![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SD_Skyline_2-1024x648.jpg)
Sunny San Diego
Home of the San Diego Garden Railway Society!
San Diego known as “America’s finest city” is a world class destination for tourists and train enthusiasts alike.
Enjoy railroad-related places, museums, gardens, beaches and parks.
Here are some suggestions:
Balboa Park
Check out Balboa Park‘s spectacular Model Railroad Museum showcasing many layouts and scales including the largest HO layout in the USA. There’s also a miniature train ride located outside the Zoo’s exit. This half mile loop travels through 4 acres of Balboa Park.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/balboa_train_museum_1-1024x636.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/balboa_train_1-1024x689.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/balboa_train_2-1024x756.jpg)
Chula Vista Live Steamers
Visitors, don’t miss the Chula Vista Live Steamers. Rail fans young and old can enjoy rides on a miniature steam train. Schedule and details are available on their website.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/san-diego-live-steamers-1-1024x648.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/chula_vista_live_steamers_1-1024x576.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/chula_vista_live_steamers_2.jpg)
Poway Park
If you’re a fan of picnics in the park, Old Poway Park and Railroad is a great family destination. Train rides start mid-morning every Saturday and Sunday.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/poway_park_5-1024x693.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/poway_park_1.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/poway_park_7-1024x623.jpg)
Walter Andersen Nursery Garden Railroad
This extensive 4460 sq.ft. G-Scale layout features several track lines, 15 bridges, 118ft trestle and 60 tons of rocks. Impressively landscaped with multiple water features, it’s free to the public and is located 10 minutes away from Poway Park.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Walter-Andersen-24.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Walter-Andersen-21.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Walter-Andersen-22-1024x569.jpeg)
Santa Fe Station
Constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Expo. The Santa Fe Depot is a city landmark known for it’s beautiful mission architecture and tiled domes. Climb aboard a fun day trip on the Pacific Surfliner or Amtrak train.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/santa_fe_station_4-1024x745.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/santa_fe_station_3-971x1024.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/santa_fe_station_1-1024x678.jpg)
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum – Campo
The Campo train depot offers vintage train rides with locomotives and cars from the early 20th century. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum has over 120 pieces of equipment and railroad artifacts.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/campo_museum_6-1024x590.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/campo_museum_4-1024x667.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/campo_museum_5.jpg)
Old Town Trolley
Ride the hop-on hop-off trolley bus. This site seeing trolley stops at 11 tourist attractions including: Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town Market, Little Italy, Maritime Museum and Coronado Island to name a few. Narration by tour conductors heighten the experience.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/old_town_trolley_2.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/old_town_trolley_3-1024x631.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/old_town_trolley_4-1024x619.jpg)
Beaches, Lighthouse and Hotel Del Coronado
Visit beautiful beaches and boardwalks like the popular Mission Beach at Belmont Park or check out the Point Loma Lighthouse and the historic Hotel Del Coronado.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/san-diego-hotel-del-2.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/point_loma_lighthouse_1-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/belmont_park_1.jpg)
Air and Space Museum, Midway and Maritime Museum
Aviation buffs, don’t miss the San Diego Air and Space Museum. If you’re a maritime enthusiast, visit the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum and Maritime Museum. It’s one of the finest collections of historic ships available for public tours.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/air_space_museum_2-1024x719.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/maritime_museum_1-1024x788.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/midway_museum_1-1024x694.jpg)
Seaworld, Legoland, Birch Aquarium and San Diego Zoo
San Diego is home to many of California’s top attractions, including SeaWorld, Legoland, Birch Aquarium and the world-famous San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sea_world_1-1024x677.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/birch_aquarium_1.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/san_diego_zoo_1-1024x715.jpg)
Historic Neighborhoods
For nightlife, the downtown Gaslamp Quarter is bustling with live music, restaurants and bars. If you enjoy trendy shops and delicious food, stroll pedestrian-friendly Little Italy. There’s also the very popular LGBTQ+ district of Hillcrest and if you enjoy craft beers North Park neighborhood is a must.
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/san-diego-gaslamp-district3.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/san-diego-hillcrest-1.jpg)
![](https://sdgardenrailway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/little_italy_1-1024x554.jpg)
If you’re visiting San Diego, the San Diego Garden Railroad Society holds open houses monthly.
We invite you to stop by and see our G-scale layouts. Also, private showings can be arranged.
To be our guest at an open house please contact us.