SoCal Stops for Kids Who Love Trains!
Updated: March 2026
All aboard the Kidsguide Express!
Southern California has everything from miniature park railways to historic locomotives and full museum trains. This guide rounds up family-friendly train rides, railroad museums, and train-themed attractions where kids can climb aboard, explore railcars, and take scenic rides.
We’re taking your train-loving’ family on an adventure across Southern California, chugging along to the best train attractions in the area. Let’s go!
Angels Flight Railway
351 South Hill St., Los Angeles
(213) 626-1901
Ride the world’s shortest railway on this historic funicular in downtown Los Angeles. Opened in 1901, Angels Flight carries passengers up and down Bunker Hill between Hill Street and Grand Avenue and has given more than 100 million rides over the years. The short trip is a fun way to experience a piece of LA history, especially with Grand Central Market right across the street from the lower station. Rides are $1.50 each way, with a $3 souvenir round-trip ticket available, and Metro TAP card users can ride for $0.75.
Balboa Park Miniature Train
1800 Zoo Place, San Diego
(619) 239-4748
Operated by the San Diego Zoo, the Balboa Park Miniature Train takes riders on a three-minute, half-mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park. This rare, antique train is one of only 50 remaining G16 models.
Corona Model Railroad Society
510 W. Foothill Pkwy., Corona
Step into Southern California’s rail history through an HO scale model railroad at Corona Heritage Park. The detailed layout recreates Corona, Riverside, and Fullerton around 1949 – when Corona was known as the “Lemon Capital of the World” and railroads were transitioning from steam to diesel.
Visitors can watch trains run through miniature towns and landscapes during public hours on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, though it’s recommended to check the calendar before visiting if you’re traveling from a distance.
El Dorado Frontier
7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach
(562) 249-8330
Enjoy old-west themed rides and activities designed for family fun. Climb aboard a train and ride through a mine shaft, then explore attractions like a carousel, mine buggy, and gold panning.
The surrounding park also offers plenty more to do, including a nature center, fishing lakes, archery, bike rentals, and a skatepark. It’s a great spot for weekend outings, birthday celebrations, and seasonal events. Park entry fee applies.
Fairplex Garden Railroad
1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona
Watch miniature trains and trolleys travel across more than 10,000 feet of track through detailed scenes of California history from the 1850s to today. Hand-built replicas of real railroad equipment wind through mountains, lakes, streams, and garden landscapes. Multiple trains often run at the same time, creating a lively and immersive display. The railroad is open to visitors during the LA County Fair and on select monthly and special event days – check the website for schedules.
Fullerton Train Museum
200 East Santa Fe Ave., Fullerton
(714) 278-0648
Step aboard historic railcars and walk through the golden era of train travel. Visitors can explore preserved cabooses and beautifully restored passenger cars, including 1940s Union Pacific lounge cars and a streamlined Santa Fe sleeping car from 1951. The collection highlights the railroads that once served Southern California and offers a glimpse into travel before Amtrak and jet planes. The museum is open the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. Admission is free.
Griffith Park Train Rides
4400 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles
(818) 881-2586
Ride miniature trains through Griffith Park on a scenic track that crosses bridges, passes through a tunnel, and winds by an Old Western Town. The trains are 1/4 and 1/3 scale replicas of real locomotives, carrying nearly 500,000 riders each year. Families can also try an interactive simulator ride or explore historic locomotives and railcars nearby at Travel Town Museum. Seasonal events and holiday rides take place throughout the year.
Heritage Park Railroad Exhibit
12100 Mora Drive, Santa Fe Springs
(562) 946-6476
Explore a historic railroad display that highlights the role trains played in the development of Santa Fe Springs. Visitors can see a restored steam locomotive, tender, refrigerated boxcar, and caboose while learning about the city’s railroad past. The exhibit also includes a rose garden, picnic area, and meeting spaces. A restored caboose is available to reserve for small birthday parties, meetings, and special gatherings. The exhibit is open daily from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange
(714) 997-3968
Irvine Park Railroad is a ⅓-scale train that takes visitors on a ride through the historic Irvine Regional Park. Special events are scheduled throughout the year. The park is also home to the OC Zoo and offers party sites, bike and paddle boat rentals, pony and horse rides, hiking, and more. Party sites and jumpers available, reservations required.
Lomita Railroad Museum
2137 W. 250th St., Lomita
(310) 326-6255
Learn about the era of the steam engine at the Lomita Railroad Museum. Exhibits on display include the Southern Pacific Locomotive and Tender, Union Pacific Caboose, Santa Fe Caboose, Union Oil Tank Car, Union Pacific Boxcar, Velocipede hand car, and water tower. Facility rentals available. Check their website for special Family Fun Days. Admission is free.
Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum
5202 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
Ride miniature trains through a 1½-mile railroad tucked inside Griffith Park, where live steam, diesel, and electric model trains run on tracks built by dedicated volunteers. Pass tunnels, bridges, miniature towns, and historic rail displays during the scenic ride. The site also features several full-size railcars and Walt Disney’s original Carolwood Barn, which helped inspire his love of trains. Public rides are offered Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting, with a suggested $4 donation per rider.
