San Martin Airport (E16) — General Aviation in the Heart of Silicon Valley's Southern Reach

San Martin Airport, officially designated E16 by the FAA, sits at an elevation of 281 feet MSL along the Santa Clara Valley floor in San Martin, California — a rural community in southern Santa Clara County, roughly 10 miles south of Morgan Hill and 15 miles north of Gilroy. The airport serves as a critical general aviation hub for pilots operating throughout the greater South Bay region, offering an uncongested alternative to the Class C and Class D airspace complexities that define nearby metropolitan fields.

The facility features a single asphalt runway, Runway 14/32, measuring 3,100 feet in length and 60 feet in width — well-suited for single-engine piston aircraft, light twins, and small turboprops. The runway surface is maintained in serviceable condition, and the airport operates without a control tower, meaning all operations are conducted on the CTAF frequency of 122.9 MHz. Pilots inbound to E16 must maintain self-announce discipline and remain vigilant for pattern traffic, particularly during weekend morning hours when local flight training activity peaks.

San Martin Airport is owned and operated by the County of Santa Clara, which manages it as part of its general aviation infrastructure alongside Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) in San Jose. The airport provides a quieter, more rural environment than RHV, making it a favored destination for cross-country arrivals seeking fuel and a break, as well as a home base for dozens of locally-based aircraft. The tie-down and hangar community at E16 is tight-knit, with several flying clubs and individual owners calling the field home year-round.

Fuel services at San Martin Airport include 100LL avgas available via self-serve pump — a practical feature that allows pilots to refuel outside of attended business hours. The airport does not offer Jet-A on a permanent basis, so turbine operators should plan fuel stops accordingly. A pilot lounge and basic restroom facilities are available on the field, and the ramp area provides adequate space for transient parking without reservation requirements for short stays.

The geographic position of San Martin makes it an excellent staging point for flights into the Salinas Valley, the Monterey Peninsula, or northbound into the San Francisco Bay Area. The airport lies beneath the San Jose Class C airspace lateral boundary, though pilots must be aware of the Class C ceiling transitions in the area and file or coordinate appropriately when routing through. Proximity to Frazier Lake Airpark and Hollister Municipal Airport (CVH) — both within 15 nautical miles — makes E16 part of a local network of general aviation fields frequently used for pattern practice, fly-outs, and $100 hamburger destinations.

Weather at San Martin Airport reflects the broader Santa Clara Valley microclimate: morning marine layer intrusions from Monterey Bay are common from May through August, frequently reducing ceilings to 1,000–2,000 feet AGL before burning off by late morning. Seasonal winds from the northwest can create moderate turbulence on approach to Runway 14 during afternoon hours, particularly in spring and early summer when thermal activity increases across the surrounding agricultural land. Pilots should consult current METARs from nearby Reid-Hillview (KRHV) and Monterey Regional (KMRY) for representative conditions.

The surrounding San Martin community retains its agricultural character, with strawberry and cut-flower farms visible from the pattern. The airport's pastoral setting is a notable contrast to the dense urban aviation environment just 30 miles to the north, and it contributes to San Martin Airport's enduring appeal among Bay Area pilots seeking a straightforward, relaxed general aviation experience. Whether you're a student pilot logging cross-country hours, a local aircraft owner based on the field, or a transient pilot overnighting en route to Southern California, San Martin Airport — E16 — delivers reliable, no-frills access to the skies above California's productive Santa Clara Valley.

San Martin Airport Contact Information

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

Name San Martin Airport
Address 13030 Murphy Avenue, San Martin CA 95046 Map
Phone (408) 683-4741
Website
Hours

Map of San Martin Airport

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Frequently Asked Questions — San Martin Airport (E16)

San Martin Airport's FAA identifier is E16. It does not have an ICAO identifier assigned, as it is a domestic general aviation field below the threshold for full ICAO designation. The airport has a single runway, Runway 14/32, which is 3,100 feet long and 60 feet wide, with an asphalt surface. The field elevation is 281 feet MSL. There is no control tower, so all traffic uses the CTAF frequency of 122.9 MHz for self-announce communications.

100LL avgas is available at E16 via a self-serve pump, which operates using a credit card and is accessible outside of normal business hours. Jet-A fuel is not available on a permanent basis at San Martin Airport, so turbine-powered aircraft operators should plan their fuel stops at nearby fields such as Monterey Regional (KMRY) or San Jose International (KSJC). Pilots should verify current fuel availability through ForeFlight, AirNav, or by calling the airport directly before planning a fuel-critical stop.

San Martin Airport is owned and operated by the County of Santa Clara. It is one of two general aviation airports in the county's portfolio, alongside Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) in East San Jose. Compared to Reid-Hillview, E16 is substantially smaller and less trafficked, making it preferable for pilots who want a quieter pattern environment. It also sits outside the dense San Jose Class C airspace, simplifying VFR operations. Hollister Municipal Airport (KCVH) and Watsonville Municipal (KWVI) are nearby alternatives in adjacent counties.

San Martin Airport's weather is influenced by its position at the southern end of the Santa Clara Valley, near the Pacheco Pass gap connecting to the Central Valley and the Hecker Pass corridor toward Watsonville. Marine layer intrusions from Monterey Bay are frequent between May and September, often producing IFR or low-VFR conditions in the early morning before clearing by 10–11 AM local time. Afternoon northwest winds can generate mechanical turbulence and gusty crosswind components, particularly on Runway 14. Pilots are advised to check METARs at KRHV and KMRY and to review PIREPs for the Pacheco Pass area before flying.

Yes, San Martin Airport supports a small but active general aviation community. Several privately-owned aircraft are based on the field in hangars and on tie-downs, and informal flying club activity is common. The airport is used by student pilots completing cross-country requirements, as it offers a realistic non-towered airport experience close to the Bay Area's major training corridors. Formal flight schools operating out of E16 have varied over the years; prospective students should contact the airport office or check current FBO listings on AirNav or AOPA's airport directory for up-to-date information on flight instruction availability.

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