CENTRAL CALIFORNIA COAST GARDEN RAILROAD SOCIETY

San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden - Free Day
2024-06-09 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California, 93405, United States
Join us during our first garden train display at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden! All the trains you love to watch will be joined by a special group of eggliners decorated as butterflies and bees for this seasonal Pollinator Event. Of course, we have a ladybird beetle joining the group as well.
El Chorro Regional Park charges a $3 per vehicle admission fee on weekends and holidays from April through September. Parking lots are located directly across from the garden.

July Luncheon
2024-07-03 11:30 - 13:30 | Shell Beach Brewhouse, 1527 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, CA, 93449, United States
The Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society members and friends meet monthly to socialize and share a good meal with friends and colleagues. Attendees connect with local hobbyists, learn information important for the success of your garden railroad, and discover new opportunities, while supporting local small businesses.
Guests are always welcome, but please let us know in advance if you plan to attend. We would like to include you in reservation we provide to the restaurant prior to our visit.
Contact us at contact@cccgrs.org for more details about this month’s CCCGRS luncheon.

Charles Paddock Zoo Ice Cream Zoofari Train Display
2024-07-13 17:30 - 20:00 | Central Coast Zoo, 9305 Pismo Avenue, Atascadero, CA, 93422, United States
Cool down on a warm summer evening at the Charles Paddock Zoo (Atascadero) while you enjoy a our special garden railroad layout as part of the popular annual Ice Cream Zoofari event.
Set-up: 3:30-5:30 PM
Ice Cream Zoofari Festivities: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden - Free Day
2024-07-14 10:00 - 14:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California, 93405, United States
Large scale trains running on display at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden!
El Chorro Regional Park charges a $3 per vehicle admission fee on weekends and holidays from April through September. Parking lots are located directly across from the garden.

August Luncheon
2024-08-07 11:30 - 13:30 | Rancho Nipomo BBQ, 108 Cuyama Ln, Nipomo, CA, 93444, United States

Garden Trains Display
2024-09-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Historic Jack House & Gardens, 536 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401, United States
We invite you to enjoy a operating display of garden trains in the beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding the historic Jack House in San Luis Obispo. The Jack House is a unique piece of California’s elegant and colorful past which will transport visitors back to the Victorian era. The Jack family holds history with some of the most prominent players in the drama of Central California development.
This special event will provide guests with a preview of some of the model railways to be featured in the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival.

CLOSED: MNL Railroad
2024-10-04, 2024-10-05 | MNL Railroad, 135 Big Canyon Court, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420-5101, United States
This location will not be open as scheduled for the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival. Please visit other garden railroads in the adjacent Arroyo Grande area.
The MNL Railroad is a free-lance railroad sited on sloping terrain overlooking the picturesque Arroyo Grande Creek Valley. This garden railroad measures 80 ft. x 80 ft. with 700 ft. of track plus sidings. It features three swale-spanning bridges, a covered trestle with three tracks including a 70-ft. long storage track within the “mountainside”, a 13 ft. x 20 ft. lake fed by a waterfall that the train runs behind, a mountain/canyon section, and a large industrial area. Recent additions include several town street and park scenarios and dozens of scale figures. A separate upper track spans a large canyon on a suspension bridge.
See a detailed description of the MNL Railroad here.

Central Coast Railroad Festival - 2024
2024-10-04 - 2024-10-06 | CA
The Central Coast Railroad Festival (CCRRF) is a broad based festival which focuses on railroading of many types with an eye towards the beauty of the central coast of California.
The Festival is designed to attract the attention of avid and casual rail fans as well as curious folks from across the Western United States. It presents historical, educational and recreational events for local citizens, the area’s large population of second homeowners and visitors. The visibility of all local rail entities as well as railroading in general is elevated and enhanced by the Festival. A cooperative spirit is developed among all participating organizations to promote their mutual well-being and to expand interest in all things rail!

Conejo & Tortuga Railroad Open Day
2024-10-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Conejo & Tortuga Railroad, 548 Moss Avenue, Paso Robles, CA, 93446-2766, United States
In conjunction with the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Conejo and Tortuga Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
The Conejo and Tortuga Railroad is a free-lance designed layout of approximately 270 ft consisting of a large mountain and a distinctly mid 20’s western ghost town inspired by the movie “Rango”. The layout has recently undergone some major changes and additions such as the replacement of 10 feet of underground tunnel structure and addition of a spur line to a silver mine. The railroad is battery-powered only and operated using the Revolution 2.4GHz Train Engineer Transmitter and Revolution 2.4GHz On Board Receivers. All turnouts and turntable are hand operated. Welcome Aboard.

