San Diego Airport (SAN), the third-busiest airport in California in terms of passenger traffic (serving over 24 million passengers) is owned and operated by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. The airport serves San Diego, California, and is the busiest single-runway airport in the US.
San Diego Airport History
1928
In 1928, after getting inspired by Lindbergh’s flight, the city of San Diego approved a bond issue for the construction of a two-runway municipal airport. The airport, which was dedicated on August 16, 1928, was named after Lindbergh and was called San Diego Municipal Airport – Lindbergh Field. The airport has 82 Army and 140 Navy planes involved in a flyover.
1930
A regular San Diego–Los Angeles airmail route began services on June 1, 1930.
1934
San Diego Airport received international airport status in 1934.
1937
United States Coast Guard (USCG) Air Base was commissioned near the airfield, and the fixed-wing aircraft of the Coast Guard used Lindbergh Field until the mid-1990s.
1935 to 1995
Consolidated Aircraft, later known as Convair, was a primary defense contractor and contributor to World War II heavy bomber production. It used the airport mainly for test and delivery flights from 1935 to 1995.
1942
The field was taken over by the US Army Air Corps in 1942. They improved the airport in such a way that it can handle the heavy bombers that are manufactured in the region. Two camps and an 8,750 ft runway were established, which made the airport jet-ready.
1949
Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) started services at Lindbergh Field in 1949.
1960
In September 1960, the first scheduled flights using jets occurred at Lindbergh Field.
1962 and 1967
In 1962 – Nonstop flights to Chicago started
In 1967 – Nonstop flights to New York started
On March 5, 1967, the current Terminal 1 was opened on the south side of the airport.
1979
On July 11, 1979, Terminal 2 was opened.
1996
In July 1996, a third terminal, also called the Commuter Terminal, was opened.
1998
On January 7, 1998, Terminal 2 was opened after its expansion by 300,000 square feet.
2001 and 2002
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority was developed in 2001, and in December 2001, the Authority obtained jurisdiction over the airport.
2003
The airport’s name was changed from Lindbergh Field to San Diego International Airport.
2013
On August 13, 2013, Terminal 2 was expanded, which cost around $900 million. The expansion included a two-level roadway separating arriving and departing passengers, ten gates on the west side of Terminal 2 West, additional security lanes, and an expanded concession area.
2016 and 2018
A new consolidated rental car facility opened on the airport’s north side in 2016. A three-story parking structure was opened in front of Terminal 2, and the development process was completed in May 2018.
In June 2018, a new immigration and customs facility was developed at Terminal 2 West, which was five times bigger than its predecessor.
Future expansion plans
As per the Airport Development Plan (ADP), construction on a complete replacement of Terminal 1 began in 2021. The construction of Terminal 1 is split into two phases. The first phase, which includes the construction of a new 19-gate standalone terminal to the east of the existing Terminal 1, is scheduled to be open in 2025, and the budget involved is $2.6 billion.
Once the first phase is open, the existing terminal will be knocked down, and the 11 remaining gates of the new terminal will be built in its place. After this construction, they will be open in 2028.
Other expansion plans include:
- A new 7,500-space parking structure
- A new entry road extended or expanded from Harbor Drive
- A new airport operations center to replace the center located within the long-decommissioned Commuter Terminal
- A new dual-level arrivals/departures roadway in front of the new Terminal 1
- An expanded aircraft taxiway A to pair with existing taxiway B for almost the same length of the airport’s runway
- A further westward expansion to Terminal 2 West, which includes an increase in the number of gates in SAN Airport to 61.
Where is SAN Airport?
San Diego Airport is located three miles northwest of downtown San Diego. The exact airport address is N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.
SAN Airport Map
You can check the SAN Airport map to learn about the terminal locations, parking, pickup & drop-off locations, and other transportation options.
SAN Parking
SAN Airport offers Terminal and Valet parking options at their onsite spaces. Onsite spaces are usually very expensive. To make parking affordable for all, there are offsite San Diego Airport parking spaces near the airport where parking rates are lower if booked through GlobalAirportParking.com.
Public Transportation
Here are the various transportation options available to and from San Diego Airport:
Amtrak & COASTER
Amtrak & COASTER provides services between Los Angeles and Orange County, as well as downtown San Diego and coastal North County.
Stops: Carlsbad, Encinitas, Sorrento Valley, Solana Beach, Oceanside, and Old Town.
