South Coast Railroad Museum Goleta Day Trip

South Coast Railroad Museum is located in Goleta, California, a few miles north of Santa Barbara. The 1901 Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was originally located about two miles west of its current location.

Boarded up and closed in 1973, the Goleta Valley Historical Society took up the task of saving this historic train depot. In late 1981, enough funds had been raised to move the building two miles to East Lake Los Carneros County Park.

Miniature train and handcar rides are the South Coast Railroad Museum’s most popular visitor attractions. The Goleta Short Line miniature train ride operates on the third Saturday of every month, 1-3:50 p.m. (call museum for current schedules).

Inside the depot are a small HO  train layout, books, photos, and railroad artifacts from around the Santa Barbara area. Adjacent to the depot is a Southern Pacific caboose, which you can visit when the museum is open. There are also a couple of picnic tables on the property.

South Coast Railroad Museum Events

Goleta Bunny Express, Goleta Depot Railroad Day, Depot Dog Days. Goleta Depot Open House and the holiday Candy Cane Train. Handcars and miniature trains operate during most museum special events. The museum can also host a children’s birthday party with reservations.

The South Coast Railroad Museum is located about two miles from Santa Barbara Airport and about one mile from the Goleta train station, served by Amtrak trains traveling north of Los Angeles.

The Goleta Train Depot is listed on the California Register of Historical Resources and is a Santa Barbara County Historical Landmark (No. 22). Admission to the museum is free.

Getting There

From downtown Santa Barbara, drive seven miles north on U.S. 101 to the Los Carneros Road exit. Turn right (toward the mountains) and go about 0.2 miles. The South Coast Railroad Museum is open Friday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Address: 300 N Los Carneros Rd., Goleta, CA 93117.

More Fun Things To Do In Santa Barbara

Travel Town Griffith Park

Southern California Railway Museum