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Amtrak (Map; 800-872-7245; www.amtrak.com; 209 State St) has direct train services to LA ($25, 2¾ hours) and San Diego ($37, 5¾ hours) via the Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight.

Santa Barbara is bisected by Hwy 101. For downtown, take the Garden St or Cabrillo Blvd exits. Parking on the street and in any of the 10 municipal lots is free for the first 75 minutes. Each hour or part of an hour after that costs $1.50.

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GETTING AROUND

A taxi from the airport costs about $30 to $35 plus tip. Super Ride ( 800-977-1123; www.superride.net) provides a door-to-door shuttle service from the airport to downtown for about $20 for one person, $25 for two.

Buses operated by Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD; 805-683-3702; www.sbmtd.gov) cost $1.25 (exact change) per ride and travel all over town and to adjacent communities, including Goleta and Montecito; request a free transfer when you pay your fare. The MTD Transit Center (1020 Chapala St) has details on routes and schedules.

The Downtown–Waterfront shuttle bus (operated by MTD) runs every 10 minutes from 10am to 6pm along State St to Stearns Wharf. A second route travels from the zoo to the yacht harbor at 15-to-30-minute intervals. The fare is 25¢ per ride; transfers between routes are free.

Taxis are metered and cost about $1.90 for the drop rate (initial fare), plus $2.70 to $3.20 per mile. Try one of the following taxi companies:

Blue Dolphin ( 805-962-6886)

Gold Cab ( 805-685-9797)

Rose Cab ( 805-564-2600, 866-767-3222)

Yellow Cab ( 805-965-5111, 800-549-8294)

For an ecofriendly water-taxi ride between Stearns Wharf and points of interest on Harbor Dr, hop aboard yellow, biodiesel-powered Lil’ Toot ( 805-896-6900; adult/child $3/1; 1:30-6pm Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri, noon-6pm Sat & Sun Sept-May, noon-6pm daily Jun-Aug;). Look for the Lil’ Toot booth beside the water; trips run every half-hour.

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AROUND SANTA BARBARA

Can’t quit your day job to follow your bliss? Don’t despair, a long weekend in the mountains, valleys, beaches and parks surrounding Santa Barbara will help keep you inspired ’til you can. In this gorgeous land of daydreams, perfect waves beckon off Ventura’s coast, shady trails wind skyward in the Los Padres mountains, spiritual zen awaits within Ojai valley, and flirtatious pinots beckon from the Santa Rosa Hills. Surf, stroll, seek, sip – if sunny, outdoor rejuvenation is your goal, this is the place to reach it.

And then there’s Channel Islands National Park, a stunning chain of islands shimmering just off the coast where you can kayak into majestic sea caves, scuba dive near languorous kelp forests, wander fields of yellow coreopsis blooms or simply disappear from the ‘cultural apparatus’ at a remote but soul-enriching campsite.

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BUELLTON

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Often described as the gateway to the Wine Country, tiny Buellton is perhaps best known for the restaurant towering over the intersection of Hwy 101 and Hwy 246: Anderson’s Pea Soup Restaurant, where you can indeed get heaping bowls of the green stuff.

Ever since the release of Sideways in 2004, the Hitching Post II ( 805-688-0676; 406 E Hwy 246; mains $18-40; 5pm-9:30pm) has been giving Andersen’s some competition as the town’s most recognizable landmark. Seen in the movie as the restaurant where Miles meets waitress Maya, this legendary, dark-paneled chophouse offers oak-grilled steaks as well as baby back ribs, California quail and ostrich meat. Every meal comes with a veggie tray, shrimp cocktail or soup, salad and a starch. If you like pinot noir, the Hitching Post II makes its own, and its pretty darn good. The bar opens at 4pm.

In the strip mall behind the Burger King, the cooks at Pattibakes Bakery & Café ( 805-686-9582; 240 E Highway 246, shop 109; mains under $8; breakfast & lunch) whip up delicious homemade muffin, tarts and scones for breakfast, as well as a wide selection of sandwiches great for a picnic lunch.