GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN -- The California Southern Railroad's magnificent Victorian depot, built in 1887, was demolished in 1915. Located at Broadway and Pacific Highway across the tracks to the east of it's replacement Santa Fe Depot (see CA attraction 140), which was built in Spanish Revival architectural style with it's elaborate twin domes in time for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park. The California Southern Railroad, a subsidiary of the AT&SF (BNSF), incorporated in 1880 and began construction near San Diego of their rail connection through San Bernardino, Barstow and Needles. Completed by 1885, it formed the western terminus of Santa Fe's transcontinental route to Chicago. AT&SF absorbed CaSo in 1906 when its holdings were puchased outright.

Santa Barbara's Southern Pacific Depot was constructed in 1902 in Spanish Mission Revival style architecture, including red clay roof tiles, wide overhanging eaves and gable ends, smooth stucco walls and round arches on piers. Formed by the arches, arcades virtually encircle the entire structure, reflecting the relatively mild conditions of the region, wherein passengers await their train outdoors. Facing trackside is a mission-style facade, while the streetside is rather plain and unremarkable, and the lobby is relatively tiny. Major renovation in 2000 restored the seating area and the ticket office to its original grandeur and the free-standing Railway Express Agency building was redone. Placed on the National Historic Register in 2006. SP Business Car No. 142 sits on a relict SP spur nearby on the grounds. Santa Barbara's Moreton Bay Fig Tree is documented as the largest Ficus macrophylla in the entire U.S. Two Amtrak lines are served: Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner. The Southern Pacific Branch Railway began in 1886 and the first train arrived in Santa Barbara from Los Angeles Aug. 18, 1887, with Engine No. 226 (a 4-4-0 locomotive) pulling six coaches, two sleepers ("San Diego" and "California") and a baggage car. Two Amtrak lines are served: the Coast Starlight between Los Angeles and Seattle and the Pacific Surfliner between ? to San Luis Obispo. It is within walking distance of Santa Barbara Harbor, the beaches and Stearns Wharf, and the downtown along State Street - Santa Barbara's main thoroughfare

The NWP depot in Santa Rosa has been restored as the Santa Rosa visitors center and soon to receive restored passenger service.