bon Footprint
National Clean Air Award! See June 1, 2010 news release.
Also see Photo Gallery.
Recent Publications and Web Articles
The project and website have received 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.
Santa Barbara News Press
Take a Bow (July 9, 2010)
The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District honored its partners in the Santa Barbara Car Free project June 17 at its monthly board meeting... Karen Kukurin, deputy director and community liaison with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, read a letter from the governor lauding project participants for their 'exemplary accomplishments.' "Your outstanding efforts help cement California as a world leader in going green," it read. The District's board also thanked Santa Barbara Car Free partners with a resolution.
See photo of partners at the reception that appeared with the article on our photo gallery page.
Window Seat Travel Blog: Travelocity's Alison Presley blogs on Car Free here.
Santa Barbara Car Free: One California City Gets Serious about Carbon (June 25, 2010)
Often in the U.S. when we think about "car-free destinations," we think of big cities like New York City, Boston, and San Francisco. But what should you do if you want to go car-free and get away from the hubbub of urban life? I now have an answer for you: visit Santa Barbara.
See full blog here.
Los Angeles Times Travel Blog
Santa Barbara Car Free offers 20% off Amtrak travel, and lots more (January 12, 2010)
Santa Barbara Car Free, an eco-tourism project by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, has been around for some time. But with new elements added every year, its green appeal —both to your wallet and the environment —is as strong as ever.
The 2010 savings program, with the slogan “Take the car out of your carbon footprint,” encourages visitors to walk, bike, use the city’s electric shuttle and hop aboard the train. And, as in previous years, they can take advantage of 20% off on Amtrak rail travel to and from Santa Barbara County.
See article on LA Times website.
TrainWeb.com
What's New with Santa Barbara Car Free (November 2009)
"As it turns out, the Santa Barbara Car Free program is bigger, and greener than it was five years ago. And, other California cities have used the Santa Barbara Car Free model to start their own programs. Many of the original Santa Barbara businesses are still members, plus many new ones have joined. There is now a 20% discount on Amtrak Surfliner tickets to Santa Barbara County cities, and many discounts in town for just showing your train ticket."
See full story on the TrainWeb site.
Group Travel Planet Magazine
Two-Wheeling it (July 2009)
"Santa Barbara's Car Free initiative encourages
visitors to travel in a number of different ways, one of which is
biking. Bike maps, delivery and pickup of bikes to your hotel, rental
company information, and clubs and advocacy group information are all
available at santabarbaracarfree.org."
Westways - Southern California AAA Magazine
No Parking
Car-free−and cool−in Santa Barbara
(June 2009)
"Health-conscious joggers and cyclists traverse town on the city's endless bike paths, but the Santa Barbara Car Free project, a government-run clean-air campaign, makes it simple to navigate the area without ever strapping on a seat belt−or a knee brace. The project partners with dozens of area businesses, including Amtrak. Our friends Don and Randi were thrilled to learn that by registering on the project's website, they got 20 percent off their train tickets. Then, by flashing tickets around town, they got more discounts at hotels and restaurants."
2nd Green Revolution.com
American Cities Hope to Entice Pedestrians with Carless Districts (June 2009)
"...In addition, smaller cities are promoting their pedestrian friendly qualities. Santa Barbara, California (roughly two hours north of Los Angeles) presents itself as a carless get-away destination. Several businesses have begun offering reduced rates on hotel stays for those travelers that present their train ticket at check-in. The website SantaBarbaraCarless.org contains a wealth of car travel alternatives to and from as well as within the city. “Santa Barbara Car Free is a cooperative partnership initiated and led by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District since 1998 for cleaner air and a healthier planet. We have more than 100 business and community partners - all encouraging car free transportation to, and around, Santa Barbara.” With a temperate climate, biking is an excellent year round option in Santa Barbara. For specific information on biking in the city, refer to the biking section of Santa Barbara’s Car Free site.
These two examples show that pedestrians, bike riders, and non-vehicular traffic can coexist and even transform a city’s landscape. Reduced ground level ozone and airborne particulate matter from decreased motorized traffic enhances community health. In addition, carless districts encourage increased exercise, which also positively impacts health. From the largest American city to one with a population hovering around 100,000 people, all cities would do well to increase carless options like New York and Santa Barbara."
