Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Open year round, this museum features exhibits such as historic gasoline-and-steam powered farming equipment.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
67 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
24
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Terry P
Vista, CA4 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
I have been going to the steam engine museum for over 30 years. I haven't been there since 2012.
I was shocked about paying a "Parking" Fee $5.00. Supposed to be a donation, (No Receipt given) For admission they only take cash $9.50ea.! (Again No receipt given). I was really upset over this.
I will never go back there again. And I will spread this around.
I was shocked about paying a "Parking" Fee $5.00. Supposed to be a donation, (No Receipt given) For admission they only take cash $9.50ea.! (Again No receipt given). I was really upset over this.
I will never go back there again. And I will spread this around.
Written June 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimjoy_Vista
Vista, CA33 contributions
If your child is obsessed with tractors and machines like my son, you might enjoy this place. My father also loved seeing all the antique models that he remembered from a rural childhood.
It is incredibly dusty and disorganized -- it's really just hundreds and hundreds of machines in sheds, fields, barns and shelter, scattered around willy-nilly. There is very little documentation or explanation -- there are hardly even labels on most things. So for non-fanatics, you wander around the dusty fields (or muddy fields, depending on the weather), wondering what you are looking at. Hard-core enthusiasts would enjoy the huge diversity and hunt-n-peck nature of the place, but for regular people, it's a bit overwhelming and confusing.
The people are incredibly nice, though, and the gift shop is very nice. The disorganized nature of the place can be nice for kids who want to get up close and touch (or climb!). There are no staff to chase you away and no "Do Not Touch" signs -- it's a hands-on sort of place.
Overall -- unique, strange, fun for kids who love dirt and machines, or older folks who love antiques. Go there and have fun exploring, but don't expect a "museum" and don't expect to learn much.
It is incredibly dusty and disorganized -- it's really just hundreds and hundreds of machines in sheds, fields, barns and shelter, scattered around willy-nilly. There is very little documentation or explanation -- there are hardly even labels on most things. So for non-fanatics, you wander around the dusty fields (or muddy fields, depending on the weather), wondering what you are looking at. Hard-core enthusiasts would enjoy the huge diversity and hunt-n-peck nature of the place, but for regular people, it's a bit overwhelming and confusing.
The people are incredibly nice, though, and the gift shop is very nice. The disorganized nature of the place can be nice for kids who want to get up close and touch (or climb!). There are no staff to chase you away and no "Do Not Touch" signs -- it's a hands-on sort of place.
Overall -- unique, strange, fun for kids who love dirt and machines, or older folks who love antiques. Go there and have fun exploring, but don't expect a "museum" and don't expect to learn much.
Written October 30, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johon Z
Alexandria, VA216 contributions
May 2015 • Family
There is a very wide variety of gas and steam engines, tractors, wagons, cars, trucks and implements. They items are in a varying state of repair--some are mint, others are piles of rust. If you know your engines and tractors, you will love this place. If you just like to look and not read, this is the place for you. But if you like to look, read, and learn, you will be disappointed.
There are a number of hobbyist around that can offer information, but the limited staff there is of limited assistance.
Worth going just to see the engines and other crafts/hobbyists. Take your smart device and look up details on your own as you come across displays.
There are a number of hobbyist around that can offer information, but the limited staff there is of limited assistance.
Worth going just to see the engines and other crafts/hobbyists. Take your smart device and look up details on your own as you come across displays.
Written May 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jwalk77
Brea, CA86 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Last week, we camped 5 days with 63 other LAZY DAZE Class C RVs in their big field; dry camping, a.k.a. boon docking. During our wagon ride tour, one of our members pointed at an ancient tractor saying, "That's my tractor". Years ago, he was member and volunteer; he "adopted" that Minn-Moline agri tractor, restored it and drove it during parades, etc.
Even in 5 days, none of us were able to see everything there is. Such a wide variety. Ladies enjoyed the Weaver's House and many relived younger days by riding the narrow gauge railroad.
Saturday afternoon, about 10 Bluegrass musicians jam at the band stand.
