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…

Location
The Model Railroad Museum is located in the heart of Balboa Park, on the lower level of the Casa de Balboa on the Prado.

Cost
Admission is $6.00 for adults; $5.00 for seniors (65+); $3.00 for students with ID; and $2.50 for active military with ID. Children under 15 years of age get in free when accompanied by an adult.

San Diego County residents, visit the museum on the first Tuesday of the month and get in free. Out-of-county residents pay regular admission prices.

Hours
The museum is open on Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The kids’ educational area is open every Tuesday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except on the first Tuesday of the month.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.sdmodelrailroadm.com/

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.

Today the historical village remains a celebration of all things art. It is home to the San Diego Potters’ Guild, Art Glass Guild of San Diego, Sculptors’ Guild, Enamel Guild, Southwestern Artist Association and the San Diego Woodcarvers’ Guild. The center also offers classes for aspiring artists both young and old.

Artists at work in their Spanish Village studio.

So next time you find yourself in Balboa Park, take some time to stroll around the Spanish Village and meet some of the city’s finest artists — or just take a break from the crowds, relax in the courtyard and breathe in the creativity. Whether you’re an artist, an art lover or hopelessly inartistic, you can’t help but be inspired.

Spanish Village Art Center
1770 Village Place
San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.spanishvillageart.com

The village is open to the public every day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except on Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day).

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.

Park Pass

For only $5 ($7 if purchased on the day of the game), you can get a park pass, which gives you access to all of PETCO, including various standing-room areas where you can watch the game. Those with children should check out the Park at the Park, located just beyond the outfield fence. There you’ll find a little league infield and kids’ play area as well as Picnic Hill, where you can enjoy the game while lounging on your favorite blanket (warning: the views are somewhat limited, but there is a big screen showing the game behind the pitcher’s eye backdrop in centerfield).

Bleachers

Another family-friendly area, the bleacher seats ($9 to $10) are just beyond the right field fence. This section includes “The Beach,” a large sandbox where children can play during games. “The Beach” actually shares PETCO’s right center field wall, so kids can come extremely close to real big-league outfielders.

2-for-1 Getaway Days

View from Picnic Hill

For those who can play hooky from work and get to the park for a weekday afternoon game, check out the 2-for-1 deal: Get two tickets for the price of one in four seating areas (Field Reserved, Toyota Terrace Reserved, Upper Infield Reserved and Upper Reserved). You also get 2-for-1 Wienerschnitzel hot dogs.

Coca-Cola Value Weekends

For any regular-season home game on Friday through Sunday, you can purchase an Upper Reserved ticket, hot dog and a Coke for only $12. Just take your ticket voucher to one of PETCO’s concession stands, and you’ll walk away with a meal.

All-You-Can-Eat Seats

For hungry fans, the park offers the all-you-can-eat seats located in the upper right field sections ($31 to $38) and the rooftop of the Western Metal Supply Co. building, which provides great views of the entire park from left center field ($49 to $52). The menu includes hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, ice cream and soda. A warning for those with insatiable appetites: Word on the street is that ridiculously long lines can often make it difficult to truly get all you can eat.

Toyota Terrace Pavilion

A ticket in the Toyota Terrace Pavilion (sections 219, 221 or 223) costs around $45, but the price includes $20 worth of ballpark concessions or merchandise value. And the concourses are usually much less crowded.

Other Discounts

Children under 36 inches in height are admitted free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. The catch is that they can’t occupy an additional seat; they have to sit in your lap during the game. The park also offers discounts for groups of 25 or more, members of the military, and seniors 60 years and older.

Whatever kind of ticket you buy, be sure to get it ahead of time — tickets purchased on the day of the game will cost you an additional $2 to $5 a piece. And consider taking the trolley or the COASTER to the game — you’ll save money on gas and parking and help out the environment, which is never a bad thing. And you can get a discount for taking public transportation, providing you show them your receipt or ticket stub at the box office upon purchasing tickets.

So get out to PETCO and support the hometown team. Go Padres!

PETCO Park
100 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101
619.795.5000

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com