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Closest Airports to San Diego Airport: Exploring Your Options

San Diego's San Diego Airport (SAN) is a major gateway to Southern California, but there are several other airports in the vicinity that could provide more convenient options depending on your final destination. Each of these airports has its own unique features and services, and could offer a more streamlined or cost-effective travel experience.

In the following list, we have compiled the 10 airports closest to SAN "as the crow flies". For each airport, we have included an interactive map, driving distances to major nearby cities, and estimated drive times. Please note that these estimates do not account for potential delays due to traffic, road conditions, or other factors. Our aim is to help you explore all your options and make the best decision for your travel needs.

Driving Distances From SAN Airport:

From San Diego Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:

Nearby Cities

  • San Diego, CA - 3 miles (Approx. 11 mins)
  • Los Angeles, CA - 121 miles (Approx. 2 hours 2 mins)
  • Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico - 22 miles (Approx. 36 mins)

Other Landmarks

  • Petco Park in San Diego, CA - 3 miles (Approx. 14 mins)

Distances from SAN (San Diego International Airport) to Nearby Airports:

  • TIJ (Tijuana International Airport) - 18 miles
  • CRQ (McClellan-Palomar Airport) - 28 miles
  • SNA (John Wayne Airport) - 76 miles
  • PSP (Palm Springs International Airport) - 85 miles
  • LGB (Long Beach Airport) - 93 miles
  • ONT (Ontario International Airport) - 95 miles
  • IPL (Imperial County Airport) - 95 miles
  • LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) - 109 miles
  • BUR (Hollywood Burbank Airport) - 121 miles
  • VNY (Van Nuys Airport) - 126 miles

Services & Information: Alternative Airports Near SAN

Tijuana Airport (TIJ)

Located just 5 miles from the city center, Tijuana Airport serves as a major gateway to the vibrant city of Tijuana and the broader Baja California region.

Quick Facts

  • IATA Code: TIJ
  • Official Name: Tijuana Airport
  • Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
  • Prominent Airlines: Volaris, VivaAerobus
  • Popular Aircraft: Airbus A31X/32X, Boeing 737
  • Top Destinations: Mexico City, Phoenix
  • Transportation Options: Taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services like Uber are available for transportation to and from the airport. There are also several private shuttle services that offer door-to-door service from the airport to hotels in Tijuana.

Driving Distances

From Tijuana Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:

  • Tijuana, Mexico - 10 kilometers (Approx. 25 mins)
  • San Diego, CA, USA - 37 kilometers (Approx. 39 mins)
  • Anaheim, CA, USA - 190 kilometers (Approx. 2 hours 2 mins)
  • Los Angeles, CA, USA - 229 kilometers (Approx. 2 hours 29 mins)
  • Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico - 11 kilometers (Approx. 19 mins)

McClellan-Palomar Airport (CRQ)

Located just three miles southeast of downtown Carlsbad, McClellan-Palomar Airport serves as a gateway to the beautiful coastal city and its surrounding attractions including Legoland California and the Flower Fields.

Quick Facts

  • IATA Code: CRQ
  • Official Name: McClellan-Palomar Airport
  • Location: Carlsbad, California, United States
  • Annual Passenger Volume: Approximately 140,000 passengers per year
  • Prominent Airlines: Advanced Air, United Express
  • Popular Aircraft: Dornier 328JET, Embraer ERJ-145
  • Top Destinations: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas
  • Transportation Options: The McClellan-Palomar Airport offers a variety of transportation options such as taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. There are also a number of private shuttle services available.

Driving Distances

From McClellan-Palomar Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:

  • Carlsbad, CA - 6 miles (Approx. 15 mins)
  • San Diego, CA - 34 miles (Approx. 37 mins)
  • Anaheim, CA - 68 miles (Approx. 1 hour 9 mins)
  • Los Angeles, CA - 92 miles (Approx. 1 hour 35 mins)
  • Petco Park in San Diego, CA - 35 miles (Approx. 40 mins)

Orange County John Wayne Airport (SNA)

Located in Santa Ana, Orange County John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the primary gateway to the beautiful and vibrant Orange County, California. It's conveniently situated near major attractions including Disneyland Resort and Knott's Berry Farm.

Quick Facts

  • IATA Code: SNA
  • Official Name: Orange County John Wayne Airport
  • Location: Santa Ana, California, United States
  • Prominent Airlines: Southwest, Alaska Airlines
  • Popular Aircraft: Boeing 757, Boeing 737, Airbus A31X/32X
  • Top Destinations: San Francisco, Vancouver, San Jose Cabo, New York (JFK), New York (EWR)
  • Transportation Options: Various transportation options are available for passengers including taxis, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, and car rentals. Private shuttle services are also available for convenient transportation to and from the airport.

