Traveling to Santa Monica to visit and i'm looking for a cheaper route?

I have a someone special in mind in santa monica but the thing of the matter is I live in Florida and let's just say the ticket for riding the AmTrak well it blew my mind 500+ for one adult round trip, ugh it wasn't always this high! Do the prices tend to change throughout the year or something cause that was crazy?! Also how much money would you recommend bringing? Just a reminder I am a college student and well funds are a little low haha! Thanks guys.Traveling to Santa Monica to visit and i'm looking for a cheaper route?
did you consider flying ? there is no direct amtrak train from florida to California anyway

and it takes longer

and you didn't say where in florida so i assume Ft. Lauderdale, YOU DIDN'T TELL WHAT CITY IN FLORIDA YOU WANTED nor when you wanted to travel either -so dont blame if i got it wrong

i found some southwest flights

for $390 round trip

Air Itinerary and Pricing

Air Pricing Passenger Type Trip Routing Fare Type Base Fare

Govt. Taxes

and Fees

Govt. Taxes and Fees Help

Quantity Total

Adult Depart FLL-LAX Wanna Get Away $159.07 $26.33 1

$185.40

Your Pricing Breakdown

Close Close

Base Fare $159.07

+ Excise Taxes $11.93

Advertised Fare $171.00

+ Segment Fee $7.40

+ Passenger Facility Charge $4.50

+ Security Fee 1 $2.50

Total per Passenger $185.40

x 1 Passenger(s)

Total $185.40

1 Security Fee is the government-imposed September 11th Security Fee.

Adult Return LAX-HOU-FLL Wanna Get Away $159.07 $35.53 1

$194.60

Your Pricing Breakdown

Close Close

Base Fare $159.07

+ Excise Taxes $11.93

Advertised Fare $171.00

+ Segment Fee $11.10

+ Passenger Facility Charge $7.50

+ Security Fee 1 $5.00

Total per Passenger $194.60

x 1 Passenger(s)

Total $194.60

1 Security Fee is the government-imposed September 11th Security Fee.

Please read the fare rules associated with this purchase. $318.14 $61.86 1 $380.00

Depart

Jul

21

Fort Lauderdale, FL to Los Angeles, CA

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Travel Time 6 h 40 m

(1 stop, no plane change)

#2032 Depart Ft. Lauderdale, FL (FLL)

Stops in Austin, TX

1:25 PM

Arrive in Los Angeles, CA (LAX) 5:05 PM

Return

Jul

28

Los Angeles, CA to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Travel Time 10 h 15 m

(2 stops, includes 1 plane change)

#44 Depart Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

Stops in Albuquerque, NM

9:55 AM

Arrive in Houston (Hobby), TX (HOU) 4:20 PM

#1003 Change connect, change plane in Houston (Hobby), TX (HOU)

7:45 PM

Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (FLL) 11:10 PMTraveling to Santa Monica to visit and i'm looking for a cheaper route?
Mark what the hel l is a security fee....You have to PAY THEM to strip....Now this is going really to far. How much is oxygen on the plane.....