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California is a large state with many airports, so deciding where to land can be challenging. The state's busiest airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is in the top 5 of the busiest airports in the US and the world. However, there are several other international airports in California, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and San Diego International Airport. Smaller airports, such as those in Long Beach, Santa Ana, Ontario, Burbank, and San Jose, may also be convenient depending on your final destination. If you're looking for a more scenic approach, you might consider flying into airports like Oceano County Airport, Lee Vining Airport, or Catalina Island, which is the only island off the Californian coast where private planes are allowed to land.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports in Northern California | Redding Municipal Airport (RDD), Sacramento International Airport, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), Sonoma, Napa County Airport, Shasta Cascade, Redding (Benton) Airpark, Ramona Airport, Chiriaco Summit Airport, Davis University Airport, Delano Airport, Desert Center Airport, Shelter Cove Airport, Stockton Airport, Tehachapi Airport |
| Airports in Southern California | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Santa Ana/Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Ontario Airport (ONT), Bob Hope/Burbank Airport (BUR), Oceano County Airport (L52), Catalina Island Airport (KAVX), Lee Vining Airport |
| Cheapest Airlines | Southwest Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines |
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What You'll Learn
- Northern California airports: San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose
- Southern California airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Private airfields: Trinity Center, Catalina Island
- Northern California travel: Redding Municipal Airport
- Cheapest airport to fly into: Southwest Airlines to Sacramento
Northern California airports: San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose
Northern California is served by three main airports: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and San Jose's Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC).
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US and is the largest airport serving San Francisco and the Bay Area. It is located about 20km south of San Francisco's downtown. SFO is the best airport to use if you’re trying to get to San Francisco proper, but it’s also easily accessible from other parts of the Bay. The airport has four large terminals and is a hub for United and Alaska Airlines.
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Oakland International Airport is the second-largest airport in the SF Bay Area and is located across the Bay Bridge from both San Francisco and SFO. OAK is much smaller than SFO and has fewer flight options, but its airlines offer nonstop service to destinations across the United States, as well as Mexico, San Salvador, and seasonal European service. Oakland International Airport is the closest airport to the East Bay region.
Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)
San Jose Airport is the second busiest airport in the area and is located about 5km north of San Jose's downtown. It is the closest airport to the Silicon Valley region. The airport has two airside connecting terminals and Guadalajara is the top international connection, while California cities LA and San Diego are leading domestic routes. Southwest Airlines, Alaska, and Delta are the top carriers at the airport. San Jose is a bit south of the Bay area, but it can still work for visiting San Francisco.
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Southern California airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is about 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. LAX is the closest airport to the Westside and the South Bay.
LAX is a major international gateway for the United States, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling to and from various regions, including East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America. The airport is a hub for several major airlines, including American, Delta, United, and Air New Zealand. In addition to its role as a passenger hub, LAX is also a significant cargo hub, ranking among the top five U.S. airports for cargo traffic.
LAX has undergone significant development and expansion over the years. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and features four parallel runways. In 2023, it handled over 75 million passengers, making it the world's eleventh-busiest airport. The airport has nine passenger terminals, including the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which was substantially rebuilt, and a West Gates satellite concourse was added. Outside the terminal area, the LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility provides parking for 4,300 vehicles.
The airport is easily accessible via various transportation options. The LAX Shuttle route A buses allow passengers to move between all terminals on the landside of the airport. Additionally, the airport offers public transportation, airport shuttles, taxis, and car rental services. With ongoing projects expected to bring the total number of gates to 182, LAX continues to enhance its capacity and facilities to accommodate the growing demand for air travel.
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Private airfields: Trinity Center, Catalina Island
California has several airports to choose from, including some of the busiest airports in the US. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main airport in the Los Angeles metropolitan area and is one of the busiest airports in the US and the world. San Francisco International Airport is another busy airport, located about 20km south of downtown San Francisco.
In Northern California, there are three main airports: San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), and San Jose (SJC). In the far eastern area of Los Angeles County, you'll find the Ontario airport (ONT), and near the Hollywood area is Bob Hope/Burbank/BUR.
There are also smaller regional airports throughout the state, some of which only serve small commuter flights. For those looking to fly into private airfields, there are options such as Trinity Center and Catalina Island.
Catalina Island's only airport, Catalina Airport (AVX), is located 6.4 miles (10.3 km) northwest of Avalon, California. The airport is privately owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy but is open to the public and operated as a public airport. It primarily serves general aviation and air freight from the mainland, delivering supplies to the island's residents and businesses. Catalina Airport is also known as "Airport in the Sky" as it lies near the island's highest point at an elevation of 1,602 feet (488 m).