Travel + Leisure.com
Hot Deals | Weekly travel bargains Santa Barbara: Car-free deals at area hotels and businesses (June, 2009, through present)
"Why Go: Santa Barbara wants to promote itself as a car-free destination so, for the rest of the year, area hotels are offering discounts to guests who show an Amtrak ticket at check-in. The deals range from upgrades to discounts, to extras like a bottle of sparkling wine or breakfast or bikes to explore the city. Participating hotels range from small B&Bs off the beach, to romantic inns with fireplaces, to chain hotels. Other local businesses are jumping onboard with discounted kayaking, whale-watching trips, restaurant meals, museum entrance fees, and more...For more information or to book, please visit Santa Barbara Car Free. To register for Amtrak discounts, please visit Santa Barbara."
Smartertravel.com/USAToday online
Escapes Under $500: Budget-friendly beach getaways (May, 2009)
Santa Barbara, California
"Who needs a car at the beach? Especially in Santa Barbara, where you can get discounts and perks for leaving your wheels behind and walking, biking, or even taking the train instead of driving. In an attempt to be more eco-friendly, the city has initiated a Car Free promotion that includes a host of savings on hotels and activities when you take the train, a 20% discount on Amtrak tickets, and special packages even if you do arrive by car."
New York Times
The No-Car City (Letter in the New York Times, November 30, 2008)
"Santa Barbara is the rare small American city that is easy and pleasant to visit without a car. In fact, Santa Barbara is the even rarer city that encourages and rewards visitors without a car..."
Los Angeles Times
Travel Blog Roundup of Deals (LA Times Travel Blog, December 16, 2008)
"Under the Santa Barbara Car Free Project, visitors who arrive by Amtrak can tap discounts up to 50% at dozens of hotels, restaurant and activities in the coastal county and also get 20% off their Pacific Surfliner or San Joaquins fares. Yes, I know gas prices have dropped to 2004 levels. But I find Amtrak a hassle-free way to get to Santa Barbara. It drops you right next to hopping State Street."
Eco-Travel Options are Abundant LA Times, June 30, 2008
"Santa Barbara's air pollution district has a little challenge for you: Leave the car at home. The district, in cooperation with the city's tourism office, is trying to make it easier to travel green. Hop on an Amtrak train and you could qualify for cheap hotel rates. And, once you're in town, there are ferries, a 25-cent electric shuttle and bike rentals..."
California Weekend
Cary Awards: Best, Most Unique Places We Visited in 08 (January 2009, California Weekend web feature, and column)
"Our Most Unique Travel Adventure for 2008 was a trip to Santa Barbara without our car. It´s tough to pry the car keys from us Southern Californians but, in the interest of the environment, we gave it a try. It turns out that Santa Barbara´s Car-Free program makes it easy and offers lots of incentives that make it well worth your while to try visiting Santa Barbara by train or air. Our trip on Amtrak from San Diego went off without a hitch, and we were amazed at how much we could do without our car. For more information on car-free Santa Barbara, go to www.santabarbaracarfree.org or phone (805) 696-1100."
"American Riviera" Ideal for Car-Free Visit (June 2008, California Weekend web feature, and column)
"Got to admit it — it's tough for this Californian to give up his car for the weekend, but that's exactly what we did on a recent train getaway to Santa Barbara that proved we could do our small part to help reduce traffic and vehicle emissions and still have a great time..."
Peter Greenburg Travel
Care-Free and Car-Free Destinations (June 2008)
"Santa Barbara is taking this car-less concept very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that it has an entire promotional campaign around it. What smells like a gimmick turned out to be a useful resource that makes traveling sans car seem not only accessible, but preferable. For example, if you take the train to Santa Barbara, California, you qualify for the “car-free” discount at more than 20 hotels, some restaurants, and many activities.."
Also: Seattle Times (June 2008), Australia's "G" Magazine (May 2008), The London Paper (April 2008), Chicago Scene Magazine (March 2008), United Airlines Hemispheres Magazine (December 2007)
Awards
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District received a national Clean Air Excellence Award for the Santa Barbara Car Free Project from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. See this page.
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, 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.