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Awards | Publications | Visitor Response
Awards
The Santa Barbara Car Free project received a 2004 Environmental Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, and received a 2004 Marketing Excellence Award for "Best Niche Marketing: Eco-Tourism" from the California Travel and Tourism Commission. Read more background on the project here.
The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, lead agency for Santa Barbara Car Free, recently honored and thanked the project's partners for their outstanding volunteer service and contributions to the project.
Partners present for the APCD ceremony included (from left): Front row: Millie Matz--Santa Barbara Hotel Group; Olivia Rodriguez, David Damiano and Sherrie Fisher--Santa Barbara MTD: Tracy Farhad--Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission; Jayne Brechwald--American Lung Association of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, Antara Blasius--Community Environmental Council/Earth Day. Second row: Brian Hart--Amtrak; Nadine Turner--Hotel Santa Barbara; Megan Miley (project website)--Megan Miley Graphic Design; Ralph Fertig--Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition; Lynda Lang--Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce; Tim Bridwell--Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort; Laura Kath (project promotions coordinator)--Mariah Marketing; Mary Byrd (project manager)--APCD. Top row: Nancy Johnson--Botanic Garden; Randy Reetz--Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center; Lee Moldaver; Bobbie Bratz (community programs supervisor)--APCD; Lin Graf--Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The project and website have received positive publicity in more than 75 newspapers around the country, including the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Ventura Star, Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News, the Oakland Tribune, the Seattle Times, and others. It has also been featured in television stories, travel publications, and on travel websites. We've received comments about the project, both on survey cards and unsolicited emails and postcards. Here's a sample of what people are saying.
Publications
Amtrak.com
Advertised specials page about Santa Barbara Car Free on Amtrak website.
Los Angeles Times
Daily Travel Deal Blog, LA Times, July 9, 2007
"A Freeway-Free Coastal Journey" LA Times Sunday Travel Section, November 26, 2006. "Santa Barbara tourists who arrive by train earn discounts for ditching the car. The program, aimed at cutting air pollution, inspires some odd adventures in sightseeing...Santa Barbara Car Free may be the first tourism promotion created by a government pollution-control agency. It's a cooperative project overseen by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District..."
California Tour and Travel
Santa Barbara Overnight Successes... Winter 2004-2005
"...Leave your car behind and prepare to de-stress... All the ingredients come together with Santa Barbara Car Free, which offers all kinds of packages and info for better deals, working together with hotels, activities, etc..."
National Geographic Traveler
Online Weekly A-List, featured February 2-9, 2004
Santa Barbara Car-Free Project: Save Up to 50 Percent
With the "Santa Barbara Car-Free Vacation" package, visitors save up to 50 percent at 17 hotels, and get discounts on such car-free activities as whale-watching cruises, kayaking, and wine country tours. Room rates range from $69 to $180 (Sunday-Thursday) and $109 to $205 (Friday-Saturday) per night, depending on the hotel. Participating properties include Inn of the Spanish Garden, Best Western Pepper Tree Inn, Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort, Hotel Santa Barbara, and Cabrillo Inn at the Beach. Available through the end of 2004. Call +1 805 696 1100. More info >>
New York Times
Travel Deals and Discounts,
NO WHEELS AT ALL
Santa Barbara, Calif., wants to reduce
pollution, and to that end, it has put together the Santa
Barbara Car Free Vacation Package. Mention that name when
reserving at one of 17 hotels in the city, and the rates will
be discounted 10 to 50 percent, depending on availability and
subject to restrictions. Hotels include Brisas del Mar, the
Harbor View Inn, the Hotel Oceana, the Inn of the Spanish
Garden and the Upham Hotel. Register at
www.santabarbaracarfree.org for a free-companion coupon good
on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight (subject to
restrictions). Information: (805) 696-1100. (Sunday, February
1, 2004)
Metrolink Matters Newsletter
May 2005 issue (PDF file)
February 2004 Issue
(PDF file)
September 2003 Issue (PDF file)
Santa Barbara News-Press
Insider's Guide to Paradise, April 2005
Close To Home Car-free S.B. (Sunday, January
25, 2004)
A new 2004 vacation package featuring discounts from 17 hotels and 10 car-free activities is available from the Santa Barbara Car Free Project, a cooperative partnership that encourages car-free travel to and around Santa Barbara to promote cleaner air.
Register at www.santabarbaracarfree.org to receive an Amtrak Free Companion Fare coupon for travel on the Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight trains serving Santa Barbara (while supplies last; restrictions apply).
For a free area map that lists numerous car-free options and attractions, visit the above Web site, leave a message at 696-1100 or write to P.O. Box 60436, Santa Barbara 93160.
Ventura Star
Santa Barbara is hoping to ease freeway congestion and promote cleaner air in the city with a new fall car-free vacation package that offers discounts on hotels and car-free activities...
Travelers can register at www.santabarbaracarfree.org and get a free companion fare coupon good for travel on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Amtrak Coast Starlight, both of which serve Santa Barbara. Those who register will also receive a special map and full details on the promotion... (September 29, 2003)
San Francisco Chronicle
One Friday morning my husband, Dale, and I boarded Amtrak's San Diegan (now called the Pacific Surfliner) train in San Luis Obispo, broke out the bagels and juice from home and settled back into our seats while someone else did the driving.
We have driven to Santa Barbara hundreds of times, and though the scenery is lovely, it's difficult to enjoy on the busy highway. Besides, we know every curve in the road. We longed for new views...
Seeing the coast from a different vantage point was one reason we took advantage of a 'Santa Barbara Car Free' promotion, sponsored by Santa Barbara County's air pollution control district. Free companion fare on the train and discounted hotel rooms were others...
...This was one restorative weekend that wouldn't be spoiled by a frazzling drive home. (August 10, 2003)
Seattle Times
A website called www.santabarbaracarfree.org has convinced me we could do without a car…Using a free map and printouts from the website, we found bus and shuttle routes, bike paths and suggestions for walking tours that would take us past historical sites, to the beaches, to downtown restaurants… And being car free led to discoveries in our neighborhood that we might have overlooked.
www.gayot.com (travel website)
If you’re like us in Los Angeles, you probably love the idea of not having to drive somewhere. That’s why the idea of a car free (and carefree) escape to Santa Barbara sounds very tempting. The Santa Barbara Car Free project features discounts from 16 hotels and 11 activities to encourage visitors to “take a vacation from your car” in Santa Barbara. You’ll arrive by train, plane, bike, boat or bus –or by auto and leave it parked awhile-to enjoy America’s Riviera sans auto. And ultimately, it’s for a good cause, as the city’s goal is to promote cleaner air.
Visitor Response
Oceanside, CA resident visited in late September, 2005, taking the train, and riding folding bikes, and posted photos from the trip here: www.nautique-oceanside.com.
Note from Walnut Creek resident, who took the train:
"We enjoyed the beautiful train views and courteous train employees... The people of Santa Barbara were wonderful to us, helpful and friendly."
Note from Simi Valley resident, included with a request for the map:
“I am looking forward to taking the train there and then enjoying your beautiful town. We have been there off and on for thirty years, and have always driven. It’s time to do otherwise.”
Postcard from Garden Grove resident:
“As frequent visitors to Santa Barbara, we applaud your efforts to keep it car free. We travel by train, and even ‘though we are walkers, we appreciate the shuttles and bus service. Keep up the good work!”
From a Reseda resident who participated in the December promotion:
“Really had a relaxing visit. Will come back for a day trip with the train.”
From a Carlsbad resident, upon receiving the map and promotion information:
“What a great packet you put together for car free tourism! Can’t wait to get there!”
Fred and Nancy Meredith of Austin, Texas,
recently enjoyed a completely car free vacation in Santa Barbara
County. They came by train with their bicycles. Said Fred, "We
could wish that all trains were like the Amtrak Pacific
Surfliner -- electric outlets at every seat and a 'roll-on'
policy for bicycles."
He added, "When we travel by train, we can look out the window, daydream a bit, or work on our laptops, whether it is real work or not. We watched the first season of The Sopranos on our laptops on this trip. Having no responsibilities while you're getting there is great relaxation."
The Merediths are active in the Austin Cycling Association, and Fred is a Board member of the League of American bicyclists. While in the area, they cycled south to Oxnard and north to Lompoc and Jalama Beach. They were inspired to visit the area by checking out the websites for the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition and Santa Barbara Car Free. Bicycle Coalition Vice President Ralph Fertig, an active partner in the Santa Barbara Car Free project, gave the Merediths some area bike tips. They enjoyed their vacation very much and said "Santa Barbara is an easy town to get around in without a car."
Photos on this page were taken the Merediths on their Santa Barbara County Vacation, and by Ralph Fertig. Visit the Merediths website at http://2merediths.org.