California railroad depot museums allow visitors to connect with the past and witness the preservation of local history. Most of these historic structures have been relocated from their original locations and restored by volunteers. These museums feature railway artifacts, old photographs, vintage steam engines, and even railroad cars. If you are a train enthusiast, these depots are a must-visit destination.
Oceano Railroad Depot
The Oceano Train Depot Railroad Museum can be found along Highway One in Oceano, which is located in the California Central region. This 1904 Southern Pacific Railroad Station has been beautifully restored and looks even better now than when it served as the central transit hub for Southern San Luis Obispo County. 1650 Front St, Oceano, California.
Lomita Railroad Museum & Depot
The Museum is a residential area a few miles north of Long Beach. It is situated in an old railway depot, which serves as the center of a community park. The Depot showcases an extensive collection of railway artifacts such as conductor hats, railroad lanterns, railroad spikes, clocks, whistles, and photographs—2137 West 250th Street in Lomita, California.
Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum
The Tehachapi Depot Museum is home to a vast collection of train artifacts and information on the train history of the region. While there, you might glimpse a speeding freight train on its way to or from the world-famous Tehachapi loop. The Museum’s admission is free, located at 101 W Tehachapi Blvd in Tehachapi, California.
Goleta Depot, South Coast Railroad Museum
The South Coast Railroad Museum is situated in Goleta, California, just a few miles north of Santa Barbara. Originally located about two miles west of its current address, the 1901 Southern Pacific Railroad Depot now serves as the Museum’s home. 300 North Los Carneros Road, Goleta, California.
Hemet Santa Fe Depot Museum
Volunteers run a small museum located in a historic Santa Fe Depot. The Museum is filled with exciting information, items, and history, allowing visitors to learn about Hemet’s railroading heritage through historical photographs and interactive displays. 100 W Florida Ave, Hemet, California. Website.
San Dimas Depot Pacific Railroad Museum
A visit to this small depot museum offers an opportunity to explore the golden age of rail service in the American Southwest through a wide range of memorabilia and information. If you are interested in local history or the history of trains and railroads, this Museum is well worth your time. 210 W Bonita Ave, San Dimas, California.
Santa Fe Springs Depot – Heritage Square Los Angeles
The Palms-Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was rescued from demolition and relocated from its original spot at National Boulevard and Vinton Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. This station served as a stop for a fifteen-mile Red Car line between Los Angeles and Santa Monica. 12100 Mora Drive, Santa Fe Springs, California.
Santa Susana Park and Railroad Depot
The Museum is located in a historic railroad depot from the 1800s. The Depot was relocated a few miles away to preserve it, but visitors can still see passing trains. The Depot museum features maps, books of photographs, and a miniature railway showcasing Simi Valley’s past. 6503 Katherine Road, Simi Valley, California. Website.
San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum
The Museum is inside the restored 1918 Santa Fe Depot, still used as an Amtrak and Metrolink station. Visitors to the Museum can explore an impressive collection of railroad memorabilia, artifacts, and historic photographs. In addition, model trains are displayed and operated for an interactive experience. The Museum is open Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm; admission is free. 1170 W. Third Street, San Bernardino, California. Website.
Saugus Train Railroad Depot
The Southern Pacific Train Depot was relocated from its original site in 1980 to the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society Heritage Park. In 1982, a Steam Engine from Melody Ranch was transferred to the exact location and now stands alongside the Depot. The Museum not only houses the train depot and steam engine but also serves as the headquarters for the Historical Society. The Museum is open on weekends. 24101 Newhall Avenue, Newhall, California. Website.
Arcadia Depot – RailGiants Train Museum
Rail Giants Train Museum is home to a Santa Fe Station, built in 1887 and initially at First Street and St. Joseph in Arcadia, California. The Depot was generously donated to the Museum in 1969 and relocated to the fairgrounds’ north side. In 1989, the Depot was moved again to its current location at Fairplex, which remains a beloved attraction for our visitors to explore and appreciate. Website.
National City Depot
The Santa Fe station, constructed in 1882, still stands at its original location. The restored two-story building now serves as a railroad museum and model railroad exhibit. Visitors can observe vintage street cars and railroad equipment in the Depot’s yard. The volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable about the trains and trolley cars, making the experience enjoyable and informative. The Depot is at Bay Marina Drive and Marina Way in National City, California. Website.
Goffs Santa Fe Depot
The Mojave Desert Archives Library is housed in a reconstructed Goffs Santa Fe Depot. The original Goffs Depo was built in 1902 at the junction of the Nevada Southern Railroad and the Santa Fe main line through the Mojave Desert. The original Depot was demolished in 1956.
Northern California Train Depot Museums
Laws Railroad Museum
If you’re interested in the history of Owens Valley, you can visit Laws Depot and other preserved buildings. Over 20 structures, railroad artifacts, and farming and mining equipment are displayed here. Old Number 9, The Slim Princess, sits on a narrow-gauge track next to the original train depot. Exploring this excellent museum can take several hours. Bishop, California.
Keeler Depot
Keeler was the southern terminus of the Carson and Colorado narrow gauge Railroad and had a train service until April 1960, when the railroad was shut down. There is no museum here, and the Depot needs to be stabilized and restored. If you’re driving on Highway 395 in Northern California and are interested in historic train depots, it’s worth taking a side trip to Keeler to see this fantastic old train depot.
Fortuna Depot Museum
The Depot Museum is located inside Fortuna’s historic train station, built around 1889. Although the depot is not in its original location, it’s still a fantastic place to take your family to explore Fortuna’s past and the surrounding area’s history. The county seat of Humboldt County is Eureka, located 14 miles south of Fortuna. The Depot Museum’s address is 3 Park St., Fortuna, California.
Niles Depot Museum
The Niles District of Fremont, California, houses the Niles passenger and freight depots, which feature a railroad museum and two model railroad layouts. The station, built in 1901, was restored in 1988 and relocated to Niles Plaza. Like many others, the Miles Depot is in a different location from where it originally stood. The Niles Historic Depot is different from the Niles Canyon Railway. Address: 37592 Niles Boulevard, Fremont, California. Website.
San Leandro Depot
Located in 1898, Southern Pacific Depot was relocated from its original location. This fun little museum boasts one of the largest HO model railroads in the San Franciso Bay Area and an extensive collection of railroad artifacts. Also, the depot is the only public garden railroad in Northern California. 1302 Orchard Avenue, San Leandro, California. Website.
Danville Depot Museum of the San Ramon Valley
The museum is housed in the restored 1891 Southern Pacific Depot in Danville. The Train Depot also serves as the Town of Danville’s Official Visitor Information center. Inside is a model train layout, historic photos, and artifacts from the San Ramon Valley. 205 Railroad Avenue, Danville, California. Website.
You forgot Fortuna Ca
I will be adding Northern California, next week and make sure I include Fortuna.