Santa Barbara -- Los Angeles

Synopsis: From SB to LA you pass through Ventura County, which has, thankfully, an excellent transit system connecting the other two counties.

From the Santa Barbara transit center, take the Ventura Coastal Express for $2, to the Ventura transit center; from there take the Conejo Express for $2 or the 101 for $1.25. Get off either at the Thousand Oaks transit center, which has restrooms and a water fountain while you're waiting.

Take the LA Metro's 161 to Ventura Boulevard, and transfer to the 750 to Universal City; then the Red Line to wherever you want. In my case, since I was continuing south, I took the Blue Line to Long Beach. Buy the day pass on the 161 for $3, it's good until the following morning if I remember right.

Altogether, the trip costs $6.25 versus $12 by Greyhound. Even if you donate $1 to micropayments@whatisthewww.com, you still save $4.75.