The San Diego Model Railroad Museum is a hidden gem located in Balboa Park. It is a must-visit for any train enthusiast or anyone who loves to see amazing works of miniature craftsmanship.

The museum features over 27,000 square feet of model railroad exhibits, including a large layout of Southern California's railroad history, a detailed depiction of the San Diego Zoo, and a circus train exhibit. There are also several smaller layouts that focus on specific topics, such as the history of the Santa Fe Railway or the construction of the Panama Canal.

The exhibits are all beautifully detailed and meticulously maintained. The attention to detail is truly amazing, from the tiny locomotives and cars to the realistic scenery. It is easy to get lost in the world of the model trains and forget that you are not actually in a real train station.

The museum also has a variety of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn more about the history of railroads and how model trains work. There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs and model trains. This gift shop needs some work - the gifts are not worth buying unfortunately!

There is a small room where an employee sings nursery rhymes for little kids and that part is lot of fun! Kids interact with some wooden trains and they absolutely love it!

I highly recommend the San Diego Model Railroad Museum to anyone who is interested in trains or miniature modeling. It is a great place to spend a few hours learning about the history of railroads and enjoying the beauty of miniature craftsmanship.

Note: Parking is a bit tight. We ended up parking at the zoo and walked our way to Balboa park where the museum is.