When To Catch The SMART Holiday Express

SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTIES, CA — 'Twas a few weeks before Christmas when a SMART train was adorned with holiday gear whilst awaiting the entire community in the hopes they will help spread the cheer.

Catch The Holiday Express With Santa Claus Aboard, Saturday, Dec. 2

The Holiday Express train arrives Saturday, Dec. 2, with Santa Claus aboard. As part of the festivities, SMART is hosting a special toy drive aboard all its trains that same day. Each adult passenger who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate gets a free round-trip ride that day. Children of all ages who are accompanied by an adult also ride free Dec. 2. The entire community is invited to bring a toy and enjoy the holiday cheer aboard SMART.

The Holiday Express train makes its debut Saturday, Dec. 2, on southbound Train 5 which departs at 9:32 a.m. from the Sonoma County Airport Station and arrives at 10:51 a.m. at the Larkspur Station. Riders at stations along the route can board — or exit— the southbound Holiday Express at the following times on Saturday, Dec. 2

• Sonoma County Airport 9:32 a.m.
• Santa Rosa North Station 9:39 a.m.
• Santa Rosa Downtown Station 9:43 a.m.
• Rohnert Park Station 9:51 a.m.
• Cotati Station 9:54 a.m.
• Petaluma Downtown Station 10:09 a.m.
• Novato San Marin Station 10:21 a.m.
• Novato Downtown Station 10:24 a.m.
• Novato Hamilton Station 10:32 a.m.
• Marin Civic Center Station 10:38 a.m.
• San Rafael Station 10:44 a.m.
• Larkspur Station 10:51 a.m.

Then, the Holiday Express with Santa Claus still aboard will depart the Larkspur station on northbound Train 6 at 11:30 a.m. and make the following stops where riders can enter or exit the train:

• Larkspur Station 11:30 a.m.
• San Rafael Station 11:38 a.m.
• Marin Civic Center Station 11:43 a.m.
• Novato Hamilton Station 11:50 a.m.
• Novato Downtown Station 11:56 a.m.
• Novato San Marin Station 11:59 a.m.
• Petaluma Downtown Station 12:12 p.m.
• Cotati Station 12:25 p.m.
• Rohnert Park Station 12:29 p.m.
• Santa Rosa Downtown Station 12:37 p.m.
• Santa Rosa North Station 12:41 p.m.
• Sonoma County Airport Station 12:47 p.m.

"The rest of the month, Holiday Express goes into rotation and your chances of catching it are really high especially if you regularly ride SMART," Spokesperson Julia Gonzalez told Patch. "Get out and explore; make transit a part of your holiday."

Gonzalez reminded riders that children 5 and under always ride free, they just need to be accompanied by an adult.

Throughout December, SMART invites the public to take a train and check out holiday festivities and shopping and dining opportunities along the North Bay rail line. Below are a few upcoming festivities to take the train to:

• Nov. 24, Winter Lights Annual Tree Lighting Celebration in Courthouse Square, in Downtown Santa Rosa
• Nov. 25, Santa’s Riverboat Arrival in Petaluma
• Nov. 25 - Dec. 31, Ice Skating in Courthouse Square, in Downtown Santa Rosa
• Nov. 25, Parade of Lights and Winterwonderland in Downtown San Rafael
• Nov.25 - Dec. 28, The Great Downtown San Rafael Elf Hunt
• Nov. 30, Ice Skating in Courthouse Square, Barbie Themed Night
• Dec. 1, Sonoma County Pride, Drag On Ice in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square
• Dec. 1, Holiday Tree Lighting in Cotati
• Dec. 2, Holiday Lights Celebration in Rohnert Park
• Dec. 2, Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Novato
• Dec. 2, Petaluma Downtown Holiday Open House and Marketplace
• Dec. 9, Lighted Boat Parade in Downtown Petaluma
• Dec. 16, San Rafael Canal Lighted Boat Parade
• Dec. 16 & 17, Gingerbread Doghouse Workshops at the Charles M. Schulz Museum
• Dec. 27, Snoopy's Home Ice: Toddlers On Ice
• Dec. 31, Happy New Year, Charlie Brown at the Charles M. Schulz Museum

While making plans, consider the free parking offered at these SMART stations: Sonoma County Airport, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma Downtown, Novato San Marin, Novato Downtown, Novato Hamilton and Larkspur.