DS starting at UCSB (from NJ) - any travel advise from CA vets?

[bjakmom]

Well, my last, late-life DS has decided on UCSantaBarbara - going from one ocean to the other (could he get any further away?! )! We have 3 trips to make from NJ to CA by the end of the year. We will have to fly out of Phila - but welcome any advise on airlines/ airports/ rental cars, etc. that any CA travel vets have to offer!! TIA!
I see that SW flies in and out of Burbank as well as LAX - any info on this airport?

 

[jlmarr]

BUR is adjacent to the Amtrak station that connects with Santa Barbara, so that might help him get back and forth without renting a car. I know UCSB isn't real close to the Amtrak station in SB, but a taxi or maybe city bus/shuttle would be available on that end. BUR is a small airport, like LGB.

 

[50 years Too!]

Oh you lucky mom!
Great place to go to visit your son!
Santa Barbara is so beautiful.
Tried to talk my daughter into going there.
She chose an hour down the I5 instead!

 

[lisadoll93]

GO GAUCHOS!!!!

Sorry no advice. I spent my jr and senior there. I love it!!!!

Good luck to your ds.

 

[tracys2cents]

Most people prefer non-stop flights to LAX and then the Santa Barbara Airbus ........but the bus gets expensive.

With gas prices, definitely check fares into Santa Barbara airport before going with Burbank. Burbank airport is easy in and out and about a 2 hour drive to UCSB. But trafficky times of day must be avoided. I'd say if the fares to SB airport are $150 or so more than Burbank....it's worth it to fly right to SB.

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks, all! We found a Delta flight from PHL to Salt Lake to SBA - but it was pricey and I don't have a good track record with Delta!! We'll have to get more savvy about this. Yes, I AM a lucky mom!! DH's grandfather was a Dr. in Santa Barbara, so we were blessed to visit several times over the years before we lost him in 2000. He would be so pleased that his great grandson will be living in his beloved city. Talk about a small world - DS just met someone while surfing this weekend in OC,NJ who is from SB and is very involved in the surfing scene - already has someone to 'hook him up' with the proper type of board for Pacific surfing! - I'm going to really enjoy seeing more of Calif over the next 4 years!! More good luck - my best friend just moved from CO to LA last week! - I see Disneyland in our future!!

 

[bumbershoot]

...going from one ocean to the other (could he get any further away?! )!

I went to college in Tacoma, WA, and my mom promptly remarried and moved to Miami, FL. Talk about far away!

Then again, the actual flight was 7 hours (ignoring time changes), and it would have taken me 13+ hours to drive to see her if she had stayed put in CA...so I probably saw her more often in Miami than I would have otherwise!

Congrats to your son!

 

[tracys2cents]

U.S. Airways has Philly to SB via Las Vegas.