Amtrak officials say they recently formed a partnership with Hertz to provide shuttle service to rental locations in a number of cities. Hertz also opened a branch at Los Angeles' Union Station, and some stations have installed direct-dial phones for reservations. In Santa Barbara, where the train station is just a block from the beach, several motels and hotels are within walking distance. So is State Street, with the city's best shopping and restaurants. It's possible to take a three-day weekend trip there without needing a car.
Ground transportation is available at some tourist locations.
Traveling by train isn't always less expensive than flying. I met a retired couple traveling from Salem, Ore., to Simi Valley who said the cost of their standard sleeper was comparable to traveling by air, even with a discount they found on the Internet. There are also routes from Los Angeles to Orlando. Hey, it won't take you to the Caribbean, but it's worth trying. And the airport will still be there when you need it.