By Carlos Rico
From The San Diego Union-Tribune
SAN DIEGO—In San Diego County, some of the oldest train tracks and rail lines date back over 140 years. The Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads expanded service to the county in 1885, according to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.
And while the region still has several options for modern-day commuter travel by rail, train enthusiasts of all ages also have many ways to examine local locomotive history or ride on historic or miniaturized trains. These opportunities can be found as far east as Campo and as far south as Tijuana.
Here are eight ways to take an adventurous train ride or visit an educational museum.
Train Rides
Balboa Park Miniature Train: The public can go on a quick tour of a small area of Balboa Park, adjacent to the San Diego Zoo, on the Balboa Park Miniature Train. This approximately four-minute, half-mile loop takes riders through a tunnel and past trees, plants and animal statues such as a bear and a hippopotamus. The miniature train uses G-16-style model cars that can seat children and most adults. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. 1800 Zoo Pl., San Diego. $4.50. zoo.sandiegozoo.org/activities/miniature-trainChula Vista Live Steamers: Rohr Park is home to the Chula Vista Live Steamers. Since 1974, this club has been building and operating live steam model trains. The Live Steamers’ goal is to provide entertainment and education through trains, and one way they do that is by providing free train rides around Rohr Park. The public can ride mini steam locomotive trains each month. Donations are welcome. The community can also rent out the Rohr Park trains for birthday parties and private events. Noon to 2:30 p.m. second weekend of the month. Rohr Park, 4548 Sweetwater Rd., Bonita. Free. chulavistalivesteamers.com
The Golden State train ride: One of the easternmost train rides in San Diego County is in Campo. The Golden State train line operates three times on most Saturdays throughout the year. Train rides last about 45 minutes and include a history of the Golden State, narrated by Ken Kramer of the KPBS-TV show “Ken Kramer’s About San Diego.” Trains depart from the Campo depot and take visitors to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. Entrance to the museum is included with a train ticket purchase. Riders can bring food and drinks (except alcohol) on the train. Also, the Golden State has special themed train rides from October through December, such as the Pumpkin Express, Sip & Scare Sunset Special and the North Pole Limited. Train tickets range from $16.95 to $43, based on age. Members can ride for free; annual membership starts at $25 for students and seniors and $35 for adults. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. 750 Depot St., Campo. psrm.org/golden-state
Poway Midland Railroad: Plans for the current Poway Midland Railroad date back to the 1960s, according to the city of Poway. The former property owner, one Col. John Porter, wanted to create a train line around his land for entertainment purposes. He died before the plan could become a reality, city records say, but in 1986, the city of Poway obtained Porter’s land and in 1991 the city partnered with the Poway-Midland Railroad Volunteers to operate and maintain what is now the Poway Midland Railroad. The public can see or ride steam locomotives, cable cars, coach cars, and speeder cars, small maintenance railcars. Train ventures can fit about 30 people, last about 10 minutes and loop around the Old Poway Park. There are also various events scheduled throughout the year. Train schedules vary based on the day and train type, but mostly run on weekends. 14154 Midland Rd., Poway. $1-$3.50. 858-486-4063, powaymidlandrr.org
Tijuana-Tecate Tourist Train: For locals or visitors wanting to venture south of the border, there is the Tijuana-Tecate Tourist Train. This all-day trip departs from Tijuana at the Estación García, Del Ferrocarril 6, Paseo de los Reyes. Passenger are taken on an approximately 60-year-old double-decker vintage train that seats about 300 people. It’s about a three-hour ride east to Tecate, with a 30-minute stop at the Abelardo L. Rodríguez dam for sightseeing. Once the train reaches the Mexican city of Tecate, riders can venture out into the town for about four hours before returning back to Tijuana. No food, drinks or pets are allowed on the train, but food and wine tasting are offered on the train. Train expeditions are scheduled once a month, with different themes each time. The train leaves at 9 a.m. sharp and guests need to arrive at 8:30 a.m. for check-in and boarding. The next outing is Feb. 15. It costs 550 pesos or $27.50 per person, and tickets can be purchased online or at the Baja California government offices at Avenida Ferrocarril #1, Libertad Parte Baja, Tijuana, 22300. fcbc.com.mx
Museums
La Mesa Depot Museum: In 1894, the original La Mesa train station was built, according to the Pacific Southwest Railway Association. It has been renovated over the years and at one time moved across the street across from Nebo Drive. In 1974, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum purchased the train station, and it is now the home of the La Mesa Depot Museum. It’s free to enter, and visitors can see a steam locomotive, freight cars, an old ticketing and waiting area, a small exhibit area in the old baggage room, and the telegrapher’s station. Noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. 4695 Nebo Dr., La Mesa. Free. 619-465-7776, psrm.org/visitor-information/la-mesa-depotSan Diego Electric Railway Association, Inc. & National City Depot Museum: An out-of-service San Diego Metropolitan trolley car and a cable car stand outside the San Diego Electric Railway Association, Inc. & National City Depot Museum. This tourist attraction has a collection of trains and street cars that span from 1890 to 2015, according to the National City Depot Museum. It also displays a three-rail model railroad with a few items the public can operate along the track. The museum building was built by the California Southern Railroad in 1882. It was restored in 1998. The museum is free to visit and takes donations. Paid memberships are also available starting at $15 for the year. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. 922 West 23rd St., National City. 619-474-4400, sdera.org
San Diego Model Railroad Museum: Visitors to Balboa Park might be surprised to find a San Diego Model Railroad Museum. This attraction highlights 27,000 square feet of model trains and tracks. There are rotating exhibits such as the current one on diesel engines, which runs through June 2025, and permanent exhibits such as the Cabrillo Southwest railroad line and San Diego and Arizona Eastern line. Plus the museum has a library with over 10,000 books. It also hosts events such as workshops to build model railroads, swap meets and storytelling. Children 12 years and under are free with paid adult admission. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 1649 El Prado, San Diego. $10-$20. 619-696-0199, sdmrm.org
Copyright 2025 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to [email protected].
