Fort Bragg Airport (FOB) — Commodore Coast Regional Airport, Fort Bragg, California
Fort Bragg Airport, locally known as Commodore Coast Regional Airport, serves the coastal community of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County, California. Situated at approximately 66 feet above mean sea level and positioned just inland from the rugged Pacific coastline, this general aviation facility provides essential air access to one of Northern California's most scenic and remote stretches of Highway 1. The airport is assigned the FAA location identifier FOB and sits at coordinates roughly 39.47°N, 123.79°W, placing it within minutes of downtown Fort Bragg and the famous Glass Beach.
Fort Bragg, with a population of approximately 7,300 residents, is the largest city on the Mendocino Coast. The town is known for its lumber heritage, world-class abalone diving (now restricted), the Skunk Train tourist railroad, and proximity to MacKerricher State Park and the Point Cabrillo Light Station. For pilots flying into the region, Fort Bragg Airport offers a convenient alternative to driving the winding two-lane roads that connect this coastal enclave to the broader Bay Area and Sacramento Valley transportation networks.
The airport features a single paved runway measuring approximately 2,300 feet in length, suitable for single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The compact runway length and coastal marine layer — which regularly produces low ceilings and reduced visibility, particularly in summer months — mean that instrument-rated pilots should carefully review current METARs and TAFs before planning arrivals. The coastal microclimate at Fort Bragg sees frequent morning fog that typically burns off by late morning, making afternoon arrivals generally more reliable.
Facilities at Fort Bragg Airport are modest but functional for general aviation operations. Tie-down space is available for visiting aircraft, and the airport serves local flight training, agricultural operations, and recreational pilots exploring the Mendocino Coast. Pilots are advised to self-announce on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) and remain alert for traffic from gliders and ultralights that occasionally operate in the surrounding scenic corridor.
For travelers requiring commercial airline service or larger aircraft capabilities, the nearest full-service commercial airport is Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, approximately 65 miles to the south via Highway 1 and US-101. STS offers scheduled service to Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, and other destinations through Alaska Airlines and United Express. Oakland International Airport (OAK), located approximately 145 miles south, provides a broad network of domestic and international routes through Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others. San Francisco International Airport (SFO), roughly 150 miles southeast, remains the primary international gateway for the region with connections worldwide.
Closer alternatives include Ukiah Municipal Airport (UKI), approximately 35 miles to the east via Highway 20, which offers a 6,000-foot runway, instrument approaches, and Avgas availability — making it a preferred diversion or fuel stop for pilots who need more runway or encounter coastal IFR conditions at FOB. Little River Airport (LLR), located 15 miles south near the town of Little River, is another small general aviation strip serving the Mendocino Coast corridor.
Ground transportation from Fort Bragg Airport connects visitors to downtown Fort Bragg in under five minutes by car. The Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) operates bus service along the coast, though rental car availability in Fort Bragg is limited and advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly during summer peak season and the popular Mendocino Crab & Wine Days festival in January. Taxis and rideshare services have limited availability in this rural coastal community.
Pilots planning fuel stops should note that Avgas (100LL) availability at FOB can be limited; contacting the airport or local FBO in advance is advisable. Jet-A is generally not available at this facility. For comprehensive flight planning, pilots should consult current NOTAMs through the FAA's NOTAM Search system, review the Airport Facility Directory (AFD) entry for FOB, and check Mendocino County weather briefings through 1800wxbrief.com or ForeFlight.
Fort Bragg Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Fort Bragg, California.
| Name | Fort Bragg Airport |
| Address | Virgin Creek Lane, Fort Bragg CA 95437 Map |
| Phone | (707) 964-3880 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Fort Bragg Airport
Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Bragg Airport (FOB), Fort Bragg, California
Fort Bragg Airport (FOB) has a single paved runway approximately 2,300 feet long, which accommodates single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The runway is not suitable for jets, turboprops with high approach speeds, or aircraft requiring instrument approaches. Pilots with heavier or faster aircraft should plan to use Ukiah Municipal Airport (UKI), approximately 35 miles east on Highway 20, which offers a 6,000-foot runway with instrument approaches.
The Mendocino Coast experiences a classic California marine layer pattern: dense morning fog and low stratus clouds, particularly from May through September, that typically lift or dissipate by late morning or early afternoon. Fort Bragg Airport is a VFR-only facility with no published instrument approaches, so pilots must maintain legal VFR minimums. Summer arrivals are generally most reliable between noon and 5 PM. Always obtain a standard weather briefing and check current METARs for FOB and nearby Little River Airport (LLR) before departure.
Avgas (100LL) availability at Fort Bragg Airport (FOB) can be intermittent, and Jet-A is not available at this facility. Pilots are strongly advised to contact the airport manager or local FBO in advance to confirm fuel availability before arriving on fumes. If fuel is unavailable, Ukiah Municipal Airport (UKI) to the east and Little River Airport (LLR) to the south are the nearest alternative fuel stops along the Mendocino Coast corridor.
The nearest commercial airport with scheduled airline service is Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, approximately 65 miles south of Fort Bragg. STS offers nonstop flights to Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), Denver (DEN), Phoenix (PHX), and other cities via Alaska Airlines and United Express. For a broader selection of routes and international connections, Oakland International Airport (OAK) is approximately 145 miles south and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is roughly 150 miles southeast, both accessible via Highway 1 to US-101.