View Attractions Related to: Trains & Railroads
by TourGuideTimPacific Southwest Railway Museum
Location: La Mesa (13 Miles / 20 Minutes East of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 1PM – 4PM on Saturdays
Cost: Free
Features: 1915 Train Depot; Steam Locomotive and Freight Cars
Freight Trains in San Diego
Location: Downtown San Diego (East Village)
Features: Freight Train Yards in San Diego; BNSF; SDIV
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 11AM – 4PM (5PM on Weekends). Closed on Mondays.
Cost: $8 ($1 for Kids 6-14, $6 for Seniors 65+, $3 for Students, and $4 for Military)
Features: World’s Largest Indoor Model Railroad Display
Balboa Park Miniature Railroad
Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: Open Daily During Summer 11AM – 6:30PM. Otherwise, Only Open on Weekends and School Holidays from 11AM – 4:30PM.
Cost: $2
Features: Miniature Replica of a Real Train takes you on a 1/2 mile ride and includes a Tunnel.
Poway-Midland Railroad and Train Rides
Location: Poway (23 Miles / 30 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 10AM – 4PM on Saturdays and 11AM – 2PM on Most Sundays.
Cost: Starting at $1.50 for Adults and 50¢ for Kids.
Features: Ride Antique Trains, Shop in the Train Hobby Store; Enjoy Special Train Celebrations
Descanso, Alpine and Pacific Railway
Location: Alpine (31 Miles / 35 Minutes East of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 1PM – 3PM on Sundays (Call to Confirm) or By Appointment
Cost: Free
Features: Take a 20 Minute Ride on a 24 Inch Gauge Train Track.
San Diego Railroad Museum and Train Rides
Location: Campo (51 Miles / 1.25 Hours East of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 9AM – 5PM on Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $5 ($2.50 for ages 6-12); Train Rides are Extra.
Features: 1916 Train Depot is home to Over 80 Train Cars and Locomotives, many dating back to the 19th Century, Hour-Long Train Rides; Setting for Numerous Movies and Commercials.
San Diego Electric Railway Museum and Depot
Location: National City (7 Miles / 10 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 9AM – 5PM Thursdays through Sundays
Cost: Free
Features: Restored 1882 Santa Fe Station is the Oldest Railroad Structure in San Diego; Vintage Trolleys and Electric Rail Cars
Julian Train & Gold Mine Tour
Location: Julian (62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: Reservation Only – Groups of 4 or More Required
Cost: $15
Features: Take a 1 Mile Train Ride and Explore a Gold Mine
San Diego Amtrak Stations
AMTRAK offers four train stations in San Diego County. All are located near the coastline and major tourist attractions. They all provide service for AMTRAK’s Pacific Surfliner. Details on the AMTRAK Stations, including Google Maps, and what to expect on the beautiful ride to San Diego are noted below.
San Diego Transit Information
Overview on San Diego Transit
Public Transit in San Diego is decent but not great for travelers. Buses, Trolleys, and Trains are generally clean and safe and as a group serve most of the major attractions. The local transit service offers a very helpful Transit Trip Planner, which is described below.
However, travelers that prefer to avoid buses will have a harder time relying on mass transit. Many attractions, especially those outside of Downtown San Diego, are not accessible by the Trolley. Some are accessible by trains but they run on a limited schedule. Continue reading below to find which major attractions are served by the Trolley and Trains in San Diego. You can then decide if you want to rely on transit to make the most of your experience in San Diego.
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