From European Gateways to California Sunshine
Welcome back to the Boarding Pass Travel Blog. If you’re planning your first or next USA adventure, let me suggest San Diego. I loved my visit there with the military and I can't wait to go back. The city has more than 70 miles of beaches, so whether you’re a surfer or someone who prefers a quiet stroll at sunset, you’re spoiled for choice. Balboa Park offers museums, gardens and the famous San Diego Zoo, while the Gaslamp Quarter is where you’ll find buzzing nightlife, rooftop bars and live music spilling out into the streets. Sports fans can catch the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, a ballpark with views of the city skyline that make it as much about the setting as the baseball.
And then there’s the city’s pop culture credentials. Kansas City Barbecue, the dive bar that featured in the original Top Gun, is still serving up ribs and pulled pork with a side of nostalgia. Meanwhile, just across the bay, Coronado is where the Navy SEALs train, a reminder that San Diego’s laid-back vibe comes with a serious military edge. Sunshine, tacos, craft beer, baseball, and sunsets: it’s hard not to be hooked.
There’s something about the USA that keeps pulling me back. Maybe it’s the NFL, the sunshine, or the sheer variety. I’ve clocked up five states so far: Florida, California, Texas, Oklahoma and New York. Each trip has been different, yet somehow familiar, with that unique blend of Americana that makes you feel you’ve stepped into a film set.
I first touched down in the States in 1998, en route to Jamaica. It was only a brief stop at Cocoa Beach, but it gave me a taste. My first proper holiday came in 2003, two weeks in Orlando doing what many British families do: Disney and Universal. I was blown away by the attention to detail in every corner of the parks, and the enthusiasm of the staff. I ended up going back three more times.
New York City came in 2007, with its skyscrapers, taxis, and that unmistakable energy. Then in 2010, I swapped the Big Apple for Lawton, Oklahoma. It was like stepping onto the set of an old Western, only with Walmart and line-dancing bars. Scooters, a local bar, had happy hours where you paid whatever you liked – quarters were the currency of the night. Later that year, I made it to Las Vegas, and within hours of landing I was on the Strip, neon lights blazing before dusk.
That’s what strikes me most about the USA: the variety. You can go from theme parks to cowboy bars, Wall Street to desert highways. Planning another trip always throws up a big question: how do you get the timing right? On my Vegas trip in 2010, I arrived mid-afternoon and had the Strip before sunset. Now, the earliest I’d land is closer to 8pm.
Aviation schedules have shifted since COVID. Airlines are juggling demand, staffing shortages, and new travel patterns shaped by hybrid work. The result? Fewer predictable timetables, more last-minute changes. It’s all part of the adventure though. After all, travel is as much about the journey as the destination.
How to Get to San Diego (From Europe)
From London → San Diego
- There is a direct flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to San Diego International (SAN) on British Airways. You’ll be in the air about 11 hours or so. British Airways
- If there’s no direct available (or you want a cheaper route), you can fly with one stop. Common layovers: US hubs like Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX) or Phoenix (PHX).
- Expect total travel time (with layover) to stretch into the 13–16 hour range depending on connection length.
From Madrid → San Diego
- There are no direct nonstop Madrid → San Diego flights. You’ll have to go via a connection. KAYAK+1
- Common routing is via Madrid → a US hub (e.g. Dallas, Houston, or New York) → San Diego.
- One-way prices have been seen from about USD 364 (for flights with one stop) Skyscanner
- Roundtrip deals hover around USD 637 in favorable conditions. expedia
- Connection time matters: make sure your layover gives you enough buffer (customs, recheck, etc.).
From Berlin → San Diego
- There are no direct Berlin → San Diego flights. Skyscanner+2United Airlines+2
- You’ll fly with at least one stop (sometimes two). Typical hubs: Frankfurt, Munich, or US gateways like Chicago, Dallas, or Los Angeles.
- Fares for one-stop flights can start from ~ USD 350-400 one way. Skyscanner
- Always check total journey time — some itineraries involve long layovers or overnight stops.
So, where next? Maybe San Diego with its sunsets and Padres baseball, maybe Vegas, or maybe I’ll chase the sun in Texas again. Planning is half the fun.
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