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About Santa Fe Depot in San Diego

Take a step back in time at the historic San Diego train station. The Santa Fe Depot, named for the railway company that built the station, first welcomed passengers to San Diego in 1915.

The station’s Spanish Colonial Revival architecture features a domed interior and decorative accents that echo nearby missions. Many of the original fixtures have stood the test of time, including elaborate tile work, redwood beam ceilings, old oak benches, and more.

Today, the Santa Fe Depot remains the city’s main transit center. The station serves Amtrak trains, a few commuter trains, and various local bus and trolley lines.

Whether San Diego is your final destination or just a stopover on your journey, our handy guide to the Santa Fe Depot has everything you need to know about this iconic train station.

1050 Kettner Boulevard

San Diego, CA 92101

(800) 872-7245


Hours

5:15 AM to 1:00 AM


Exterior of Santa Fe Depo in San DiegoSanta Fe Depot location in San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions

The train station in San Diego is located in the downtown area near the waterfront. The station is sandwiched between Little Italy to the north and the Gaslamp district to the southeast.

The Santa Fe Depot’s official address is 700 W Broadway, San Diego, CA, and the main entrance is located on the station’s south side off Kettner Blvd and Broadway. There is also a smaller entrance further north off Kettner Blvd.

Santa Fe Depot is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown San Diego and is easily accessible by public transportation.

The Blue and Green San Diego Trolley lines serve the station, and more connections are available at the American Plaza Station, located directly across from the Santa Fe Depot. There are also numerous local bus lines that connect the station to various destinations around San Diego.

If you’re coming from further afield, the station is a major stop for Coastal commuter trains and Amtrak.

There is no official taxi stand at the Santa Fe Depot, but there are usually several taxis lined up across the street from the Kettner Blvd entrance. Taxis are typically available from mid-morning to mid-evening, so you may need to call ahead if you need a ride in the middle of the night.

Both Lyft and Uber service the Santa Fe Depot, and there is a convenient loading zone right outside the main entrance.

From the train station, an Uber to Balboa Park or to Old Town San Diego usually starts at $10.

There are a few ways to get from the Santa Fe Depot to the San Diego International Airport (SAN), which are about 3 miles away from each other.

The cheapest way is to hop on the 992 bus which takes about 25 minutes from the train station to the airport. The bus operates daily and runs at 30 minute intervals for most of the day, and 60 minute intervals in the early mornings and late evenings.

If you prefer to ride in comfort, you can always order a ride share or taxi to the San Diego airport, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic.

Balboa Park and its many museums are about a mile from the Santa Fe Depot, and there are several ways to get back and forth.

If you want to stretch your legs after a long train trip, you can walk from the station. It would take about 30 minutes to get to the park entrance, and a little longer to get to the San Diego Zoo inside.

You could also hop on the 215 or 7 bus, each of which would get you to the center of the park in about 20 minutes.

The quickest option is to jump in a cab or rideshare for the snappy 6-minute drive from the Santa Fe Depot to Balboa Park.

The San Diego train station’s downtown address means that there are tons of things to do nearby, no matter how short your layover.

You could make your way to the San Diego Bay for a quick breath of fresh air, and if you have extra time to kill, pop into the USS Midway Museum, grab some fresh oysters, or explore the waterfront parks.

Horton Plaza is also just a few blocks from the Santa Fe Depot and features tons of retail stores, plus some great bars and restaurants.

If all you have time for is a quick pint before your connection, make your way right across the street and grab a self-serve brew from the Hidden Craft Brewery.

Amenities

Parking

There is no parking available directly at the Santa Fe Depot, but there are tons of parking lots and garages nearby. Street parking is also available. The America Plaza public parking garage is the closest to the station, with day parking available for $30.

Wi-Fi

Unfortunately, WiFi is not available at the Santa Fe Depot. You may see an option to connect, but it is notoriously disconnected, and you most likely won’t be able to gain access. Instead, consider downloading some entertainment in advance and binge your new show offline.

Baggage Storage

Temporary baggage storage is available at the Santa Fe Depot. Amtrak will store your bags for up to 24 hours while you get out and explore. Amtrak passengers will pay $10 per bag, and other travelers are charged $20 per bag.

Restaurants

There are no restaurants within the San Diego train station, though there is a small cafe and a few vending machines. Head across the street to American Plaza for more dining options, or if you have more time, grab a bite in Little Italy.

Waiting Area

The waiting area at the Santa Fe Depot includes original oak benches, and there are also a few benches on the fresh-air platforms in front of the train tracks. Note that there is no premium lounge available at this station.

Accessibility

The Santa Fe Depot is all on one single level, and the entrances are flat and wheelchair-accessible. Handicap parking is available across the street from the main entrance on Kettner Blvd. There is also an accessible ticketing booth and restrooms.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available on the east side of the Santa Fe Depot. Admittedly, the restrooms at the station could use an upgrade. They'll work in an emergency, but you may want to seek out a better option if you have time.

Convenience Stores

The station has one convenience store with snacks, coffee, fresh sandwiches and more. If you’d like a little more variety, there’s a 7-Eleven just a few blocks away off of India St. The closest pharmacy is a Rite Aid located about a 5 min walk north of the station.

Inside the Station

The Santa Fe Depot is located between the city center and the waterfront, with the San Diego Airport just a few miles north. The station’s main entrance is on the southern side, on the corner of Kettner Blvd and Broadway. The layout of the station is pretty straightforward. Once you enter the Santa Fe Depot, the airy main waiting area includes seating, restrooms, an information desk and various amenities. The Amtrak counter is directly across from the main entrance. Trains depart from the tracks outside the station's west side. Local trolleys use the track closest to the station, the Coaster commuter rail departs from the center track, and Amtrak trains use the track furthest from the building. Buses depart from outside the station along Kettner Blvd.

Exterior platform at the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego
Exterior platform at the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego

Near Santa Fe Depot in San Diego

  • Distance to San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal

    0.2 mi

  • Distance to USS Midway Museum

    0.4 mi

  • Distance to Seaport Village

    0.5 mi

  • Distance to Petco Park

    1 mi

  • Distance to San Diego Zoo

    1.7 mi

  • Distance to San Diego International Airport

    1.8 mi

Train Carriers at Santa Fe Depot San Diego

The Santa Fe Depot is San Diego’s most bustling transit center, with bus, trolley, Coaster commuter rail, and Amtrak services.

Tram lines that pass through the station include the San Ysidro - UTC line and the Santee - 12th & Imperial line.

Local bus lines that stop at the Santa Fe Depot stop along Kettner Blvd include 83, 215, 225 and 235.

  • The Santa Fe Depot is Amtrak’s only station in San Diego. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains and occasional Thruway buses make use of the Santa Fe Depot.

    The Amtrak customer service and ticketing desk is located in the main concourse of the Santa Fe Depot. This is also where you can drop off your luggage, if you’re checking bags on an Amtrak trip.

  • The Santa Fe Depot in San Diego is the southern terminus of Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner route, which runs along the coast of California.

    There are multiple departures from the Santa Fe Depot daily, including 10 trains between San Diego and L.A. and 3 trains between San Diego and Santa Barbara daily.

    The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner departs from the tracks furthest from the main waiting area of the Santa Fe Depot.

Top routes from Santa Fe Depot

DestinationDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Oceanside

16

0h 50m

$17.63

Anaheim

19

2h 28m

$30.13

Los Angeles

36

3h 53m

$36.90

Santa Barbara

7

6h 31m

$50.57

San Luis Obispo

4

9h 0m

$68.31

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