McClellan-Palomar Airport

McClellan-Palomar in Carlsbad serves North County San Diego — Carlsbad, Encinitas, and the coast north of the city. For travelers there, it is far more convenient than San Diego International, with the easy feel of a smaller field.

Who flies here

Carlsbad is a general-aviation-focused field. Its charter appeal is location: quick access for North County without the drive downtown.

On the field

As of mid-2026 the FBOs at Palomar include Atlantic Aviation. It is a county-owned field with a strong business-aviation lean — most days the ramp is corporate jets and charters, not airlines.

A bit of history

The county opened the airport in March 1959 to replace the old Del Mar Municipal Airport, siting it on the Carlsbad mesa. It has since grown into one of the busiest single-runway general-aviation fields in the region and North County's default gateway for private flights.

FBO and history details were last verified mid-2026 against the airport's and operators' own published information; tenants and amenities change, so confirm the departure terminal with your operator.