Rio Vista Airport (O88) — Rio Vista, California

Rio Vista Airport, officially designated by the FAA with the identifier O88, serves the small Delta community of Rio Vista in Solano County, California. Situated on the western edge of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, this general aviation facility occupies a flat, open site at an elevation of approximately 23 feet above mean sea level. The airport spans roughly 168 acres and provides essential air access for private pilots, flight training operations, agricultural aviation, and recreational fliers exploring the scenic Delta region.

Rio Vista Airport features two paved runways. Runway 13/31 measures 3,299 feet in length, while the crosswind runway 7/25 runs 2,400 feet. Both runways are asphalt-surfaced and maintained by the City of Rio Vista. The field is uncontrolled, operating without an air traffic control tower, which means pilots self-announce on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) of 122.8 MHz. The airport is open to the public and available around the clock, though fuel availability and services vary.

The facility offers 100LL Avgas self-serve fueling, a pilot lounge, tie-down spaces for transient aircraft, and hangar rental for based aircraft. Approximately 80 aircraft are based at Rio Vista Airport, reflecting its importance as a home field for local general aviation enthusiasts. The airport manager can be reached through the City of Rio Vista Public Works department for inquiries about hangar availability, tie-down rates, and facility access.

Rio Vista itself sits on the Sacramento River roughly 14 miles south of Sacramento in a straight-line distance across the Delta, though road travel to Sacramento via Highway 12 and Interstate 5 covers approximately 50 miles. The town of about 10,000 residents is known for its Delta Wind Festival, its annual Striped Bass Derby fishing tournament, and the beloved Foster's Bighorn restaurant and bar, which houses one of the largest private taxidermy collections in the world. Pilots flying into Rio Vista Airport often come specifically to experience these local landmarks, making O88 a destination airport as much as a utility field.

The Delta terrain surrounding Rio Vista Airport creates distinctive flying conditions. Low-level turbulence can develop along the river channels in summer afternoons, and seasonal tule fog — the dense ground fog unique to California's Central Valley — can reduce visibility to near zero during winter months from November through February. Pilots planning operations at O88 during winter should check current METARs and TAFs carefully, as fog can form rapidly and linger well into late morning hours. Wind can also be notable; Rio Vista earned its nickname as one of the windiest spots in California, with prevailing west winds funneling through the Carquinez Strait.

For IFR-capable pilots, the nearest instrument approach facilities include Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), approximately 30 miles to the southwest in Alameda County, which features ILS and GPS approaches along with an FAA control tower and full FBO services. Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) lies roughly 35 miles to the north and offers instrument approaches, charter services, and commercial-grade infrastructure. Oakland International Airport (OAK), approximately 45 miles to the west, provides Class C airspace and scheduled airline service for passengers requiring commercial connections after arriving by general aviation aircraft into the Delta area.

Agricultural aviation has historically played a meaningful role at Rio Vista Airport. The surrounding Solano and Sacramento County farmland supports crop-dusting and aerial application operations targeting orchards, row crops, and the vast asparagus and corn fields of the Delta islands. Several agricultural operators have used O88 as a base for seasonal work, and the airport's runway length accommodates the heavily loaded agricultural aircraft typical of these missions.

Flight training operations are occasionally conducted at Rio Vista Airport, taking advantage of the uncongested airspace and straightforward pattern work over flat Delta terrain. Student pilots building cross-country hours frequently include O88 as a waypoint on flights between the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley, logging the short hop across the Carquinez Strait as a productive addition to their logbooks. The airport's CTAF environment also provides valuable experience in non-towered communication procedures before students progress to towered fields.

Rio Vista Airport Contact Information

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

Name Rio Vista Airport
Address 3000 Baumann Road, Rio Vista CA 94571 Map
Phone (707) 374-2716
Website
Hours

Map of Rio Vista Airport

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Airports near Rio Vista

Frequently Asked Questions — Rio Vista Airport (O88)

Rio Vista Airport's official FAA identifier is O88. The airport provides 100LL Avgas via a self-serve fuel pump, which accepts major aviation credit cards. Jet-A is not available on-field, so turbine aircraft operators should plan accordingly and arrange fuel stops at nearby Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) or Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) before or after visiting Rio Vista.

Rio Vista Airport has two asphalt runways. The primary runway, Runway 13/31, is 3,299 feet long and 60 feet wide. The crosswind runway, Runway 7/25, measures 2,400 feet long and 40 feet wide. Both runways are suitable for single-engine and light multi-engine general aviation aircraft. Pilots operating heavier twins or short-field performance aircraft should carefully review the Pilot's Operating Handbook performance charts relative to these runway lengths, particularly in summer heat when density altitude increases.

Tule fog is a serious hazard at Rio Vista Airport (O88) from approximately November through February. This dense radiation fog forms in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta when cold, moist air settles overnight, and can reduce visibility to zero-zero conditions by early morning. Because O88 is an uncontrolled field without instrument approaches, VFR pilots must confirm VMC conditions before departing for or arriving at Rio Vista. Check the METAR for Stockton Metropolitan Airport (KSCK) and Sacramento Executive Airport (KSAC) as proxies, and always have an alternate destination — such as Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) — planned when flying to the Delta in winter months.

Rio Vista Airport does not have on-site car rental services. Pilots and passengers typically arrange transportation in advance through local taxi services or rideshare apps, though coverage in Rio Vista can be inconsistent. The airport is located less than two miles from downtown Rio Vista, making a short rideshare or bicycle trip to Main Street restaurants and shops feasible. Foster's Bighorn bar and restaurant, famous for its world-class taxidermy collection, is within easy driving distance on Main Street. For longer-range connections, Direct Airport Shuttle provides service linking the Delta region to Oakland International Airport (OAK) for passengers needing commercial airline connections.

Because Rio Vista Airport (O88) is a VFR-only, non-towered field with no published instrument approaches, pilots needing IFR capability should use nearby alternatives. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), roughly 30 miles southwest, offers ILS and GPS approaches with an FAA control tower and full-service FBO. Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), approximately 35 miles north, provides instrument approaches and charter services. For commercial airline travel, Oakland International Airport (OAK) — about 45 miles west — offers the closest scheduled passenger service, with Southwest, United, Alaska, and other carriers operating regular departures to domestic destinations.

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