The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Was My Uber
While I’ve been a big Amtrak fan over the years, my ridership has decreased in the recent ones. This is primarily due to competing travel priorities and even my very flexible schedule not aligning with a train. Still, I’m occasionally on the rails satisfying certain curiosities, most recently last fall to experience the new Acela first class. But the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner came in surprisingly handy during my latest trip out west.
My Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Mini-Adventure
There I Was…
…taking in the sights from my north-facing balcony at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach. I’d arrived a day earlier, bumming an hour-or-so ride down from Santa Barbara Airport with a few friends headed the same direction. I hadn’t yet figured out my return plans to SBA a few days later. I knew an expensive Uber or Lyft was an option, but one I preferred as a last resort.
Anyway, as I stared out at the surfers dotting the coastline, I heard a familiar horn coming my way. A few seconds later, I saw the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train pass. I subsequently jumped on my Amtrak app to check the route. It turns out I had more options than I first expected.
Booking
The Pacific Surfliner runs a half dozen times daily, at least in the stretch I was interested in this trip. The Ventura stop was very convenient to my hotel, just under a half-mile walk. On the other end, the Goleta stop is actually more convenient to the airport than the Santa Barbara one. I priced out this VEC-GTA itinerary. I noted coach and business class rates consistently cost $17 and $27, respectively. Of course, I was more interested in the award rates, 638 and 1,013 Amtrak Guest Rewards points for the two classes (prior to the 5% rebate for being an Amtrak credit cardholder). For those who care about cents per point value (I don’t), that comes in at just over 2.66, in the usual neighborhood for Amtrak’s award currency. Regardless, this award redemption was a no-brainer over rideshare, which I saw at around $80 or so before gratuity. My decision was easy, and I “splurged” on business class rate for the hour-or-so ride.
Time To Go
I was on the 761 train leaving at 9:10 am on a Sunday morning. After an early breakfast at the hotel, packing, and checkout, I headed out on my short stroll 15 minutes before the scheduled train arrival. After several minutes sitting on a platform bench, my train arrived a couple minutes late. A conductor opened the door and asked, “going north?” I affirmed, and he welcomed me aboard. No one checked my ticket then or throughout the journey.
I climbed upstairs and saw a mostly-full train car, with the majority of seats occupied on the ocean side. I was fine taking one on the other side; I’d had ocean views on this stretch plenty from a sleeper on the Coast Starlight route years ago. More importantly, as someone who cares about Amtrak’s continued success, I was just happy there were plenty of customers. Within a minute of boarding, the train departed.
On The Train
I enjoyed my window view of the hills and mountain ranges, with the 101 at the base. But I still had ample view of the ocean, with locals enjoying all sorts of Sunday recreation. I noticed jumping dolphins a few times. My Amtrak car buzzed with various conversations, someone shuffling cards, and kids pointing out interesting sights. I connected to wifi, strong in the little I used during my ride. While business class offers complimentary drinks and light refreshments, I didn’t bother on this short hop lasting about an hour.
This route operates quite efficiently, with very brief stops. After the Carpinteria stop, the vast majority of riders disembarked at the Santa Barbara one, where a bus was available for points north. I was one of four or so riders left in my car going to Goleta, the last stop for this particular train.
There’s More
This story would tidily wrap up if getting off at the Goleta stop dropped me at SBA. But that wouldn’t be much of a story. As I said earlier, the Goleta stop is much closer to SBA than the Santa Barbara stop. But it’s still two miles away. I knew that going into this and had already decided on my plan.
While I could’ve booked a cheap Uber or Lyft from the Goleta stop to the airport, I was committed to my bit. This silly jaunt was about completely avoiding rideshare, and I refused to compromise. I had my backpack, plenty of time, and a couple flights in front of me. I was walking those two miles.
The stroll started with passing Goleta station construction, then hopping on a sidewalk through a few industrial parks. “Wrong day to wear black,” a dude sitting outside his RV barked at me. I snickered to myself, knowing that this weather pushing 80 was no sweat for me, at least figuratively.
I approached a larger road on the perimeter of the airport where the sidewalk eventually ended. It didn’t get too dicey, though. The dirt path through the grass indicated I wasn’t the first to take such a jaunt. I then turned onto another smaller road eventually leading to SBA long-term parking. That road didn’t have a sidewalk at all, just a wide enough shoulder to walk facing oncoming traffic. Luckily, that was light on this quiet Sunday morning. About 45 minutes after starting my walk from the Amtrak stop, I arrived at SBA.
Conclusion
Replacing an expensive rideshare with Amtrak is something I’d happily do again in the future. But, of course, it can come with some additional, interesting logistical matters. I can’t recommend it to anyone but grown, curious, capable travelers. I saved a bit, saw some different sights, and got my steps in before a long day of air travel.
Have you ever explored alternative travel methods, whether to the airport or otherwise? How was your experience?
