San Diego’s Lindbergh Field is the most tourist friendly airport in the country. The San Diego airport ranks #2 in the United States for customer service and is conveniently located adjacent to the tourist attractions in downtown San Diego. Flying non-stop to San Diego is a convenient option for most visitors, including those coming from New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, and Maui.
‘Aviation’ Theme
General Aviation Airports
San Diego offers a number of airports for private plane travel. Below, you will find general location information, Google Maps, and web site links for each of the airports.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 10AM – 4:30PM (Must enter by 4PM). Open until 5:30PM during Summer. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cost: $15 ($6 for Kids ages 3-11 and $12 for Seniors)
Features: One of the Nation’s Best Aerospace Museums; San Diego has the Richest Aviation History in the World
Marine Corps Aviation Museum
Location: Miramar (15 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 3:30PM (Closed on Mondays)
Cost: Free (Donations Appreciated)
Features: Only Museum in the Country Dedicated to Marine Corps Aviation
Gillespie Field Aircraft Museum
Location: El Cajon (17 Miles / 20 Minutes East of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 8AM – 3PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Cost: Free (Donations Accepted)
Features: Restoration Hanger for the Air & Space Museum includes More than Two Dozen Aircraft and an Atlas Missile.
Veterans Museum and Memorial Center
Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 10AM – 4PM. Closed on Mondays.
Cost: $3 Donation
Features: Extensive Collection of Stories and Artifacts from Military Conflicts; Represents Veterans from the Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Force.
Fly Sailplanes Above the Mountains and Desert
Location: Warner Springs (75 Miles / 1.5 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM (Weekday reservations strongly recommended)
Cost: Rides start at $125 for 20 Minutes. ($160 for 2 people)
Features: Glide over the Mountains and Desert on a Sail Plane
Cabrillo National Monument
Location: Point Loma (9 Miles / 20 Minutes West of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM
Cost: $5 per Vehicle
Features: Best Views of Downtown San Diego, San Diego Bay, and the Pacific Ocean; Tidepools; Hiking; Lighthouse Tour; Whale Watching; Visitor Center Exhibitions and Films about Juan Cabrillo, the First European Explorer to Arrive in California.
San Diego Skyline Views from Coronado
Location: Coronado (6 Miles / 15 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Magnificent Views of the City-Skyline, San Diego Bay, and Navy Aircraft Carriers; Shopping; Dining; Ferry Boat
Coronado Museum of History and Art
Location: Coronado (6 Miles / 15 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM (Opens at 10AM on Weekends)
Cost: Suggested Donation of $4 ($2 for Kids Ages 8 – 19)
Features: Historical Look at the Hotel Del Coronado and the U.S. Naval Air Station
Paragliding at Torrey Pines Glider Port
Location: Torrey Pines (15 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM
Cost: $150
Features: Paraglide or Handglide above Oceanside Cliffs