Driving Distances

From Orange County John Wayne Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:

  • Santa Ana, CA - 8 miles (Approx. 14 mins)
  • Long Beach, CA - 32 miles (Approx. 35 mins)
  • Los Angeles, CA - 40 miles (Approx. 48 mins)
  • San Diego, CA - 87 miles (Approx. 1 hour 24 mins)
  • Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA - 12 miles (Approx. 15 mins)

Palm Springs Airport (PSP)

Located just 2 miles east of downtown Palm Springs, Palm Springs Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the scenic Coachella Valley. This airport is a popular choice for travelers visiting the region's renowned golf courses, spas, and resorts.

Quick Facts

  • IATA Code: PSP
  • Official Name: Palm Springs Airport
  • Location: Palm Springs, California, USA
  • Prominent Airlines: Alaska Airlines, United Airlines
  • Popular Aircraft: Boeing 737, Embraer 19X/17X
  • Top Destinations: San Francisco, Vancouver, Calgary, New York
  • Transportation Options: Various transportation options are available including taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services. There are also private shuttle services that offer door-to-door service from the airport to local destinations.

Driving Distances

From Palm Springs Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:

  • Palm Springs, CA - 3 miles (Approx. 7 mins)
  • Los Angeles, CA - 110 miles (Approx. 1 hour 55 mins)
  • San Diego, CA - 130 miles (Approx. 2 hours 20 mins)
  • Las Vegas, NV - 267 miles (Approx. 4 hours 13 mins)
  • Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA - 16 miles (Approx. 27 mins)

Long Beach Airport (LGB)

Located just 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the city's numerous attractions and business districts.

Quick Facts

  • IATA Code: LGB
  • Official Name: Long Beach Airport
  • Location: Long Beach, California, United States
  • Prominent Airlines: Southwest, Delta
  • Popular Aircraft: Boeing 737, Airbus A31X/32X
  • Top Destinations: Las Vegas, Honolulu, Kahului
  • Transportation Options: Long Beach Airport offers various transportation options including taxis, car rentals, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. The airport is also accessible by public transportation, with Long Beach Transit providing bus service to the airport.

Driving Distances

From Long Beach Airport, the closest cities and landmarks are:

  • Long Beach, CA - 10 miles (Approx. 14 mins)
  • Anaheim, CA - 18 miles (Approx. 28 mins)
  • Santa Ana, CA - 20 miles (Approx. 25 mins)
  • Los Angeles, CA - 25 miles (Approx. 31 mins)
  • Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in Long Beach, CA - 10 miles (Approx. 14 mins)

LA Ontario Airport (ONT)

Located just 38 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, LA Ontario Airport serves as a gateway to Southern California, offering easy access to a variety of major attractions such as Disneyland and Hollywood.

Imperial County Airport (IPL)

Welcoming travelers to the sunny state of California, Imperial County Airport is conveniently located just a few miles from the city of El Centro, providing easy access to the region's spectacular natural attractions like the Salton Sea and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Los Angeles Airport (LAX)

Located in the heart of Southern California, the Los Angeles Airport is a major gateway to the United States, just 16 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles and a short drive to the city's major attractions including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Pacific Ocean.

Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)

Conveniently located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, the Hollywood Burbank Airport serves as a gateway to the vibrant city of Los Angeles and its numerous iconic attractions.

Van Nuys Airport (VNY)

Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Van Nuys Airport is a bustling hub for private aviation, just a short drive from downtown Los Angeles and major attractions like Universal Studios Hollywood.

Updated on: December 4, 2023

San Diego Airport closest airports Q&A

From San Diego Airport, it is approximately 3 miles (11 minutes) to San Diego, CA, 121 miles (2 hours 2 minutes) to Los Angeles, CA, and 22 miles (36 minutes) to Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The airport is also about 3 miles (14 minutes) away from Petco Park in San Diego, C
Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) and McClellan-Palomar Airport (CRQ) are the closest airports to San Diego Airport. TIJ is approximately 18 miles away, and CRQ is about 28 miles from San Diego Airport.
San Diego Airport is approximately 18 miles from Tijuana Airport. From Tijuana Airport, it is approximately 10 kilometers (25 minutes) to Tijuana, Mexico, 37 kilometers (39 minutes) to San Diego, CA, USA, 190 kilometers (2 hours 2 minutes) to Anaheim, CA, USA, and 229 kilometers (2 hours 29 minutes) to Los Angeles, CA, US
From McClellan-Palomar Airport, it is approximately 6 miles (15 minutes) to Carlsbad, CA, 34 miles (37 minutes) to San Diego, CA, 68 miles (1 hour 9 minutes) to Anaheim, CA, and 92 miles (1 hour 35 minutes) to Los Angeles, C
From Orange County John Wayne Airport, it is approximately 8 miles (14 minutes) to Santa Ana, CA, 32 miles (35 minutes) to Long Beach, CA, 40 miles (48 minutes) to Los Angeles, CA, and 87 miles (1 hour 24 minutes) to San Diego, C