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Southern California has quite literally had a hellacious week as out-of-control fires have ravaged Los Angeles.
While there are certainly a lot of question marks about what went wrong and how better to handle future disasters, over-regulations and bureaucratic nonsense are no strangers to the “Golden State,” no matter which side of the fence you stand politically.
We first announced last summer San Diego’s alternate airport was reopening their doors to the public after previously failed ventures, but it turns out we jumped the gun…slightly.
Being a 10-year San Diego resident, I should’ve known better before reporting such news, as anything fresh, new, and exciting within California’s borders often comes with contingencies.
As such, it’s now a new year and San Diego County just got around to approving commercial flights to San Diego’s new alternative airport – and no, it’s not locals’ favorite Tijuana loophole. That’s old news.
American Airlines Is Coming To Carlsbad
When we first revealed the surprising news that Carlsbad’s McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) was reopening doors to the public, many of you chimed in with mixed feelings.
It begs the question, one, if it’s necessary, and two, will it be a game-changer?
If you’re unaware, Carlsbad is a very family-friendly, soccer-mom beach town sandwiched roughly 40 minutes north of San Diego proper and just 25 minutes from Orange County.
In recent years, local businessman Ted Vallas had lofty dreams for California Pacific Airlines to anchor CLD with regional flights to such places as Vegas and Oakland, but flying out of Carlsbad on a no-name carrier never caught on.
Having launched a year or two before the pandemic, chances are this grand venture would’ve ceased operations anyway.
Nowadays, CLD only serves Advanced Air seasonally to Mammoth Lakes and JSX, a public charter making a name for itself on social media as a new, trendy concept.
As you see, CLD has long missed out on major players. That will soon change in February when American Airlines enters the chat, a historic first for SoCal and even more so for Carlsbad.
Is Flying To/From Carlsbad Worth It?
Perhaps others disagree, but I’ve seen hyping up Carlsbad and San Diego’s other cluster of northern beach towns for years as go-to destinations in their own right.
Carlsbad has more than enough to make your base with high-end resorts like one of my favorites, Park Hyatt Aviara, and more kiddo-friendly LEGOLAND for those who have never felt the pain of stepping on a Lego and who think Disneyland is a bit too overwhelming.
Not to mention the small-town charm of Carlsbad Village, teeming with popular local eats, swim trunk-appropriate bars, and even more resorts along Southern California’s famous shores.
So, will people fly directly here, or is it worth dealing with San Diego International Airport’s ongoing construction headaches?
Well, the ladder won’t go on forever, and America has only committed to dipping its toe in the water with one route to Phoenix launching on February 13.
Plus, Orange County is home to John Wayne Airport (SNA) with many more flights, so you’re not exactly finding a loophole by flying into Carlsbad.
What Are The Benefits?
It all boils down to what you want to do. If you’re the type who wants a taste of city life and to check off San Diego’s bucket list attractions like the world-famous zoo, maybe fly to San Diego.
If you want to check out San Diego’s quintessential beach towns with fewer tourists and more of a local feel, Carlsbad is your best bet to visit not only Carlsbad itself but also local gems like Solana Beach and Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
There’s one type of traveler who will benefit the most – both California and Arizona road trippers.
Each state hates seeing each other’s license plates across state lines, and it’s fair to say driving each way across the desert becomes monotonous.
More flights to the San Diego region and Arizona’s sole metropolis makes weekend getaways more efficient, plus more connectivity to one of American’s main hubs since San Diego isn’t as connected as LA.
For example, flying through Phoenix was a life-saver for me on Thanksgiving Day after my flight was canceled.
With no other options to turn to, there was one flight left with a layover in Phoenix, ultimately connecting me to my final destination.
Albeit, this was American’s other new nonstop route to Phoenix out of Tijuana, but the same premise applies.
I would have much rather flown out of Carlsbad to avoid the hassle of customs, so if anything, Carlsbad serves as a great lifeline for last-minute schedule changes.
Regardless, time will tell if Carlsbad becomes a new hotspot. History says no, but CLD has never had a cornerstone of American Airlines’ magnitude.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
