Goleta Amtrak Station

3 out of my past 5 train rides have been delayed at least one hour. Fuck this train and fuck this company

This station offers free parking. There’s no agent or attendant so you have to use the kiosk to buy/​print tickets. However, if you have a smartphone, you don’t need either. Just buy your ticket online and have the QR code ready for scanning once you’re aboard the train. I think they also accept the ticket number if you buy over the phone. Keep in mind, if you don’t buy your ticket before boarding and want to buy on the train, they will charge you a higher rate.
The Pacific Surfliner train often begins at this station. However, some southbound trains start in SLO. Last time, I thought the train waiting at the station was the one that I needed to board. Then, a single level train pulled up, and I didn’t know if I should get on it. It turns out it was my train!
The WiFi hasn’t been reliable. I’m not sure if it’s better in the Business Class car, but I’ve had to create my own WiFi hotspot using my cell phone.
Just a few tips for any Pacific Surfliner newbie:
— The two level trains are typically one Business class car, the Café car and then a series of Coach cars. In Goleta, the Business class car is usually first when northbound and last when southbound. Unless you are handicapped or elderly, you will need to sit upstairs.
— Four/​three-​seaters are reserved for groups of at least three.
— North of Ventura offers a great view of the ocean and coast. Try to grab a window seat if you can.
— In LA, the train switches directions so if you get sick going backwards, you’ll want to switch seats.
— Search online for any discount codes. AAA members get 20% off, I believe.

This was my first time on Amtrak in Cali, last rode it in 1989 from Rhode Island to N.Y.C. It was great: the station is only about 15 minutes by bus from my house in Goleta, there was plenty of space, a nice café car, it ran on time and nobody sat there screeching loudly into their cell phones. After riding Greyhound for over 30 years, I’ am now officially a train person. It’s worth the extra money. My only complaint is that nobody said «All aboard»! Well, I said it, but that doesn’t really count.

Europeans are smarter than they let on about a lot of things, including Amsterdam, when to start wars, and train stations. Big stations in the middle of town so you can get off and walk somewhere make too much sense for us, so instead in Goleta, you have to get a ride from a lonely platform behind an industrial park. Whatever. Even when you show up to the mighty pre-​departure queue on a Sunday afternoon, it still beats going down to the much nicer Santa Barbara station and contending with those teeming masses for the seat of your choice.