Freight Trains in San Diego

by

Location: Downtown San Diego (East Village)

Features: Freight Train Yards in San Diego; BNSF; SDIV

San Diego Freight Train Yard Highlights: San Diego is the end of the line (or beginning of the line depending on your perspective) for train service in the United States. There are two freight train companies serving San Diego. They include the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and the short-hall San Diego Imperial Valley Railroad (SDIV). To see a map of their routes, visit the BNSF web site for San Diego.

You will be able to catch glimpses of freight trains as they pass along the train tracks that hug the San Diego coastline or head inland towards El Cajon. However, the best place to see freight trains throughout the day is at the downtown San Diego Rail Yard.

Safest Views – If you enjoy looking at freight trains, the safest place to see them is online. You can take a look at dozens of photos of freight trains in San Diego by taking a look at this fan web site for Southern California Trains.

Adjacent Views – For those who have a need to see them in person, the best and most accessible place to take a look is at Petco Park and the south end of the San Diego Convention Center. Here is a Google satellite view of the San Diego Train Yard bordered by Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center to the west and the San Diego Port Terminal to the south.

Ride through the Rail Yard – You can take a Trolley Ride through a portion of the San Diego Rail Yard if you ride the Orange Trolley Line between the Gaslamp / Petco Park Station and the 12th Avenue / Imperial Transit Center, which also serves the Blue Trolley Line. (See San Diego Transit Information for access to the Trolley Maps and the online Transit Planner.)

Birds Eye Views – By the end of 2010, you will be able to cross the western corner of the railroad tracks when the Pedestrian Bridge between Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center is completed. You can also catch a birds eye view as a guest at the new Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, which is at the eastern end of the Convention Center.

Directions from Google Maps to 101 Park Boulevard in San Diego, CA 92101. (This is the address for the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park, which is next to the San Diego Rail Yard.)

Traffic – If you travel using the San Diego Trolley, you will encounter big crowds when the San Diego Padres have a home game at Petco Park. Their games usually start at 7:05PM, except for Sunday games, which start at 1:05PM. If you drive to the area, you will encounter heavy traffic for the baseball games and for major event at the Convention Center.

Find More Attractions with Similar Themes or Location: East Village, Trains & Railroads |

One Response to “Freight Trains in San Diego”

  1. Stand on the newly completed bridge over Harbor Drive beween Petco Park and the big Hilton, and you have a full view of the train and trolley yards–if you’re a train nut, it’s absolutely awesome!

Help others find things to do and see! Share your ideas.

Connect with Facebook

Or, fill in the form below:

  • Join our great San Diego Tours or Create Your Own Adventure!

    "Having trouble dreaming up the perfect trip...TourGuideTim has you covered...use his comprehensive website to design your own adventure." - Los Angeles Times
  • Translate Travel Guide

  • Search for San Diego Attractions

  • Follow-us to Explore San Diego

    TourGuideTim on Facebook     TourGuideTim on Google+ TourGuideTim on Twitter TourGuideTim on Pinterest TourGuideTim on YouTube