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Santa Susana Depot and Museum

4.8
ยท167 reviewsยทSimi Valley, United States

Step back in time at the Santa Susana Depot and Museum, a beautifully restored 1903 train station offering historical tours and a captivating model tr...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Saturdays & Sundays, 1-4 PM

Open hours for public access

CrowdMedium
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Depot

Santa Susana Depot and Museum

Best Time

Saturdays & Sundays, 1-4 PM

Open hours for public access

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step back in time at the Santa Susana Depot and Museum, a beautifully restored 1903 train station offering historical tours and a captivating model train display.

4.8
(167 reviews)

"A real holiday of emotions! Met wonderful enthusiasts, charismatic storytellers, and objects collected with love."

Vertical photo
TIP

๐ŸŽฏ Take the Guided Tour

Docents offer passionate tours of the depot and living quarters, sharing fascinating history and movie trivia.

๐Ÿš‚ Kids Love the Model Train

The intricate HO scale model train layout is a major hit with young visitors and train enthusiasts alike.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 ยท 167 reviews

Type

Museum

๐Ÿ‘ถ Good for kidsโ™ฟ Wheelchair accessible๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ Accessible parking๐Ÿšป Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Depot Tour

Historic Depot Tour

Main Depot Building

Step back in time with an engaging tour of the 1903 depot and agent's living quarters. Enthusiastic docents share stories and historical movie memorabilia.

Instagram+1
Model Train Layout

Model Train Layout

Dedicated Room

Marvel at an intricate HO scale model train layout, a captivating display for both kids and adults.

InstagramReddit
Pull the Train Horn!

Pull the Train Horn!

Exterior Platform

Experience the thrill of pulling a real train horn, a memorable interactive moment for all ages.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Weekend Wonders: Plan Your Visit

The Santa Susana Depot and Museum is a charming historical gem, best experienced on weekends when it's open to the public. Arrive early to make the most of your visit, especially if you're bringing children who will delight in the model trains and the chance to pull a real train horn! Instagram

Beyond the Depot: Local Context

While the depot offers a delightful glimpse into the past, it's important to be aware of the surrounding area's complex history, including the Santa Susana Field Laboratory's environmental concerns. Visitors interested in this aspect can find more information online. TikTok+4

Best Times

When
Saturdays & Sundays, 1-4 PM
Why
Open hours for public access
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The #toxicsantasusana gave our daughters cancer and weโ€™re suing #boeing and the #dtsc for a complete cleanup of the site. The judge deliberated today is sheโ€™d throw out our case over a minor technical issue. Weโ€™ll find out in two weeks. #cancermom #ventura #nuclearlosangeles #818 #805 #corporategreed #glioblastoma #nueroblastoma #leukemia
@parentsagainstssfl
9.5K likes โ€ข 53K views

๐ŸŽฏ Take the Guided Tour

Docents offer passionate tours of the depot and living quarters, sharing fascinating history and movie trivia. InstagramReddit

๐Ÿš‚ Kids Love the Model Train

The intricate HO scale model train layout is a major hit with young visitors and train enthusiasts alike. InstagramReddit

the most unique way to explore Ventura County ๐Ÿ›ค๐ŸŠ AD | All aboard the Sunburst Railbikes in Santa Paula! This one-of-a-kind experience takes you along historic rails first built in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad, now reimagined as a railbike adventure through citrus and avocado groves. ๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฎ ๐—ณ๐˜‚๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฒ Hereโ€™s what makes this experience so special:โ€จ๐Ÿ›ค Two-person, electric-assis...
@lewildexplorer
7.8K likes โ€ข 223.2K views
๐Ÿš‚ All aboard for history! The Santa Susana Train Depot isnโ€™t just a museumโ€”itโ€™s a chance to experience Simi Valleyโ€™s past up close. Walk through the original waiting room, see the vintage telegraph and ticket counter, and take in the beautifully restored 1930s design. ๐Ÿ“ Open on weekendsโ€”come explore! #visitsimivalley #simivalley #visitca
visitsimivalley
517 likes โ€ข 28.3K views

๐Ÿ“ข Don't Miss the Train Horn!

