That's not all that odd. Some airlines around the world still use passes like that. When I took Megabus a month ago the attendant checked my reservation number and handed me a ratty looking laminated and numbered boarding pass. I remember when Southwest Airlines used to hand out reusable boarding passes. They were just thick colored plastic sheets with a number. Sometimes it got awkward to use after someone attempted to fold one or sat on one stuffed in a back pocket. I remember when they did a redesign for use in California airports where they were shaped like an outline of the state of California. I always wondered what might happen if someone lost one or if they simply decided not to board and didn't return the pass. I also remember a stop at Haneda Airport near Tokyo once where we didn't change planes. They let us off to stretch, but we were given laminated passes that we used to get back on the plane.
I have one and use one semi-regularly. I got mine before the $3 charge for a new card was instituted last year. I also got my wife one before the fee. You're not likely to need to ride a system that doesn't accept it. My main reason for using it is because Caltrain has a 25 cent discount on one-way fares and because one can't buy a ticket on board. The "tag on, tag off" system is fast. Once I forgot my Clipper card and saw the train at the station with one slow guy at the ticket vending machine. I basically gave up. If I had my Clipper card I would have easily been on the train in seconds with a quick "tag on" at the card reader. They're really nice on Golden Gate Ferry, which has a huge discount for using it. There are some small bus companies that don't use Clipper yet, but I doubt you're going to be taking County Connection or Westcat. And if you really need to take such a bus, paying cash isn't the end of the world.
Well, coming from Dallas, we're pretty much used to public transportation that doesn't run when or where you need it.
I was going to say something about that, since I understand the official state vehicle is the Suburban.Well, coming from Dallas, we're pretty much used to public transportation that doesn't run when or where you need it.
Come on down to the Gulf of Mexico where the Water is always Warm 12 Months a Year!
That part of the county isn't really rural though. It's a fairly densely populated suburban area.
We have a little something in California called the Coastal Act. All beaches are considered public property and any development along the coast requires a special permit which may be contingent on providing public access to the coastal area. That beaches are public doesn't preclude counties and/or government agencies from banning beach camping. There is no beach camping without a fee and/or reservations in California, and there may be limits. For the most part camping is only allowed in developed campgrounds.Got the Clipper cards by mail, and they're all set up.
Called Amtrak to change the itinerary, to start with San Diego to San Clemente, and then to go from San Clemente (instead of San Diego) to Oakland. The only near-glitch there was that the agent was surprised at the times given for the train-bus transfer in Santa Barbara. Train #785 leaves SNP at 5:21 and arrives SBA at 9:45pm. Ten minutes later, at 9:55, bus #4785 starts the 8-hour trek to OKJ. The agent was worried that there wasn't enough time, but the system assured her it was a guaranteed connection. I suspect if the bus left before the train arrived, it would be pretty empty!
Has anyone taken that overnight bus? I wonder how well we'll be able to sleep -- especially my wife, because I sleep like a rock anywhere. Another possibility would be to stay overnight in Santa Barbara, and catch a bus or train (or both) the next day. But the vacation fund piggybank sprung a leak - and if Motel 6 costs $100 a night, there's no way we're fitting that in.
How do California authorities respond to "unauthorized" beach camping? In Texas, the beaches are public land and you can camp wherever you darn well please.
