Santa Barbara Get Away. How to extend your weekend get away!

In a recent post, I mentioned train travel and the joys of including the transportation as part of the vacation... A few days later, Gov. Jerry Brown, here in California, announced the first leg of construction on California's first bullet train had started... ..
With the new year in full swing, getting away for a short vacation is difficult... But you can still have a short, non-hectic, relaxing or family get away for a very reasonable price.
From San Diego, Ca. it is very easy to take the Amtrak to Santa Barbara... From where I am located, Carlsbad, Ca. it is only 39.00 each way to take the train....
You are able to sit back and enjoy the trip up the California Coastline.
While in Santa Barbara, you may either take advantage of a winter hotel get away package or use (for a couple) AirBnB... For families there are also other private options to find a short term rental.(AH!!! my next Blog Article, Coming out on Jan. 14th, 2015)...
Walking around the town is part of the fun... but as with lodging, you can rent a car or use Uber, Lyft or a Taxi (list of all taxi's in S.B.)... Santa Barbara also has a program to encourage and highlight that you can visit there and enjoy all it has to offer  Car Free.
The beaches, wineries, art galleries and shops make for a great vacation close to home.. Taking the train, allows you to extend your vacation from the moment you leave your home to the moment you arrive home...
Please use the links in this article to explore more of what Santa Barbara and Amtrak have to offer.

Trains: Make getting there .. The Vacation

I have found people either love or hate trains.... I love them... I love all forms of public transportation when possible... Unfortunately, I live where daily train and use of public transportation is not always possible... But... Love Trains...
When you take a train, you have a seat with a view, you can get up and move around, read and or meet new people...
There are some beautiful train routes around the world.. When we were in Greece we took the train from Athens to Meteora... We were the only non Greeks on the train and it was great..
To get practice, take a train from your local town to the next county or tourist spot... For us we can take the train to San Diego for a day trip, or to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles for an overnight get away...
Our vacation starts the minute we get on the train... The views along the coast are beautiful as well...
This year we are looking at taking one or two mini train vacations.. For us a Stay-Vacation is anywhere in the Continental USA...

My travel challenge for this week! Take a train.. even if it is only a few miles away... There are commuter trains and Amtrak... See your neighborhood and just beyond from a different perspective...
I will be posting some short trips to do via train and some longer ones over this year....
All Aborad!

Family Spring Break 2015.. Carlsbad, Ca

I was researching family destinations for Spring Break and found a great list!

What is extra great is my hometown is on the list.. Carlsbad Ca. 

I do have some thoughts on the others.. BUT NOW is the time to plan, there are some great airfare deals going on.. Plan ahead, at least for the flights...

There are some other great destinations on the list. Here is the link and full list from
Family Vacation Critic..

10 Best Spring Break Spots for Families

Amelia Island, Fla.

The Palm Beaches, Fla.

Carlsbad, Calif.   Great City to live in.. :)

U.S. Virgin Islands

Riviera Maya

Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Oahu, HI

Orange County, Calif.

Orlando

New York City

New Year's Travel Resolution!

I have already Tweeted a great article by Budget Travel on 2015 Travel resolutions... But I did want to weigh in on this myself also...

• Commit to exploring your neighborhood, town, city, state or other areas... 
• We think of travel as going away, planning hassles and travel nightmares.. A part of avoiding these are to see the whole experience as an adventure... 
• Second, see your town or neighborhood as a visitor would see it... Even when traveling to visit friends I always walk the areas.. 
• Say Hello to people as you go.. 
• Ask questions, Look for the best Locals spots... 
• Explore your world... 

For 2015.. See TRAVEL as stepping outside your door...

Fair Dinkum 2015!