Cascade Peak & Buena Vista Railway Open Day
2024-10-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Cascade Peak & Buena Vista Railway, 6450 Park Hill Road, Santa Margarita, CA, 93453-8625, United States
In conjunction with the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Cascade Peak and Buena Vista Railway will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
The inspiration for our central California garden railway is the “Happiest Place On Earth.” Not one you might visit today, but one you knew growing up – or might have known if plans had developed as intended. This freelance 2300 sq. ft. layout is sighted above a “counter height” retaining wall. Denver and Rio Grande Western (LGB) rolling stock still operate under that historic herald on this tourist destination line. As with most projects of this scope, ours will never truly be finished, but the Main Street Trolley (50 ft.), perimeter loop (365 ft.), and Mine Train around through Nature’s Wonderland (100 ft.) are now complete. We invite you to preview these lands, in the hope you will return and share the excitement as our story unfolds.
See a detailed description of the Cascade Peak and Buena Vista Railway here.

Large Scale Model Train Display
2024-10-05 10:00 - 16:00 | San Luis Obsipo Railroad Museum, 1940 Santa Barbara Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401, United States
In conjunction with the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society will host a large scale model train display for enjoyment of the general public.
The Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society (CCCGRS) joins the festival hosts at the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum operating a display of large-scale model trains suitable to run both in- and outdoors in your garden. These trains can operate with power from the track, power from on-board batteries (just like your electric vehicle) or from steam. You can control these trains from a dedicated remote, your mobile phone or even your computer. Look for whimsical “egg liners”, a popular, small railcar available in dozens of colors, patterns and themes. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the rewarding hobby of garden railroading from friendly people who share your passion for all things trains.

Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad Open Day
2024-10-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad, 409 Corralitos Road, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420-4929, United States
In conjunction with the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
Welcome to the Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad, one of the newest garden railroads on the central coast. This folded dogbone layout includes over 350 feet of mainline with 4-foot minimum radius curves and a maximum 3% grade supported on a “ladder-style” roadbed. Custom crafted cliffs and rock faces artistically create a natural backdrop, while drought tolerant plants fill the scene. Future additions will include the Village of Arroyo Grande, along with mining and petroleum industries. Chuck and Judith have visited countless garden railroads, attended workshops and invested years planning this “model railroad for the garden.” They are eager to share with visitors how they incorporated a garden railroad into their central coast landscape.

Monarch & Sand Railroad Open Day
2024-10-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Monarch & Sand Railroad, 480 Dixson Street, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420, United States
In conjunction with the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Monarch and Sand Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
Lucinda and I welcome you to the M&SRR. During your visit, adults can enjoy our Airwire-controlled locomotives from our patios and our decomposed granite pathways while the consists circulate on 300 feet of track, including a mainline, a yard, a loop, a wye, and an agricultural siding. Children (without adult meddling!) can operate a locomotive and cars on our farm diorama, giving cats, cows, and ducks rides around the farm. We hope everyone will enjoy our circus diorama and our operating Western-Cullen-Hayes No. 333 Crossing Bell. We look forward to your visit. Full Disclosure: As railroads are in real life, the M&SRR is subject to unpredictable toxic derailments, especially frequent in the months following Fourth of July fireworks sales.

The Californian Railroad Open Day
2024-10-05 10:00 - 16:00 | S & P Californian, 873 Via Seco, Nipomo, CA, 93444-5426, United States
In conjunction with the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Californian Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
The garden railway features a 1/5 scale version of Walt Disney’s Carolwood Pacific Barn, a miniature train station and passenger platform and the towns of Succulent, Fountain, Willow and Solvang, a European style village. The lower loop has over 150 feet of track and two reversing loops. The upper loop has over 150 feet of track and “S” curves traveling through giant redwood and miniature Alberta spruce trees. The HO double deck layout features model areas of San Francisco including a 3D printed Golden Gate Bridge. Painted Ladies, Ferry Building, and Coit Tower, Disneyland has main street station, fire house, castle, and the haunted mansion, a Sierra Nevada style mining area, small towns, industrial areas and a circus.

