Cloverdale Municipal Airport — General Aviation in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley

Cloverdale Municipal Airport (FAA identifier O60) serves the northernmost city in Sonoma County, providing a vital general aviation gateway to California's acclaimed Alexander Valley wine country. Located at approximately 310 feet above mean sea level on the eastern edge of Cloverdale, this publicly owned airport operates under the jurisdiction of the City of Cloverdale, a community of roughly 9,000 residents situated along the Russian River corridor approximately 80 miles north of San Francisco.

The airport occupies a compact footprint in the valley floor, with its single asphalt runway oriented along the 14/32 alignment and measuring approximately 3,200 feet in length. The runway accommodates a wide range of single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft, making it a practical destination for private pilots flying into the North Bay wine country from throughout the western United States. The airfield is uncontrolled, operating without an air traffic control tower, with pilots self-announcing positions on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) of 122.8 MHz.

Cloverdale Municipal Airport offers the basic infrastructure expected of a community general aviation facility. The ramp area provides transient tie-down spaces for visiting aircraft, and the airport is open to the public during daylight hours. Fuel availability has historically been limited at O60 itself, and pilots planning to top off tanks often coordinate with nearby facilities such as Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS), located approximately 25 miles south in Santa Rosa, which offers full FBO services, 100LL avgas, and Jet-A around the clock.

The surrounding terrain demands pilot attention. Cloverdale sits in a narrow valley flanked by the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the coastal ranges to the west, with terrain rising sharply above pattern altitude on multiple compass headings. Pilots unfamiliar with the area are strongly encouraged to review sectional charts and obtain a thorough weather briefing before departure, as coastal fog and low ceilings can move rapidly up the Russian River corridor, particularly during summer mornings. Standard density altitude considerations also apply during warm summer afternoons when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.

For pilots arriving from the Bay Area, the airport lies approximately 15 nautical miles north of Ukiah and can be reached via the Victor Airway V-23 corridor or via direct GPS routing over the coastal mountains. The nearby Cloverdale VOR/DME (CVC), historically a navigation reference in this corridor, supported instrument approaches in earlier decades, though pilots should verify current NOTAMs and chart data for the most accurate navigation information on any given flight.

Cloverdale itself rewards the visiting aviator with immediate access to some of California's finest agricultural heritage. The city is positioned at the northern terminus of the Sonoma County wine trail, with Alexander Valley AVA vineyards producing highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel within a short drive of the airport ramp. Downtown Cloverdale's Cloverdale Boulevard commercial district is roughly two miles from the airport, offering dining, lodging, and access to the Saturday Cloverdale Farmers Market during the growing season.

Flight training is occasionally conducted at Cloverdale Municipal Airport, with the airport's uncontrolled environment providing students valuable experience in non-towered communications and operations — skills critical for pilots who plan to fly throughout rural California, where the majority of public-use airports operate without ATC services. The straight-in approaches and predictable valley wind patterns make O60 a reasonable training environment when weather permits.

Pilots transiting Northern California often use Cloverdale Municipal Airport as a fuel stop alternative or a base for exploring the northern Sonoma and Mendocino County regions. The airport is registered in the FAA's National Airspace System under ID 27743 and appears in standard aviation planning databases including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and FltPlan.com. Current airport information, including NOTAMs, runway condition reports, and any temporary flight restrictions affecting the Cloverdale area, should always be obtained through official FAA channels or 1800wxbrief.com prior to any flight operation.

Cloverdale Municipal Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Cloverdale, California.

Name Cloverdale Municipal Airport
Address 220 Airport Road, Cloverdale CA 95425 Map
Phone (707) 962-0166
Website
Hours

Map of Cloverdale Municipal Airport


Airports near Cloverdale

Frequently Asked Questions — Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60)

Cloverdale Municipal Airport's single asphalt runway (14/32), approximately 3,200 feet long, is suitable for single-engine piston aircraft and light twin-engine piston planes operating at normal weights. Larger turboprops or jet aircraft should consult current airport data, as runway length and pavement strength ratings at O60 are designed for general aviation use rather than commercial or heavy aircraft operations. Pilots are advised to check weight-bearing limits and current NOTAMs before landing heavier aircraft at this facility.

Fuel availability at Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60) is limited, and pilots should verify current fuel status before arriving with low tanks. The nearest full-service FBO with reliable 100LL avgas and Jet-A availability is at Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, located approximately 25 nautical miles to the south. Pilots flying into O60 for wine country visits are advised to depart with adequate fuel reserves or plan a fuel stop at STS or Ukiah Municipal Airport (UKI), roughly 15 nautical miles to the north.

Cloverdale Municipal Airport sits in a narrow valley between the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the coastal mountain ranges to the west, with terrain rising sharply above pattern altitude on several departure headings. Coastal fog from the Pacific Ocean can advance up the Russian River corridor — which runs through Cloverdale — with little warning, particularly during summer mornings, sometimes reducing visibility below VFR minimums within minutes. Density altitude is also a seasonal concern, as Cloverdale regularly sees temperatures above 90°F in summer, which reduces aircraft climb performance significantly. Pilots should always obtain an official weather briefing through 1800wxbrief.com and review sectional charts before operating at O60.

Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60) is located on the eastern edge of the city, approximately 1.5 to 2 miles from downtown Cloverdale's commercial district on Cloverdale Boulevard. The airport serves as a convenient arrival point for pilots visiting the Alexander Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), with numerous Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel-producing wineries located within 5 to 15 miles of the runway. Rental cars are not typically available on the airport property, so visiting pilots should arrange ground transportation — or a courtesy car if available through local contacts — before arriving at O60.

Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60) is an uncontrolled airfield with no operating air traffic control tower. Pilots must self-announce their position and intentions on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) of 122.8 MHz. Standard practice calls for position announcements at 10 miles out, entering the downwind, base, and final legs of the traffic pattern, as well as when clearing the runway. Pilots unfamiliar with non-towered airport operations should review FAA Advisory Circular AC 90-66B, which details recommended traffic patterns and communication procedures at airports without operating control towers like Cloverdale Municipal.

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