LA to Santa Barbara...how and how much? (Oxnard, Burbank: rental car, rental)

[twemh]

I have a wedding June and I found air fare from PA to LAX much cheaper (100$) than from PA to Santa Barbara (320 at the moment).

Could could I get to Santa Barbara from LAX?

How much are we talking?

So is it worth it or just pay the extra 100$ and no hassle.

Thanks

Twemh

[CESpeed]

There's a shuttle bus from LAX to Santa Barbara called the AirBus. If you wanted to rent a car, it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive (depending on traffic) from LAX to SB - just take the 405 (S) to the 101 (N). The worst of the traffic will be from LAX to the 101, once you're out of LA you'll have a beautiful drive.

[nori_garsi]

You can drive there and the drive may be nice but if you're going to have to pay to rent a car it may end up costing you the same amount if not more. The Airbus may be worth looking into.

If I were you I would pay the extra money to fly, avoid the pain of LA traffic, and enjoy beautiful Santa Barbara.

Have a good time at the wedding. It's a beautiful time of the year.

[nmnita]

the drive is beautiful as mentioned, but if you are not used to driving in the horrible traffic I would bite the bullet and just fly to Santa Barbara. Taking the shuttle would probably cost as much or more than renting a car or flying to Santa Barbara.

Nita

[Charles]

Check prices to BURbank airport. Nice airport, will avoid the 405 traffic (though you may have northbound traffic on the 134 or 101 if at afternoon rush hour), easy car rental at the terminal (LAX car rental sucks big time - huge hassle).

Try Southwest to BUR - it's kind of fun to deplane down an outdoor ramp and look at the Verdugo and San Gabriel Mountains as you exit.

[twemh]

Hey thanks. Sounds like it may be easier just to pay the extra hundred bucks. Unless I spend that 100 bucks on a car like you said. Which might be the same cost, except now I have a rental car if needed.

How much would a cab be?

Twemh

[JTGJR]

Don't even think about a cab. Far more than your airfare if you could even bribe someone to take you.

[bhcompy]

metrolink goes to santa barbara, you'll just need to get a shuttle/taxi from LAX to the metrolink terminal

edit: without a monthly metrolink pass you have to buy an amtrak pacific surfliner ticket instead to get to santa barbara on the train. metrolink service stops in oxnard. i dont know how much amtrak will cost

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

If you decide to rent a car take the 405 North to the 10 west and drive up the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) going past Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu and into Oxnard. It is a beautifull drive. You can stay on the PCH in Oxnard and drive to the 101 heading North. Once you get into Ventura it will be a nice drive along the coast again all the way up to Santa Barbara. I would only do this if you are interested in checking out the area while you are here. If you are in a rush then take the commuter plane from LAX to Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Airporter Bus will also get you to your destination at a reasonable price. You can book ahead or just show up on your arival day.

[Winston Smith]

Most common ($44): santa barbara airbus | lax

Fly to Burbank, walk 50 yards to the train station and take Amtrak's Surfliner (around $20): Amtrak - Schedules

Fly to LAX, take Flyaway to Union Station ($6) and the Surfliner from there (around $25): LAX FlyAway Bus

From LAX you should be able to rent a car for around $30 - $35 per day. Rent it one-way to SB. I've done that before.