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.