Summer Staycation

San Antonio deemed one of America's best summer travel destinations for 2019

San Antonio is a top destination because of its local costs and attractions, like the River Walk.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau

It's hot outside, the kids are getting restless, and you haven't figured out what the family's doing this summer. If that's your current predicament, or will be in the coming weeks, consider this: just stay home.

Hear us out. A new study from personal finance website WalletHub ranked the best summer destinations in the U.S., and the San Antonio-New Braunfels area lands in the No. 12 spot.

The report, which considered the 100 largest U.S. metro areas, "focuses primarily on the cost and convenience of traveling to each location as well as its affordability." It also "take[s] into account the number of attractions and variety of activities in each destination to ensure visitors will stay busy and entertained throughout the trip."

The study ranks San Antonio across six major categories. Alamo City does best in local costs (No. 7), attractions (No. 19), and travel costs and hassles (No. 23), but could improve in weather (No. 38), activities (No. 44), and safety (No. 89).

Not feeling a San Antonio staycation? These other Texas metros could be an alternative.

Nearby Austin-Round Rock ranks No. 2 overall, faring best in travel costs and hassles (No. 11), attractions (No. 11), and activities (No. 17). Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranks No. 5 overall, doing best in travel costs and hassles (No. 6), local costs (No. 17), and attractions (No. 22).

A surprising entry, El Paso ranks No. 18 overall, with strong showings in local costs (No. 3), weather (No. 10), and safety (No. 23). Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land immediately follows at No. 19 and performs best in travel costs and hassles (No. 8), attractions (No. 16), and activities (No. 32).

The No. 1 summer destination title goes to Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida. On the other end of the spectrum, the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California, metro area places in the unenviable, dead-last spot.

Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

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American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

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