Orcutt & Islay Creek Railroad Open Day
2024-10-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Orcutt & Islay Creek Railroad, 246 Eastbourne Terrace, Santa Maria, CA, 93455-3622, United States
In conjunction with the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Orcutt and Islay Creek Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
The Orcutt & Islay Creek Railroad in Santa Maria, California is one of the longest, continuous operating garden railroads on the central coast. This “could have happened” railroad is modeled in the spirit of the Pacific Coast Railway, a 3-ft. narrow gauge railway that connected Port Hartford to Los Olivos via San Luis Obispo and other communities. The railroad is designed specifically to accommodate the unique needs of live steam locomotives and their consists. Thoughtful planning and construction allow easy roadbed and track maintenance, and continuous accessibility to rolling stock in motion. Kit and kit-bashed structures are gradually being replaced with scratch-built features, many of which include lighting and other effects.

Mountain View Railroad Open Day
2024-10-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Mountain View Railroad, 1905 View Drive, Santa Ynez, CA, 93460, United States
In conjunction with the 2024 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Mountain View Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, the Mountain View Railroad combines the charm of large-scale model trains in the garden, full-sized railroad artifacts and breathtaking views of Figueroa and Grass Mountains. Garden walkways allow visitors to follow model trains through forests of dwarf trees. Trains cross bridges, pass custom-built buildings and circumnavigate a koi pond. Also featured in the garden is a full-size caboose and line shack. An impressive collection of railroad related items compliments the garden railroad, including a railroad lamp and lantern collection, operating railroad signals and other nostalgic ephemera. The railroad is divided into two sections. Trains operate by both on-board battery power as well as track-power.

Canceled: October Luncheon
2024-10-09 11:30 - 13:30 | CA
Please consider joining our “Celebration of the Season” later this month.
Contact us at contact@cccgrs.org for more details about this month’s CCCGRS luncheon.

November Luncheon
2024-11-06 11:30 - 13:30 | Rooster Creek Tavern, 200 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420, United States

Holiday Gathering
2024-12-04 11:30 - 13:00 | Milestone Tavern, 972 Foothill Boulevard, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
The Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society members and friends meet monthly to socialize and share a good meal with friends and colleagues. Attendees connect with local hobbyists, learn information important for the success of your garden railroad, and discover new opportunities, while supporting local small businesses.
Guests are always welcome, but please let us know in advance if you plan to attend. We would like to include you in reservation we provide to the restaurant prior to our visit.
Contact us at contact@cccgrs.org for more details about this special CCCGRS gathering.

Charles Paddock Zoo Holiday Magic Train Display
2024-12-21 08:00 - 14:00 | Central Coast Zoo, 9305 Pismo Avenue, Atascadero, CA, 93422, United States
CCCGRS returns to the Charles Paddock Zoo (Atascadero) to present a holiday garden railroad layout as part of the popular annual Holiday Magic celebration.
Set-up: 8-10:00 AM
Holiday Magic Festivities: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Pacific Coast Region NMRA Convention
2025-03-27 - 2025-03-30 | CA
Garden railroads of the central California coast will be among the destinations enjoyed by convention delegates.
Visit the convention site for more details.

Charles Paddock Zoo Ice Cream Zoofari Train Display
2025-06-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Central Coast Zoo, 9305 Pismo Avenue, Atascadero, CA, 93422, United States
Cool down on a warm summer evening at the Charles Paddock Zoo (Atascadero) while you enjoy a our special garden railroad layout as part of the popular annual Ice Cream Zoofari event.
Set-up: 3:45-5:00 PM
Ice Cream Zoofari Festivities: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

"The Garden Express" Family Free Day
2025-07-13 10:00 - 14:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, California, 93405, United States
Experience a special display of large scale trains during the July Family Free Day at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.
El Chorro Regional Park charges a $3 per vehicle admission fee on weekends and holidays from April through September. Parking lots are located directly across from the garden.