If you've never seen an adobe house, the Guajome allows you up close to see how many families lived on the frontier.
Many of us went to the Miniature Mechanical Museum about 10 minutes away. Indeed, there is an almost endless variety of nearby sites of interest. ++++
Even in 5 days, none of us were able to see everything there is. Such a wide variety. Ladies enjoyed the Weaver's House and many relived younger days by riding the narrow gauge railroad.
Saturday afternoon, about 10 Bluegrass musicians jam at the band stand.
If you've never seen an adobe house, the Guajome allows you up close to see how many families lived on the frontier.
Many of us went to the Miniature Mechanical Museum about 10 minutes away. Indeed, there is an almost endless variety of nearby sites of interest. ++++
Written February 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karin V
Phoenix, AZ110 contributions
Nov 2019
We met a Vista resident at a donut shop and he told us how wonderful the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum was. What we were not told was don't bother going during the week. All the activities, are closed during the week. No blacksmith, model railroad exhibit closed, textile museum closed. Learn how to drive a tractor closed. They were out of maps. So basically we walked around looking at very old tractors. Many so old they had weeds, etc. growing through them. It was only $5.00 to get in, but it is $5.00 on the weekend as well. I think it should be closed during the week or free.
Written November 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike J
3 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Carefully planned a road trip so that my wife and I could stop and see this museum. In fact we skipped several other alternative stops for it. We get there and what do we find? "Closed due to rain"!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! If you're gonna be a bunch of pansies, post that you're gonna be that way on your website so you don't waste our time.
In the old days, the people who worked on engines were of a sturdier caliber and didn't MELT when they got wet. Obviously, our civilization has declined substantially.
In the old days, the people who worked on engines were of a sturdier caliber and didn't MELT when they got wet. Obviously, our civilization has declined substantially.
Written May 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea O
Carlsbad, CA26 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Beautiful day, go early it gets hot. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Most of this venue is outside. Craft vendors from near and far. We bought some unique one of kind textiles. Baby blankets and book marks made on a loom! In the very back of the property sits a newly constructed barn for the looms! Super cool to see a demonstration of how these artists create their pieces. There were many rock and mineral vendors too! Labordrite, a beautiful stone. Highly recommend.
Written April 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
onetravelman
sacramento125 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Wandering the expansive grounds is like a treasure hunt for some; and tedious for others. Lots of old stuff: equipment, buildings, and whatever you might imagine from farms, industry. Is it junk? you decide!
Written September 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeucadiaMike
Encinitas6 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
Amazing place. Although the exhibits are great (my favorite is the steam engine factory), the real attractions are the people that maintain the place with such passion.
Written October 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennychk5
Carlsbad, CA4 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We went on a Wednesday and received a map from the young woman at the desk. She informed us of some of the closed exhibits and we went back out. Within 3 min of being there, that same front desk young women comes outside and YELLS with a very MEAN tone of voice at another families children to get out of the antique truck that was parked in the front. It was the rudest I have ever in my 35 years of life hear someone speak to customers. I couldn't believe it. That family left right after that and I saw the dad go inside. I hope they got their money back. I wanted to leave at that moment too, but I didn't want to ruin my mother-in-laws planned trip. Do not go here. Few of the machines were well taken care of but most of them are left out in the sun to rust. There were clearly more exhibits closed than what we were informed of and I noticed a lot of random trash like food wrappers and 1/2 full water bottles sitting around. Normally I try to be positive but this truly was a terrible experience.
Written August 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We [stayed at a small bungalow we found on HomeAway - it is a lot cheaper than staying in any hotel in the area -by a lot of money. Hotels run very high in North San Diego County - our stay for two nights was the same price as one in a hotel
Written May 5, 2018
Is there anything liked stores selling things like water .quick food Items bread milk things like this quick easy walking distance from this area or easy to take public transportation
Written July 7, 2016
The AG&SE is outside of town 1 - 2 miles. Walk .5 mi to N. Santa Fe Drive to catch NCT bus to Intersection of Bobier & Santa Fe to find stores & restaurants, supermarkets. Google maps or NCTD information.
Written July 8, 2016
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