South County Airport — San Martin, California

South County Airport (FAA identifier: E16) is a public-use general aviation airport located in San Martin, California, in the southern portion of Santa Clara County. Situated at an elevation of 281 feet above mean sea level, the airport serves as a vital hub for private pilots, flight training operations, and small charter flights throughout the greater Silicon Valley and South Bay region. The facility is owned and operated by the County of Santa Clara, which maintains the grounds, runways, and support infrastructure to serve the local aviation community.

The airport features a single paved runway designated 14/32, stretching approximately 3,000 feet in length. This configuration accommodates a wide range of single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft, making it a popular destination and departure point for recreational flyers and student pilots completing cross-country training requirements. The runway surface is in good repair, and the airport is equipped with pilot-controlled lighting (PCL) to support night operations within its operational hours.

San Martin is a small unincorporated community nestled between Gilroy to the south and Morgan Hill to the north, positioned along the US-101 corridor approximately 60 miles southeast of San Francisco. South County Airport benefits from this relatively rural setting, offering lower traffic density compared to nearby major facilities such as Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), which sits roughly 25 miles to the north. The quieter airspace and consistent Central California weather patterns — characterized by mild temperatures and low precipitation — make the airport especially attractive to flight schools and pilot training programs operating throughout the year.

Among the services available at South County Airport, pilots will find a self-serve fuel station dispensing 100LL avgas, a pilot lounge with weather briefing resources, and vehicle tie-down areas for transient and based aircraft. The airport hosts a community of locally based aircraft owners who keep their planes in open tiedowns and T-hangars on the field. Several flight instruction providers operate from the airport, offering private pilot, instrument rating, and commercial certificate training using a fleet of Cessna 172s, Piper Warriors, and other training-category aircraft.

The surrounding landscape of San Martin adds to the airport's character. Vineyards, farms, and open ranchland surround the perimeter, providing a visually distinctive backdrop that pilots and visitors often note as one of the most scenic general aviation settings in the Bay Area. On clear days, approaches to Runway 32 offer sweeping views of the Diablo Range to the east and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west. The airport's position in the Santa Clara Valley means pilots frequently practice pattern work with views of the agricultural flatlands extending toward Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world.

South County Airport plays an important role in connecting the South Bay's aviation community. Recreational flyers frequently use it as a fuel and rest stop on longer cross-country routes along the California coast, while local commuters occasionally utilize the facility for charter and on-demand air taxi services. The airport's proximity to the broader Santa Clara County aviation system — which also includes Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) in East San José — ensures that pilots in the region have multiple general aviation options depending on their mission requirements.

For pilots planning a visit, South County Airport is easily accessible via US-101. Take the East Main Avenue exit in San Martin and head west approximately one mile to reach the airport entrance. Ample vehicle parking is available near the terminal building and pilot lounge. The airport does not have a control tower, so pilots should monitor the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) and announce their intentions clearly when arriving or departing. Current NOTAMs and weather information are available through standard FAA resources including 1800wxbrief.com and the ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot mobile applications.

Whether you are a student pilot building cross-country hours, a recreational flyer seeking a scenic Bay Area destination, or a local resident curious about general aviation in Santa Clara County, South County Airport in San Martin offers a welcoming, well-maintained facility with deep roots in the South Bay's flying community.

South County Airport Contact Information

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

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

Map of South County Airport

Airports in near by County


Airports near San Martin

Frequently Asked Questions — South County Airport, San Martin, CA

South County Airport is identified by the FAA facility identifier E16. It is a public-use general aviation airport owned and operated by Santa Clara County. The airport does not have an IATA or ICAO code, as it serves general aviation traffic rather than scheduled commercial airline service. Pilots can find current NOTAMs, frequencies, and airport data for E16 through the FAA's Airport/Facility Directory and aviation apps such as ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot.

Yes. South County Airport (E16) offers self-serve 100LL avgas (aviation gasoline) on the field. This makes it a convenient fuel stop for piston-engine aircraft transiting the Central California coast or Bay Area region. Pilots should confirm current fuel availability and pricing directly with the airport or through aviation fuel services prior to arrival, as self-serve stations can occasionally experience outages. Jet-A turbine fuel is not typically available at this facility given its general aviation, piston-aircraft focus.

South County Airport hosts flight training operations that take advantage of the airport's uncongested airspace, consistent weather, and proximity to Bay Area urban centers. Student pilots pursuing private pilot licenses, instrument ratings, and commercial certificates use the airport's pattern work environment and cross-country access. The rural setting around San Martin provides less complex airspace than nearby San José International, making it ideal for building initial flight hours. Interested students should contact operators based at E16 directly for current enrollment and scheduling information.

South County Airport is located in San Martin, California, approximately 60 miles southeast of San Francisco and 25 miles south of downtown San José. From US-101, take the East Main Avenue exit in San Martin and head west approximately one mile. The airport entrance will be on your right. Ample free parking is available near the pilot lounge and terminal building. The airport is conveniently positioned between the communities of Morgan Hill (to the north) and Gilroy (to the south), both accessible within a short drive along the 101 corridor.

Several airports serve the greater South Bay and Silicon Valley region near San Martin. Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) in East San José is approximately 22 miles north and serves as another major Santa Clara County general aviation facility. Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), about 25 miles north, handles commercial airline traffic. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) is located roughly 35 miles northeast across the Diablo Range and serves the Tri-Valley area. Meadowlark Airport is a nearby private facility in the region. Pilots in the South Bay corridor have multiple options depending on aircraft type, mission requirements, and destination airspace needs.

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