Museum Programs & Activities
Goleta Depot is a Victorian-styled Southern Pacific Railroad station, built in 1901 by the Southern Pacific Railroad. The historical landmark and architectural treasure is located at picturesque Lake Los Carneros County Park.
Hours: 1 to 4 pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The museum is closed every year on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
Admission free; donations are requested. Group tours available by advance reservation.
The museum features refurnished rooms and station grounds, and a variety of informative displays, hands-on exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia.
Museum Attractions:
- RIDES on the "Goleta Short Line" Miniature Train and Museum Handcar (MORE ABOUT RIDES)
- "Railroading on the South Coast" is a 300-sq.-ft. HO-scale model-railroad exhibit, which gives visitors a nostalgic look at local railroading during the era of the steam-train. Made possible by a grant from the Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation.
- Gandy Dancer Theater has a daily schedule of travel films and rail-theme documentaries. There are special showings every Sunday and Thursday: Check the SCHEDULE for current and future months' film offerings. Admission is free. Please call for reservations.
- Bay-window caboose (S.P. No. 4023) and station yard track.
- Trackside Shop offers a fine selection of local history and railroad books, toys and games, videos, clothing, party supplies, and gifts for all ages.
- Amtrak Tickets may be purchased at the museum.
- Picnic Area available on the museum grounds.
- Rail Tours escorted by the museum for school groups, members, and the general public.
- Membership includes museum store and train-ride discounts and our quarterly newsletter, the "Depot Dispatch." Ask about the "Junior Engineer's Club" memberships for boys and girls.
Calendar of Coming Events and Activities