Yandell Ranch Airport (4CA8) — Modesto, California

Yandell Ranch Airport, designated with the FAA identifier 4CA8, is a privately owned general aviation airfield located in the agricultural heartland of Stanislaus County, just outside Modesto, California. Situated in the San Joaquin Valley, this rural strip serves the operational needs of the Yandell Ranch and surrounding agricultural properties, offering a dedicated landing facility for personal and utility aviation in one of California's most productive farming regions.

Modesto, the county seat of Stanislaus County, anchors the northern San Joaquin Valley with a metropolitan population exceeding 550,000 in its greater area. The city sits roughly 90 miles east of San Francisco and 65 miles south of Sacramento, positioning it within convenient reach of multiple major commercial airports. Stanislaus County itself spans approximately 1,500 square miles and is nationally recognized for its output of almonds, walnuts, peaches, dairy, and poultry — agricultural sectors that frequently depend on aerial services for crop surveying, spraying, and ranch logistics. Yandell Ranch Airport fits directly into this operational fabric.

The airport features a single grass or turf runway suitable for light single-engine and small twin-engine piston aircraft. Runway dimensions accommodate the typical general aviation aircraft used in agricultural and ranch support operations, including Cessna 172s, Piper PA-18 Super Cubs, and similar utility platforms. The field elevation sits within the broad, flat San Joaquin Valley floor, giving pilots favorable visual flight conditions across the majority of the year. The valley's characteristic tule fog, however, can dramatically reduce visibility during winter months from December through February, making instrument awareness and careful preflight weather planning essential for operations at 4CA8 and all San Joaquin Valley airstrips.

As a privately owned, privately used facility, Yandell Ranch Airport is not open to the general public without prior permission from the owner. This designation is common among ranch and estate airstrips throughout California's Central Valley, where landowners maintain private strips for crop dusting contractors, agricultural pilots, or personal transportation by light aircraft. Pilots intending to land at 4CA8 should confirm permission well in advance and review current NOTAMs through the FAA's official system, as turf strip conditions can vary significantly with seasonal rainfall and ground saturation.

The broader Modesto aviation landscape includes Modesto City-County Airport (MOD), located approximately 4 miles southeast of downtown Modesto, which serves as the primary public general aviation and charter hub for Stanislaus County. MOD offers instrument approaches, fuel services, and fixed-base operator (FBO) support that complement privately operated strips like Yandell Ranch Airport. Pilots based at or transiting through 4CA8 who require maintenance, avgas, or IFR departure infrastructure typically coordinate through MOD or nearby facilities.

Regional airspace around Modesto is managed under Fresno Approach Control and Sacramento TRACON depending on altitude and direction of flight. The area is uncontrolled at pattern altitude for most rural strips, but pilots should monitor the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) and maintain awareness of agricultural spray aircraft, banner tow operations, and parachute jump activity that are common throughout the San Joaquin Valley during growing season. Terrain is flat and obstacle clearance is generally favorable, though power lines and irrigation infrastructure near ranch airstrips require careful visual scanning on approach and departure.

For those coordinating aviation logistics in the Modesto area, several established airports provide full-service support within reasonable driving or flying distance. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) lies approximately 60 miles to the northwest in Alameda County, providing a Bay Area gateway with full FBO services. Meadowlark Airport in Livermore also serves the general aviation community on the Valley's western fringe. For commercial connections, Oakland International Airport (OAK) — served by Clean Energy fueling infrastructure and Oakland Airport Security operations — sits about 80 miles west and offers Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and international connections. Direct Airport Shuttle services connect Modesto-area travelers to both Oakland and San Francisco International airports for those combining light aircraft and commercial travel segments.

Yandell Ranch Airport represents the working infrastructure of California's agricultural aviation community — a field tied to the land it serves, practical in purpose, and integral to the ranch operations of Stanislaus County's San Joaquin Valley corridor.

Yandell Ranch Airport - 4Ca8 Contact Information

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

Name Yandell Ranch Airport - 4Ca8
Address North Gates Road, Modesto CA 95358 Map
Phone
Website
Hours

Map of Yandell Ranch Airport - 4Ca8

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Frequently Asked Questions — Yandell Ranch Airport (4CA8), Modesto, CA

No. Yandell Ranch Airport (FAA identifier 4CA8) is privately owned and privately used. Pilots must obtain advance permission from the property owner before landing. This is standard for ranch and estate airstrips throughout Stanislaus County and the broader San Joaquin Valley. Unauthorized landings are not permitted. Pilots should also check current NOTAMs through the FAA system before any planned operation at this field.

Yandell Ranch Airport is suited for light general aviation aircraft typically used in agricultural and ranch support operations, such as Cessna 172s, Piper PA-18 Super Cubs, and similar single-engine piston platforms. The field uses a turf or grass runway surface, which requires pilots to assess current surface conditions — particularly after winter rains — before attempting operations. Heavier twins or turboprops would not be appropriate for this type of private ranch strip.

The nearest full-service public airport is Modesto City-County Airport (MOD), located approximately 4 miles southeast of downtown Modesto. MOD provides instrument approaches, avgas and Jet-A fuel, FBO services, and pilot amenities. For commercial airline access, Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located roughly 80 miles to the west and serves multiple carriers including Southwest and Alaska Airlines.

The primary weather hazard in the Modesto area is tule fog, a dense radiation fog that forms across the San Joaquin Valley floor from late November through February. This fog can reduce visibility to near zero and persists for hours after sunrise. VFR pilots should treat winter mornings with extreme caution. Summer months bring excellent VFR conditions, though afternoon heat can create turbulence and density altitude increases that affect takeoff performance on short grass strips like 4CA8. Agricultural spray aircraft are also active in the valley during growing season, requiring heightened situational awareness at low altitudes.

Travelers in the Modesto and Stanislaus County area have several options for reaching major commercial airports. Direct Airport Shuttle operates scheduled ground transportation connecting Modesto to Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), both approximately 80–90 miles to the west. Drive times average 90 minutes to two hours depending on Bay Area traffic. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is also reachable in under 90 minutes via Highway 99 north. For pilots, Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) in Alameda County offers a general aviation gateway about 60 miles northwest, with ground transportation to the Bay Area readily available from that location.

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