I moved from LA to Santa Barbara four years ago. It’s PARADISE from the nearly non-existent traffic to the ocean breeze to the fact that the consignment shops actually TAKE your gently used clothes… but I digress: there are so many things to love. But what I don’t love is that I can’t get a nonstop flight to NYC or any international destination from the charming and fantastically convenient local SBA airport. And since I’m an anxious flier, taking off and landing another extra time not to mention the layover hours and possibly perilous delays or cancellations with connecting flights, I have chosen to just drive straight to LAX where I can get a direct nonstop flight to wherever I’m going.
For the first few years, I would drive my car 2 hours from my house to LAX, pull up and jump out as the lovely guys of LAX Valet would take my car. The only thing is that at around $100 a day including tip not to mention the daily cost of my dog sitter, I was adding on at least $1k to the cost of my trip (not including the sitter!).
My friend Lynne, who has lived in Santa Barbara for over 25 years, had long ago suggested Santa Barbara Airbus as an option, but I was wary. I hadn’t been on a bus since I was in my 20s and I had all kinds of preconceived notions. Aren’t buses dirty and crowded? But I was getting tired of landing in LAX and after a long-haul flight then having to hop in my car and sit in traffic for hours, so I decided to give it a go.
First of all, the Santa Barbara Airbus is only $60 and I could leave my car in my garage, so at $120 roundtrip, I was already way ahead of the game. For any long trips, it makes sense for a couple or even a family traveling together (they give discounts if you book more than one person). There are 8 trips from Goleta all the way to LAX daily and 8 trips back and you can find the full schedule and more info here. Second, the bus is actually nice, spacious, clean, air conditioned, free WiFi and nice drivers who even help you with your luggage. They have water and snacks on board that you can purchase (and if you don’t have cash, they have a Venmo scan code right there). And there is a bathroom (photo below) on the bus. For me, the WiFi and being able to work the whole trip down to LA is key. I’m writing this on the bus right now. And they drop you off right at your gate.
The first time I took the SB airbus back to Santa Barbara, I was a little concerned I might not be able to find where I would be picked up, but it was pretty simple. There are pillars marked clearly with signs that say Santa Barbara AirBus. Nothing to worry about. And if you miss your bus because your flight is late, you just text and let them know you’ll take the next bus, though you can just catch the next bus even without letting them know if your airplane WiFi isn’t working.
With the Pacific Ocean on my right and the mountains on my left, I enjoyed the ride.
