San Rafael Airport (ID: 27510) — San Rafael, California

San Rafael Airport is a small general aviation facility located in San Rafael, Marin County, California. Situated in the North Bay region of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, this airport serves private pilots, flight training operations, and light aircraft activity in one of California's most scenic coastal counties. San Rafael sits approximately 15 miles north of San Francisco via US-101, placing the airport within easy reach of the Bay Area's broader aviation network.

The airport occupies a compact footprint characteristic of many Marin County airfields, where geography — rolling hills, bay shoreline, and dense residential development — constrains available land for aviation infrastructure. Despite its modest size, San Rafael Airport plays a meaningful role in regional general aviation, offering local pilots an alternative to the congestion of larger Bay Area facilities such as Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Marin County's Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) to the north.

Pilots operating out of San Rafael Airport benefit from its proximity to the San Francisco Bay's distinctive flying environment. Coastal marine layer, Pacific fog patterns, and Bay Area airspace complexity — including interactions with SFO's Class B airspace — make flying in this region a technically demanding and rewarding experience. Local flight schools and fixed-base operators (FBOs) familiar with these conditions provide instruction tailored to the unique challenges of Bay Area general aviation.

San Rafael itself is the Marin County seat, with a population of approximately 61,000 residents. The city is known for its vibrant downtown, proximity to Point Reyes National Seashore, and access to Mount Tamalpais State Park. For pilots, the surrounding terrain offers spectacular scenic flight opportunities over the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate, and the expanse of San Francisco Bay. These routes attract both recreational fliers and aerial photography operators who base or visit through San Rafael Airport.

The North Bay aviation corridor that includes San Rafael Airport also encompasses several nearby general aviation fields. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), located roughly 35 miles to the southeast across the Bay, is a significantly larger facility with instrument approaches, substantial FBO services, and an active flight training community. Meadowlark Airport in Huntington Beach serves Southern California but shares the general aviation profile common to smaller California fields. Closer to San Rafael, pilots frequently coordinate with Oakland International Airport (OAK), which handles both commercial and general aviation traffic and provides IFR alternates and fuel services for cross-Bay operations.

Ground transportation from San Rafael connects to the broader Bay Area via US-101 and the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge (I-580), which links Marin County to the East Bay. The Golden Gate Ferry and SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) commuter rail also serve San Rafael, making the city accessible from multiple directions. For arriving pilots, rental car services and ride-share options in downtown San Rafael are readily available within minutes of the airport.

Aviation services in the San Rafael area reflect the affluent, recreation-oriented character of Marin County. Aircraft maintenance, avionics service, and tie-down or hangar arrangements for based aircraft are key considerations for owners operating from this location. Given the high cost of real estate in Marin County, hangar availability can be limited, and pilots seeking long-term storage should contact airport management directly for current availability and waitlist status.

Whether you are a student pilot beginning your training, a private pilot exploring the Bay Area's iconic landscapes from the air, or a transient aircraft operator seeking a quieter alternative to the region's busier commercial airports, San Rafael Airport (ID: 27510) offers a distinctive Northern California general aviation experience rooted in the natural beauty and urban sophistication of Marin County.

San Rafael Airport Contact Information

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

Name San Rafael Airport
Address 2165 Francisco Boulevard East, San Rafael CA 94901 Map
Phone (415) 453-0212
Website
Hours

Map of San Rafael Airport

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Frequently Asked Questions — San Rafael Airport (ID: 27510)

San Rafael Airport (ID: 27510) is a general aviation airport serving private pilots, flight training operators, and light aircraft in Marin County, California. It is not a commercial airline airport. Access is intended for certificated pilots operating general aviation aircraft, along with authorized ground visitors. Pilots should review current NOTAMs and contact the airport directly for operational details before their first visit.

San Rafael Airport is located approximately 20 miles north of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) by air. Because SFO operates Class B airspace, pilots departing or arriving at San Rafael must carefully plan their routes to remain clear of or coordinate with SFO's airspace structure. The Bay Approach and NorCal TRACON facilities manage the complex airspace in this region. Pilots unfamiliar with Bay Area airspace are strongly encouraged to review sectional charts and obtain a Bay Tour briefing before flying.

San Rafael's weather is heavily influenced by Pacific coastal marine layer and Bay Area microclimates. Morning and evening fog is common, particularly from May through September, and can reduce visibility at San Rafael Airport even when conditions are clear just a few miles inland. Pilots should always obtain a standard weather briefing from 1800wxbrief.com or via ForeFlight before flight, and should be prepared for rapidly changing visibility conditions typical of the San Francisco Bay corridor. Wind patterns off the Bay can also create mechanical turbulence near the hills surrounding Marin County.

Yes. Several general aviation and commercial airports serve as alternatives to San Rafael Airport. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) is located approximately 35 miles to the southeast and offers instrument approaches, fuel, and comprehensive FBO services. Oakland International Airport (OAK), roughly 20 miles south across the Bay, handles both commercial and general aviation traffic. Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS), about 30 miles north, is another regional option. Pilots should have at least one alternate in mind given Marin County's susceptibility to marine layer fog.

Downtown San Rafael is just minutes from the airport by car. Ride-share services including Uber and Lyft operate throughout San Rafael and Marin County. Car rental agencies are available in central San Rafael. For travel to San Francisco, the Golden Gate Ferry departs from the San Rafael Ferry Terminal and the SMART commuter rail connects San Rafael to Larkspur Ferry Terminal, which offers service to the San Francisco Ferry Building. US-101 provides direct freeway access south to the Golden Gate Bridge for those driving. Direct Airport Shuttle also serves the broader Marin County area for connections to major Bay Area airports.

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