Holiday week travel on the Central Coast is often one of the busiest of the year
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - With mild weather and a lot to do, the Central Coast is a big destination on the week between Christmas and the New Year.
Travel industry experts say it is one of the busiest weeks of the year on the highways, at airports, on trains and in sunnier portions of the U.S.
Conditions are perfect for traveling with open roads, and no weather related delays.
The Central Coast visitors say they are here for a variety of reasons including to see family members, visit Solvang for its Christmas decorations, tour wine country, and enjoy all the waterfront offerings have for the region.
The return flow of travelers may have a different schedule. Some schools are extending their vacation period into the first week of January and there will not be a big rush to get back home for some families with school-age children.
Those who are visiting Southern California will often visit amusement parks and attend the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Travel and hospitality workers are staffed up for tours and some were working on Christmas including the Land Shark in Santa Barbara.
At the Santa Barbara Airport on Tuesday it was busy but not like airports where travelers say they cringe.
Jacob Bennis was boarding and said, "Oh yeah JFK, you know San Francisco -pain in the butt."
Timing is everything if you want to keep your anxiety level down.
Bennis siad, "my flight doesn't leave until 2:20 and it's only 12:30 should be perfect." He say he became a good traveler, from " my mom, my mom took me places, she gave me a little experience. "
Another traveler was taking it all in stride, and she too had a two hour lead time.
Passenger Margie Miller said, "I can get lunch if I have to."
For travelers coming to Santa Barbara from San Luis Obispo County, it was the most convenient way for avoiding big traffic problems and timing issues elsewhere. David Trengove said, "it's only an hour an 40 minutes. It is better than going up to San Jose which is two and a half hours and a lot more traffic. We have an enjoyable ride and see the coast and everything else like that. "
Even though this is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, it was hardly felt.
Melanie Trengove said, "it didn't bother us at all if there if it is, no problem ."
The after Christmas good weather will be missed by one passenger heading home to Atlanta.
"I came in and it was pouring rain on the 21st . I'm kind of sad that I'm getting that good California weather (when leaving) " said Will Bernd. He is a former flight attendant and said, "so once you walk through the airport. understand there is a lot of things that may not be in your control. Just go with the flow, don't drink too much and make sure you don't have big liquids or anything that will hold you up in security."
