Day Trip to San Diego by Train: Things To Do Near the Station

San Diego’s historic Santa Fe Depot is the central train station that connects San Diego to the rest of the California coast. The station is in the middle of one of the most accessible neighborhoods to explore without a car. So board the train, enjoy the beautiful ride along the coastline, and find yourself in one of SoCal’s hottest, most historic areas.

San Diego has long been a vital naval base for the US military. If fascinating museums and California history are what you’re looking for, walk a few short blocks toward the water. Here is our list of 10 fun things near San Diego’s train station.

Take a Tour of the USS Midway

Embarcadero Park is home to the USS Midway Museum, a well-curated museum featuring a fully functional active warship and aircraft carrier, the USS Midway. Visitors can tour the vessel and experience how the servicemen and women lived on board. You can bunk down in the officer’s quarters, sit in the mess hall at the canteen and kitchens, and even climb into some aircraft with flight simulators.

See the 25-foot-tall Kiss Statue

Adjacent to the USS Midway, don’t miss the opportunity for a fantastic photo op below the famous statue of “The Kiss.” The 25-foot sculpture depicts a photograph taken on V-Day in 1945 of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square. Be sure to see this incredibly unique and larger-than-life artwork honoring one of the most iconic images of American history.

San Diego Harbor Tour: Enjoy the Views

Embark on a delightful journey around the bay and relish the breathtaking views of the Coronado Bridge, Point Loma, and the Downtown San Diego skyline. Two harbor cruises are available – a one-hour cruise and a two-hour cruise. The two-hour voyage takes you to the edge of Point Loma and offers a close-up view of the Navy ships docked on North Island.

San Diego Coronado Ferry

You can take the ferry from downtown San Diego near the USS Midway or the Convention Center. The ferry welcomes pedestrians and cyclists and drops you off at the Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace. The ferry boat takes about 15 minutes to cross the bay and runs approximately every 45 minutes. A round trip will cost you ten dollars.

San Diego Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum is home to several historic ships, including the Star of India. This fully restored sailing ship is the world’s oldest active vessel, dating back to the 1860s. It is now on display in San Diego after many years of sailing. Other notable ships on exhibit include The Berkeley, which was built in 1898 and was the first propeller-driven steam ferry, and the Californian, a replica of a mid-19th century revenue cutter that was built in 1984.

Shopping and dining at Seaport Village San Diego

A short half-mile walk along the Embarcadero will take you to Seaport Village. It’s a beautifully constructed reproduction of a fishing village with houses made of wooden shingles and Spanish stucco villas. Seaport Village has many delicious food options, several boutiques selling local crafts and goods, and a stunning, fully operational vintage carousel.

San Diego SEAL Tours

The SEAL tour departs from Seaport Village and the Star of India along the San Diego Bay Embarcadero. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll enjoy a ride in this one-of-a-kind amphibious vehicle. The tour guides are highly knowledgeable and share many interesting facts about San Diego Bay along the way. They also try to crack a few jokes to make the tour more fun and engaging.

8. The Headquarters in San Diego

Just across the street from Seaport Village, you’ll find another collection of shops and restaurants called “The Headquarters.” This area is an excellent destination for experiencing history, food, and shopping. Once serving as the city’s former police headquarters, you can now explore a small, free museum that houses old prison cells, a brief history of the San Diego Police Department, and a “wall of shame” featuring vintage mugshots of prohibition-era convicts and their crimes.

Visit Old Town San Diego

Using the red car trolley system, you can conveniently reach Old Town San Diego from the San Diego train station. The journey takes only ten minutes, and once you get to the Old Town San Diego Station, it’s just a short walk to the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Old Town Trolley Tours

Old Town Trolley Tours is an excellent option if you’re looking for an easy and convenient way to explore San Diego without a car. You can buy tickets at their booth on the waterfront near the USS Midway. The tour stops at ten locations, including Old Town San Diego, Coronado, and the San Diego Zoo. It’s a great way to see the sights and get around town hassle-free.

There are plenty of things to do and see within walking distance of the San Diego train station, so you may want to consider staying overnight to enjoy all the activities.

Fun San Diego Day Trip Ideas

Visit Coronado Island