# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Travel Planning

Tours From Santa Barbara to San Francisco

The road trip is truly a lost art. Yes, a plane gets you to your destination quickly and, in most cases, with ease. A flight is a fast alternative to any form of transportation, no doubt, but every now and then, we all need a little change. The trip is not always about the destination, but the journey. What about observing the scenery, slowing down, really seeing how one gets to their destination? This seems to be an old-fashioned concept, yet strikingly refreshing. There are a few options for the road enthusiast who loves to embrace the journey but would rather not do the driving. Santa Barbara is as picturesque a beach town as you can get and further north, the beauty only continues. Traveling from Santa Barbara onward to San Francisco, that has the makings of lovely little road trip.

What are my options?
- There are many tour companies that offer sight-seeing packages to San Francisco by coach.
  
  Amtrak offers reasonable train fares from Santa Barbara to Oakland, accompanied by a short bus ride from Oakland to a variety of destinations in San Francisco.
What to Expect - Tour by Coach
- 3 Days, 2 Nights
  Day 1- Depart from Santa Barbara in the afternoon, driven by coach to San Francisco. Check in at your choice of two hotels in Union Square, followed by a guided walking tour.
  Day 2- A full day of touring the city's greatest locations, including Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Warf, the Civic Center, Chinatown, North Beach and Twin Peaks. Then you're off, via ferry ride, to an afternoon and lunch as you choose in Sausalito. Your late afternoon arrival in Union Square gives you a chance for a evening Cable Car tour in true SF style.
  Day 3- This day is open to your own personal planning until your afternoon departure.
  
  For more information, head to: http://www.california-tour.com/california/schedule/detail/sanfrancisco1.htm
What to Expect - Tour by Train/Bus
- This option is for those looking for a little more freedom and personalization regarding itinerary.
  
  Amtrak offers continuous fares from Santa Barbara to your destination or locale of choice in San Francisco.
  
  Departing from Santa Barbara, you can ride the train as far as Jack London Square in Oakland, continuing via a brief bus ride to San Francisco. Once in San Francisco, there are countless shuttle tour companies that offer extensive tours of the city and surrounding points of interest. Most hotels offer vacation packages, inclusive of tours and sightseeing, dinners/lunches and special events.
  
  For more information: http://stations.amtrak.com/amtrak/StationSearchResults.jsp