San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum, San Luis Obispo

Set in a restored 1894 freight house, the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum focuses on the rail history of California’s Central Coast. Inside, the exhibits span everything from a Southern Pacific boxcar to a classic Pullman café/observation car, along with express wagons, signal equipment, and early telegraph devices. Archival photographs line the walls, while switch stands and locomotive bells help convey the texture of daily operations. The building itself is among the oldest railroad structures in the county, underscoring the museum’s commitment to historical preservation.

A highlight of the museum is the developing 1,200-square-foot Central Coast Model Railroad, a detailed layout depicting the routes and towns once served by the Southern Pacific and Pacific Coast Railway. Interpretive displays cover rail links to Surf, Santa Maria Valley, Port San Luis, and other key points in the region’s rail network. A small research library and archival collection, including documents and oral histories, supports ongoing education efforts. Museum hours are limited, but special events in spring and fall offer broader access and occasional programming for families.