The airport has a rich history, opening as Buffalo Springs Airport in 1941 as a private airport. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces took control of the airport to support various military activities on the island. After the war, California aviation veteran Richard Probert worked to open the airport to the public, and in 1946, it became a public-use airport known as Catalina Airport.
In 1984, a tragic accident occurred when a private Learjet overshot the runway, killing six people. As a result, the Catalina Island Conservancy limited the types of aircraft allowed to use the airport. The asphalt runway has undergone repairs and renovations over the years, including a $5 million project funded by donations to the Conservancy to upgrade the aging runway.
The airport currently has no scheduled passenger service, but it once offered nonstop flights to Los Angeles (LAX) and Orange County Airport (SNA) in the 1970s by Golden West Airlines. In 1987, Resort Commuter Airlines operated nonstop service to LAX and SNA as well.
Catalina Island offers a range of activities for visitors, including the Catalina Casino, the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour, Glass Bottom Boat tours, mountain biking, and snorkeling. The island has something for everyone, from exhilarating adventures to cultural experiences at the Catalina Museum for Art & History.
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Northern California travel: Redding Municipal Airport
Northern California has three main airports: San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), and San Jose (SJC). However, there are several smaller regional airports in the region, including Redding Municipal Airport.
Redding Municipal Airport
Redding Municipal Airport, now known as Redding Regional Airport (RDD), is a full-service airport located in Shasta County, California. It is around 6 miles southeast of Redding and is one of two airports in the city, the other being Benton Airpark. The airport offers scheduled passenger flights to and from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA) on various airlines, including United Express and Alaska Airlines.
History
The Redding Army Airfield was initially built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1942 as a sub-base for Chico AAF. The city of Redding later remodelled and expanded the terminal building, which was completed in 2014, increasing the size from 20,000 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft. and improving passenger facilities.
Facilities and Services
Redding Regional Airport offers commercial airline passenger service, rental cars, parking, transportation services, aviation-related services, and aircraft hangar facilities. The airport provides convenient travel options for business professionals and vacationers, with direct flights to major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Denver. Additionally, the airport features Peter Chu's Sky Room restaurant, which serves Mandarin cuisine and offers spectacular views of Mt. Lassen.
Transportation
The airport provides free short-term parking for the first four hours of your visit. Passengers can also utilise transportation services such as public buses, shuttles, taxis, or car rentals to travel to and from the airport and their desired destinations.
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Cheapest airport to fly into: Southwest Airlines to Sacramento
If you're looking for the cheapest airport to fly into California, one option is to consider Southwest Airlines to Sacramento. With Southwest, you can often find competitive rates and they serve Sacramento International Airport, which is conveniently located just 10 miles from downtown Sacramento.
Sacramento itself is a city steeped in history, surrounded by some of California's most productive agricultural regions. The city offers a range of attractions, including Capitol Park, which has been home to California's state government since 1896. The capitol building houses a museum with state artefacts, artistic depictions of California, murals, governors' portraits, and antiques. For more historical insight, the Sacramento History Museum, located in the Old Sacramento Waterfront, chronicles the city's evolution from its Gold Rush origins to its present-day status as the state capital.
Sacramento International Airport provides a straightforward booking process, from flight selection to checkout and boarding. The airport also offers numerous parking options for those who drive to the airport and want to leave their car there. Additionally, Sacramento International Airport is known for its culinary offerings, with restaurants such as Iron Horse Tavern, Freshii's, and Taylors-Selections by Vino Volo.
When flying with Southwest Airlines, you can benefit from their lack of "add-on fees". For example, they allow two bags of luggage per person at no extra charge. They also offer the Early-bird Check-In option for about $10 each way, which allows you early boarding so you can secure overhead bin space and sit together with your travel companions. Southwest also has a rewards programme where you can earn points on flights and everyday purchases with their partners, making your trips more affordable.
While Sacramento may be a convenient and affordable option, it's important to remember that flight prices can vary based on your travel dates and the availability of discounts. To find the best deals, it's recommended to sign up for alerts and emails announcing specials and to keep an eye on fare updates, as prices fluctuate hourly.
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Frequently asked questions
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a good choice if you want to visit the San Francisco Bay Area. It is one of the busiest airports in the US, with over 20 million passengers annually. It is also the second busiest airport in California.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is another option, as it is located in the Bay Area and is Northern California's second most popular airport.
San Jose Airport (SJC) is a bit further south of the Bay Area but can also work.
Los Angeles International Airport, famously known as LAX, is the main airport of the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. It is one of the busiest airports in the US and the world.
Some smaller airports in California include Long Beach (LGB), Santa Ana/Orange County/John Wayne (SNA), Ontario (ONT), and Bob Hope/Burbank/BUR, which is near Hollywood.
Southwest Airlines usually has very competitive rates for flights to California. The airline flies into many California airports, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Los Angeles.
