Santa Fe Depot — Local services in San Diego

he Santa Fe Depot in San Diego has been a significant hub for rail travel since its opening in 1915. Originally built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the depot replaced an earlier Victorian-style station from 1887. The station's design harmonized with the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.

Over the years, the depot has served various passenger trains, including the renowned "San Diegan," which began service in 1938, connecting Los Angeles to San Diego. This route was known for its scenic coastal views and became one of the busiest in the nation. Today, the legacy continues with Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, which still stops at this historic station, offering travelers a blend of modern convenience and historical charm.

The depot's architectural features, such as its twin domes and intricate tile work, remain a testament to its rich history and enduring significance in Southern California's rail network. A beautiful train station - a perfect compliment to the city...

As transit centers, or municipal train stations go, Santa Fe Depot is a nicer piece of historic architecture than it is a living, breathing, transit hub. If you've taken a train to any other major city, you'll know what I mean.

San Diego is a city with a small time feel and that's how our train station acts.

For some reason, it seems like Kettner is always being worked on. If you can get past the homeless population that has taken up residence here you're going to be dealing with a depot with a few vending machines, a small sundry shop and some bathrooms that are rarely in service.

Best thing to do is get in right before your train departs, take a look at some of the art installations, and get yourself promptly to the rails. Just hope your ticketing machine is working because Amtrak is lightly staffing...

I want to ride the system. I have lived here since 2009 and have wanted do ride the system. However, it i impossible to figure out. The AIRPORT of all places has no idea how to tell you. They have no maps to hand out. They have no website to give you.

The second thing is the system is built to send people running for their cars. Whoever did the logistics has you waiting for hours between each bus and train.

Hire someone else to plan the times out and inform, teach, show people how to get where they are going. Start with an app that says "I am here" and ends with "i want to go there". Then a map and directions show up. Or you can continue your empty trains and wonder why no one uses mass transit. Get...