About San Diego Airport Map
View the above the airports map of San Diego to locate airports in San Diego of California state of the United States.
Airports in San Diego
| Airport Name |
IATA / FAA Code |
County Location |
Type / Role |
2024–2025 Enplanements / Operations (approx.) |
Longest Runway (ft) |
Major Operators / Notes |
Distance to Downtown San Diego |
| San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field) |
SAN / KSAN |
San Diego (downtown) |
Large Hub / International |
≈ 25.5–26 million enplanements |
9,401 ft |
Delta, Southwest, United, Alaska, American; busiest single-runway commercial airport in U.S. |
≈ 3 miles |
| Marine Corps Air Station Miramar |
NKX / KNKX |
San Diego |
Military (USMC) |
N/A (military ops only) |
11,999 ft |
F/A-18 Hornets, F-35 training, Top Gun school |
≈ 12 miles |
| Naval Air Station North Island |
NZY / KNZY |
Coronado (San Diego) |
Military (USN) – joint use |
Limited civilian ops |
7,500 ft |
Naval aviation, carriers, helicopters |
≈ 4 miles |
| Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton |
NFG / KNFG |
San Diego (Oceanside area) |
Military (USMC) |
N/A |
8,002 ft |
Helicopter training, V-22 Osprey |
≈ 40 miles north |
| McClellan–Palomar Airport |
CLD / KCRQ |
San Diego (Carlsbad) |
Regional / Reliever |
≈ 150,000 operations |
4,999 ft |
Business aviation, flight training, charter |
≈ 33 miles north |
| Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport |
MYF / KMYF |
San Diego |
Reliever / GA |
≈ 200,000 operations |
4,598 ft |
Busiest GA airport in San Diego County |
≈ 7 miles north |
| Brown Field Municipal Airport |
SDM / KSDM |
San Diego (near border) |
General Aviation / Reliever |
≈ 100,000 operations |
7,972 ft |
General aviation, flight training, border proximity |
≈ 18 miles southeast |
| Gillespie Field |
SEE / KSEE |
San Diego (El Cajon) |
Reliever / GA |
≈ 180,000 operations |
5,342 ft |
General aviation, flight schools, air taxi |
≈ 15 miles east |
| Ramona Airport |
RNM / KRNM |
San Diego (Ramona) |
General Aviation / Reliever |
≈ 80,000 operations |
5,001 ft |
General aviation, glider ops, rural access |
≈ 35 miles northeast |
| McKinnon Airport (El Cajon) |
SEE / KSEE |
San Diego (El Cajon) |
General Aviation |
≈ 50,000 operations |
4,000 ft |
Small GA field, flight training |
≈ 15 miles east |
| Paradise Valley Airport (private) |
— |
San Diego (Chula Vista area) |
Private / GA |
N/A |
— |
Limited use, private aviation |
≈ 15 miles south |
Airports in San Diego
One thing about San Diego - its airport setup stands out across American cities. Even though space here is tight, plenty happens at one big main airport plus several massive bases for military planes. Alongside that, local flights zoom in and out from several active fields used by regular and emergency pilots alike. Travelers arrive from overseas, troops deploy, executives fly in, shipments land - all tied together under a complex sky. Yet everything moves above homes, highways, and tight urban zones, leaving almost no room to build outward.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) – The Primary Gateway
San Diego International Airport - often called Lindbergh Field - is where most travelers begin or end their journeys by air. Just three miles from the heart of the city, it thrives as the area's central hub for flights. Despite having only one runway for takeoffs and landings, more planes move through here than many larger airports with multiple runways. By 2025, around 25.5 to 26 million people passed through its doors, placing it among the nation's top 25 busiest terminals. Flights connect to nearly every major U.S. hub, with Southwest carrying more passengers than any other airline. United, American, Delta, Alaska, and JetBlue also offer frequent routes here. Even though only one runway - stretching 9,401 feet - serves as the main path for planes, operations still run with strong timing accuracy. A large upgrade is currently reshaping the main terminal, aiming to keep pace with rising demand. Completion pieces will unfold slowly from 2028 into 2030 under the name Terminal 1.
Military Airports in San Diego County
Away from big cities, San Diego County sits near the top for military flight activity worldwide. Home to Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado, ships like aircraft carriers have their main base here - naval aviation runs heavy through daily life. Known from film, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar trains many fighter pilots who fly F/A-18 Hornets and later the F-35B Lightning II, placing it at the front of marine aviation prep. At Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton (NFG), helicopters fly in and out while units prepare for fast-truck missions. Flight traffic runs heavy across the three bases, moving many aircraft daily across Southern California skies. Because of this activity, area residents gain employment, receive procurement work, and rely on service providers tied to base operations.
General Aviation and Reliever Airports
Beyond shops and bases, San Diego County hosts several key airports for private flights. Among them, McClellan–Palomar Airport (CLD) stands out - located in Carlsbad, it leads local traffic volume while supporting corporate travel and flight instruction. Up north, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) operates with similar intensity, shaping local air operations. Out by El Cajon sits Gillespie Field, known as SEE, where lessons take off amid busy skies. Near the line with Mexico, Brown Field Municipal Airport - SDM - handles private flights after hours. Jet traffic here eases pressure on downtown San Diego's main terminal during peak stretches. Pilots, schools, and owners thrive because options exist beyond the central airport. Cargo moves quietly through these sites when schedules get tight.
Economic and Operational Impact
Flying related work helps San Diego County stay financially strong. At its main airport, countless jobs exist - both straight and linked - while billions flow in each year from travel and commerce. Nearby bases used by the military add even more positions, along with huge amounts spent by federal agencies. Flying in and around San Diego happens across different kinds of airfields. One type focuses on lessons for new pilots, while another handles emergency medical transports by air. These fields also back crews that fight forest and structure fires from the sky. At the same time, they make it possible for people to travel for work by small aircraft. The local economy leans on these services - especially areas like tourism, science tools development, military links, and high-tech ventures.
Current Challenges and Future Plans
City density poses hurdles for San Diego's airfields. Noise issues, sparse nearby land, green rules, plus local resistance often block large upgrades. Right now, the main airport updates terminal design through a broader vision - upgrading facilities while keeping current layout unchanged. Noise concerns haven’t stopped bases from boosting their training output. What comes next? Fueling change - sustainable jet fuel takes root, electric planes get stronger footing, plus smarter routes into cities. Growth pushes forward as travel needs climb.
