National City Depot Museum, California
Depot museumOpen Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 4 pm, and by appointment
The National City Depot, built in 1882 by the California Southern and later a Santa Fe station, was the first terminus of transcontinental rail travel in the San Diego area, and today the San Diego Electric Railway Association keeps it open as a museum of the region's streetcar and railroad history.
- Built in 1882
- Oldest rail building in San Diego County
- Still on its original site
- Restored by National City in 1998
- Streetcars from 1890 to 2015
- Four blocks from the Blue Line
National City Depot Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 4 pm, and by appointment; closed major holidays
- Admission
- Admission is not posted online; call (619) 474-4400
- Plan for
- About 1 hour
- Best for
- Streetcar fans, local historians and families riding the trolley
- Best ages
- Ages 3 and up
- Accessibility
- Second floor is office space and closed to the public
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address922 W. 23rd St., National City, CA 91950(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(619) 474-4400
- Websitesdera.org/depot.php(opens in a new tab)
Follow National City Depot Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to National City Depot Museum? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to National City.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Where transcontinental trains first reached San Diego Bay
The California Southern Railroad built this two-story Italianate station in 1882, and it became the first terminus of transcontinental rail travel in the San Diego area. Later a Santa Fe depot, it brought new landowners and new money to the young town of National City, which owes much of its start to the railroad. It is the oldest railroad-related building still standing in San Diego County, and it has never moved: it still sits beside the active Santa Fe tracks, now operated by BNSF.
Over the years the depot was used as a restaurant, and changes from that period piled up. In 1998 the City of National City restored the building to its original 1882 configuration, removing the later alterations. The upstairs, once the railroad's general business office, is now office space, while the ground floor shows off the station's woodwork and its original freight scale.
The City owns the depot, and the San Diego Electric Railway Association runs it under a maintenance and operating agreement. SDERA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit doing business as the San Diego Electric Railway, is devoted to the history of San Diego's main streetcar system, which ran from the late 1800s to 1949. Its volunteers care for the building, lead visitors as docents and keep adding to a collection that now spans 1890 to 2015.
Fine woodwork, a freight scale and the depot's residents
Inside, the restored depot's interior woodwork and details are the first thing many visitors notice. The freight room still has the original wooden platform scale once used to weigh shipments, with some of its parts displayed nearby, and the museum's exhibits focus on San Diego's streetcar and rail history. An O scale model railroad, run by the association's 3-Rail group, is part of the displays.
Outside, the museum calls its historic cars the Depot Residents. San Diego Electric Railway Car 54, one of the oldest, has roots in the city's cable car system and also ran under electric power in the early streetcar days. San Diego Trolley Car 1002, retired not long ago, was one of the first light rail vehicles in the United States. Real trains still pass too: BNSF freight and remote-controlled switching engines serve the nearby port terminal.
Don’t miss
- The 1882 depot buildingA two-story Italianate station on its original site, restored in 1998 to how it looked when built.
- San Diego Electric Railway Car 54One of the museum's oldest cars, linked to San Diego's cable car system and early electric streetcar service.
- San Diego Trolley Car 1002One of the first light rail vehicles in the United States, proof that modern light rail could work in other cities.
- The freight room scaleThe original wooden platform scale used to weigh freight before it was shipped by rail.
- The O scale model railroadA layout operated by the association's 3-Rail group, included in the museum displays.
Streetcars, a model railroad and real freight trains
Kids can look over historic streetcars, watch the O scale model trains run, and check out the giant old freight scale. Real trains add to the fun: BNSF freight and remote-controlled switching engines often roll past the depot on their way to and from the port terminal down the road.
Getting there can be part of the adventure, since the depot is about four blocks west of the San Diego Trolley's National City / 24th St station on the Blue Line. The museum notes that the second floor is office space and not open to the public, so the visit stays on the ground floor.
Plan your visit: tips for National City Depot Museum
- Ride the Blue Line to National City / 24th St and walk about four blocks west.
- Driving: take I-5 south about 10 miles from downtown San Diego and exit at Bay Marina Drive.
- The depot is closed on New Year's Day, Easter, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Call ahead to arrange a weekday visit by appointment.
Volunteers keeping an 1882 depot standing
The San Diego Electric Railway Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, maintains the building and runs the museum under an agreement with the City of National City. Its volunteers do the work, and the association asks for help with donations and hands-on upkeep, since an 1880s building needs constant care against weather and time. Docents are always welcome, and the docent coordinator offers training to anyone with a few hours a month.
Rail history around San Diego
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park is about 5 miles north. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum has its La Mesa Depot about 8 miles away and runs train rides out of Campo, and the Poway-Midland Railroad is about 20 miles north. For the full list, see train museums throughout California.
- San Diego Model Railroad MuseumSan Diego, CA · about 5 mi
- Pacific Southwest Railway MuseumCampo, CA · about 8 mi
- Poway-Midland RailroadPoway, CA · about 20 mi
- Southern California Railway MuseumPerris, CA · about 75 mi
- Fullerton Train MuseumFullerton, CA · about 95 mi
- RailGiants Train MuseumPomona, CA · about 104 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
This depot still stands right beside working tracks, so a freight train might rumble past while you are inside. I picture little ones racing to the windows to watch, the way Rally presses up to the arched window in our book to see the ocean and greet a white bird. Our story's train leaves from San Diego, just up the road from here. Our coloring pages have that window scene ready for crayons.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in California: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in California
- Halloween train rides in California
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at National City Depot Museum?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- National City Depot Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- National City Depot Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- National City Depot Museum on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
National City Depot Museum: 20 questions before you visit
Where is the National City Depot Museum?
