San Rafael Airport (JSG) — Marin County's General Aviation Gateway

San Rafael Airport (FAA identifier: JSG, facility ID: 27512) is a public-use general aviation airport located in San Rafael, California, the county seat of Marin County. Positioned in the North Bay region of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, this airport serves private pilots, flight training operations, and light charter traffic requiring access to one of the most scenic and geographically distinct counties in Northern California.

San Rafael sits at the southern end of Marin County, bordered by the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Marin Headlands to the south. The airport's location gives it a uniquely challenging operational environment: pilots approaching or departing JSG must navigate terrain that includes Mount Tamalpais rising to 2,574 feet to the west, the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge corridor to the south, and consistent marine layer fog patterns rolling in from the Pacific through the Golden Gate. These conditions make San Rafael Airport an excellent training environment for pilots building instrument and coastal flying experience.

The facility supports a range of general aviation activity typical of Bay Area reliever airports. Tie-down and hangar space at JSG accommodates single-engine piston aircraft, light twins, and sport aircraft. The airport does not support scheduled commercial service; its primary role is to serve the Marin County business community, private owners, and flight schools operating in the congested Bay Area airspace system. With San Francisco International Airport (SFO) located roughly 22 miles to the south and Oakland International Airport (OAK) approximately 18 miles to the southeast via the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge, San Rafael Airport provides a quieter, more accessible option for general aviation pilots who would otherwise compete for ramp space at larger metropolitan facilities.

Ground transportation from San Rafael Airport connects passengers to downtown San Rafael in minutes. The city's SMART (Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit) train system runs through San Rafael, with the Downtown San Rafael station offering connections north toward Petaluma, Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa, and south toward San Jose via connecting bus services. Marin Transit bus routes serve the broader county, and rideshare services operate throughout San Rafael. Rental car options are available in the immediate vicinity for pilots and passengers requiring onward travel across Marin County's diverse geography — from the coastal communities of Stinson Beach and Bolinas to the inland valleys of Novato and Fairfax.

Pilots flying into JSG from the Bay Area network will find the airport well-positioned relative to several active general aviation fields. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) lies approximately 35 miles to the southeast across the bay, offering full FBO services and instrument approaches. Meadowlark Airport, a private strip in the East Bay, serves as another reference point for pilots cross-navigating the region. Oakland International Airport (OAK), home to Clean Energy Oakland International Airport fueling infrastructure and robust FBO operations, sits across the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge for pilots needing commercial-grade facilities. Direct Airport Shuttle and Oakland Airport Security operations at OAK serve the commercial passenger market that JSG does not target.

Weather at San Rafael Airport reflects the classic Mediterranean coastal climate of the Bay Area. Summers are dry with morning fog that typically burns off by midday; winters bring frontal systems from the Pacific with IFR conditions that can persist for days. The marine influence keeps temperatures mild year-round, with San Rafael averaging highs in the mid-60s°F in summer and low-to-mid 50s°F in winter. Pilots should always obtain current PIREPs and check for AIRMET Sierra (mountain obscuration) and Tango (turbulence) advisories when operating in the coastal hills surrounding Marin County.

For pilots planning visits to San Rafael and Marin County, the airport offers convenient access to a region known for its natural beauty, culinary scene, and proximity to Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods National Monument, and the Marin Headlands — all within 30 minutes of the field.

San Rafael Airport - JSG Contact Information

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

Name San Rafael Airport - JSG
Address 2173 Francisco Boulevard East, San Rafael CA 94901 Map
Phone (415) 897-2964
Website
Hours

Map of San Rafael Airport - JSG

Airports in near by County


Airports near San Rafael

Frequently Asked Questions — San Rafael Airport (JSG)

San Rafael Airport uses the FAA identifier JSG and is registered under facility ID 27512 in federal aviation databases. It is a public-use general aviation airport located in San Rafael, California, within Marin County. The airport does not handle scheduled commercial airline service and is not associated with an IATA code, as it serves private, training, and light charter operations exclusively.

San Rafael Airport (JSG) is approximately 18 miles southeast of Oakland International Airport (OAK) via the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge, and roughly 22 miles south of San Rafael International Airport (SFO) by air. Pilots operating in the Bay Area TCA/SFRA airspace must coordinate with Oakland or San Francisco TRACON when transiting controlled airspace between JSG and either major hub. Ground travel to OAK via the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge typically takes 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.

The primary weather hazards at JSG involve coastal marine fog and terrain-induced turbulence. Morning stratus from the Pacific frequently produces IFR or MVFR conditions that can persist until late morning or early afternoon, particularly in summer months. Mount Tamalpais at 2,574 feet to the west creates orographic lift and potential rotor turbulence on northwest wind days. Pilots should check current METARs for JSG and nearby KSFO, review AIRMETs Sierra and Tango, and obtain Bay Area PIREPs before operating in or out of the field during marginal weather.

San Rafael Airport is located within the city of San Rafael, providing easy access to multiple ground transportation options. The SMART train (Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit) serves downtown San Rafael with connections running north to Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Santa Rosa, and south via connecting bus to the broader Bay Area. Marin Transit bus routes cover the county extensively. Rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) are readily available throughout San Rafael. Rental car agencies operate in the San Rafael area for pilots needing flexibility to explore Marin County destinations including Point Reyes National Seashore and Muir Woods.

Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), located approximately 35 miles to the southeast in the Livermore Valley, is a larger general aviation facility with full FBO services, instrument approaches, and a higher density of based aircraft and flight schools. LVK benefits from more consistently VFR weather due to its inland valley location, whereas JSG is more frequently affected by coastal marine layer. Pilots based in Marin County or the North Bay generally prefer JSG for its proximity, while those needing full-service FBO amenities or predictable VFR training days may opt for LVK or Meadowlark Airport in the East Bay.

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