I solve that problem with Bookmark Keywords. I set one up so I can just type "g search term" into the URL bar to search Google. My way is more advantageous in that I can set up a variety of searches from the URL bar: IMDb and Wikipedia are also frequently used. I also get rid of the search bar.

Edit: I just tried Chrome to see what you were talking about. I don't like it. The simple fact that pressing return might go to a web site in my local domain or do a search for the term, based on criteria I don't know (and even if I did know, wouldn't (want to) take the time to process), makes it bad UI.