California has some of the busiest air space in the United States. In a normal year, the state serves ~190 million domestic and ~14 million international passengers. About half of that traffic is served by our 2 major California airports, which are Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). But our huge geography is supported by network of 25 domestic and international airports spread throughout California.
All major US airlines operate in California as do most airlines who service transoceanic and North American international destinations.
This guide covers all commercial airports in California and we’ve spotlighted the major airport hubs. If you are a more visual person, then we have also provided a map with all of the airport locations.
The 4 Top International Airports in California
The following are California’s major airports, by passenger traffic. They also have the most number of airlines and non-stop routes serving both CA and the world.
For the purpose of this article, when we say “major US carriers”, we mean United, Delta, American, Southwest and Alaska.
Los Angeles International Airport
- Los Angeles Airport Code: LAX
- Domestic Airlines: Served by the major US carriers and a few smaller carriers like Breeze, Allegiant, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, Sun Country and Spirit.
- US Destinations: All major US airports, most US states and 14 California airports.
- International Destinations: LAX serves a variety of international carriers flying to Europe, Mexico, Oceana/South Pacific, Canada, East Asia, The Middle East, South Asia, Central America and South America.
LAX is by far California’s largest airport, serving about 1/3 of our total passenger traffic. It’s a gateway to the rest of the US and serves the west very well.
San Francisco International Airport
- San Francisco Airport Code: SFO
- Domestic Airlines: All major US carriers along with smaller carriers like, Breeze, Frontier, Hawiian, and Sun Country.
- US Destinations: All major US airports, most US states and 16 California airports.
- International Destinations: SFO also serves many destinations in Mexico, Canada, Asia, Oceana/South Pacific, Central America, Europe and the Middle East.
SFO is the very closest airport to downtown SF and you best choice if you are using SF as a base of operations. Use our guide to get from SFO to downtown SF or to transit between SFO and San Jose airport. Here’s our local’s only guide to San Francisco and advice on where to stay.
San Diego International Airport
- San Diego Airport Code: SAN
- Domestic Airlines: The major US carriers plus, Frontier, Jet Blue, Sun Country, Hawaiian, West Jet, and Spirit.
- US Destinations: Serves all major US hubs, most of the more populous US states, and 10 California airports.
- International: Multiple locations in Canada and Mexico along with London, Tokyo and Munich.
Sacramento International Airport
- Sacramento Airport Code: SMF
- Domestic Airlines: Major US carriers, plus Frontier, Hawaiian, Horizon, Jet Blue, and Spirit
- Domestic Destinations: 27 US destinations, and 9 California airports.
- International Destinations: Multiple destinations in Canada and Mexico.
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California Airports Map
Regional Airports in Northern California
The following are the remaining 19 commercial airports in California. They are listed roughly north to south.
Crescent City Del Norte County Airport
- Crescent City Airport Code: CEC
- Domestic Airlines: Contour.
- Destinations Served: Twice daily service to Oakland.
Redding Municipal Airport
- Redding Airport Code: RDD
- Domestic Airlines: Alaska, United and Avelo.
- Destinations Served: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Burbank.
This is the closest airport to Mount Shasta.
California Redwood Coast Humboldt County (Arcata-Eureka) Airport
- Humboldt County Airport Code: ACV
- Domestic Airlines: United and Avelo.
- Destinations Served: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver and Burbank.
This is the airport closest to California’s coastal redwoods. Although SFO can sometimes be more convenient, despite the distance. Check out our guide for all of the California redwood parks and this 5-day redwoods itinerary.
Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (Santa Rosa)
- Sonoma Airport Code: STS
- Domestic Airlines: American, Alaska and Avelo.
- Destinations Served: Portland, Seattle, Redmond, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Palm Springs, San Diego and Burbank.
This is the nearest airport for doing Sonoma and Napa wine country and also for flying into Fort Bragg and the Mendocino coast.
Stockton Metropolitan Airport
- Stockton Airport Code: SCK
- Domestic Airlines: Allegiant.
- Destinations Served: Daily service to Las Vegas and Phoenix, but not California destinations.
Oakland International Airport
- Oakland Airport Code: OAK
- Domestic Airlines: American, Delta, Frontier, Allegiant, Alaska, Contour, Southwest, Sun Country, Hawaiian and Spirit.
- US Destinations Served: 20 US states, and 9 California airports.
- International Destinations: San Salvador, Portugal and various destinations in Mexico.
The San Francisco airport may be bigger, but Oakland can be a good choice, especially if you are a fan of Southwest Airlines. We have guides for how to get from Oakland airport to downtown San Francisco and also between OAK and the SF airport.
Morman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
- San Jose Airport Code: SJC
- Domestic Airlines: The major carriers plus Hawaiian, Spirit and Jet Blue.
- US Destinations Served: 16 states and 7 California cities.
- International Destinations: Tokyo and various destinations in Mexico.
Fresno Yosemite International Airport
- Fresno Airport Code: FAT
- Domestic Airlines: Major US carriers and Allegiant, and Frontier.
- US Destinations Served: 9 US states, including 3 California cities.
- International: Several locations in Mexico.
FAT is the closest airport to Yosemite National Park. Check out our road trip itinerary for Yosemite and what to do in the winter.
Monterey Regional Airport
- Monterey Airport Code: MRY
- Domestic Airlines: American, Allegiant, Alaska and United.
- Destinations Served: 5 US states, including 3 California cities.
This is the closest airport to Big Sur and it’s a great gateway for exploring Carmel or the Big Sur coastline.