A highlight for many, you can actually pull the train horn for an unforgettable experience. Reddit

๐Ÿ’ฐ Donations Appreciated

Support the museum's preservation efforts by making a donation as you exit. Reddit

Link in @lisa_k_entertainment_onyoutube Bio to tour the Santa Susana Railroad Depot and Museum ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿš‚ Lots to experience on: YouTube Channel: Lisa K Entertainment ๐ŸŽฌ๐Ÿš‚ Series: Train Talk with Lisa Awesome tour by Kurt, and a blast from the past of collectibles and storiesโ€ฆ More at: www.LisaKEntertainment.com To sponsor an episode / collaborate: Bookings@LisaKEntertainment.com #santasusana #simi...
lisa_k_entertainment
12 likes โ€ข 352 views

Tips

from all over the internet

๐ŸŽฏ Take the Guided Tour

Docents offer passionate tours of the depot and living quarters, sharing fascinating history and movie trivia. InstagramReddit

๐Ÿš‚ Kids Love the Model Train

The intricate HO scale model train layout is a major hit with young visitors and train enthusiasts alike. InstagramReddit

๐Ÿ“ข Don't Miss the Train Horn!

A highlight for many, you can actually pull the train horn for an unforgettable experience. Reddit

๐Ÿ’ฐ Donations Appreciated

Support the museum's preservation efforts by making a donation as you exit. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.8
(167 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Santa Susana Depot and Museum for its passionate docents and engaging tours, highlighting the historical accuracy and interactive elements like the model trains and train horn. It's described as a delightful and informative stop, especially for families and train lovers, offering a charming glimpse into local history.

"Best depot tour. The docent's enthusiasm and love for the depot is so enjoyable. He gave the best tour, with opportunities to use the telegraph and pull the train horn. I'd recommend stopping here if in Simi Valley. It is a short but enjoyable tour."

Iva Basketball

"Going to this museum I did not expect anything special, but it was a real holiday of emotions! I met wonderful enthusiasts, charismatic storytellers! All these objects, collected with love, reflect life several generations ago. This is a wonderful place to visit with or without children. I will come here again with my friends!"

Juli Davydenko

"Take the tour. The station served the railroads up until the mid-1970s. The historical information and movie memorabilia are worth your time."

Karl Geiger

What People Like

Enthusiastic docents
Interactive tours
Model train layout

What People Dislike

Limited hours

Frequently Asked Questions

๐Ÿš‡ ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Getting There

The Santa Susana Depot and Museum is located in Simi Valley, California. It's easily accessible by car, with parking available nearby. Many visitors arrive via personal vehicle, as it's a popular stop for those exploring Ventura County. Instagram+1

While specific public transport routes can vary, Simi Valley is served by local bus services. Checking the local transit authority's website for routes and schedules is recommended for those relying on public transport. TikTok

The Santa Susana Pass connects Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Driving through the pass offers scenic views, and the depot is a notable landmark within this historic region. TikTok

๐ŸŽซ ๐ŸŽซ Tickets & Entry

The museum is typically open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. It's always a good idea to check their official website or social media for any last-minute changes. Instagram+1

Admission to the Santa Susana Depot and Museum is generally free, though donations are strongly encouraged to support the preservation of this historic site. InstagramReddit

While the provided information focuses on public weekend hours, inquiries about private tours or event bookings can often be made directly with the museum or through their affiliated organizations. Instagram

๐ŸŽซ ๐Ÿงญ Onsite Experience

You can take a guided tour of the historic 1903 depot and the station agent's living quarters, explore an intricate HO scale model train layout, and even pull a real train horn! The museum also features historical movie memorabilia. InstagramReddit+1

Absolutely! Children, especially those who love trains, will be thrilled by the model train display and the opportunity to pull the train horn. The guided tours are also engaging for younger visitors. Reddit

Built in 1903 by the Southern Pacific Railroad, the depot served as a passenger station, telegraph office, and freight depot until its closure in 1974. It's a key piece of Simi Valley's transportation history. InstagramReddit

Yes, the beautifully restored 1930s design of the depot, the vintage telegraph, ticket counter, and the model train layout offer numerous picturesque opportunities. InstagramReddit

While the depot itself is a museum, Amtrak trains still run on the tracks directly in front of it, providing a chance for visitors to see a real train pass by. Reddit

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Food & Dining

The museum itself does not typically offer food services. Visitors are advised to explore the dining options available in downtown Simi Valley or nearby areas before or after their visit. Instagram

While not explicitly stated, it's generally good practice to consume personal food and drinks outside of museum exhibits to help preserve the historical artifacts. Check with staff upon arrival if unsure. Instagram

๐Ÿ“ธ ๐Ÿ“ธ Photography

Photography is generally permitted for personal use, especially to capture the model trains and the historic interior. However, flash photography might be restricted in certain areas to protect artifacts. Instagram+1

The exterior of the restored depot, the vintage ticket counter and telegraph inside, the detailed model train layout, and the platform where Amtrak trains pass by are all excellent photo opportunities. InstagramReddit+1

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Santa Susana Depot and Museum (2026) โ€“ Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide