California's Airport Network: How Many Are There?

California has a large number of airports, including both public and military airports. There are 27 primary commercial airports in the state, 9 of which are international airports. In total, there are 190 airports in California. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the busiest airports in the world and is the biggest international airport in California. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) are the other two major international airports in the state.

California's busiest airports

California, known for its cities, beaches, and pleasant weather, is a popular destination for visitors. The state offers a diverse range of geographical features, including coastal regions, mountains, forests, and deserts. Reaching California is made convenient by the presence of numerous international and domestic airports.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are the two prime international airports in California. LAX, located in Los Angeles, is considered one of the busiest airports in California and the world. It handles a large volume of passenger traffic and is known for its customer satisfaction. SFO, located about 13 miles south of San Francisco, is the biggest airport in the San Francisco Bay Area and the second busiest airport in California after LAX. It serves as the main hub for United Airlines and offers flights to destinations worldwide.

In addition to these two major airports, California has several other busy international airports. These include San Diego International Airport, Metropolitan Oakland International Airport, John Wayne Airport-Orange County, and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. These airports cater to a significant number of passengers and play a crucial role in connecting California to the rest of the world.

While large airports dominate air traffic in California, there are also a few growing medium-sized airports. Sacramento International Airport, Tijuana International Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Ontario International Airport, and Palm Springs Airport are among the medium-sized airports that are expanding. However, smaller airports struggle to retain carriers or face the loss of scheduled passenger service due to the dominance of large hubs.

California's international airports

California has a significant number of international airports. With 9 large and medium hub airports and more than a dozen smaller ones, it is one of the best-covered states in the USA in terms of air traffic.

The two prime international airports in California are Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). LAX is the busiest and largest of California's airports, with around 88 million passengers per year, followed by SFO with around 57 million. These airports are hubs for several major airlines, including American, Delta, United, Alaska, and Air New Zealand.

In addition to these two major airports, there are several other international airports in California, including:

• Metropolitan Oakland International Airport
• Palm Springs International Airport
• Fresno Yosemite International Airport
• San Diego International Airport
• San Jose International Airport
• Sacramento International Airport

California also has numerous domestic airports and general aviation airports, offering flights within the country and to other regions.

California's local airports

California has a plethora of airports catering to both domestic and international flights. There are 27 primary commercial airports in the state, with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) being the two major international airports. These airports are among the busiest in the world, with LAX known for being one of the busiest airports in California.

In addition to the primary commercial airports, California also has several smaller local airports that cater to general aviation and military needs. These airports are often used for private aircraft, flight training, and military purposes. Here is a list of some of the notable local airports in California:

• California Pines Airport is a small airport located in California.
• Fort Bidwell Airport is situated in Modoc County, California, and is owned by the US government.
• Scott Valley Airport is a public-use airport located in Etna, California. It is situated on 10 acres of land and has one runway.
• Butte Valley Airport is a public-use airport located in Siskiyou County, California. It is situated at an elevation of 4,377 feet and has one runway.
• Anaheim-Disneyland Helipad is a private heliport located in Anaheim, California, serving the Disneyland Resort and the surrounding area.
• Apple Valley Airport is a public-use airport located in Apple Valley, California. It is situated at an elevation of 2,907 feet and has two runways.
• Auburn Municipal Airport, also known as the Auburn Airport, is a public airport located in Auburn, California. It is situated at an elevation of 1,421 feet and has two runways.
• Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, also known as the Bishop Airport, is a public airport located in Bishop, California. It is situated at an elevation of 4,121 feet and has two runways.
• Banning Municipal Airport is a public airport located in Banning, California. It is situated at an elevation of 2,313 feet and has two runways.
• Borrego Valley Airport is a public-use airport located in Borrego Springs, California. It is situated at an elevation of 544 feet and has one runway.
• Bakersfield Municipal Airport, also known as the Meadows Field Airport, is a public airport located in Bakersfield, California. It is situated at an elevation of 542 feet and has three runways.
• Buchanan Field Airport, also known as the Concord Airport, is a public airport located in Concord, California. It is situated at an elevation of 60 feet and has three runways.
• Coalinga Municipal Airport is a public airport located in Coalinga, California. It is situated at an elevation of 558 feet and has two runways.
• Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport is a public airport located in Calipatria, California. It is situated at an elevation of 148 feet and has two runways.

These are just a few examples of the many local airports that can be found throughout California. These airports play a vital role in providing air transportation and supporting various aviation-related activities within their respective communities.

