Closest Airports to San Francisco Airport: Exploring Your Options
San Francisco's San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major international gateway, with a wide range of flights to destinations around the globe. However, there are several other airports in the vicinity that may offer more convenient options depending on your final destination. These airports, each with its unique features and services, provide practical alternatives for those looking to avoid the hustle of SFO or seeking closer access to specific destinations.
In the list below, we present the nearest 10 airports to SFO "as the crow flies," complete with an interactive map for easy navigation. Additionally, we provide driving distances and estimated drive times to major nearby cities. It's important to note that the information given is approximate and does not take into account variables like traffic, road conditions, or the need for additional transportation modes such as ferries. This guide aims to help you explore these alternatives, ensuring a smoother and more tailored travel experience.
Driving Distances From SFO Airport:
From San Francisco Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
Nearby Cities
- San Francisco, CA - 14 miles (Approx. 21 mins)
- Oakland, CA - 24 miles (Approx. 30 mins)
- San Jose, CA - 37 miles (Approx. 42 mins)
- Sacramento, CA - 99 miles (Approx. 1 hour 39 mins)
Other Landmarks
- AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA - 14 miles (Approx. 18 mins)
Distances from SFO (San Francisco International Airport) to Nearby Airports:
- OAK (Oakland International Airport) - 12 miles
- SJC (Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport) - 30 miles
- STS (Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport) - 66 miles
- MRY (Monterey Regional Airport) - 77 miles
- MOD (Modesto City-County Airport) - 78 miles
- SMF (Sacramento International Airport) - 86 miles
- MCE (Merced Regional Airport) - 105 miles
- FAT (Fresno Yosemite International Airport) - 158 miles
- SBP (San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport) - 191 miles
- RNO (Reno-Tahoe International Airport) - 192 miles
Services & Information: Alternative Airports Near SFO
Metropolitan Oakland Airport (OAK)
Conveniently located just 10 miles from downtown Oakland, the Metropolitan Oakland Airport serves as a major gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: OAK
- Official Name: Metropolitan Oakland Airport
- Location: Oakland, California, United States
- Prominent Airlines: Southwest, Spirit
- Popular Aircraft: Airbus A330, Boeing 737, Airbus A31X/32X
- Top Destinations: Las Vegas, Guadalajara, San Salvador, New York
- Transportation Options: The Metropolitan Oakland Airport offers a variety of transportation options including taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. There are also public transportation options available such as the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system and AC Transit bus services.
Driving Distances
From Metropolitan Oakland Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- Oakland, CA - 10 miles (Approx. 17 mins)
- San Francisco, CA - 22 miles (Approx. 32 mins)
- San Jose, CA - 36 miles (Approx. 46 mins)
- Sacramento, CA - 92 miles (Approx. 1 hour 33 mins)
- Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA - 4 miles (Approx. 10 mins)
San Jose Mineta Airport (SJC)
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose Mineta Airport serves as a key gateway to the tech-driven city of San Jose, California, and its surrounding attractions.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: SJC
- Official Name: San Jose Mineta Airport
- Location: San Jose, California, United States
- Annual Passenger Volume: Data not provided
- Prominent Airlines: Southwest, Alaska Airlines
- Popular Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737, Embraer 19X/17X
- Top Destinations: San Diego, Guadalajara, San Jose Cabo, Tokyo, Honolulu
- Transportation Options: Transportation options at San Jose Mineta Airport include taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Additionally, the airport is served by public transportation systems like the VTA bus, light rail, and Caltrain. Several private shuttle services also offer door-to-door service from the airport to various locations in San Jose.
