Hi after spending few days in san fran we are going to santa barbara then on to la. can any one suggest best mode to get there. bus, train etc..we'll rent car once we get there.
thank you jim.

p.s. jim again. we're flying out to san fran but i mean getting between these cities. (wasn't sure if i was clear).
thanks.

Friends had this same plan last year and they used Amtrak, but they left from Oakland-Jack London Square station. Your best best would be to call Amtrak's toll free number and go from there. The trip from north of Santa Barbara to L.A. is beautiful===One word of warning = this particular train route is nortorious for NOT being on time: one to 3 hrs late is not unusual.

I have ridden the train many times from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Very nice trip. I suggest that you go to the Amtrak web site. You should be able to find out all you need to know from there.

Indeed a nice trip and indeed frequently off schedule. When I've done this Amtrak had a bus that takes you between SF and Oakland so you don't have to make your own arrangements to get to Jack London Square.{or back for that matter} Imagine this is still going.

Believe the bus from SF to the Oakland Amtrak station leaves from the Ferry Building. The train also stops in San Jose if that is more convenient and you can get down there on CalTrain from the city. This, of course, is assuming you want to take the train. Most people rent a car on departure from SF and drive down to LA. I think that's the more convenient way to do it, but personally, I love taking the train.You can stop along the way and then get back on to continue to LA. The train is the Coast Starlight which is one of the top Amtrak routes--good food and good seasoned personnel, although as everyone says above, it's often behind schedule. Interestingly, the last time I was on it it was right on time! Another alternative is to fly SWA from Oakland, SFO or SJC for one hour and quite reasonable fares. It's a bit like a bus in the sky--peanuts and soft drinks, but they get you there. It's easy to visit Sta. Barbara from LA in about 1 hours drive. Enjoy.