful sandwiches and many beautiful pastries. Next door is Tehachapi Depot which is a train museum. It's small but fun. Across the street and back to the corner is the tatchapee visitor center which has very helpful people inside. Another favorite for me is the Thai food restaurant thaihachapi . We've had wonderful meals there. Beyond that there is a small Museum in town mostly for local though there is a Buddhist Monastery with a huge bell that some people really enjoy visiting. Enjoy Tehachapi.
Written December 28, 2017
For all the reviewers that saw the train can you let us know what time where you there. There's a quite of people that saw the train so it will be a very helpful data if you can let us know the different times you saw the trains. I have a 3 kids with means it's not safe to wait there for 30 or more minutes because the road is very steep and dry narrow. Hoping your your kind response.
Written December 31, 2016
Hello there
That is a very good question to ask. If my memory is correct they are on the hour. The one we saw was a long freight train so you get a chance to see it. The other place you can see trains in a more comfortable setting
especially with kids is at the down town train museum ideal for keeping the kids interested while the train goes by which come around more frequently. The staff at the museum are awesome too and are keen to explain the exhibits to kids and to those young at heart. I loved it and I believe I wrote something about it too on trip advisor. Good luck hope you get a chance to see a train on your holiday and hope this reply helps:)
Written January 3, 2017
How do I get there from Orange Grove Campground in Bakersfield?
Written October 22, 2016
Hi there you need to take the 58E exit on 139 towards Kreme, then on to woodford Techapi road and then left on Brooke road
Hope this helps
Written October 26, 2016
Ester J
Atlantic Beach, New York
Hi! I have a Deluxe Room accomodation in December for two. Is breakfast included?
Written March 26, 2015
The Tehatchapee Loop is a railroad feature and not a hotel. So, no meals except for those you pack in your car.
Written March 28, 2015
Judy K B
Bakersfield, California
Are there train rides available. Our grand kids will be visiting for 9 days during spring break and would love to take them. We live in Bakersfield. Thank you for any info.
Written February 25, 2015
Rarely are passenger cars included in trains that transverse the Tehachapi Loop. It is nearly always restricted to rail freight ONLY. On very rare occasions when the rail line over the "Grapevine" is closed for rail work, etc., the passenger service has been diverted to the Loop. Local railroad clubs often learn of these temporary re-routings and fill those cars with passengers as soon as they hear of the re-routing. They also get word of unusual freight coming over the pass - such as the Barnum and Bailey circus train! You can Google Tehachapi Railroad Club for more information.
Written February 26, 2015
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