Traveling by train to Santa Barbara

A smooch from my husband and we're off!

We took Amtrak's double-decker Pacific Surfliner train to Santa Barbara with the special $40 round trip offer.

On the way to Santa Barbara we sat downstairs (and on the way back to Los Angeles we sat upstairs. In SB they announced over the loudspeaker that the downstairs area was reserved for the elderly and wheelchair bound, and that all able bodied persons needed to be seated upstairs.)

This was our first time traveling by train on the west coast. (We've traveled by train on the east coast and in Europe, but somehow never in our own state before.)

Traveling by train is the way to go. Large windows, foot rests, tray tables, and reclining chairs. No traffic and stress free.

There's a lounge car with a snack bar/cafe as well. We had red wine with chocolate as we sat back and relaxed and enjoyed the ride/view. We departed from beautiful Union Station in downtown, Los Angeles.

It was neat to travel under the LA bridge, along the LA River, and even zoom by our own neighborhood in LA and see landmarks from the train window.

The train stops several times along the way including Glendale, Burbank (Airport), Ventura (Ventura County Fair), but still only takes 2.5 hours to get to Santa Barbara. The train travels along the coast.
It's a scenic ride, with a view of the ocean and shoreline. And here we are in Santa Barbara.

We're staying at a bed and breakfast that's within walking distance (2 blocks) of the train station.

Tonight we're going to Bouchon (a French restaurant touted as the best restaurant in Santa Barbara) for dinner, and then in the morning we're off on a wine tasting tour. This is our first weekend getaway together without the baby in 2.3 years. It feels a bit strange to be traveling without our daughter, yet it's like a second honeymoon as well.

Take Advantage of the "Santa Barbara Car Free" Discounts

While researching logistics for a wine tasting trip to Santa Barbara, I came across the "Santa Barbara Car Free" program which offers discounts on train tickets to SB as well as many other discounts.

The SB Car Free Project's Mission
"To encourage car free, carefree transportation to and around Santa Barbara for cleaner air."

I signed up online and the packet with the promotional code came in the mail. The packet also included a couple maps of SB. So if you don't need a map, but just want to get the discount asap - Merry Christmas!

Use the promotional code H636 and save 20% on Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to and from all Santa Barbara train stations. (Three day advance purchase is required, and the offer is valid through December 13, 2007.) Participating SB hotels, restaurants, and tour companies also offer discounts and incentives (i.e., discounts of 10% to 25%, free dessert).

See official terms and conditions at http://www.santabarbaracarfree.org/

Note: Amtrak's online ticketing system wasn't registering the promotional code - I kept getting an error message - so I called their toll free number - 1-800-USA-RAIL and the friendly agent had no problems finding it their system. I purchased the tickets over the phone and she sent me an e-mail confirmation.

A round trip ticket from LA to Santa Barbara is just $40 (with the discount). It's a great deal. A full tank of gas costs more than that; plus you can enjoy a relaxing 2.5 hour train ride to Santa Barbara with no hassles or traffic, with one less polluting car on the road. Take advantage!