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Location
Parking
Located in Balboa Park. Free parking on City holidays. Paid parking available; Tier 2 & 3 parking free for San Diego residents, discounted Tier 1 parking available. Disabled placards/plates park free in regular spaces. Paid parking ends at 6pm.
Visitor tip
Request a behind-the-scenes tour from the knowledgeable staff members like Jim - they provide insider access to track inner workings and detailed San Diego-Yuma train line history that enhances the experience significantly
Visitor tip
The museum appeals equally to both children and adults regardless of prior train enthusiasm - even those without childhood train set experience report feeling nostalgic and amazed by the scale and detail
About San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Scale models of California railroads. Kid-friendly museum featuring many working scale models of California rail lines & landscapes.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Model Railroad Museum
- Location
- Balboa Park, San Diego
- Size
- 27,000 square feet
- Hours
- Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–4pm
- Admission
- Kids 12 and under free with paid adult
What visitors say
I make sure to stop by every time I’m in San Diego!! Wonderful displays and a very welcoming and friendly group of guys that are very knowledgeable and passionate historians and model rail roading fans! Jim gave my brother and I behind…
If you ever had a train set as a kid, prepare to feel 8 years old again. Massive layouts, endless scenic views, and trains constantly moving through beautifully crafted environments. Time flies in here!
This is an incredible museum. I was not prepared for what I saw once I walked in. There are multiple replicas, and scenes and sizes of scale models. The size of each scene or replica is crazy for how big they are as well as how…
From 1,253 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Features multiple working scale model layouts of California railroad lines including the Cabrillo & Southwestern, San Diego & Arizona Eastern, Southern Pacific on the Tehachapi Pass, and Pacific Desert Lines
- Offers free admission for children 12 and under when accompanied by a paid adult, making it an accessible family attraction
- Located in Balboa Park with convenient access to a public tram system running 8am-8pm throughout the park grounds
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