Central Coast Railroad Festival - 2025
2025-10-03 - 2025-10-05 | CA
The Central Coast Railroad Festival (CCRRF) is a broad based festival which focuses on railroading of many types with an eye towards the beauty of the central coast of California.
The festival is designed to attract the attention of avid and casual rail fans as well as curious folks from across the Western United States. It presents historical, educational and recreational events for local citizens, the area’s large population of second homeowners and visitors. The visibility of all local rail entities as well as railroading in general is elevated and enhanced by the Festival. Of course, this is a special opportunity for festival participants to enjoy open days at several CCCGRS garden railroads. A cooperative spirit is developed among all participating organizations to promote their mutual well-being and to expand interest in all things rail!

M & M On Main Street Railroad Open Day
2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:00 | M & M on Main Street Railroad, 250 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA, 93442-2715, United States
In conjunction with the 2025 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the M & M On Main Street Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
The M & M on Main Street Railroad consists of a large irregular shaped oval with approximately 225 ft. of track divided into a single main with three by-pass tracks. Minimum and maximum radius of the curves are 2 ½ ft. and 3 ft., respectively. Several scratch-built structures, including houses, movie theater and retail shops have been added to honor their 14 grandchildren, 4 children and their spouses. Each engine is battery powered and radio controlled. To accommodate the various elevation of the yard, there are two, not yet complete, (but functional), trestle loops, and a ten-foot bridge.

Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad Open Day
2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad, 409 Corralitos Road, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420-4929, United States
In conjunction with the 2025 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
Welcome back to the Arroyo Grande Valley Railroad! This folded dogbone layout includes over 350 feet of mainline with 4-foot minimum radius curves and a maximum 3% grade supported on a “ladder-style” roadbed. Custom crafted cliffs and rock faces artistically create a natural backdrop, while drought tolerant plants fill the scene. This central coast garden railroad debuted to the public during the 2024 CCRRF. Returning visitors are certain to delight in additions made to the scenery over the past 12 months. Chuck and Judith have visited countless garden railroads, attended workshops and invested years planning this “model railroad for the garden.” They are eager to share with visitors how they incorporated a garden railroad into their central coast landscape.

The Longhorn Railroad Open Day
2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Longhorn Railroad, 5686 Loma Real, Paso Robles, CA, 93446-9409, United States
In conjunction with the 2025 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Longhorn Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
The Longhorn Railroad is named after our beloved pet Longhorn cow! Tim has dreamed of building a G gauge railroad for over 30 years, and finally, that dream is coming to life. The railroad design is centered around fun and accessibility. We built elevated benchwork throughout to support the track. The layout includes a large main yard, featuring a “Timesaver” switching puzzle, as well as a 230-foot main line that loops around trees and the yard, next to the shop and “Man Room”! Track power is available for visiting neighbors and friends to run their own trains; however, we’re in the process of transitioning to RailPro control with power from onboard batteries. We are excited to expand the railroad over time – this is just the beginning!

CCCGRS Large Scale Model Train Display
2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:00 | San Luis Obsipo Railroad Museum, 1940 Santa Barbara Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401, United States
In conjunction with the 2025 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society will host a large scale model train display for enjoyment of the general public.
The Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society (CCCGRS) joins the festival hosts at the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum operating a display of large-scale model trains suitable to run both in- and outdoors in your garden. These trains can operate with power from the track, power from on-board batteries (just like your electric vehicle) or from steam. You can control these trains from a dedicated remote, your mobile phone or even your computer. Look for whimsical “egg liners”, a popular, small railcar available in dozens of colors, patterns and themes. Use your imagination to create your own custom railcar load with Lego building blocks to be transported on the rails! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the rewarding hobby of garden railroading from friendly people who share your passion for all things trains.

Conejo & Tortuga Railroad Open Day
2025-10-04 11:00 - 15:00 | Conejo & Tortuga Railroad, 548 Moss Avenue, Paso Robles, CA, 93446-2766, United States
In conjunction with the 2025 Central Coast Railroad Festival, the Conejo and Tortuga Railroad will host an open day for enjoyment of the general public.
The Conejo and Tortuga Railroad is a free-lance designed layout of approximately 270 ft consisting of a large mountain and a distinctly mid 20’s western ghost town inspired by the movie “Rango”. The layout has recently undergone some major changes and additions such as the replacement of 10 feet of underground tunnel structure and addition of a spur line to a silver mine. The railroad is battery-powered only and operated using the Revolution 2.4GHz Train Engineer Transmitter and Revolution 2.4GHz On Board Receivers. All turnouts and turntable are hand operated. Welcome Aboard.
