Ocean Ridge Airport (27519) — Gualala, California
Ocean Ridge Airport (FAA identifier: 27519) is a private general aviation facility located in Gualala, a coastal community in southern Mendocino County, California, situated along the scenic Highway 1 corridor approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco. Serving the Sea Ranch and Gualala area, this airstrip provides essential access to one of California's most picturesque and geographically isolated stretches of the Pacific coastline, where winding mountain roads and limited ground transportation make air access particularly valuable for property owners, emergency services, and coastal visitors.
The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 425 feet above sea level on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Mendocino coastline. The single grass and turf runway is oriented to accommodate the prevailing coastal winds that sweep in from the Pacific, with pilots advised to carefully assess marine layer conditions, coastal fog, and wind shear that are characteristic of this Northern California coastal environment. The surrounding terrain — dense redwood and cypress groves, steep coastal bluffs, and the Santa Lucia Range foothills — requires careful visual flight rule (VFR) navigation and demands pilots with solid mountain and coastal flying experience.
Ocean Ridge Airport primarily supports light single-engine and small twin-engine general aviation aircraft. The facility has no on-site fuel service, air traffic control, or commercial passenger operations. Pilots flying into 27519 must be self-sufficient, carrying adequate fuel reserves for the return trip or planning fuel stops at Fort Bragg's Oceanside Airport (3O8), located approximately 30 miles to the north, or at Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60) roughly 35 miles inland to the northeast. The airport's remote character makes it a destination strip for weekend fliers from the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley who seek coastal access without the long drive up Highway 1.
Location and Surrounding Community
Gualala (pronounced "wah-LAH-lah") is a census-designated place in Mendocino County with a population of approximately 600 residents, though the broader Sea Ranch and Anchor Bay communities extend its service area to several thousand. The town sits at the confluence of the Gualala River and the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding Sea Ranch development — a planned coastal community spread over approximately 5,200 acres — is home to hundreds of vacation and permanent residences that are difficult to reach quickly by road from major urban centers. Ocean Ridge Airport provides those property owners a direct air link that transforms a 2.5-to-3-hour drive from San Francisco into a roughly 45-minute flight.
The Mendocino County coastline around Gualala is recognized for its extraordinary natural beauty, featuring rocky headlands, kelp forests, tide pools, and migrating gray whale viewing. Local access points such as Gualala Point Regional Park and the Sea Ranch trails draw visitors throughout the year, and private aircraft arriving at Ocean Ridge Airport often carry passengers coming specifically for coastal hiking, sea kayaking, or extended stays at Sea Ranch lodge accommodations. The airport thus functions not merely as a transportation node but as a gateway to one of California's most distinctive coastal ecosystems.
Nearby Aviation Facilities
Pilots operating in this region of coastal Northern California should be familiar with nearby airports that offer services unavailable at Ocean Ridge:
- Oceanside Airport, Fort Bragg (3O8) — Approximately 30 miles north, this public-use airport offers avgas fuel service and a paved runway, making it the preferred fuel stop for aircraft staging through the North Coast corridor.
- Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60) — Roughly 35 miles inland near Cloverdale in Sonoma County, offering a paved runway and fuel, often used as an alternate when coastal fog closes in along Highway 1.
- Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) — Located approximately 90 miles southeast in the East Bay, Livermore Municipal is a major general aviation hub for the Bay Area with full FBO services, instrument approaches, and a wide range of aircraft maintenance facilities.
- Meadowlark Airport — A smaller private facility in the North Bay area serving local general aviation operations.
- Oakland International Airport (OAK) / Clean Energy Oakland International Airport — The nearest major commercial airport, located approximately 115 miles southeast of Gualala, providing scheduled airline service via Southwest, Alaska Airlines, United, and international carriers. Oakland serves as the primary commercial gateway for Mendocino County travelers connecting to national and international destinations.
Ocean Ridge Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Gualala, California.
| Name | Ocean Ridge Airport |
| Address | 37691 Old Stage Road, Gualala CA 95445 Map |
| Phone | (707) 884-3579 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Ocean Ridge Airport
Airports near Asbury
Frequently Asked Questions — Ocean Ridge Airport, Gualala, California
Ocean Ridge Airport is best suited for light single-engine and small twin-engine general aviation aircraft. The turf/grass runway surface, relatively short field length, and coastal terrain environment make it appropriate for experienced VFR pilots flying aircraft such as Cessna 172s, Piper PA-28s, and similar light planes. Larger aircraft, turboprops, or jets are not appropriate for this private strip. Pilots should review current NOTAMs and contact the airport owner before landing, as access is typically restricted to based aircraft and authorized visitors.
Ocean Ridge Airport (27519) does not have on-site fuel service. Pilots flying into Gualala must plan accordingly. The nearest avgas fuel is available at Oceanside Airport in Fort Bragg (FAA identifier 3O8), approximately 30 miles north along the coast. Alternatively, Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60), about 35 miles inland in Sonoma County, offers fuel and a paved runway. Pilots departing from the Bay Area should consider fueling at Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) or another East Bay facility before heading up the coast to ensure adequate reserves for the round trip.
The coastal environment around Gualala presents significant weather challenges for VFR pilots. Marine layer fog is common throughout the year, particularly in summer months (June through August) when thick coastal stratus can blanket the area from dawn into early afternoon. Wind shear and gusty onshore winds are also prevalent, especially during the afternoon hours when sea breezes strengthen. Pilots should check current METARs for the nearest reporting stations, including Fort Bragg and Santa Rosa (STS), and obtain a thorough weather briefing before flying to Ocean Ridge. An instrument-rated pilot with an alternate plan — such as diverting to Cloverdale Municipal or Livermore Municipal — is strongly advisable for any flight into this coastal corridor.
Driving from San Francisco to Gualala along Highway 1 typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic and road conditions — the coastal highway is narrow, winding, and subject to delays from landslides, road work, and tourist congestion, particularly on weekends and holidays. Flying a light general aviation aircraft from a Bay Area airport such as Livermore Municipal (LVK) or Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) to Ocean Ridge Airport (27519) reduces that travel time to approximately 45 to 60 minutes in the air, making air travel a compelling option for Sea Ranch property owners and frequent Mendocino Coast visitors. The time savings is most pronounced on summer Fridays and holiday weekends when Highway 1 traffic can extend the drive to four hours or more.