California's public-use airports

California has about 250 public-use airports. These airports are grouped by type and sorted by location. The city served by the airport is generally associated with the airport, as per the airport's master record with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

• Agua Caliente Airport: Located in rural east San Diego County, this airport serves as a gateway to the beautiful Agua Caliente Hot Springs County Park.
• Big Bear Airport: At an elevation of 6,748 feet, this airport is located in the San Bernardino Mountains and is the only airport serving the communities of Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Lake Arrowhead, and other nearby communities.
• Bishop Airport: Also known as Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (KBIH), this full-service regional airport is located just two miles east of Bishop, California, offering fuel, oxygen service, light repairs, flight training, and a friendly staff.
• Borrego Valley Airport: This airport is an ideal location to start desert exploration, with pleasant weather and vibrant flora between March and May.
• Burbank Airport: Conveniently located for access to Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, Burbank Airport is the closest airport to Downtown L.A., Hollywood, Disney, Warner Bros., NBC, and more.
• Calaveras County Airport: A general aviation airport offering hangars, tie-downs, fuel, and flight training services, located in Calaveros.
• Camarillo Airport: Serving as a general aviation reliever airport for the Los Angeles area, this airport is situated on the southwest corporate limits of the City of Camarillo.
• Carlsbad (McClellan-Palomar) Airport: Serving as a gateway to and from San Diego's North County, this airport caters to the general aviation community, corporate aircraft, and commercial services.
• Catalina Airport: Managed by The Catalina Island Conservancy, this airport is located in the centre of Catalina Island, at an elevation of 1602 feet, with a single 3250-foot runway accommodating most small planes.
• Chico Airport: Dedicated in 1935, the Chico Municipal Airport (CMA) is a modern integrated air facility capable of accommodating air carriers, commercial planes, and general aviation aircraft.
• Chiriaco Summit Airport: Situated between the Coachella Valley and Desert Center in Riverside County, this airport is conveniently located adjacent to Interstate 10.
• Concord (Buchanan Field) Airport: Concord Airport, also known as Buchanan Field, is located in Concord, California.
• Davis University Airport: The University of California acquired this airport along with agricultural land in the early 1950s. It continues to serve the Davis campus, the City of Davis, and the general public.
• Delano Airport: Offering a 5,651-foot runway and light aviation services, the Delano Municipal Airport is open to the public and plays a significant role in the local aviation history.
• Fallbrook Airport: Nestled in northern San Diego County, Fallbrook is a gem of a community with emerald hills and valleys that are home to celebrities and everyday people alike.
• Franklin Field: Owned and operated by the County of Sacramento, Franklin Field is a public-use airport considered uncontrolled due to the absence of an air traffic control tower or personnel. Approximately 36,000 operations take place here annually, including flight training.
• French Valley Airport: Located in Southwest Riverside County, French Valley Airport is minutes away from Interstate 15 and the 215 Corridor. Its outstanding climate and minimal congestion make takeoffs and landings a breeze, accommodating most aircraft, including jets and turbo-props.
• Fresno Airport: The terminal at Fresno Airport is open from 3 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily, with the security screening checkpoint opening for passengers at 4 a.m. until the last flight departs, around 8:30 p.m.
• Fullerton Airport: As the only general aviation airport in Orange County, Fullerton Airport is centrally located in the Los Angeles basin, adjacent to Interstate 5 and Highway 91. It is conveniently close to popular attractions such as Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland.

California's military airports

California has a significant number of military airports and bases within its borders, with over 30 bases in total, including several airports. The state has bases from every military branch, with the Navy and Marine Corps clustered most heavily around San Diego. California's military airports include:

• Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, CA: One of the larger US Air Force bases on the west coast, hosting the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, which is assigned to the Air Combat Command and is part of the 12th Air Force.
• Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, CA: This base has been the site of some of the most extensive aircraft testing in the US.
• Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA: Located near Los Angeles Airport, this base is garrisoned by the 61st Air Base Wing and is home to the Air Force Space Command's Missile Systems Center headquarters.
• Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA: One of many air force bases with a long and treasured history.
• Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, CA: Located northwest of Lompoc, this base is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). It is responsible for space and missile testing for the Department of Defense.
• March Air Reserve Base Air Force in Riverside, CA: One of the oldest military camps in the US, established in 1918, and located in the southern part of the state.
• Los Alamitos Joint Forces in Los Alamitos, CA: A jointly used military airfield located one mile southeast of central Los Alamitos, California.
• Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in San Diego, CA: The most important base on the western side of the US, with the most ambitious, intense, and successful amphibious training activities.
• MCAS Miramar Marine Corps Base in San Diego, CA: Located about 15km from San Diego, this base is famous in the Marine Corps for its techniques and training.
• MCRD San Diego Marine Corps Base: One of the largest training centres in the world, recruiting and training over 20,000 males yearly from the western side of the Mississippi River.
• Twentynine Palms Marine Corps in Twentynine Palms, CA: Run by the Marine Corps and located in San Bernardino County, this base hosted 8413 individuals as of the 2010 census.
• NAWS China Lake Navy Base in China Lake, CA: Established in the western part of the Mojave Desert, this naval air weapons station has a unique name that misleads some into thinking it is located in China.
• Los Angeles International Airport: While primarily a civilian airport, it is located near the Los Angeles Air Force Base and thus has a military presence.
• Vandenberg Air Force Base: In addition to its role in space and missile testing, this base also serves as an airport, with a runway capable of supporting large aircraft.

These military airports and bases contribute to California's significant military presence, with the state having the most military service members in the country.

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