McClellan-Palomar Airport Guide
McClellan-Palomar Airport sits about 3 miles southeast of downtown Carlsbad in northern San Diego County, at 331 feet above sea level. It opened in 1959 and replaced Del Mar Municipal Airport. The County of San Diego owns and runs it, and it is named for Gerald McClellan, an aviator and civic leader in North County.
The airport has one asphalt runway, 6/24, which is 4,897 feet long and 150 feet wide, plus a helipad. Most traffic is general aviation and business jets. The FAA-reported total was 171,256 aircraft operations in 2024. The short runway limits the size of aircraft that can use it.
A new 18,000-square-foot passenger terminal opened on January 29, 2009, after a 13-month, US$24 million renovation funded by the FAA and airport enterprise funds. Scheduled service has come and gone since the 1990s. Current carriers include American Eagle to Phoenix, United Express to Denver and San Francisco, and JSX with service to Las Vegas, Oakland and Scottsdale.
Services
3 of 6 availableCompare 5 listed options at McClellan-Palomar Airport, spanning parking, car rentals and hotels. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for McClellan-Palomar Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 1 runwayopened 1959
- Location
- 33.128, -117.280
- Operator
- County of San Diego
- Links
- Wikipedia ↗
Terminals
1 terminalMcClellan-Palomar Airport has 1 passenger terminal — Passenger Terminal, handling domestic flights for around 3 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Passenger TerminalDomestic
American Eagle, United Express, JSX
Nearby cities
5 citiesMcClellan-Palomar Airport is closest to Carlsbad (5 km northwest), and also serves San Marcos, Vista and other nearby areas. With 5 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Carlsbad5 km northwest
- San Marcos11 km east
- Vista14 km northeast
- Oceanside17 km northwest
- Encinitas16 km south
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the airport codes for McClellan-Palomar Airport?
Where is McClellan-Palomar Airport located?
Where is McClellan-Palomar Airport located?
What services are available at McClellan-Palomar Airport?
What services are available at McClellan-Palomar Airport?
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