San Diego's Airport Count: A Comprehensive Overview

San Diego has a total of 16 airports, both public and private. These include two international airports, San Diego International Airport and Tijuana International Airport, as well as several towered and non-towered general aviation airports. The city also has two non-commercial airports, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport and Brown Field Municipal Airport.

International airports in San Diego

San Diego has 16 airports, both public and private. Two of these are international airports: San Diego International Airport and Tijuana International Airport.

San Diego International Airport

Also known as Lindbergh Field, San Diego International Airport is located three miles northwest of San Diego's central business district. It is one of the most heavily trafficked airports in the world, ranking as the second busiest single-runway airport with 24 million annual passengers (pre-pandemic). The airport features two terminals and 51 gates. It is owned by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

Tijuana International Airport

Tijuana International Airport, also known as General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport, is located just across the border in Mexico. It is a convenient option for those travelling from San Diego to Mexico or Latin America, with cheaper fares and more flight times and destinations. Shuttles are available from San Diego to the airport.

Non-commercial airports in San Diego

San Diego is served by two international airports: San Diego International Airport (also known as Lindbergh Field) and Tijuana International Airport. However, there are several other airports in the region, including non-commercial airports.

Several non-towered general aviation airports serve the San Diego area. These include:

• Agua Caliente Airport, located one mile (1.6 km) northeast of Agua Caliente Springs.
• Borrego Valley Airport, located three nautical miles (6 km) east of the central business district of Borrego Springs.
• Fallbrook Community Airpark, located two miles (3.2 km) south of Fallbrook.
• Jacumba Airport.
• Oceanside Municipal Airport, a public airport located two miles (3 km) northeast of the central business district of Oceanside.
• Ocotillo Airport.
• Pauma Valley Airfield.

In addition to these, there are several towered general aviation airports in the region, including Brown Field Municipal Airport, Gillespie Field, and Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

Military airfields

There are also several military airfields in San Diego. Active-duty personnel may be able to catch a ride to the following locations:

• Coast Guard Air Station San Diego at San Diego International Airport.
• Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado Island.
• Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach.
• Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.
• Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Private airports

San Diego also has several private airports, such as the U.S. Naval Medical Center San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital.

Airports near the US-Mexico border

San Diego is served by two international airports: San Diego International Airport (also known as Lindbergh Field) and Tijuana International Airport (also known as General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport).

San Diego International Airport

San Diego International Airport is located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of San Diego's central business district. It is one of the most heavily-trafficked airports in the world, ranking as the second-busiest single-runway airport with 24 million annual passengers (pre-pandemic). The airport features two terminals, 51 gates, and is home to Coast Guard Air Station San Diego.

Tijuana International Airport

Tijuana International Airport is located just across the US-Mexico border, serving the Mexican city of Tijuana and the San Diego metropolitan area. The airport has a network of 42 domestic routes and several international services. A unique feature is the Cross Border Xpress (CBX), a cross-border terminal located in southern San Diego that connects to the Mexican immigration and customs facilities within Tijuana International Airport. This allows US passengers to access the airport without having to cross through a land border crossing.

In addition to these two international airports, there are several other airports near the US-Mexico border that serve the San Diego area. These include:

• Brown Field Municipal Airport - A towered general aviation airport located 13 miles southeast of San Diego along the US-Mexico border.
• Gillespie Field - A county-owned public-use airport located 10 miles northeast of El Cajon's central business district.
• Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport - Located 6 miles north of San Diego's central business district.
• Ramona Airport - Situated 2 miles west of Ramona's central business district.

Military airfields in San Diego

San Diego is California's second-largest city and is known for its strong military heritage. The city is home to several Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard bases, and its locals and businesses are known for being military family-friendly.

There are 16 airports in San Diego, California, both public and private. These include two international airports, several towered and non-towered general aviation airports, and several military airfields.

The military airfields in San Diego include:

• Coast Guard Air Station San Diego (CGAS San Diego): This airfield shares a field with San Diego International Airport. It is located three miles northwest of San Diego's central business district. It is one of the most heavily trafficked airports in the world, ranking as the second busiest single-runway airport with 24 million annual passengers (pre-pandemic).
• Naval Air Station North Island (NAS North Island): This airfield is located on Coronado Island, directly across San Diego Bay from San Diego International Airport. It is approximately 1.5 miles south of the latter and 20 miles from the Mexico-US border.
• Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach: This airfield is located in Imperial Beach, California.
• Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton (MCAS Camp Pendleton): This is a United States Marine Corps airfield located within Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
• Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (MCAS Miramar): Formerly known as Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar, this is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Miramar, San Diego, California.

Closed airports in San Diego

San Diego has 16 airports, both public and private. However, several airports in the region have been closed down over the years.

Border Naval Outlying Landing Field South San Diego, for example, is now Border Field State Park. The former Del Mar Municipal Airport is also closed. Kearney-Mesa Airport, La Pressa Airport (now Spring Valley Shopping Center), and Linda Vista Mesa Field (also known as the Hourglass Field and Miramar Naval Outer Landing Field) are all closed. The National City Airport, once located in National City, is now part of California State Route 54, and National City Boulevard & West 35th Street. North Coyote Wells Naval Outlying Landing Field, Otay-Mesa Naval Auxiliary Air Station, and Red Beach Marine Corps Airfield are also closed. The former Rosedale Naval Outlying Landing Field, South Coyote Wells Naval Outlying Landing Field, and Sweetwater Dam Naval Outlying Landing Field (also known as Sweetwater Airport) have all ceased operations. The latter is now the site of the Paradise Hills housing development.

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