Clark Ranch Airport
Private General Aviation Facility — Soledad, California (Monterey County) · FAA ID: 27540
Clark Ranch Airport (FAA Identifier: 27540) is a private general aviation airstrip situated in Soledad, California, nestled in the heart of the Salinas Valley in Monterey County. This agricultural airstrip serves the working ranches and farming operations that define this stretch of California’s Central Coast, sitting at an elevation of approximately 220 feet above mean sea level in one of the most productive agricultural corridors in the world.
Located just off U.S. Highway 101 — the primary north-south artery connecting the Salinas Valley communities from Salinas south through Soledad, Greenfield, and King City — Clark Ranch Airport benefits from straightforward road access for pilots and ground crew supporting local ranch aviation operations. The airport sits amid the lettuce, wine grape, and strawberry fields that have earned the Salinas Valley its reputation as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” providing aerial access to one of California’s most economically significant agricultural regions.
Soledad itself, with a population of roughly 26,000 residents, is home to the historic Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, founded in 1791 as the thirteenth in the chain of California missions. The town sits in a valley bordered by the Gabilan Mountains to the east and the Santa Lucia Range to the west, creating a distinct microclimate that aviators must account for when planning flights in and out of the area. Seasonal winds funneling through the valley — a well-known meteorological feature among local pilots — can be significant, particularly during afternoon hours when valley heating accelerates airflow from Monterey Bay inland through the corridor.
The airport operates as a private facility, meaning access is restricted and pilots must have permission from the owner or operator prior to landing or departing. This is a working ranch airstrip, not a public-use general aviation facility, and it is not equipped with fuel services, maintenance facilities, or a staffed terminal. Pilots planning operations at Clark Ranch Airport should coordinate directly with the facility in advance and be prepared for a basic, unimproved airstrip environment consistent with California’s many working ranch airports.
For instrument-rated pilots and those requiring commercial airline access, Salinas Municipal Airport (SNS) serves as the nearest option with improved facilities, operating approximately 25 miles to the north. SNS offers instrument approaches, fuel services, and a fixed-base operator, making it the primary regional aviation hub for Monterey County’s southern communities. Pilots seeking more extensive commercial services can reach Oakland International Airport (OAK), located roughly 90 miles to the north, providing full commercial airline connections and cargo services for the greater Bay Area.
Other regional general aviation airports within reasonable proximity include Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) to the northeast, serving the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County, and Meadowlark Airport, a private strip that reflects the diverse tapestry of California’s general aviation community scattered throughout the coastal ranges and valleys.
- FAA Identifier27540
- CitySoledad, CA
- CountyMonterey County
- Elevation~220 ft MSL
- Airport UsePrivate
- Nearest HighwayU.S. Highway 101
- Nearest CommercialSalinas SNS (~25 mi)
Regional Context
Clark Ranch Airport sits in the Salinas Valley agricultural corridor, surrounded by some of California’s most productive farmland. The Santa Lucia Range and Pinnacles National Park lie nearby to the east, while the valley floor produces lettuce, grapes, and strawberries year-round.
Clark Ranch Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Soledad, California.
| Name | Clark Ranch Airport |
| Address | 167 Main Street, Soledad CA 93960 Map |
| Phone | (831) 678-2920 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Clark Ranch Airport
Airports near Soledad
Frequently Asked Questions — Clark Ranch Airport, Soledad, CA
Clark Ranch Airport (FAA ID: 27540) is a private-use facility and is not open to the general public without prior authorization. Pilots must obtain permission from the airport owner or operator before conducting any landing or departure. This is standard practice for working ranch airstrips throughout California’s Salinas Valley. No walk-in or unannounced operations are permitted. Pilots who land without permission may be subject to trespassing violations. If you are researching general aviation airports in Monterey County with public access, Salinas Municipal Airport (SNS) approximately 25 miles north is the best alternative.
The Salinas Valley is well-known among California pilots for its strong afternoon northwest winds, which are driven by the temperature differential between the cool Monterey Bay coast and the warm inland valleys. At Soledad, located roughly in the middle of the valley, these winds can be particularly pronounced from late morning through early evening during summer months. Pilots should plan arrivals for early morning when conditions are typically calmer. The valley’s orientation also creates a natural wind tunnel effect, and turbulence near the Gabilan and Santa Lucia mountain ridges can affect departures and approaches. Checking current METAR reports from Salinas (SNS) and King City (KIC) provides a useful bracketing picture of conditions along the corridor near Clark Ranch Airport.
Salinas Municipal Airport (SNS) is the nearest full-service general aviation airport, located approximately 25 miles north of Soledad along Highway 101. SNS offers fuel (100LL and Jet-A), a fixed-base operator, instrument approaches (ILS and RNAV), and charter services. For commercial airline travel, SNS does not currently support scheduled passenger service, so travelers typically drive to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), about 35 miles northwest of Soledad, which offers connections to major hubs. Oakland International Airport (OAK), approximately 90 miles north, provides the broadest selection of commercial routes and cargo services for the greater Monterey County region.
Clark Ranch Airport sits at approximately 220 feet above mean sea level (MSL), which is relatively low and generally favorable for aircraft performance compared to high-elevation airports in California’s Sierra Nevada or desert regions. However, the Salinas Valley’s warm summer temperatures can still produce density altitude conditions that reduce engine performance and increase takeoff roll distances, particularly for heavily loaded aircraft. Pilots operating piston singles or light twins from short ranch strips should calculate density altitude carefully during warm afternoons. The surrounding terrain — with ridgelines in the Gabilan Mountains reaching over 3,400 feet to the east — requires awareness of obstacle clearance when departing toward the east or southeast.
Soledad offers several notable landmarks visible from the air and accessible by ground from the airport area. The Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, one of California’s original Franciscan missions established in 1791, is located in the western part of town. Pinnacles National Park, established from the eroded remnants of an ancient volcano, lies approximately 14 miles to the east and is a visual reference point for pilots navigating the area. The agricultural patchwork of the Salinas Valley — with its geometric field patterns of lettuce, strawberries, and wine grapes — creates distinctive visual landmarks along the valley floor. The Soledad Correctional Training Facility, a major California state prison, is also a prominent ground feature visible from the air on the north side of town near Highway 101.