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"Planning" to arrive SBA OB 11 on Thursday 06/19 on/about 1830. Want to rent a car for a few days and return to LAUS. Unfortunately the Hertz office at SBA closes at 1800. Any one have information that may help my apparent dilema? Thanks Best regards, Rodger
sbalax Member # 2801
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Rodger--
I've never rented a car here but I do know that AVIS has an office on Montecito Street within walking distance of the station. You might also try Enterprise which is on Santa Barbara Street. The other option would be to go out to the airport (10 miles or so) by cab).
BTW, I Googled the Hertz location on Cabrillo Blvd. I think it must be in the Doubletree Hotel.
Frank in gorgeous SBA (now that the June Gloom has lifted.)
railrev Member # 2640
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Did the cab thing from SBA Amtrak to SBA Airport. About $30. For a lot less, book your train to Goleta, cab from there. Lots closer to the airport which is adjacent to UCSB.
I rented with Enterprise and was able to return the car to a downtown location and walked back to Amtrak, though they would have given me a ride.
I think most of the car rental agencies near Amtrak close by 1800.
railrev Member # 2640
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oops, jsut noticed you're on 11, not a Surfliner. Sorry.
HillsideStation Member # 6386
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We've decided to "jump ship" at SLO, easier/cheaper to get to Hertz office there. We ran into a similar problem two years ago on the SL, which was due into LAX about 10 am. The Hertz office was open until 6 pm. We "jumped ship" in Ontario about 10 pm and cabbed to the airport where we picked up a car. Renting the car for pick up a SLO and returning on a Sunday to LAX is akin to filling an inside straight. The LAUS Hertz office won't accept one way returns, so we have to drop it off a few blocks away. Ah, the ease of traveling Amtrak Best regards, Rodger
sbalax Member # 2801
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Rodger--
Too bad you have to do it this way since you'll miss the coastline north of SBA that can only be seen from the train. Are you spending the night in Santa Barbara? Could you pick the car up the next morning?
Frank in dark and foggy SBA
HillsideStation Member # 6386
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We've been up and down the coast on the Starlight a number of times. We've seen it during the day and at twilight...yes it's beautiful. No, we're going to drive immediately to "beautiful, downtown, Burbank", where we'll meet with a friend my bride hasn't seen for over 40 years; then onto San Diego to revisit the Wild Animal Farm. Detraining and stay o/n in Santa Barbara would have been nice. Would have stayed at a motel we first visited on our honeymoon almost 44 years ago to the day. Best regards, Rodger
sbalax Member # 2801
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Rodger--
Just out of curiosity, what was the name of the motel? There has been lots of "consolidation" and "rebranding" going on here since we became "America's Riviera". Having dinner last night at Chuck's at the Waterfront (in the same building as the Maritime Museum) and watching the fog roll in I realized yet again that, despite all the change, this is a pretty amazing place to live.
Frank in, currently, sunny SBA
HillsideStation Member # 6386
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The Lemon Tree Motel
Best regards, Rodger
sbalax Member # 2801
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Rodger--
The Lemon Tree (and Orange Tree and Pepper Tree) are all alive and well and remodeled. I think they are owned by a group called Vantis now. The LT has a restaurant called Crocodile. I haven't eaten there and haven't heard much about it. Two of my favorite casual places are just around the corner on de la Vina. Jake's has the best Chicken Fried Steak I've ever had. (No resemblance whatsoever to what used to be served on Amtrak!) Steve's has some great breakfast specials and lots of local color.
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