San Diego Model Railroad Museum
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is located in Old Town San Diego, California. It’s the largest public model railroad exhibit in the world and it’s also one of the best. There are more than 100 operational layouts at this museum that feature miniature versions of everything from small towns to famous cities to scenic mountain ranges.
The museum even has a working railroad with a yard and a roundhouse, which means you can take train rides through its many elaborate landscapes right here in Old Town. The layout displays what life would have been like living along the original track of the Pacific Coast Railway, which was the first line built in California. You can visit the museum at 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101.
Visiting a museum for the first time can be overwhelming. The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is designed to ease visitors into the museum experience by having an easy-to-follow tour, informative signage, and knowledgeable staff to help explain the layout and answer questions. Begin your visit with a visit to the museum’s Visitor Center, where you can find maps, brochures, and other helpful information. If you’re planning a visit with others, be sure to pick up a map of the layout for your group.
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are also special events, such as Vintage Railroad Days, that take place throughout the year. - If you’re planning a visit with children, know that they’ll love the San Diego Model Railroad Museum as much as you do. Kids will love being able to pretend that they’re really living out their favorite train and city scenes. - On your visit, be sure to check out the gift shop, where you’ll find all kinds of model railroad memorabilia and gifts. You can also stop into one of the galleries to get a glimpse into the museum’s collection.
New California passenger train service between San Diego and Los Angeles will make it even easier for you to experience the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. The new train service will allow passengers to connect to the museum via a special railcar. You can find the train station closest to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum at the North County Transit District.
If you prefer to experience the San Diego Model Railroad Museum on foot, you’re in luck. The museum is located right in the heart of Old Town San Diego, which is a walkable community with great shops and restaurants. Start your walk by exploring the San Diego Museum of Art, which is right next door to the museum. You can enjoy free guided walking tours of the museum that include information about the varied art in the collection. If you’d rather not walk, opt for a trolley tour instead. There are seven trolley routes that run through Old Town, making it easy to hop on and hop off to visit the San Diego Model Railroad Museum and explore the rest of the shops and restaurants in the area.
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum offers trolley tours that run daily at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. During these tours, you’ll see the model train museum and then hop on a trolley and travel to a different part of San Diego for a guided walking tour. Trolley tickets are available for purchase at the museum and are good for all three trolley routes, which makes it easy to hop from one bus to another without having to purchase new tickets. You can also opt to purchase an all-day pass, which allows you to hop on and hop off the trolley routes as many times as you want, provided you don’t ride for more than six hours at a time.
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is a must-see for visitors to San Diego. Located in Old Town and within walking distance of many restaurants and shops, the museum is also easily accessible by trolley and car. The model train display is a trip back in time, and the museum also features a gift shop and art gallery for those who would like to take a break from the trains and enjoy some of San Diego’s more modern offerings.