Driving Distances
From San Jose Mineta Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- San Jose, CA - 5 miles (Approx. 11 mins)
- Oakland, CA - 40 miles (Approx. 45 mins)
- San Francisco, CA - 47 miles (Approx. 52 mins)
- Sacramento, CA - 117 miles (Approx. 1 hour 54 mins)
- SAP Center in San Jose, CA - 4 miles (Approx. 8 mins)
Sonoma County Airport (STS)
Conveniently located just 7 miles northwest of downtown Santa Rosa, Sonoma County Airport serves as a gateway to the enchanting wine country of Northern California.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: STS
- Official Name: Sonoma County Airport
- Location: Santa Rosa, California, United States
- Prominent Airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines
- Popular Aircraft: Embraer 19X/17X, Boeing 737
- Top Destinations: Santa Ana, California. No international flights from Charles M Schulz Sonoma Co.
- Transportation Options: Various transportation options are available including taxis, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, and car rentals. Private shuttle services also provide convenient transportation to and from the airport.
Driving Distances
From Sonoma County Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- Santa Rosa, CA - 8 miles (Approx. 14 mins)
- San Francisco, CA - 62 miles (Approx. 1 hour 16 mins)
- Oakland, CA - 66 miles (Approx. 1 hour 9 mins)
- Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, CA - 38 miles (Approx. 44 mins)
Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY)
Located just 3 miles from the heart of Monterey, Monterey Peninsula Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the stunning beaches and world-class golf courses of the Monterey Bay area.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: MRY
- Official Name: Monterey Peninsula Airport
- Location: Monterey, California, United States
- Prominent Airlines: United, American Airlines
- Popular Aircraft: Embraer 19X/17X, Bombardier CRJ / Challenger
- Top Destinations: Phoenix (PHX) with an average of 20 flights per week
- Transportation Options: Various transportation options are available including taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services. There are no known international flights from Monterey Peninsula Airport.
Driving Distances
From Monterey Peninsula Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- Monterey, CA - 3 miles (Approx. 8 mins)
- Salinas, CA - 16 miles (Approx. 25 mins)
- San Jose, CA - 72 miles (Approx. 1 hour 12 mins)
- San Francisco, CA - 119 miles (Approx. 1 hour 57 mins)
- Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, CA - 8 miles (Approx. 14 mins)
Modesto City County Airport (MOD)
Located just a few miles from the heart of Modesto, Modesto City County Airport (MOD) serves as a convenient gateway to California's Central Valley and its numerous attractions.
Quick Facts
- IATA Code: MOD
- Official Name: Modesto City County Airport
- Location: Modesto, California, United States
- Annual Passenger Volume: Approximately 150,000 passengers per year
- Prominent Airlines: United Express
- Popular Aircraft: Bombardier CRJ-200
- Top Destinations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix
- Transportation Options: Public transportation options include Modesto Area Express (MAX) buses. Private transportation options include taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Several private shuttle services also provide transportation to and from the airport.
Driving Distances
From Modesto City County Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:
- Modesto, CA - 3 miles (Approx. 7 mins)
- San Jose, CA - 90 miles (Approx. 1 hour 37 mins)
- Oakland, CA - 81 miles (Approx. 1 hour 28 mins)
- San Francisco, CA - 92 miles (Approx. 1 hour 41 mins)
- John Thurman Field in Modesto, CA - 3 miles (Approx. 10 mins)
Sacramento Airport (SMF)
Located just 10 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento, Sacramento Airport serves as a major gateway to the scenic attractions of Northern California and the state capital.
Merced Macready Field Airport (MCE)
Located just a few miles from the city center, Merced Macready Field Airport (MCE) is the gateway to the heart of California, offering easy access to Yosemite National Park and other major attractions.
Fresno Yosemite Airport (FAT)
Located just a short drive from the city center, Fresno Yosemite Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the stunning landscapes of Yosemite National Park.
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)
Located just south of the city of San Luis Obispo, the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport serves as a convenient gateway to California's Central Coast region, offering easy access to the area's renowned wineries, stunning landscapes, and charming beach towns.
Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO)
Located just a few miles southeast of downtown Reno, the Reno Tahoe Airport serves as a gateway to the beautiful Lake Tahoe region, offering travelers easy access to a host of outdoor adventures and entertainment options.