Route 992 (Metropolitan Transit System) will connect the travelers from SAN Airport with Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and the COASTER at Amtrak’s Santa Fe Depot train station.
Route 992 operates between 5:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. It runs every 30 minutes on weekends and holidays and every 15 minutes during weekdays.
San Diego Flyer
It is an electric shuttle bus service that operates between SAN Airport and Old Town Transit Center. It operates seven days a week and arrives every 20 to 30 minutes at the airport.
San Diego Trolley
It is a light rail transit network with three lines (UC San Diego Blue Lines, the Orange Line, and the Sycuan Green Line) that serve popular areas. You can reach the San Diego Trolley from Terminals 1 and 2 by taking City Bus Route 992 to the Broadway and Kettner Blvd bus stop downtown or the Rental Car Shuttles at the transit islands at both terminals.
Limousines & Luxury Sedans
Many limousine/luxury sedan companies offer service from SAN Airport.
Other Transportation Options
Other than the public transportation facilities, you can find several other options to travel to and from San Diego Airport. These are:
- Rental cars: Car rental pickups and drop-offs occur at the Consolidated Rental Car Center.
- Ride Share: Lyft, Uber, Opoli, and Wingz offer rideshare services at SAN Airport. You will be dropped off curbside at both terminals.
Passenger pickup locations
Terminal 1 – Exit the baggage claim and use the new pedestrian crosswalk to get access to Ground Transportation resources.
Terminal 2 – Exit the baggage claim and use the main crosswalk to get access to Ground Transportation resources. The pickup location will be located in the second lane on the right.
- Shuttles: SAN Airport has three shuttles (Terminal Loop Shuttle, San Diego Flyer, and Rental Car Center Shuttle) to get you around the airport. You can find both on-airport and off-airport shuttles.
- Taxis: Taxicab services are offered at San Diego International Airport.
How to get to SAN Airport
From Downtown San Diego (via Broadway and N Harbor Dr)
- You should first head west on Broadway toward Third Ave.
- Then, turn right onto N Harbor Dr.
From Five Points, California (via I-5 S and N Harbor Dr)
- First, head southeast on I-5 S.
- Take exit 17 for Front St toward Civic Ctr using the right lane.
- You should then continue onto Front St and then turn right onto W Cedar St.
- From there, turn right at the 2nd cross street onto State St.
- Turn left onto W Hawthorn St and then turn right onto N Harbor Dr.
Amenities
You can make use of the following services at San Diego Airport:
- ATMs
- Free WiFi
- Bicycle lockers
- Courtesy phones
- Global Entry
- Lactation rooms
- Luggage carts
- Portable, refillable charging units
- Vending machines
- Self-service kiosks
- Shops and eateries
Hotels near San Diego Airport
Here are some of the San Diego Airport hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites San Diego Airport Liberty Station
Address: 2211 Lee Ct, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance from SAN Airport: 0.6 miles
Motel 6 SAN Airport
Address: 2353 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance from SAN Airport: 1 mile
Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island
Address: 1960 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
Distance from SAN Airport: 1.7 miles
Holiday Inn Express SAN Airport
Address: 1955 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
Distance from SAN Airport: 2.5 miles
Hotel Iris – San Diego
Address: 625 Hotel Cir S, San Diego, CA 92108
Distance from SAN Airport: 5.4 miles
SAN Airport Lounges
Here are the various SAN Airport lounges:
- Aspire Lounge: At Terminal 2, near Gates 23 & 33
- Be Relax Spa: At Terminal 2, Near Gate 27
- Delta Sky Club: At Terminal 2 West
- United Club: At Terminal 2, near the Gate Mezzanine
- United Service Organizations: At Terminal 2, near the Gate Parking Lot
SAN Airport Food and Dining
San Diego Airport has several restaurants from where you can choose your food options.
At Terminal 1
- Bankers Hill Bar & Market: Near Gate 7
- Ciao Gourmet Market: Near Gate 4
- Dark Horse Coffee Roasters: Near Gate 3
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Near Gate 3
- Jack in the Box: Near Pre-Security
- Pacifica Breeze Cafe: Near Pre-Security
- Peet’s Coffee & Tea: Near Gate 11
- The Counter: Near Gate 4
At Terminal 2
- Artisan Market: Near Gate 23
- Asian Kitchen: Near Sunset Cove
- Beaudevin Wine & Tapas Bar: Near Gate 42
- Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar: Near Sunset Cove
- California Pizza Kitchen: Near Gate 26
- Panda Express: Near Gate 26
- Stone Brewing Company: Near Gate 36
- Qdoba Mexican Grill: Near Sunset Cove
SAN Airport Shops and Stores
Shops and stores are present at San Diego Airport’s Terminal 1 and 2. Let’s have a look at the various shops and stores at SAN Airport.
