Santa Barbara Scenic Train and Coastal Charm 1-Day Trip from LA
Description
Escape the buzz of LA and glide up the coast in style aboard the legendary Amtrak Coast Starlight train from Oxnard Railway Station to Santa Barbara(no tour guide during the train trip)—hailed as one of America’s most breathtaking train rides. Watch the Pacific sparkle beside you as you journey to Santa Barbara, a seaside haven of Spanish charm and sun-kissed serenity. Stroll the iconic pier, unwind on the beach and breathe in the ocean breeze, and explore architectural gems like the Old Mission and the historic Courthouse. With spacious train seating, bilingual guides, and seamless LA pickup, this 10-hour adventure is your ticket to coastal bliss, cultural richness, and unforgettable views. All aboard for a day that feels like a dream! Itinerary: Los Angeles → Oxnard → Amtrak Coast Starlight (60 mins, ticket included, no tour guide during the trip)→ Pier Santa Barbara (90 mins) → Superior Court Of California (60 mins) → Old Mission Santa Barbara (outside visit, 40 mins) → Los Angeles
Tour Options
Itinerary
Today we’ll depart from Los Angeles and drive to Oxnard, where we’ll board the Coast Starlight train to Santa Barbara. The journey blends LA’s urban buzz with coastal calm. Leaving the city’s iconic skyline behind, we’ll head northwest on US-101, a well-maintained highway that hugs the coast in places and offers occasional ocean views and the Santa Monica Mountains as we pass by charming towns like Thousand Oaks and Camarillo. Rolling hills and farmland lead us to Oxnard, a relaxed coastal city known for its beaches and strawberry fields. Depending on traffic, the drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, before we pull into the Oxnard Railway Station to board the Coast Starlight train for the ride to Santa Barbara!
Amtrak Coast Starlight (60 mins, ticket included, no tour guide during the trip) Ride the legendary Amtrak Coast Starlight—America’s most scenic train journey! Enjoy 60 minutes of stunning views: snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and coastal beauty. Spacious seats and panoramic windows make this a relaxing, unforgettable experience. Ticket included; no guide needed—just sit back and let the landscape amaze you.
You can stroll on the beach and trestle here on Pier Santa Barbara! The charming scenic views and sea breeze will instantly give you a sense of tranquility and relaxation.
Step into a masterpiece of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, completed in 1929 and designed by William Mooser III. With its red-tiled roof, hand-painted murals, and lush sunken gardens, this iconic landmark isn’t just a courthouse, it’s a living postcard of California’s golden era. Recognized as a National Historic Place and a California Historical Landmark, it’s a must-see for history lovers, architecture buffs, and anyone craving a touch of old-world charm in the heart of Santa Barbara. Be sure to climb the Clock Tower for Panoramic Views. Ascend the ornately tiled staircase to the Bisno Schall Clock Gallery, where you’ll discover a working four-faced clock and learn about the history of clockmaking. At the top, you’re rewarded with 360° views of Santa Barbara’s red-tiled rooftops, the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding mountains—a breathtaking photo op that feels like stepping into a storybook.
Old Mission Santa Barbara (outside visit, 40 mins) Step into the soul of Santa Barbara at its most iconic landmark! Founded in 1786, this stunning Spanish-style mission is the oldest standing structure in the city—and still an active monastery. Admire its elegant architecture, lush gardens, and centuries of history that echo through its stone walls. Ranked among California’s top ten cathedrals, it’s a must-see gem that blends beauty, heritage, and spiritual significance. This spot is perfect for photos, reflection, and a taste of California’s rich past. It is free to explore from the outside. Optional admission applies for interior access.
As the sun begins its golden descent over the Pacific, your drive back from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles becomes more than just a return—it’s a final chapter in a coastal love story. We will cruise the Iconic Highway 101, where every curve reveals postcard-worthy views: rugged cliffs, rolling waves, and surfers catching the last light. We will pass charming beach towns like Carpinteria and Ventura, each offering a tempting picture worthy moment! Feel the rhythm of California living as you watch the palm trees sway and the horizon stretching endlessly. The drive is smooth, scenic, and soul-soothing—perfect for reflecting on your Santa Barbara adventures or simply soaking in the serenity of the coast.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup time may differ from voucher start time. Confirm with operator after booking. Check “Meeting & Pick-up” for details. Arrive 5–10 mins early. Return time may vary depending on the itinerary, traffic, and weather conditions. Total 5 boarding locations 08:30Departure Pico House Los Angeles；424 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012； 08:00Departure Lincoln Hotel Monterey Park Los Angeles - Outdoor Parking Lot Behind the Hotel；123 S Lincoln Ave, Monterey Park，CA 91755； 07:50Departure Hartford Hotel, BW Signature Collection Rosemead；8832 Glendon Way, Rosemead, CA 91770； 07:45Departure Sheraton San Gabriel；303 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776； Pick-up and drop-off services at this location are only available for guests who have reservations in the hotel. Please provide the hotel confirmation number. 07:15Departure Top Island；1463 Nogales St, Rowland Heights, CA 91748；
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers under 18 must be with an adult. Pregnant travelers allowed if under 24 weeks.
