1 / 3San Diego Model Railroad Museum
📍 Balboa Park, CA
Five permanent model railroad exhibitions across 27,000 square feet in Balboa Park, including detailed recreations of Southern California rail history. Free entry for children under 12. Volunteer staff offer behind-the-scenes tours.
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 the scenes tour and showed us the inner workings of the tracks. He also went over the history of the San Diego Yuma train lines history!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with children aged 4 and up who respond to scale, detail, and moving machinery. The passionate volunteer staff transform a passive exhibit into an active experience — ask for a behind-the-scenes tour and Jim or one of his colleagues will show the control systems up close.
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💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →1,248 Google reviews
Wilson Breckenridge
2 months ago
“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 the scenes tour and showed us the inner workings of the tracks. He also went over the history of the San Diego Yuma train lines history!”
Brendan Kiely
5 months ago
“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 detailed. It is truly a work of art and an incredible experience for both kids and adults. Highly recommend if visiting Balboa Park.”
Brandon McCormick
a month ago
“My favorite place at Balboa Park since I was a small child. Hours of wandering around looking for hidden details, history and the craftsmanship of the trains and scenery. Bringing my own children to have the same experience is top notch!”
Afa H.
a month ago
“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!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum houses five permanent exhibitions — Cabrillo & Southwestern, San Diego & Arizona Eastern, Southern Pacific on Tehachapi Pass, and a Toy Train Gallery among them. Passionate volunteer historians run behind-the-scenes tours showing the inner workings of tracks and layouts. Located in Balboa Park, easily combined with other attractions. Hidden miniature scenes reward careful observers of all ages.
