Got to will – it is difficult due to this Californian to give that up his car for that weekend, but that is exactly what we did on the recent train getaway to Santa Barbara that proved we can easily do our small part in reducing traffic and vehicle emissions and have a great time.
In truth, just set aside the pros for the environment and look at the pros to own family: We managed to save on gas, vehicle wear and also on the frustration that frequently comes with a never-know-what-you’re-gonna-get drive through the L.A. freeway system. We have to utilise a brand new adventure, introduce our 8-year-old to rail travel and now we packed lots of sightseeing into a short two-day period.
Santa Barbara is especially well matched to car-less travel because years back city fathers decided they desired to make a move to scale back the congestion they were seeing with numerous a boost in traffic along with the smog that will trap itself in the city. The Santa Barbara Car Free Project today offers travelers discounts on Amtrak along with at participating hotels. They sweeten the pot by throwing inside a many discounts on local attractions and transportation. Our purposes of three chosen to give it a shot, planing a trip to Santa Barbara from my home in north North park County.
Boarding the 7 a.m. northbound Pacific Surfliner in Oceanside was a snap. Utilized to long waits nowadays for flights, we showed up nearly an hour or so before our train to evaluate our one large bit of luggage. But A/ we didn’t must confirm the luggage – you will find there’s rack it is possible to put your luggage on in the commercial class rail car – and B/ you can step on the train, even purchasing your tickets onboard.
Business class is more expensive but offers reserved seating and amenities for example a continental breakfast, a newspaper as well as a comfortable work space that has a power outlet for our laptop. We went up the steps for the second level, found our seating and sat back in benefit from the scenery. Inside a little bit there we were on our way, the gorgeous California coastline passing before our very eyes.
We had been reminded of a recent country chart-topper called Sunday Morning that speaks about the various walks of life in the states and exactly how people spend their Sunday mornings. That it was, in truth, Sunday morning and that we were observing our fellow Californians out because of their morning jog or enjoying a newspaper and coffee for their beachfront deck, or preparing an outdoors breakfast in one of numerous beachfront state parks along the Surfliner’s path. The train sped along, often at 70 mph if not more, taking us on an adventurous route through many parts of the California coastal region that individuals hadn’t found in our many drives along Interstate 5.
A different way to describe the feeling would be to relate it to those “Over” shows – you recognize, the PBS television programs which might be entirely consisting of aerial views of life in the city or region. We weren’t really up in the sky looking down, but perhaps the upstairs level for the train can provide that same mesmerizing effect.
Our trip from Oceanside to Santa Barbara took about five hours but we noticed something quite curious. When driving that distance, we always are anxious to reach you. But on the Surfliner, we almost were sorry we had arrived. It turned out such great relaxation and interesting scenery the journey wasn’t any longer an easy way to an end but portion of the end itself. Our stress-relieving getaway weekend had started from the second there was boarded the train.
Arriving in Santa Barbara, it had been simply a three-block walk to the Hotel Santa Barbara, one of the “car-free” participating hotels that has a location down the middle of the town near sidewalk cafes and trendy stores along State Street. We checked into our spacious and comfy room by noon and were sitting at a sidewalk bistro just a couple of minutes later, enjoying some terrific people-watching and Panini sandwiches. The truth is, we lingered a touch too long over lunch and did something i was trying to refrain from doing: we hired taxis. It turned out inside your get to the harbor over time to hop aboard the 43-foot sailboat, the Sunset Kidd, for a two-hour cruise along the Santa Barbara coastline.
The ocean provides best, most panoramic take a look at Santa Barbara, its mountains and its beaches while offering convincing evidence that local tourism promoters were right when they named this section of the coast the “American Riviera.” Anybody can imagine such places as Monte Carlo or Cannes whenever you take in this spectacular overview combined with parade of luxurious yachts and young, beautiful people. Captain Dennis Longaberger prides himself on offering an accurate sailing experience rather than a tourist boat and says the Sunset Kidd can be a rare demonstration of an exclusive sailboat that is upgraded to hold passengers. The good thing of the sail was watching two pods of dolphins frolic a few yards from our boat.
Back from my sail, it absolutely was just footsteps to your Endless Summer bar-caf?a totally located restaurant and watering hole named following the famous surf movie and offering gorgeous views of Santa Barbara’s harbor area. Recognized for such specialties becasue it is popcorn shrimp, fresh ahi and to-die-for Kaui Mud Pie, the restaurant enjoys a loyal following of both locals and visitors who keep coming back for much more.
This first day set the tone for the complete trip – great restaurants, visits to such attractions as Stearns Wharf, the waterfront, the businesses along State Street, the different parks, gardens and museums that each one are generally within easy reach of downtown or easily reached through the city’s convenient public transportation. The vehicle Free Project provides a $2 discount off of the Santa Barbara Trolley which, for $21, will let you ride the trolley all day to eight different area tourist attractions. (note: it can save you $5 when you purchase your ticket online at www.sbtrolley.com). Another convenient way to get around the main portion of town is the Electric Shuttle which runs top to bottom State Street as well as down the beach areas. It is just 25 cents every time you board.
If that’s still too few alternatives for transportation, hybrid taxi service is 20 % off for Car Free visitors, and there are plenty of local bike rentals.
We had the full day’s sightseeing that second day because our train didn’t depart until 7 p.m. We had done a whole lot in mere 2 days, along with the gentle journey home by Amtrak gave us the chance truly sit back and relax – far from usual nail-biting trip home on those congested California freeways.
In a flash
WHERE: Santa Barbara is concerning 100 miles north of Chicago and a comfortable train ride from many coastal cities on the north and south.
WHAT: Santa Barbara is unmatched in beauty and is an excellent city to see car-free. Or if you like, you’ll be able to drive the coastal highway through Ventura.
WHEN: Anytime of the season. Santa Barbara has one of California’s beloved year-round climates. Our suggestion is usually to consider avoiding the busiest Amtrak trains which are people who depart northbound Friday night and southbound Sunday night. At peak times, coach class can be standing room only. Amtrak is seeing more customers as fuel prices climb.
WHY: The Spanish architecture sets the atmosphere in Santa Barbara, even so the city is packed with places of interest including Stearns Wharf, the harbor and marina, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, the Museum of Natural History and the Courthouse in addition to parks, gardens plus a robust downtown shopping area.
HOW: The Santa Barbara Car Free Project offers discounts on many visitor services as a way to encourage people to go to the location without their car. Amtrak allows a 20 percent Santa Barbara Car Free discount on coach fares. The adult coach fare from Oceanside to Santa Barbara, roundtrip, is $66 before discount. Business class offers reserved seating and it’s $16 more each way without having discount.In addition to discounts on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, you will find discounts on lodging, services and retail items. For additional information, check out www.santabarbaracarfree.org or phone (805) 696-1100. For additional info on the Hotel Santa Barbara, a very classically styled hotel through an excellent continental breakfast, head over to www.hotelsantabarbara.com.