San Diego

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

San Diego Modern Railroad Museum

More Photos
panda1
panda1
First Reviewer
2 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
Reviews
7
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-3 of 3

All Aboard?

  • August 22, 2009
  • Rated 2 of 5 by cmeekins03 from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
All Aboard?

We decided to try taking in the model railroad museum as it was drizzling outside and we wanted to give the kids one last thing to do before we dragged them over to the Hotel Del Coronado. Perhaps it was just too full of a day, but they didn't seem that thrilled with the trains for very long and our eldest was pretty cranky within under an hour.

They do have a number of different train model sizes within a variety of scenery. There are also a wide variety of them on display. The kids did enjoy looking at the room with the more kid-centered theme which also had a bunch of Disney themed traincars in a display cabinet. Though there are a lot of displays, I personally enjoyed the large setup at the Chicago Science and Industry museum over this musuem. The positive side is this only cost us $12 as the kids were free.

With all this being said, still make sure you get over to the buidlings where the museum is located. It's all part of the Balboa Park system. The buildings are really pretty and you may find something else that suits your fancy. You can get an idea of the look of the buildings and what's at the railroad museum by checking out their website.

Of course if you have a child that is really into trains, he or she will enjoy being able to climb up a couple stairs and watch the trains go around and around before moving over to the next exhibit.

From journal Jam-Packed Family Trip to San Diego

San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park

  • September 17, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by panda1 from ., California
San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park

San Diego Model Railroad Museum In Balboa Park offers a rather extensive collection of California model railroads to wonder through and learn about.

Open Tuesday-Friday 11am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am-5pm, admission $6, seniors $5, students with ID $3, active military with ID $2.50, children under 15 when accompanied by an adult free. First Tuesday of the month free for all.

Telephone (619) 696-0199

From journal SAN

Editor Pick

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

  • September 13, 2006
  • Rated 2 of 5 by panda1 from ., California
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum located in Campo presents rail cars from the past in this museum and includes an excursion ride with two departures, first at 10am, the second at 2:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays. The excursion ride takes us close to the border but doesn't cross it.

On the third Saturday of each month, except December, a train for Tecate, MX boarding at 10am, departs from Campo at 10:30am, arrives at Tecate at 11:45am, Tecate Brewery Walking Tour is available, re-boarding at 2:45pm, departs from Tecate at 3:15pm, and arrive at Campo at 4:30pm. Online booking or mailing in your advanced reservations is required as this event is very popular, sold out months in advance. U.S. Customs require that certain information be provided from each passenger prior to ticketing. Train fares are: adult $40, child $20, baby is free if it doesn't occupy a seat.

The gift shop has railroad related items you may be interested in purchasing. Admission is $15 when we went which had three railcars hooked up to the engine. One was a converted hospital car used during WWII, another car has reversible seats which no one was sitting at as it was hotter in that car due to poorer air circulation, another car was for a private function. If you should miss the excursion train ride, you'll get in to see the museum for $5 with a coupon good for sixty days to return to catch the train ride for $10 admission. Allow about 1 1/2 hours drive to reach this place in time from San Diego. Bring water to drink or buy a drink at the Campo Depot as it gets pretty hot and dry there.

Recommended for big or serious rail fans, otherwise it's quite a long drive for relatively little to offer. The museums in San Diego Balboa Park area offerings have much to recommend and your time would be much better served there instead.

There is another location in Le Mesa which is only a business office, 4695 Nebo Drive, La Mesa, CA 91941-5259, Telephone (619) 465-7776 on weekdays.

Private car is available for a private function if interested. Volunteers interested donating their time and labor are welcomed.

Campo Depot is open weekends from 9am to 5pm.Campo Depot Telephone (619) 478-9937 on weekends.

From journal SAN

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-3 of 3

Compare San Diego Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

San Diego Travel Deals