Orange County Model Engineers
2480 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa
(949) 548-7246
Ride miniature trains through Fairview Park on scenic tracks that loop through bridges, rolling terrain, and views of surrounding wildlife. The ride lasts about 12–15 minutes and covers two loops around the park for a relaxing outdoor train experience. Free rides are offered the third full weekend of each month, weather permitting. Birthday party reservations are available on Saturday mornings, and a small gift shop offers train-themed toys and keepsakes. Donations are welcome.
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
750 Depot St., Campo
(619) 478-9937
Step aboard vintage trains and experience rail travel from the early 20th century. Visitors can explore historic locomotives, railcars, and artifacts that highlight the history of railroads in the Pacific Southwest. Train rides are offered with volunteer crews operating restored equipment for an authentic experience. Seasonal events like Easter and Halloween train rides take place throughout the year—check the website for details.
Poway-Midland Railroad
14134 Midland Road, Poway
(858) 486-4063
Climb aboard historic train rides at Old Poway Park and experience vintage railroading in action. Visitors can ride behind a restored 1907 Baldwin steam locomotive, a historic cable car, or a classic speeder operated by volunteer crews. Rides typically run Saturdays and Sundays and offer a fun step back in time for families and train enthusiasts. Seasonal events take place throughout the year, and birthday groups can arrange rides for special celebrations.
Rail Giants Train Museum
1101 W Mckinley Ave., Pomona
(909) 623-0190
Explore massive locomotives and historic railcars that helped shape Southern California’s railroad history. The collection includes rare steam engines, freight and passenger cars, and the historic Arcadia Depot, along with a library archive and gift shop. Visitors can see some of the country’s most impressive preserved locomotives, including one of the largest diesel engines ever built. The museum is open free to the public on the second weekend of each month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with special exhibits during the LA County Fair.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
1649 El Prado, San Diego
(619) 696-0199
Explore one of the largest model railroad museums in the world with massive layouts, detailed miniature cities, and trains winding through tunnels and trestles. The 27,000-square-foot museum showcases the history of railroading in Southern California through interactive exhibits and displays. Kids can watch trains run through detailed landscapes and learn how railroads helped shape the region. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult.
Southern California Live Steamers
2290 Washington Ave., Torrance
Ride miniature trains operated by dedicated volunteers at this live steam railroad in Wilson Park. Visitors can watch detailed model locomotives run along the tracks and enjoy a relaxing train ride through the park. Public ride days are typically held the first Sunday and third Saturday of each month, with hundreds of rides given each event. Donations help support the volunteer-run organization and keep the trains running.
Southern California Railway Museum
2201 S. A St., Perris
(951) 943-3020
Explore the West’s largest collection of historic railway equipment, including locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars, and interurban electric trains. Visitors can walk the grounds and see more than 200 railway vehicles that showcase the early days of electric, steam, and diesel transportation around Los Angeles. Train and trolley rides are offered on weekends, along with special events throughout the year like car shows and swap meets. Admission and parking are free.
Travel Town Museum
5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
Explore historic locomotives, railcars, and railroad artifacts at this outdoor transportation museum dedicated to the rail history of the western United States. Visitors can walk among vintage trains and learn how railroads helped shape Southern California’s development. The museum began in the 1950s with the idea of creating a “railroad petting zoo” where kids could imagine themselves as engineers. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and picnic and party areas are available to reserve.
Train Deals & Discounts
Amtrak – Kids Ride 50% Off
(800) 872-7245, Ext. (USA-RAIL)
Travel by train and turn the journey into part of the adventure. Amtrak connects more than 500 destinations across the country and makes it easy to take day trips from local stations to places like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, or Santa Barbara.
Kids ages 2–12 ride for 50% off the adult fare with at least one adult (18+) traveling in the same reservation. Infants under 2 ride free on a lap. Check the website for routes, schedules, and ticket details.
KG Tip: Check out the Kids Activity Center for fun and educational activities.
Metrolink – Kids Ride Free on Weekends
(800) 371-5465
Kids ride free on weekends with Metrolink — up to three children (ages 17 and under) per paying adult. Adults pay just $10 with a SoCal Day pass on weekends. Metrolink also offers free ride days on April 22, 2026 (Earth Day), May 14, 2026 (Bike Day), and October 7, 2026 (California Clean Air Day).
Categories: Blog
This post was written by Kidsguide
5 Comments
I go to Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs quite often. It is a beautiful park to walk around, picnic, or just relax. There are lots of birds and squirrels. It is great for children.
You should check out the Corona Model Railroad Society at Corona Heritage Park in Corona CA. They have an awesome period HO railroad,
Thank you for adding this! This whole post was so helpful and informative!!
Thanks for sharing! My boys love trains & we have experienced quite a few of these on your list but will do more now that we know about them!
That’s amazing, Carrie! Let us know if your family comes across any new places we should add to our list! 🙂