Santa Fe Depot
Located between the glitzy glass-facades of Downtown’s high-rise buildings, the elegant Mission-Revival style Santa Fe Depot grants San Diego’s business district the grandeur of an era long gone. The Depot witnessed the rapid development and yet resisted change and persists to delight the traveler with its chic.
The Santa Fe Railroad constructed the original terminal during the great western railroad expansion of the second half of the 19th century. The current Depot is the second incarnation, capable of handling the increased traffic volume of the first decades of the 20th century. Today, the Santa Fe Depot still serves as the largest transportation hub of San Diego.
Obviously, such an iconic and history laden building invites photography. Visit this remarkable station at the heart of Downtown San Diego.
How to get there
San Diego Santa Fe Depot Map (click to enlarge)
The Santa Fe Depot is located on 1050 Kettner Boulevard.
The San Diego Trolley, Amtrak, the San Diego Metro Busses, and the San Diego Coast Express Rail all stop at the Santa Fe Depot, making public transportation a good alternative, especially considering the parking situation in Downtown.
GPS position
How to photograph the Santa Fe Depot
Santa Fe Depot Fountain
Using a wide-angle lens is your only viable option to photograph the entire façade of the Santa Fe Depot. Surrounded by tall buildings, it is impossible to step back further.
The small plaza with the fountain in front of the building is the best spot for outdoor shots. Step back as far as possible and try to keep the angle of your camera straight to avoid converging vertical, the effect where buildings narrow toward the top of the frame. The image above does not have this problem, while the image below required perspective correction.
If you need to step closer to a tall object while using a wide-angle lens, leave some cropping margin around your subject for corrections.
Palms at the Santa Fe Depot
The outside area offers other interesting angles (picture at the top of the article).
Don’t miss the exclusive waiting room with its bronze chandeliers, tile decorations and classic wooden benches. Complete your session with an inside tour and photograph the fine details of the architecture. Don’t let the presence of people deter you. You do not need anyone’s permission to take their photograph, but some usage restrictions do apply if they are recognizable.
Take detail photographs as well, to round off your portfolio.
High Rise and Palm Tree
If you have the time, take a stroll along Broadway. The reflective façades of the high-rise buildings, the typical Southern California palm trees and the predominantly friendly people of San Diego offer many good opportunities for photography.
Best Time of the Day and Best Season
Late afternoon and night are best.
Time required
About 30 minutes should suffice if there is little foot traffic.
Equipment
- Wide-Angle lens
- Tripod
- Cable Release
- Zoom lens if you plan to take a stroll through downtown
Close Locations
- San Diego Night Photography
- Aircraft Carrier USS Midway
- San Diego Maritime Museum
- Harbor Island
- Seaport Village
- Coronado Island
- Hotel del Coronado
- Balboa Park
- Old Town
- San Diego Mission
- Cabrillo NM
- Mission Bay
- Pacific Beach Crystal Pier
- Point Loma Neighborhoods
Useful Resources
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3 Comments
Beautifl photos! I love Mission-Revival.
I was there in summer of 2011. Interesting place to photograph. I had an old 4×5 camera on a tripod and was told “only passengers with tickets could take pictures”. What a bunch of BS. At 67 I didn’t need the hassle. But my two photos did come out nice. Hope others do well.
That is a shame to hear. I am sure you can take pictures there, but you are right. It isn’t worth the hassle.
I always carry a print of the photographers rights with me, but that doesn’t prevent you from being hassled sometimes.
In recent years I have shunned tripods and done a lot of handheld shooting, even in low light. I do it to retain flexibility and movement (meaning, I can evaluate different perspectives quickly without having a tripod nail me down). I think this is a reason I get away with shooting many places.
Since you are taking 4×5, I assume you stick out a lot more than I do.