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The old Goleta Railroad Depot, a yellow Victorian building built in 1901, was moved from its former site and now sits amongst gorgeous eucalyptus trees at the South Coast Railroad Museum. The funnest time to come here is on family days when many train enthusiasts happily show you their displays. There is a model railroad with beautiful intricate detail, including a model of the Santa Barbara Railroad Depot, in all its Spanish glory. The train goes around and has real smoke. In another room, a painting of Santa Barbara's mountains, State St, the coast up to Gaviota Beach, and the lemon orchards of Goleta surrounds model trains and buildings that represent the late steam era days. You can learn a lot about Goleta and Santa Barbara's history by asking about the buildings in the exhibit.
Older kids can work the hand caboose. Young kids will enjoy a ride on the circus train, a small diesel train that you can sit on. Skip the steam-engine rides unless you don't mind a lot of fumes.
After your visit, walk next door to the pretty Stow House, the Victorian home with stunning gardens. In the summer there are concerts here on Tuesday nights and it's a pleasant time for a picnic. If it's not a hot day, walk over to Lake Los Carneros where you can feed the ducks and enjoy the mountain views.
If you're hungry, a great place nearby is High Sierra Grill, where kids can watch the planes take off from the warm South-facing patio.
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