- Tour duration includes visit times, travel, traffic, and driving between locations.
- Please verify your name and contact details; errors may incur additional costs.
- You must provide your pick-up location to the operator at least 3 days before departure. If not received, the default pick-up will be: 08:30am Departure Pico House Los Angeles--424 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- For multiple bookings, please provide all confirmation numbers after booking to ensure you travel on the same bus.
- By selecting an option and completing your booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the tour's full product description, including all details about itinerary, included and excluded fees. Your payment indicates your acceptance of these terms.
- Tickets & Admission: Third-party attraction tickets or city passes are not accepted.
- Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, cash, and water for hydration. A valid reachable phone number is required for safety and trip communication.
- Children under 6 may require a booster seat by law when traveling on the minivans or vans. Please contact the operator in advance if needed; rental available on request.
Reviews(28)
Santa Barbara is a very beautiful city, the seaside with all the paintings and craft exhibitions are amazing! This is my favorite part where we stayed for 2 hours. Regarding the tour, the Amastrak Starlight is well to be taken but regarding our guide, he was more a driver than a guide, he just gave us instructions on the times and time on site. He spoke much more with the other Asians than we did, if not at all. We would have liked to have an explanation about County Courthouse, because it’s nice to see but to understand would be better... 🤷🏻♀️ and regarding Old Mission, there is a museum inside and it’s $17 admission, plus there is nothing to see except the religious souvenir shop 🙏🏻 the whole group stayed outside and we waited almost an hour like that
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent tour. It’s important to us that every guest feels included and informed. We apologize if communication felt uneven or inadequate. We will reinforce with our guides the importance of engaging equally with all guests and providing richer historical and cultural context throughout the tour. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a more engaging, informative, and balanced experience on a future tour.
This tour is not as described… the trip is not from LA to Santa Barbara. Instead, you are driven an hour to Oxnard where we waited nearly two-hours for the Amtrak train. The driver left us and said our ticket for boarding the train was on the phone of another tour guest . Not one name from our party of 4 was on the ticket list on her phone and the driver had already left us. (did not wait to make sure we made the train) The driver told us we would ride upstairs on the double-decker panorama train car. First, there wasn’t a panorama car and second there were no seats available on the second level, no reserved seats and all passengers left to fend for themselves. The Amtrak agent told us our tickets were for the lower level. The train ride lasted only 45 minutes and during that time you saw the ocean only about half the time. We were not informed in advance that we would NOT ride the train back to LA. Instead, we were packed into a Ford transit van with 12 people. The stop in Santa Barbara was just long enough to get lunch. We were dropped off in a public parking lot and when we came back at the departure time the van/driver were nowhere to be found. We had to search to find the van. The two other stops at the courthouse were nice but too long as everyone in the group was ready to leave each stop after 15 minutes. THEN came the 2-hour trek back to LA in the crowded van (NOT the train) The webpage for this tour is very vague, the driver couldn’t give us direct answers about the tour. For the price they charge TOTALLY NOT worth it!!!!! When we tried to get clarification about where to park our car at the pickup point – no one could give us an answer to that simple question or how much it would cost, etc. Avoid this tour – book your own tour with Amtrak train from Union Station in LA or make the drive. This is not the experience you want! We were under the impression that the trip is primarily about the train ride, unfortunately, that's not the case with this tour. We got picked up at 8am and returned at 6pm and a total of 45 minutes was spent on the train. Tour is not worth the time or money.