Regional Airports in Southern California
San Luis Obisbo County Regional Airport
- San Luis Obisbo Airport Code: SBP
- Domestic Airlines: American, Alaska, and United.
- Destinations Served: 6 US states, including 3 California cities.
Santa Maria Airport
- Santa Maria Airport Code: SMX
- Domestic Airlines: Allegiant
- Destinations Served: 2-3x weekly service to Las Vegas, but no California destinations.
Mammoth Yosemite Airport
- Mammoth Airport Code: MMH
- Domestic Airlines: United Airlines (seasonal).
- Destinations Served: Carlsbad, Hawthorne (in LA).
This is the closest airport for seasonal service to Mammoth Lakes and also close to Bishop. If you are road tripping the region, be use our Highway 395 road trip guide and explore fun things to do in Bishop and Lone Pine.
Bishop Eastern Sierra Regional Airport
Airport Code: BIH
Domestic Airlines: United Airlines (seasonal).
Destinations Served: San Francisco and Denver.
This is the closest airport to Bishop and also close to Mammoth.
Meadows Field Bakersfield Airport
- Bakersfield Airport Code: BFL
- Domestic Airlines: American and United.
- Destinations Served: Phoenix, Dallas, Denver and San Francisco.
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Santa Barbara Airport Code: SBA
- Domestic Airlines: The major US carriers.
- Destinations Served: 8 US states and 4 California destinations.
Ontario International Airport
- Ontario Airport Code: ONT
- Domestic Airlines: The major US carriers, Frontier, Hawaiian, and Jet Blue.
- US Destinations Served: 13 US states, including 4 California cities.
- International Destinations Served: Taiwan, Mexico and San Salvador.
Hollywood Burbank Airport
- Burbank Airport Code: BUR
- Domestic Airlines: American, Jet Blue, Southwest, Delta, Alaska, United, Spirit, Avelo.
- Destinations Served: 18 US states, including 7 California cities.
San Bernardino International Airport
- San Bernardino Airport Code: SBD
- Domestic Airlines: Breeze
- Destinations Served: San Jose, Phoenix, Las Vegas.
Santa Ana John Wayne Airport
- Santa Ana Airport Code: SNA
- Domestic Airlines: The major US carriers, Allegiant, Breeze, Frontier, Spirit, and Sun Country.
- US Destinations Served: 19 US states, including 5 California cities.
- International Destinations Served: Several destinations in Canada and Mexico.
This is the airport closest to Disneyland.
Long Beach Airport
- Long Beach Airport Code: LGB
- Domestic Airlines: American, Hawaiian and Southwest.
- Destinations Served: 13 US states, and 3 California cities.
Palm Springs International Airport
- Palm Springs Airport Code: PSP
- Domestic Airlines: The major carriers, Allegiant, Avelo, Jet Blue, and Sun Country.
- US Destinations Served: 13 US sates, including 6 California cities.
- International Destinations Served: Several Canadian destinations.
In addition to being a destination in and of itself, PSP is also the closest airport to Joshua Tree National Park. Here’s our guide for how to spend an awesome day in Joshua Tree, a JT trip planner and cool things to do in Joshua Tree town.
3 Convenient Non-California Airports
The following three airports are not located in California. However, each is close enough to some popular CA destinations that they can sometimes be a very convenient choice.
General Abelardo L. Rodriguez (Tijuana) International Airport
- Tijuana Airport Code: TIJ
- Airlines: Aeromexico, Interjet, VivaAerobus and Volaris. No US airlines.
- Destinations Served: 27 Mexican cities, including all of the major airports. They also fly to Phoenix.
Tijuana is only 40 minutes from San Diego. There is a convenient Cross Border Express pedestrian bridge that shortcuts the long immigration lines at the land border. And you can save money on flights to Mexican destinations by flying from Tijuana.
Las Vegas Harry Reid Airport
- Las Vegas Airport Code: LAS
- Domestic Airlines: All major US carriers, Allegient, Avelo, Breeze, Frontier, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, Spirit, and Sun Country.
- US Destinations Served: Serving almost all US states, including 16 California cities.
- International Destinations Served: Various destinations in Europe, South Korea and Israel.
Las Vegas is actually the closest airport to Death Valley. So, if you are planning a southwest road trip, LAS is a good choice. Here’s our full Death Valley guide and advice for how to day trip there from Vegas.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
- Airport Code: RNO
- Domestic Airlines: The major US carriers, Jet Blue, and Spirit.
- Destinations Served: Serving 7 US states, including 9 California cities.
- International Destinations Served: Guadalajara.
Reno is the closest airport to Lake Tahoe and the Eastern Sierra communities of Mammoth Lakes, Bishop and Lee Vining. If you are visiting Tahoe, be sure to do the scenic drive around the lake and visit all of the local breweries.
California Itinerary Ideas
Use our guide to figure out the best time to visit CA, depending upon your interests.
Start with our list of the best scenic drives in CA. We have 20 suggestions that dover the whole state. We’ve also got a 5 day itinerary for the epic Pacific Coast Highway drive from SF to LA. Or plan some weekend getaways to one of these scenic NorCal coastal towns or laid back hippie towns.
San Bernardino International Airport is missing. Daily, non-stop flights to and from San Francisco are available, as are daily, one-stop direct flights to and from Provo, Utah. And, Breeze Airways is the carrier.
Great to know! Thank you!
Regarding LAX, how do leave out Hawaiian Airlines but list Mokulele thar has ONE (1) route in the 48 continental states, LAX to Imperial County? Better proof readers are needed.
Thanks for catching our error. We will update it.
Merced Airport has daily commerical flights with Advanced Airlines to Las Vegas and Los Angeles