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Our entire team at Travel Off Path doesn’t just head off to postcard destinations every weekend.
We’ve all grabbed life by the horns and moved to some of the greatest cities in the world, whether it’s Paris, Mexico City or my chosen hometown of San Diego.
But here’s the reality that as a seasoned traveler I don’t often discuss: it’s easy to become jaded.
Let’s say you’re a digital nomad living in Bangkok. It’s amazing at first, but one day the cheap street noodles aren’t so robust anymore, the wild nightlife is just another evening and the markets start to blur together.
The same can be said everywhere. So what about the place I’ve lived in for over 10 years now?
Yes, there are times (like when my rent bill comes due) when I start flirting with other cities, but the truth is San Diego is the one city in the world I always enjoy coming back to – and it looks like I’m not the only one.
The word just broke out of the Union Tribune of San Diego that San Diego International Airport (SAN) will welcome more passengers than ever by 2025.
Why is this particularly impressive?
Because a seemingly endless renovation left the airport an absolute clusterf… well, you know what I mean.
Let me give you an insider’s perspective on why San Diego had a record year with no signs of slowing down.
San Diego knows no borders
Want to know what really sold me when I moved to San Diego, which seems like ages ago?
Sure, the salty breeze and endless sunshine were selling points, but really anything worth seeing was a 15-minute drive, because you can only drive so far west without having to call the Coast Guard.
Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. Yes, many of those places still exist: Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Coronado ‘Island’ and the Gaslamp Quarter downtown.
But there’s no denying that San Diego is rapidly expanding north, south, and east.
Northern Province:
The former beach town of soccer moms Carlsbad deserves name-brand recognition these days.
With the on-again, off-aga airport finally deciding to go commercial for the long haul, being endlessly covered in major publications, and luxury resorts and LegoLand becoming increasingly famous for family getaways, many are flying into SAN and making the 40 minute drive or (train ride) north.
And that’s just one of many cities. Neighboring Ocean side is also making a name for itself after a much-needed renovation.
Southern Province:
Chula View is no longer just a pit stop on the way to Mexico. It is slowly becoming a vacation destination in its own right with the opening of the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, the city’s very first resort.
Not to mention Seven Mile Casino down the street and my favorite daily hangout, Third Avenue, full of underrated breweries, late-night food trucks, and San Diego’s best weekend farmers market if you ask me.
Eastern Province:
Most tourists skip the mountains in favor of the beach – and who can blame them when they’re just as stunning as San Diego’s beautiful Pacific waters along the coast.
But SD’s East County sees a battle for J-towns: Julian And Jamul.
The rustic mountain town of Julian is no longer San Diegan’s worst-kept secret: It’s a summer hotspot for locals and tourists alike to dig into the best pies you’ll ever eat and a timeless cityscape that’s hard to replicate.
Jamul, on the other hand, is still on the rise. Off the typical tourist trail, Jamul hopes to become San Diego’s slice of Vegas with its recently opened boutique hotel and existing casino.
Both times I’ve been there it’s been packed – rightly so incredible seafood buffet only.
More trains, more planes: San Diego is more connected than ever
Remember what I said about the airport renovation?
It may have been a pain to make unnecessary figure-eights for airport drop-offs and pick-ups, but it turns out the much-needed facelift has paid off and eased Harbor Drive’s headaches.
Whether it’s Alaska or Southwest, San Diego’s road map is constantly changing.
Heck, I’ve lived here for over a decade and took my first international flight from SAN last fall thanks to Lufthansa coming into the chat.
Add to this Carlsbad’s growing flight options with United and American, and there’s no shortage of ways to get here.
That also includes trains. Last year it was reported that one of America’s most scenic train journeys was expanding in more ways than one:
