What to do in SBA
Apr 7, 2010 | 10:28 am
#1
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I am doing my first MR (iad-ord-lax-sfo-sba-lax-ord-alb-iad for 280) or rather a segment run since I need the segments to make gold this year. My longest layover is in sba. It is 3 hours. Is there anything I can do in that time? Worth leaving the airport?
Also, how does the check in work for such a flight?
Any suggestions on how to get moved to E+? I'm CO silver.
I am doing my first MR (iad-ord-lax-sfo-sba-lax-ord-alb-iad for 280) or rather a segment run since I need the segments to make gold this year. My longest layover is in sba. It is 3 hours. Is there anything I can do in that time? Worth leaving the airport?
Also, how does the check in work for such a flight?
Any suggestions on how to get moved to E+? I'm CO silver.
Apr 7, 2010 | 11:32 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CAE,AGS
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It looks like the airport is close to the Univ. of Calif - Santa Barbara, however, you will still be about eight miles or so from SB (but right adjacent to Goleta). The airport/terminal itself seems to have quite a history on its own with a World War II Memorial in the Vista Overlook. You will, however, be fairly close to the ocean and Goleta Beach as well. And my niece actually recommends the Natural Cafe in Goleta - and it's not far from the airport either. So, other than getting off the plane, stretching your legs, having a bite to eat and wandering around the terminal, I'm not sure what else you could do.
Have a great SR
Have a great SR
Apr 7, 2010 | 11:36 am
#3
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I am doing my first MR (iad-ord-lax-sfo-sba-lax-ord-alb-iad for 280) or rather a segment run since I need the segments to make gold this year. My longest layover is in sba. It is 3 hours. Is there anything I can do in that time? Worth leaving the airport?
Also, how does the check in work for such a flight?
Any suggestions on how to get moved to E+? I'm CO silver.
I am doing my first MR (iad-ord-lax-sfo-sba-lax-ord-alb-iad for 280) or rather a segment run since I need the segments to make gold this year. My longest layover is in sba. It is 3 hours. Is there anything I can do in that time? Worth leaving the airport?
Also, how does the check in work for such a flight?
Any suggestions on how to get moved to E+? I'm CO silver.
Apr 7, 2010 | 3:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Posts: 232
I agree with PDXPremier. Your best bet will be to walk over to Goleta. It's a nice little beach. You could probably get a taxi to take you to UCSB, but I wouldn't really call it a destination campus. With only three hours, you would be hard-pressed to make it to downtown Santa Barbara, though State Street is always a nice place to wander. Goleta is a great little spot though and will give you at least a little taste of Southern California beach life. ^
Apr 7, 2010 | 7:15 pm
#6
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I did an evening MR there once (PHX-LAX-SBA-LAX-PHX) and was very disapointed to find the restaurant had shut down and I was stuck eating a Skor bar from the news stand 
.
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Apr 8, 2010 | 10:41 pm
#7
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Just to distinguish, I believe CMK10 means the restaurant at the airport. The one at the beach, actually right on the beach, separated from wind and sand only by a glass windbreak, is definitely open. I was just there. A beautiful area to get sand between your toes, or not, and there's a sign by the beach parking lot telling what ships and explorers moored or foundered there since the 1500s. Over by the broadcast towers about a mile away, several buried Spanish cannon were found several years ago. Not least, often there are dolphins offshore.
Apr 8, 2010 | 11:08 pm
#8
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I too did a turn in SBA on a segment run and found it to be a very charming airport. I never left it besides getting some air but if I remember correctly there was a roof caf overlooking the tarmac. Wish to return there sometime.
Apr 8, 2010 | 11:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Without getting a cab, the only thing to do is really walk down to Goleta beach (as has been said). When you land, you are forced to exit the secure area. From there, walk to the street, and make a right turn (towards the ocean) and continue walking until you get to the beach.
Construction of the new terminal should also be underway, so it's kinda neat to see how much bigger it will be. (square footage wise, I think it should be 3 times larger).
Construction of the new terminal should also be underway, so it's kinda neat to see how much bigger it will be. (square footage wise, I think it should be 3 times larger).
Apr 8, 2010 | 11:19 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2008
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The waterfront restaurant by the airport is called Beachside Cafe. You could walk it in 15 minutes. Here is a link to a local website/forum with reviews about the restaurant and the address, hours, etc.
http://www.santabarbara.com/dining/r...restaurant=597
Have a great time in Santa Barbara!
BTW, the airport construction project is in early days so there is no change to square footage for passenger facilities.
http://www.santabarbara.com/dining/r...restaurant=597
Have a great time in Santa Barbara!
BTW, the airport construction project is in early days so there is no change to square footage for passenger facilities.
Apr 8, 2010 | 11:48 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
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I too did a turn in SBA on a segment run and found it to be a very charming airport. I never left it besides getting some air but if I remember correctly there was a roof caf overlooking the tarmac. Wish to return there sometime.
OP, as others have said, take a walk down to the beach. Downtown probably isn't feasible with just a 3 hour layover, but the airport is near some really beautiful coastline for you to explore.
Apr 9, 2010 | 12:02 am
#12
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I grew up in SBA and spent unholy amounts of time at that cafe. My mom would take me there all the time to let me just sit and watch the planes. Then there was the Elephant Bar on the other side of the airport with a great view of the runways and general aviation areas. Fond memories from that place. I used to love watching the occasional 747 or DC10 come in for maintenance or who knows what. Anyone know the reason why they brought the huge birds in there sometimes? It definitely seemed out of place.
OP, as others have said, take a walk down to the beach. Downtown probably isn't feasible with just a 3 hour layover, but the airport is near some really beautiful coastline for you to explore.
OP, as others have said, take a walk down to the beach. Downtown probably isn't feasible with just a 3 hour layover, but the airport is near some really beautiful coastline for you to explore.
Do you also remember watching all manner of restored warplane firefighting airtankers flying in and out -- the B17, B24, PBY, PB4Y2, F7F, C-119 (flying boxcar) and the lumbering TBM?
Last edited by Firewind; May 4, 2010 at 6:45 am Reason: mods: apologies and thanks for your indulgence as this goes afield of most MR discussions
Apr 9, 2010 | 12:23 am
#13
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Speaking of the B17... she will be visting SBA in a few weeks and flights and tours are being offered.
Apr 9, 2010 | 12:48 am
#14
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http://www.flysba.com/news_facts/new...ortress_at_sba
Last edited by Firewind; Apr 9, 2010 at 12:55 am Reason: link
Apr 9, 2010 | 1:47 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Well, I remember the "guppies" when I was going to school at UCSB. They had very swollen fuselages. They were for carrying sections of rockets or missiles. A lot of secret stuff went|(goes) on in the obscure research centers around the airport. The guppies and sometimes other normal widebodies such as DC10s and 747s would fly in and out at night, often standing on the tarmac during the day.
Do you also remember watching all manner of restored warplane firefighting airtankers flying in and out -- the B17, B24, PBY, PB4Y2, F7F, the flying boxcars and the lumbering TBM?
Do you also remember watching all manner of restored warplane firefighting airtankers flying in and out -- the B17, B24, PBY, PB4Y2, F7F, the flying boxcars and the lumbering TBM?