Loading ...“SD on the Cheap” — Model Railroad Museum, Balboa Park
There is something about toy and model trains that can transform a grown man into a version of his 10-year-old self — wide-eyed, goofy-grinned, literally bursting with excitement.
I’ll admit it: Growing up, I used to love when my father set up his childhood trains around the holidays. I would sit for hours watching the Lionel train snake through a toy village, mesmerized by the roar of the engine and the sound of the whistle — all the while eagerly waiting for my turn to operate the train.
But now as a grown woman, the wonder has waned. And so when I heard that there was a museum dedicated to model railroading right here in San Diego, I was dubious. An entire museum? The prospect of spending time inside on a beautiful day staring at trains did not sound entertaining; I just didn’t understand the draw.
That is, until I went. 
After entering the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, I rediscovered what had captivated me as a child. Within minutes, I became a version of my 10-year-old self — wide-eyed, goofy-grinned, bursting with excitement. I found myself just short of running from exhibit to exhibit, searching for the trains, almost giggling when they passed by.
Whether you are a model railroad hobbyist, a parent with train-happy kids, someone looking to relive childhood memories or just plain curious, this unique museum is definitely worth checking out.
Inside the museum, you’ll find the largest indoor model railroad display in the world (at 27,000 square feet). There are four main exhibits that depict railroads of the Southwest in O, HO and N scales (that’s model railroad speak for size), as well as a toy train gallery with the ever-popular Lionel type trains. Each exhibit is designed, constructed and operated by a separate volunteer club. Many are works in progress, so you’ll often find club members working on the models, always ready to chat with visitors about the project or model railroading in general.
But perhaps even more impressive than the trains chugging along on their tracks are the lifelike scenes around them. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are incredible: miniature people mill about outside their houses; classic cars and trucks sit in diner parking lots and gas stations; intricate trestles fill massive gorges; trees cover the distant mountainsides. The scenery in each of the exhibits is truly a work of art.
And as you wander through the museum, you’ll pass collections of rare cars, model railroad paraphernalia and displays celebrating the hobby’s history. The museum also includes a children’s educational and entertainment area, and a separate library stuffed with books, magazines and photographs related to prototype and model railroading.
The stated mission of the San Diego Model Railroad Museum is to preserve the heritage of railroading. It certainly does that and so much more… Read more
“SD on the Cheap” — Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park
It’s no secret that Balboa Park offers an abundance of activities for those seeking affordable fun. Each week, tourists and locals alike flock to the park’s many museums, picnic on its lawns, hike along tree-lined trails, stroll through lush gardens, take in some music or theatre — the list goes on and on.
But an often-overlooked area of the 1,200-acre park is the Spanish Village Art Center. Tucked away between the San Diego Zoo and the Natural History Museum, this hidden gem is definitely worth a visit.
Picture this:
You’ve spent an entire morning navigating the masses along Balboa Park’s chief promenade. You turn off of the main strip and, only steps away, enter a small courtyard lined with quaint buildings and flowering bougainvilleas. In some ways, it seems like you have entered a different world. The crowds disappear. The screams of excited children and equally “excited” adults are replaced by the gentle strum of a harp and a woman’s soft song. Bright, multicolored stones blanket the ground beneath your feet. An overwhelming sense of calm fills the air. You’ve discovered a small sanctuary in the heart of the bustling park.
A creative sanctuary, indeed. The Spanish Village is a collection of 37 working artist studios and galleries, where more than 200 artists from the San Diego area showcase their work and share their love of art. Painters, sculptors, metalsmiths, jewelry designers, clay artists, photographers, mixed-media artists, glass artists, enamel artists — you name it, the Spanish Village has it.
Visitors are welcome to enter the studios, talk to the artists and admire (and purchase) a sampling of their work. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to watch the artists at their craft.
You’re probably wondering how much it costs to attend such an eclectic art show and gain unlimited access to the artists themselves. Well, the answer is absolutely nothing — admission to the village is free.
The original village dates back to 1935, when it was constructed to depict an old village in Spain for the second California Pacific International Exposition. In 1937, a group of artists reopened the village as an art center. During World War II, the military used the cluster of buildings for temporary barracks, and in 1947, artists once again reclaimed the area.
“SD on the Cheap” — PETCO Park
Summer is officially in full swing in San Diego. Schools are out, and the beaches are packed. The tantalizing smell of barbeque fills the air. Festivals and fairs take over neighborhood streets nearly every weekend. June’s gloom has finally passed, and in its wake are lazy days filled with bright sunshine and blue skies … and, of course, large amounts of delicious ice cream.
But perhaps nothing marks the arrival of this favored time of year more than baseball.
Yes, the baseball season officially kicked off months ago. But to many, the sights, sounds and tastes of going to a ball game are quintessential summer. For many San Diegans, it doesn’t get much better than spending a cool summer night at PETCO Park with friends, enjoying a hot dog paired with a cold beer and watching the home team play ball … particularly on those seemingly rare occasions when the Padres win.
But these days money is tight, and many are cutting back on their entertainment spending. The thought of going to a Padres game may set off huge red flags (or should I say large, flashing dollar signs) that make you grip your wallet or purse that much harder — a definite “No” for your budget.
True, the closer you want to be to the action, the more it is going to cost you. But PETCO also offers some wallet-friendly ways to take in a game and support the home team. For all you budget-conscious fans out there, here are some deals to help you enjoy a day or night at the ballpark this summer without breaking your bank.
5 for $5
For some, the biggest deterrent to heading to a game isn’t necessarily the cost of tickets; it’s the notoriously expensive food you buy once you’re there. PETCO offers a “5 for $5″ deal at certain concession stands, where you can get a hot dog, soda, small bag of peanuts, popcorn and a cookie for $5. You can substitute a 16-ounce beer for the soda, but it will cost you $10 for all five items. A bit of warning: I walked by a stand serving up this deal during a recent game, and let’s just say you’ll need to bring some patience while waiting in line for your five tasty treats. The best way to take advantage of this incredible deal is to beat the crowd — arrive early and get your 5 for $5 before the national anthem. Read more
