California, here I come. The first trip report of 2020 will bring me to California, where my ice hockey team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, will face three away matches in a row. However, the more advanced my planning for this trip became, the more interesting experiences I was able to add to it. Here is the overview article of what lies ahead of me when I am leaving Germany on 25th February 2020.
I selected traveling with the Penguins to California as my Favorite (Road) Trip in 2020.
California with the Pittsburgh Penguins – The Matches
Typically, a trip report preview starts with the stages, the flights and hotels I am planning to take. I decided to start with the matches I will watch for this one. Pittsburgh will face all three Californian teams, Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose, on the road sequentially. As a “bonus game”, I wanted to see our former goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury, at his new club in Las Vegas. I use the “European order” for the match-ups below, i.e. home team first:
Date | Match | Arena |
---|---|---|
We 26.02.2020 | L.A. Kings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | Staples Center |
Fr 28.02.2020 | Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | Honda Center |
Sa 29.02.2020 | San Jose Sharks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | SAP Center |
Su 01.03.2020 | Vegas Golden Knights vs. L.A. Kings | T-Mobile Arena |
California with the Pittsburgh Penguins – The Trip
My trip starts right on Carnival’s Tuesday, when I am going to fly from Frankfurt via London to Los Angeles. This will be the first time I am flying Air New Zealand. There are quite some interesting airlines on the following legs, for example a JetBlue and an Alaska Airlines Domestic First connection. The Air New Zealand flights between Frankfurt and London (and v.v.) are operated by Lufthansa.
Date | Flight | from | to |
---|---|---|---|
Tu 25.02.2020 | NZ 4202 | Frankfurt FRA | London LHR (T2) |
Tu 25.02.2020 | NZ 1 | London LHR (T2) | Los Angeles LAX |
Sa 29.02.2020 | B6 826 | Long Beach LGB | San Jose SJC |
Su 01.03.2020 | AS 1902 | San Francisco SFO | Las Vegas LAS |
Mo 02.03.2020 | AA 1366 | Las Vegas LAS | Los Angeles LAX |
Mo 02.03.2020 | NZ 2 | Los Angeles LAX | London LHR (T2) |
Tu 03.03.2020 | NZ 4203 | London LHR (T2) | Frankfurt FRA |
The trip lead to two lounge reviews:
I will stay in the following hotels:
- 25.02. to 28.02.: DoubleTree Suites Anaheim Convention Center
- 28.02 to 29.02.: Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport
- 29.02. to 01.03.: Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo
- 01.03 to 02.03.: OYO Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Due to some very early flight departures, I decided not to review the two hotels in italics. Even regular updates are under risk.
California with the Pittsburgh Penguins – Day by Day
Here is the overview of my daily postings on this trip report.
- California with the Pittsburgh Penguins – Overview Posting
- Day 1, 25.2.2020 – Transatlantic with a touch of New Zealand
- Day 2, 26.2.2020 – The First Match: L.A. Kings
- Day 3, 27.2.2020 – Don’t stop believing in Hollywood
- Day 4, 28.2.2020 – It’s about the Ducks
- Day 5, 29.2.2020 – A bit of Home Town feeling – The Sharks
- Day 6, 1.3.2020 – My most pricey Ice Hockey Ticket ever!
- Day 7/8, 2./3.2020 – Go West – Go East – Go Home!
Trip Reports
Here are all (other) Trip Report postings:

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Reprise)

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 8 – 6th May 2023) – Day in Reykjavik & More

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 7 – 5th May 2023) – Reykholt to Reykjavik

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 6 – 4th May 2023) – Akureyri to Reykholt

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 5 – 3rd May 2023) – Husavik to Akureyri

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 4 – 2nd May 2023) – Egilstadir to Husavik

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 3 – 1st May 2023) – Hrafnavellir to Egilstadir

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 2 – 30th April 2023) – Hella to Hrafnavellir

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Day 1 – 29th April 2023) – Germany to Hella

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Preview)

All German States (and the Eleven Biggest Cities) on one Rail Ticket – Part 2

All German States (and the eleven biggest Cities) on one Rail Ticket – Part 1

Exploring Hamburg with the HADAG Public Ferries – Line 61

Exploring Hamburg with the HADAG Public Ferries – Line 73

Exploring Hamburg with the HADAG Public Ferries – Line 72

Exploring Hamburg with the HADAG Public Ferries – Lines 62 & 64 & Overview

3,337 Waffle Houses Away – A Walk through Paola, Kansas

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 6/7, 30.4./1.5.2022)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 5, 29.4.2022)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 4, 28.4.2022)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 3, 27.4.2022)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 2, 26.4.2022)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Day 1, 25.4.2022)

Kicking Off The Weird Al Yankovic Tour 2022 (Preview)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 10/11, 19th/20th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 9, 18th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 8, 17th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 7, 16th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 6, 15th March 2022)

Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 5, 14th March 2022)



Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 4, 13th March 2022)



Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 3, 12th March 2022)


Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 2, 11th March 2022)


Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 1, 10th March 2022)



Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Preview)


Four Countries, Four Trains – A Trip on Tracks (Day 4, 10th August 2020)


Four Countries, Four Trains – A Trip on Tracks (Day 3, 9th August 2020)


Four Countries, Four Trains – A Trip on Tracks (Day 2, 8th August 2020)


Four Countries, Four Trains – A Trip on Tracks (Day 1, 7th August 2020)


Four Countries, Four Trains – A Trip on Tracks (Preview)


Traveling Through Germany at Covid-19 Times – A special Trip Review


California With The Pittsburgh Penguins 2020 (Days 7/8, 2nd/3rd Mar 2020)


California With The Pittsburgh Penguins 2020 (Day 6, 1st Mar 2020)


California With The Pittsburgh Penguins 2020 (Day 5, 29th Feb 2020)


California With The Pittsburgh Penguins 2020 (Day 4, 28th Feb 2020)


California With The Pittsburgh Penguins 2020 (Day 3, 27th Feb 2020)


California With The Pittsburgh Penguins 2020 (Day 2, 26th Feb 2020)


California With The Pittsburgh Penguins 2020 (Day 1, 25th Feb 2020)


Exploring Barra With Barra Island Tours


Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Day 5/6 – 21st/22nd July 2019)


Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Day 4 – 20th July 2019)


Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Day 3 – 19th July 2019)


Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Day 2 – 18th July 2019)


Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Day 1 – 17th July 2019)


Weird Al & Grass Court Tennis 2019 (Preview)


A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Day 6 – 5th June 2019)


A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Day 5 – 4th June 2019)


A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Day 4 – 3rd June 2019)


A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Day 3 – 2nd June 2019)


A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Day 2 – 1st June 2019)


A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Day 1 – 31st May 2019)


A Musical Trip to CMA Fest 2019 (Trip Report Preview)


Bergisch Historic Trams Wuppertal



Flying with Southern Airways Express


One Day in Bonaire


Sao Miguel on two wheels (Part 2)


Sao Miguel on two wheels (Part 1)


Six Intercontinental Flight Weekend – Day 5 (Trip Report)


Six Intercontinental Flight Weekend – Day 4 (Trip Report)


Six Intercontinental Flight Weekend – Day 3 (Trip Report)


Six Intercontinental Flight Weekend – Day 2 (Trip Report)


Six Intercontinental Flight Weekend – Day 1 (Trip Report)


Six Intercontental Flights in 72 Hours (Overview)


Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 5&6)


Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 4)


Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 3)


Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 2)


Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Day 1)


Trip Report: On Tour with Weird Al Yankovic (Preview)


Kinmen – Taiwan’s Western Outpost
Flyctory.com in Pittsburgh
Here are more postings by Flyctory.com related to Greater Pittsburgh:


Hampton Inn Pittsburgh – Bridgeville


William Fitzsimmons – Covers Vol. II


Home is where the heart is – My Twelve Favorite Cities of the World


Pinball Perfection (Pittsburgh)


NHL Schedule 2023-24 released – Here are my suggested Trips


Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor Museum


Even Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown


Quality Inn Pittsburgh Airport


Big Mac Museum (North Huntingdon PA, Pictured Story)


DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown


Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (Pittsburgh)


Five Years of Flyctory.com – My 20 Most Popular Travel Posts (so far…)


Anti-Flag – Lies They Tell Our Children


Flyctory.com Best Ones 2022


Hampton Inn Pittsburgh Airport


Gabbie Hanna – This Time Next Year


Senator John Heinz History Center Pittsburgh


Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 02 December 2022)


Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 12 August 2022)


Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 29 July 2022)


NHL Schedule 2022-23 released – Some suggested Icehopping Itineraries


Car Rental Review – Enterprise Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) – Nissan Rogue


Flyctory.com Songs Of The Week (week of 01 July 2022)


UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex (Pictured Story)



Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 5, 14th March 2022)



Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 4, 13th March 2022)



Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Day 3, 12th March 2022)



Following The Pittsburgh Penguins in March 2022 (Preview)


The Twelve Best Flights Of My Life (… so far)


William Fitzsimmons – Ready The Astronaut


USS Requin – A Submarine in Pittsburgh


Carnegie Science Center Pittsburgh


Seven Things I look forward to do in the United States again


PNC Park – Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates


Lakeview – She Drove Me To The Bar EP


Gabby Barrett – Goldmine


Andy Warhol Museum Pittsburgh


Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh


Visiting PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh)


DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh – Green Tree


Steve Moakler – Blue Jeans


Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh/Waterfront – West Homestead


Flyctory.com Best Ones 2019


Pittsburgh Light Rail – It’s (partially) for free!


American Airlines Admirals Club Pittsburgh


Pittsburgh Christmas Market and Ice Rink


Mount Washington and the Pittsburgh Inclines



Flying with Southern Airways Express


A Visit at the NHL Stadium Series 2019
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