We sincerely apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience you encountered during this tour. It is deeply regrettable that your experience did not meet your expectations, and we take your feedback very seriously. After reviewing the details of your journey and cross-checking with our guide, we would like to address your concerns: Regarding the train arrangements, we apologize for the confusion about the boarding process, seating, and cabin types. Our guide did mention that both names on the ticket would be valid for boarding, and while there are two carriages with viewing windows, our bookings were for standard seats. We understand the explanation about open seating in the upper carriage was unclear, and we should have better clarified the seat type and viewing options beforehand. For the return trip, tour guided informed you in advance that the return journey would be by a 15-seat van instead of the train, so our guide had to leave the station early to ensure timely pickup at the next stop. About the sightseeing stops, while we followed the official schedule for each attraction, we also apologize for the confusion during the pickup in Santa Barbara, which caused unnecessary stress when you had to search for the van. Your feedback has highlighted critical areas where we need to improve, including clearer pre-tour communication, more detailed explanations of itinerary arrangements by our guides, and better coordination during pickups and drop-offs. We are taking immediate steps to refine our service processes to prevent such issues from recurring. Once again, we offer our heartfelt apologies for the subpar experience you endured. We understand that this has fallen far short of the quality we strive to provide, and we deeply regret the disappointment and frustration caused. Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention, as it helps us work towards delivering better services in the future.
I was on this tour last sundy, the coast starlight train had a very beautiful view and it is a good expericence. The stops were nice as well. the tour guide daniel chen was very helpful and knows a lot about the area. I willl recommend to others.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
We extended a business trip and decided to visit Santa Barbara. I’m told late May weather can be iffy, but we had beautiful skies and warm temperatures. We stopped at Jamie Slone Wines tasting room. Jamie and his wife, Kym, were wonderful. They recommended we head up to Buellton, stopping at Industrial Eats for lunch and Brick Barn Winery. Don’t be fooled by the warehouse area that Industrial Eats is located in. The interior is wonderfully clean and charming. More importantly, the food is amazing! Brick Barn Winery was equally good. We skipped a tasting and selected a couple glasses of wine (you can get a taste first). We hope to return to Santa Barbara for more than just a day visit.
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
The trip to Santa Barbara was worth it. With only a few days in LA and wanting to see some scenery, this trip delivered. Amazing place
Thanks so much for your comments. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed the service we provided! What can we do next time to make this a 5-star experience? We look forward to hearing from you and welcome you back for your next tour with us!
Jack our guide was AWESOME. The views were AMAZING! And the lobster rolls were DELICIOUS. Enjoyed the tour of the jail!!
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
it was a really good experience recommendable for anybody. the ride in the Amtrak was fine, the ristorantes in the area ok the food really good
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the service we've provided! We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit!
The train tide was very enjoyable. I had my own seat and was very scenic. I was able to talk with the train conductor and he had many tips for my next train tide
Thank you very much for your feedback. We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the services we've provided!
This simply isn’t true. They did not state anywhere on the reservations that the Amtrak ride would be only 45 MINS from Oxnard to Santa Barbara. Everyone on the trip was confused and upset because we all thought that we would take the AMTRACK from LA. They did not explain that we would all be in an extremely small mini-van to drive an hour to the Oxnard Station, have to wait for over an hour to take the Amtrak, and then have to drive back in an overcrowded mini-van for a 2 hour and a half drive back from Santa Barbara.
Thank you very much for your feedback. We are so sorry that you are not satisfied with the services you received. The investigation is starting, we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Trip description is misleading. The train ride is from Oxnard to Santa Barbara not LA/Union Station. We had to take a 1 1/2 hour van ride in gridlock LA traffic to catch the train. The train trip from Oxnard to Santa Barbara is only 45 minutes. We didn't even take the train back to Oxnard. Instead, we spent 2 1/2 hours in a cramped van in terrible traffic. The tour guide spoke little English and provided very little information about points of interest the entire day. The guide then demanded a tip at our last stop. When we got to the Mission we were told that we would have to pay the admission fee. The trip description says it should be included. If we knew we would have to spend most of the day in a van in traffic, we would have driven to Santa Barbara on our own. We were under the impression that the trip is primarily about the train ride, unfortunately, that's not the case with this tour. Tour is not worth the time or money.
Thank you very much for your feedback. We are so sorry that you are not satisfied with the services you received. Your feedback is very important to us. After investigated, the trip of Oxnard to Santa Barbara is around 60 minutes by train, the wheels are controlled by engineman, sometimes it might cause early arrival. LA is a famous city of traffic-jam, which we are not like it too. All the details are written on the itinerary, please check it again. The Mission has entrance fees, which is not stated include on the itinerary and collected by their own not us. Means if you are walking around just take a look and not go inside, you don’t have to pay anything. But if you want to go inside you have to pay (more like a donation). The tips are not mandatory, you have absolutely righted to reject if you are not satisfied with his service. The tour guide is apologized about the lack of communicating, he will improve soon. Hope we can provide satisfied service to you next time!
