Where to start? Southern California is an amazingly complex railroad terminus. The Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and the "locals" all built amazing plants that are, for the most part, still in use as they were in the 50's. There are so many cool locations, that it would be extremely difficult to discuss them all, but here are a few highlights:

Laws RR Museum in Bishop, CA Southern California sure has a rich history of Standard Gauge Railroading, but did you know it also has a history in Narrow Gauge? Out in Bishop, east of Barstow is the remains of the Carson and Colorado (the name describes the two rivers, not the city and the state, or that would be a REALLY long line!). The name was later changed to California and Nevada, and ultimately Southern Pacific. The line was known far and wide as the Slim Princess, and served the area until the final segment of narrow gauge was abandoned in 1959. The Museum at Laws California (tell the family you are going to see a real ghost town or nearby Sequoia National Park) has a train consisting of the 4-6-0 #9 and several cars. If ever you wanted to measure a heretofore thought missing prototype, this is your opportunity! Directions: Hiway 395 to Bishop, 4.5 miles northeast of Bishop on Hwy 6. Admission: Donation. Hours: 10 am - 4 pm.
Union Station Downtown Los Angeles features the last built, and many say the finest, Union Station in the country. This was the 'end of the line' for famous name trains from Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, and Santa Fe. It remains on of the busiest train stations in the world, due to the heavy commuter use by Metro Link, the Red Line Subway, and Amtrak. Take a seat in the high ceiling passenger lounge, and just imagine you hear "Now boarding on Platform 8, the Shasta Daylight"…
The Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbor There are so many spots to choose from. The China Shipping terminal is south of the Queen Mary. The Evergreen Terminal and Pier 400 are just east of the Vincent Thomas Bridge. The Hanjin Terminal is just across the channel from the Matson Lines terminal and the Western Fruit terminal. Fed by the Alameda Corridor Project, a sub grade rail only super highway, this is the busiest port in the country, probably the world. If you like containers, this is your stop.
Dolores Yard Dolores is a former Southern Pacific engine facility, still at work repairing power in yellow. The yard itself parallels Alameda Blvd, and the light is perfect in the morning. This yard was built in 1943, and is one of two gateways to the LA/Long Beach port.
The ICTF Across from Dolores, is the former SP's very modern intermodal facility, the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility. This is a purpose-built yard with loading tracks, flat storage lots, and the fastest operators UP could employ. It was built with the express purpose of getting containers on trains as fast as possible. It uses Dolores Yard as staging tracks, and pumps many trains worth of containers every day.
Tehachapi Loop This internationally known landmark was built by the Southern Pacific to rise 77' in a 1200 foot diameter circle to defeat the elevation climb within the 2.2% ruling grade. What was then a clever solution, is now one of the best known railfan sites in the world. Averaging 40 trains per day, you can always see trains, and fans, at the Loop.
Colton Yard The Union Pacific may have purchased the Southern Pacific just to get this yard! It's enormous. Most of the East West traffic for the UP funnels through this yard. It is an extremely busy place, and the Pepper St Bridge goes right over the top. Great photo ops if you just keep walking…
Cajon Pass Gateway to the ports and markets of Los Angeles, Cajon Pass is a great place to see trains, if the fire danger is low enough. When they close the forest, then San Bernardino Yard is the best place to see the same trains. UP and BNSF flood trains up and down this hill, and the action is unending.
Bakersfield The yard in the center of town is the staging yard for the climb to Tehachapi. This very active yard, and the lines in and out are very photogenic. The city has a rich heritage of Santa Fe, it would just be nice if the old roundhouse was still standing.
Hobart Yard Some say this is the most 'viewable' yard in the country. It has an entire street along the south side that is only a chain link fence away from the action. Given that the BNSF yard crew does more lifts per day than any other yard in the country, there is always something happening to see. MiJack cranes, trailers of all descriptions do the loading dance every day.
East Los Angeles Yard Adjacent to Hobart is the Union Pacific's East LA yard. This is a great place to see NW-2's and GP-15's working the hump and the flat yard assembling crack trains for all points east. There is always a compliment of work train cars in that unusual UP green.
Barstow Barstow is a great crossing point. All the traffic from West Colton on UP main comes close to the main from BNSF. This spot on old route 66 has an original Harvey House, and a Santa Fe yard to see, plus so many trains to hear. Stop in at the Barstow Station- a McDonalds in a group of passenger cars, Gift Shop in old reefers, and the restrooms are Santa Fe "Cabeese"!

These are just a few of the California Railfan sites, and certainly there is more detail available about all of them and the balance. If you have time, spend some extra hours in SoCal seeing the sights. You will be amazed!

Click here and then on CA at the bottom of the page for more information about railfanning spots in California.