Few stores at Terminal 1
- Bay Books of Coronado: Near Pre-Security
- Hudson News: Near Gate 10
- KUSI News: Near Gate 18
- SAN Life Market: Near Pre-Security
- Stellar News Express: Near Pre-Security
- Tech on the Go: Near Pre-Security
- The Beach House: Near Pre-Security
Few stores at Terminal 2
- Brookstone: Near Security Corridor
- CNBC: Near pre-security and Gate 35
- Gaslamp MarketPlace: Near Gate 46
- Hudson News: Near Gate 37
- InMotion Entertainment: Near Gate 26
- Lindbergh Field News: Near Pre-Security
Accessible Services
San Diego International Airport ensures that all eligible travelers receive accessible facilities and services. For airport facility-related needs, persons with disabilities or their representatives can contact the ADA Coordinator.
- For wheelchair services, you can contact your airline’s accessibility department.
- TSA Cares Program: It is a helpline for travelers with disabilities or other medical conditions. Through this helpline, you will get help when you go through the screening processes and other assistance, such as coordination with TSA officers to address your needs. To arrange for any assistance, you can contact TSA Cares at a minimum of 72 hours before your trip.
- SAN Assist: It is another service offered by SAN Airport for travelers with disabilities like chronic illness or autism, which are non-visible. Through SAN Assist, you will get guidance when you go through the TSA security locations, navigate the airport terminals, and receive assistance with security screening processing. You should submit the SAN Assist requests at least three business days in advance.
- You can file a Title VI complaint if you are subjected to any discrimination based on color, race, or national origin in relation to any event at the SAN Airport. Also, for the complaint to be valid, it should be filed within 180 days from the specific date of the alleged discrimination.
Lost and Found
- If you have lost something, you should first submit a claim for the lost item. The Lost and Found custodian will contact you within 48 hours if a match is found.
- You can directly contact your airline if you’ve lost an item on the airplane, ticket counter, gate area, or checked luggage.
- Items such as blankets, face masks, hats, pillows, and water bottles, if found outside a backpack, suitcase, or another travel bag, will be disposed of as these are not accepted at the airport due to the greater risk of contamination by bodily fluids or insects. Food items other than alcohol will also be disposed of if received at the Lost and Found.
TSA Wait Time
The average TSA wait time at SAN Airport is 3 minutes, and it can vary.
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is available on SAN Terminal 2, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CLEAR
CLEAR lanes are present at the Terminal 2 West checkpoint.
Operating hours: 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
You can find the CLEAR enrollment center on the second floor of SAN Terminal 2 to the left of the entrance.
Airport Check-in Time
The check-in time at San Diego Airport will vary based on your airline. By 4:30 a.m., the ticket counters are staffed. Domestic travelers should arrive at least two hours before the scheduled departure time, while international travelers should arrive at least three hours before.
Attractions Near SAN Airport
Here are the must-visit places near SAN Airport:
- Balboa Park (1.8 miles)
- Coronado Island (7.4 miles)
- Gaslamp Quarter (2.9 miles)
- Mission Bay (5.9 miles)
- San Diego Zoo (4 miles)
- SeaWorld San Diego (4.8 miles)
- Seaport Village (2.2 miles)
- Sunset Cliffs (3.2 miles)
San Diego Airport FAQs
What time does San Diego Airport open?
San Diego Airport is open 24 hours a day.
Does San Diego have 2 airports?
Yes, San Diego has 2 international airports, San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Tijuana International Airport (TIJ). Other than these, there are military airfields and general aviation airports.
What is the main airport in San Diego?
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the main airport in San Diego.
How busy is San Diego Airport?
San Diego Airport is the third-busiest airport in California in terms of passenger traffic.
How early must I get to San Diego Airport?
Domestic travelers should arrive at least two hours before the scheduled departure time, while international travelers should arrive at least three hours before.
How big is San Diego Airport?
San Diego Airport covers about 663 acres of land.
How can I get from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego?
You can get from Los Angeles International Airport to San Diego by taxi, private vehicle, bus, or train. Amtrak Intercity and COASTER commuter trains connect travelers from Los Angeles to downtown San Diego.
