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The 1907 steam train, the Saturday market, and why this four-acre park is the best cheap morning in inland North County.
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Old Poway Park is a free, city-run heritage park on Midland Road that recreates turn-of-the-century Poway, and its main draw is the volunteer-run railroad: a restored 1907 Baldwin steam locomotive, a trolley, and a speeder that run short loops on weekends, typically Saturdays and Sundays, for a couple of dollars a ride. The steam engine itself runs on a limited schedule — usually the first weekend of the month — while the trolley and other equipment run most weekends. Around the tracks you get the Nelson House museum, a working blacksmith shop, the Hamburger Factory restaurant, a gazebo, and a large grass lawn. The Poway Farmers Market sets up Saturday mornings year-round. Parking is free and there is no admission charge, which makes this the default low-cost family morning for anyone in Poway, Rancho Bernardo, or Scripps Ranch. Go between 9am and noon on a Saturday and you get the market, the train, and breakfast in one stop.
| Detail | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | Free | Park and grounds open daily |
| Train rides | A few dollars per ride | Weekends; steam runs a limited monthly schedule |
| Farmers market | Saturday mornings | Produce, prepared food, crafts |
| Parking | Free lot on Midland Road | Fills during Saturday market |
| Best for | Ages 2-8, grandparents, rainy-free mornings | Under two hours total |
Volunteer-operated equipment including a restored 1907 Baldwin steam locomotive, an LA-style trolley, a gas speeder, and a handcar, running short loops around the park on weekends. Tickets are a couple of dollars and sold at the depot.
Local tip: The steam engine typically runs the first weekend of the month — check the schedule before promising a small child a steam train.
Restored historic buildings that anchor the park's turn-of-the-century look, used for docent tours, community events, and weddings.
A working shop staffed by volunteer smiths on weekends. It is consistently the most memorable thing here for kids who thought the train would be the highlight.
Saturday mornings on the park grounds with produce, prepared food, bread, and local vendors. Smaller and calmer than the big coastal markets.
The long-running restaurant on the park with breakfast, burgers, and a patio right by the tracks. The obvious pairing with a train morning.
Open grass, shade trees, and a gazebo that hosts summer concerts and community events. Bring a blanket.
Poway's holiday event with lights, Santa, and holiday train rides — one of the better small-town holiday outings in the county.
Free and low-cost community music events on the lawn during the warm months.
A living-history weekend with period demonstrations, crafts, and reenactors.
The park is the staging ground for several of Poway's civic events through the year.
Yes. The park, grounds, blacksmith shop, and farmers market are free to visit and parking is free. Only the train rides cost money, generally a few dollars per person.
The volunteer-run railroad operates on weekends, with the restored 1907 steam locomotive typically running on a limited schedule — often the first weekend of the month — while the trolley and speeder run more regularly. Check the current schedule before visiting.
Saturday mornings year-round at Old Poway Park on Midland Road, with produce, prepared food, and local vendors.
It's one of the better toddler mornings in North County: short train rides, open grass, a blacksmith shop to watch, and a restaurant on site. Plan about 90 minutes.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .