Day Trip Ideas

Day trip · Coast Starlight

Union Station to Mission Santa Barbara

A Saturday on Amtrak's Coast Starlight, no car. Book a few days out and head straight for the Sightseer Lounge car.

Train times checked September 15, 2026 against Amtrak's current Coast Starlight timetable. Mass, confession and tour times checked the same day with the mission. Check again the week you go.

1. 9:51AM

   Coast Starlight 14 leaves Union Station

   Walk straight to the Sightseer Lounge car, the one with windows curving up into the roof. Past Ventura the track runs right along the water, on the left going north.

2. 12:21PM

   Arrive Santa Barbara

   The station is at the bottom of State Street. The mission is about two miles uphill: a 45-minute walk through downtown, or a short ride.

3. 1:15PM

   Lunch by the mission

   Pick something up on State Street on the way and eat on the lawn across from the mission, beside the rose garden.

4. 2:15PM

   The mission and its gardens

   The Franciscans founded it in 1786 and are still here. The self-guided tour through the church, museum and gardens takes about an hour. Adults $17, open until 4 PM.

5. 2:30PM

   Confession, if you want it

   Saturdays 2:30 to 3:30 PM in the mission church.

6. 4:00PM

   Saturday Vigil Mass

   In the mission church, the home of St. Barbara Parish. It counts for Sunday.

7. 5:00PM

   Back down State Street

   Walk down toward the station, with time for the beach at the bottom if the light is good.

8. 6:19PM

   Coast Starlight 11 heads south

   Back in the lounge car for the sunset over the water past Carpinteria. This train comes down from Seattle, so check its status before you leave the mission.

9. 9:11PM

   Union Station, then a drink downtown

   Finish the day together before heading home.