Children's Museums

National City Depot

Name: National City Depot
Address: 922 W 23rd St, National City, CA 91950, National City, CA, US
Telephone: (619) 474-4400
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (69 reviews)

📍 922 W 23rd St, National City, CA 91950

📞 (619) 474-4400

🌐 www.sdera.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	10 AM–4 PM
Sunday	10 AM–4 PM

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About National City Depot

National City Depot is a children's museum in National City, CA. The National City Depot houses a comprehensive San Diego Electric Railway and railroad history collection spanning 125 years (1890 to 2015). Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 69 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Historic Rail Museum
Best For: All ages, train buffs, local historians
Highlights: Historic cable car, light rail vehicle, O-Scale model railroad, rail history spanning 1890-2015
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm (tours by appointment)
Location: National City, CA (10 miles south of downtown San Diego)

💡 Did You Know?

🏛️The National City Depot houses a comprehensive San Diego Electric Railway and railroad history collection spanning 125 years (1890 to 2015)
⭐The museum features SDERy Car 54, a historic cable car, and San Diego Trolley Car 1002, the first generation light rail vehicle (LRV)
⭐Admission is completely free with an optional donation system, yet the facility operates with knowledgeable volunteer staff and offers guided tours
⭐The museum operates on a limited weekend-only schedule (Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm) with tours and special events available by appointment

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐Visit on Saturday or Sunday between 10am-4pm as these are the only operating hours. Plan your visit accordingly and note that weekend-only operation means it's less crowded than typical weekday museums.
💬Admission is completely free with optional donations accepted via Venmo. This is a volunteer-run attraction, so consider supporting them financially if you enjoy the experience.
💡Take advantage of the free guided tours led by knowledgeable volunteers who can provide entertaining and informative context about the 100+ years of San Diego electric railway and railroad history. Tours are available by appointment.
💡The venue features both indoor exhibits (O-Scale model railroad with miniature trains) and an adjacent building with a historic trolley car display. Plan to explore multiple locations within the immediate area to see the full collection.
💬Located near Port facilities and easily accessible from I-5 via Bay Marina Drive exit. It's a compact venue that can be discovered quickly while traveling to nearby attractions, making it perfect for a spontaneous 1-2 hour stop if you're in the area.