The National City Depot is at 922 W. 23rd St., National City, CA 91950, at the corner of Bay Marina Drive and Marina Way. From downtown San Diego, take Interstate 5 about 10 miles south, exit at Bay Marina Drive, go west a block, turn right on Cleveland Ave, then left on West 23rd St to the depot.
What are the National City Depot Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the depot museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm, and by appointment at other times. It is closed on major holidays: New Year's Day, Easter, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Call (619) 474-4400 to set up an appointment.
How much does it cost to visit the National City Depot?
Admission prices are not posted on the museum's website. The San Diego Electric Railway Association is a volunteer nonprofit that relies on donations, so call the depot at (619) 474-4400 to ask about current admission before you go, and consider leaving a donation.
Can you take the trolley to the National City Depot?
Yes. Take the San Diego Trolley Blue Line to the National City / 24th St station. The depot is about four blocks west of the station, an easy walk for most families. It is a fitting way to arrive at a museum devoted to San Diego's streetcar history.
What is the San Diego Electric Railway Association?
The San Diego Electric Railway Association, doing business as the San Diego Electric Railway, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history of the San Diego Electric Railway, the city's main streetcar system from the late 1800s to 1949. It also runs the National City Depot as a streetcar and railroad history museum.
When was the National City Depot built?
The California Southern Railroad built the depot in 1882, and it later served the Santa Fe. It was the first terminus of transcontinental rail travel in the San Diego area. The City of National City restored it to its original 1882 appearance in 1998.
Is the National City Depot the oldest railroad building in San Diego County?
Yes. The museum says the depot is the oldest railroad-related structure still standing in San Diego County, and it remains in its original location beside the former Santa Fe tracks, which BNSF now operates. Its Italianate design was a distinct nineteenth century style.
What streetcars are at the National City Depot?
The museum's Depot Residents include San Diego Electric Railway Car 54, one of its oldest cars, with roots in San Diego's cable car system, and San Diego Trolley Car 1002, one of the first light rail vehicles in the United States. Together the collection spans 1890 to 2015.
Are there real trains at the National City Depot?
Yes. BNSF runs a fair amount of freight in the area, and remote-controlled switching engines often pass the depot. The San Diego Port District terminal down Bay Marina Drive ships cargo from container and car carrier ships by rail across the country, and recent improvements will bring more trains past the depot.
Is there a model railroad at the National City Depot?
Yes. An O scale model railroad exhibit, operated by the San Diego Electric Railway Association's 3-Rail group, is part of the museum displays. It is a good stop for younger visitors and model train fans alike.
Can you go upstairs at the National City Depot?
No. The second floor is used as office space and has no exhibits, so it is not open to the public. In the depot's early days, that floor was the railroad's general business office. The second story is original, not a later addition.
What is the wooden platform in the National City Depot freight room?
It is the depot's original freight scale, used to weigh goods before they were shipped by rail. It is not working now, but some of its components are displayed nearby so visitors can see how it worked.
Who owns the National City Depot?
The City of National City owns the property and the building. The San Diego Electric Railway Association has a maintenance and operating agreement with the city and is responsible for maintaining the building and grounds and running the museum.
Can I rent the National City Depot for an event or meeting?
Yes. The main freight room can hold up to 60 people, though about 30 to 35 is typical. The freight room keeps its original platform scale, which makes for a memorable setting for a club meeting or small gathering. Call the depot staff at (619) 474-4400 to make arrangements and ask about dates and terms.
Is the National City Depot good for kids?
Yes, especially for kids who like streetcars and trains. They can see historic cars, watch the O scale model railroad and spot real BNSF freight trains and switching engines going by. A visit takes about an hour, which suits younger children.
How can I volunteer at the National City Depot?
The museum welcomes docents and helpers. If you have a few hours a month, contact the docent coordinator through the depot staff at (619) 474-4400, and he will set up a training session. Volunteers also help maintain the 1882 building.
How can I support the National City Depot Museum?
The San Diego Electric Railway Association depends on donations and volunteer work to care for the depot and its collection, and its website has Donate and Volunteer pages. Help with building upkeep is especially welcome; call (619) 474-4400 to offer time or skills.
Was the National City Depot ever a restaurant?
Yes. At one point the building was used as a restaurant, and many changes from that period were removed during the 1998 renovation to return it to its original configuration. Over the years it also had awnings and an elevated trackside freight dock.
How long should you spend at the National City Depot?
Plan on about an hour to see the depot interior, the streetcars, the freight scale and the O scale model railroad. Allow a little more if you want to wait and watch for passing BNSF trains, or if you are walking from the trolley station.
What train museums are near the National City Depot?
The San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park is about 5 miles away. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum's La Mesa Depot is about 8 miles away, and its train rides leave from Campo farther east. The Poway-Midland Railroad is about 20 miles north.
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