Let's take Amtrak to the California Wine Festival in Santa Barbara

We'll be riding Amtrak to the BEACHSIDE WINE FESTIVAL at Chase Palm Park, in Santa Barbara. We did this last year ago, and it was a blast. Info about the festival

This is the California Wine Festival’s signature wine event. Thousands of wine lovers pour into Santa Barbara’s sun-splashed beachside location for a day of sun, sea, wine, food, and music. Wine oenophiles will find hundreds of fine wines, regional craft brews and a dizzying variety of foods to sample. Taste artisanal cheeses, breads, olive oil, chocolates and more! A live band keeps the beat for this all-day feast for the senses where wine and food are king and queen. The festival runs from 1pm to 4pm.

We'll be taking the Coast Starlight train from LA Union Station to the Santa Barbara main Amtrak station, and the Pacific Surfliner back to LA.

This year we've decided to buy VIP tickets. The VIP area has tables and chairs, which are not available in the General Admission area.

You need to buy tickets for the Beachside Wine Festival here:
Buy Wine Festival tickets here

Your ticket price includes all wine and food samples and an 18 oz keepsake wine glass. The pre-sale price for VIP is $140.00 until March 3. After that the price will be higher. There is also a very limited number of tickets to the VIP section, so if you want to sit there, be quick! The VIP area opens at 12 noon.

If you don't get or want VIP tickets, you can also get General Admission pre-sale for $79. This price also expires March 3. The General Admission area opens at 1:00pm.

You'll also need to buy Amtrak tickets from Union Station (aka LAX!) to Santa Barbara Amtrak. We will try to sit together on the train in Coach. Buy Amtrak tickets here

To Santa Barbara from Union Station:
#14 Coast Starlight DEPARTS 9:51a; ARRIVES 12:14p; coach starts at $25 for seniors

From Santa Barbara to Union Station:
#790 Pacific Surfliner DEPARTS 4:40p; ARRIVES 7:40p; coach starts at $28 for seniors

Cheapest parking at Union Station is at Union Station East, 811 N Vignes St, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Cost is $8 for the day.

Wear comfortable shoes, as we'll be walking about 1/2 mile from the Santa Barbara Amtrak station to the festival and then back to the train station.

Carpools to Union Station are recommended.