UBER: OOPPSSS

I have a friend that does not drive , he is ambulatory and has always used public transportation. I had encouraged him to use Uber.

Here is my disclaimer. I wanted to see how it would work. Every 20someting I know has applied for and at least attempted to work for either Uber or Lyft. I do think they are great alternatives to a taxi. Here is San Diego, they are trying to level the playing field with Taxi licenses being easier to get and there by lowering the cost and making them more competitive. 

Anyway, so together my friend and I downloaded the app, inputted his Credit Card number and decided to try it the next day.
(here is the Caveat) We did this on St. Patty's Day and did not want to be out and about with other drunks. This is why we thought we would do it the next day. My friend has to go to work but wanted someone there and I wanted to see the whole program in action. We met the next day at around 8:30 a.m.


Excited, we pulled out his phone and tapped the app. He listed where he wanted to go and said schedule...

NOTHING!! It must have been an amazing St. Patty's Day Celebration because there was not an UBER anywhere..  Thank goodness he was able to run to the bus and get where he needed to be.

One other person, had a mad semi lost driver with Uber. She doesn't drive and wanted to try it out and go to a smoothie place. The driver kept asking her where it was (yes she had inputted the address) once there, she asked her to wait 5 minutes while she gets her smoothie and the driver said No and took off.

Most of the experiences I hear about are great, but do not use UBER the day after a holiday and make sure you can guide your driver. :)

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.