Train travel is among one of the most romantic ways to travel in my opinion; experiencing the romance of train travel is one of my favorite reasons to visit Europe. Watching the scenery glide by while you’re happily ensconced in a comfy seat, chatting with fellow travelers, or enjoying a glass of wine and a meal, is a sublime way to travel. But you can enjoy a train adventure right here.
My European husband had never traveled on a train in the U.S., so on a recent perfect spring day, I surprised him with a train excursion from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Arriving at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles you get swept up in the excitement of people venturing forth. You can imagine the rushed and frenetic pace of passengers who passed through the busy station in its 1930s hey-day of glamorous train travel.
Los Angeles Union Station has been beautifully-preserved and is once again an architectural gem and a busy hub.
Los Angeles Union Station is very familiar to the movie-watching public as it has been a filming location for many top-grossing productions including The Dark Knight Rises, Seabiscuit, Catch Me if You Can, Pearl Harbor, among many others.
Built in 1939, Los Angeles Union Station is a busy transportation hub for Angelenos. After a few decades of little use due to a change in modes of travel, Union Station is once again a vital hub for both the Los Angeles MetroLink system and Amtrak.
If you plan to hop an Amtrak train or the MetroLink at Union Station, be sure to allow time to wander the interior spaces and exterior courtyards. The graceful Spanish Revival architecture of Union Station is still noteworthy. It’s the largest working train station in the Western U.S. There are several food concessions in the main terminal as well as the acclaimed Traxx Restaurant if you have time for a leisurely meal or a drink. You can even hear impromptu piano concerts -- in a corner of the main terminal is a piano that’s a permanent fixture and displays a sign that invites the public to tinkle its ivories.
Arrive Car-Free in Style
The Pacific Surfliner is aptly named - it hugs portions of the coastline that offer spectacular views. After a relaxing 2-1/2 hour train trip, we arrived at the Santa Barbara train station, a 1905 Spanish Mission Revival gem. Stepping off the train, we were greeted by the warm Santa Barbara sun and fresh Pacific air. The glamour of the American Riviera sweetens the air!
Another benefit to arriving by train: enjoy deals on hotels, activities and dining just by showing your train ticket! Some hotels will pick you up at the train station in their hotel shuttle if you arrange it in advance. Minutes after we disembarked at Santa Barbara’s quaint train station, the shuttle from the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort arrived. The sprawling pink Fess Parker Resort is a convenient headquarters, as it’s located on the waterfront, a short walk to Stearns Wharf.
The American Riviera
Santa Barbara has trademarked the moniker because of the similarity to the French Riviera — alluring coastline - check; a destination for boating - check; an outpost for the beautiful people who seek art, culture, fine food and wine - check, check, check.
Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara shares the allure of the French Riviera.
Gadabout With Ease
Santa Barbara’s Car-Free Program makes it a cinch for you to see the sights, shop, dine, and play with ease by using the handy Waterfront Shuttle or the open-air Santa Barbara Trolley.
Amtrak will happily accept your bike on board if you want to tour Santa Barbara on two wheels. Or you can rent an electric bike at any of the BCycle docks throughout the town.
Hop on the Electric Shuttle to State Street, Santa Barbara’s downtown hub, where you are within walking distance to many of the town’s historic sites – the Courthouse, City Hall, El Presidio, Santa Barbara Historical Museum and more.
The Santa Barbara Courthouse, where Vice President Kamala Harris was married, welcomes visitors for tours.
In the downtown core, you’re also steps from cultural highlights such as the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the landmark Granada Theatre, as well as great dining, shopping and wine tasting on the Urban Wine Trail. Don’t miss a self-guided tour of the historic Santa Barbara Courthouse where Vice President Kamala Harris was married in 2014.
The interior of the Santa Barbara Courthouse is resplendent with stunning decorative tiles throughout.
Spanish Charm Abounds
Santa Barbara’s Spanish charm traces its early roots to Spanish explorers. In 1602 when a fierce storm blew Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaino into the channel on the eve of Saint Barbara’s feast day. Vizcaino gave thanks for his survival by naming the channel for the venerated saint whose name is invoked during thunderstorms. Santa Barbara is also one of the locations where Father Junipero Serra established the Mission Santa Barbara, one of the crown jewels of the California missions.
One of the oldest adobe structures in Santa Barbara dates back to 1824
Santa Barbara deserves kudos for its outstanding historic preservation efforts and its stewardship. As a result of its robust preservation initiatives, the town has a treasure trove of beautifully-preserved historic sites. A walking tour with the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara is a great way to see many of these sites and to get an overview of Santa Barbara’s history www.afsb.org. The docents are extremely knowledgeable about the rich history and the historic architecture. They will lead you on an easy 2-hour stroll through the charming streets of Santa Barbara to see some of the city’s beautifully-preserved architectural heritage. You can also take a self-guided Red Tile Walking Tour with a podcast www.santabarbaraca.com/podcasts/ https://santabarbaraca.com/itinerary/red-tile-walking-tour/
Outdoor Adventure
With its sun-kissed weather, outdoor adventure beckons Santa Barbara visitors — Among a wide array of options are hiking in nearby mountains, a visit to the Santa Barbara Zoo, stroll through colorful gardens at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden or Lotusland (tickets must be purchased in advance)
Neighboring Cachuma Lake Recreational Area has camping, boat rentals and hiking trails on its 9,000 acres.
Sunsets at the American Riviera are some of the best free entertainment money can’t buy.
Check Visit Santa Barbara, the local tourism office website www.santabarbaraca.com for a list of free things to do and for year-round events such as the Old Spanish Days, Outdoor Summer Film Series, and lots more fun.