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I'm putting together a trip to visit a college friend who is moving to Pasadena, CA in June. I will be traveling in August, coming down the coast from Portland, OR on the Coast Starlight. Since the CS arrival time is scheduled for 9 PM in LA, having the train arrive late would mean I would have problems getting a local train to Pasadena or somewhere near there (I think she will be on the eastern side of Pasadena). Would a better choice be getting off in SBA or Oxnard, staying overnight & then take local train(s) in the AM? I seem to remember reading something a while ago about visiting SBA without a car from LA & using trains to get around. Maybe Frank in sunny(?) Santa Barbara could chime in with advice. Thanks
sbalax Member # 2801
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I always think spending time in Santa Barbara is a great idea! I'm just back from ten days away and, although I had a great ride on the SW Chief, two fun days in CHI, and a good visit with family in JAX it's always good to come back to the "American Riviera".
There is actually a website that gives you all of the information you'd need on "Carfree Santa Barbara". I don't have the url handy but I bet your could find it easily enough by using Google. There is also an excellent report on "Carfree Santa Barbara" on TrainWeb.
I'm not sure how stopovers work on Amtrak but I suppose it would be easy enough to buy your ticket PDX/SBA and then another SBA/LAX.
Let me know if I can be of any more help.
Frank in balmy SBA.
sbalax Member # 2801
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The url is www.santabarbaracarfree.org . I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Frank in dark SBA
Grandma Judy Member # 3278
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Thanks, Frenk. Any ideas on a place to spend the night, not too $$$ and easy access. I don't walk around as well as I used to. (it's dark in Milwaukee, too, and at least it's not snowing!)
sbalax Member # 2801
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The State Street Hotel is across from the station right on State Street. It has mostly shared baths and would be noisy but I've heard it is reasonable. A flight attendant friend and her mother stayed there and liked it. If you head to the beach it's going to get expensive. We send people to the El Prado Motel on State Street. You'd need to take a cab or, if you arrived early, the State Street Shuttle (25 cents) part of the way. I've also heard good things about the Hotel Santa Barbara. It would be noisy on a weekend and, possibly, pricey. Most places here require a two night minimum on weekends. I would NOT suggest the International Hostel across from the train station.
I hope this helps.
Frank in bright and sunny SBA
P.S. The original Motel 6 is located in the beach area. It would be a longish walk and is often booked months in advance but it might be worth a try.
Grandma Judy Member # 3278
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Believe it or not, I think I stayed in that Motel 6 back in the mid-60's when my husband was a graduate student at Caltech. I remember spending a weekend in Santa Barbara for less than $100 - time flies. I think it will probably be a Thursday night on this trip, so I can avoid the weekend partiers. Thanks again.
sbalax Member # 2801
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I checked the Motel 6 website and Thursday, 18 August is available for $89.99 (before taxes). You could stay in the first Motel 6, eat at the last Sambo's (on Cabrillo Blvd.) and maybe even sneak in an Egg McMuffin at the Mickey D's on Milpas where it was first served!
Frank in cool SBA
Grandma Judy Member # 3278
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All that and a Sambo's, too! Now I KNOW I have to stop in SBA!
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