Mesa Del Rey Airport (KIC) — King City, California

Mesa Del Rey Airport, designated by the FAA with the identifier KIC, serves the agricultural heartland of southern Monterey County from its base in King City, California. Positioned at an elevation of approximately 1,270 feet above mean sea level in the Salinas Valley, this general aviation facility plays an essential role in connecting the region's farming operations, ranching enterprises, and rural communities to broader transportation networks across California's Central Coast.

The airport occupies a strategic location along the valley floor, roughly 130 miles south of San Francisco and 60 miles inland from the Pacific coast. King City itself sits within one of California's most productive agricultural corridors, and KIC reflects that character — it is a working airport built to serve practical needs. The facility features a single paved runway oriented to accommodate the prevailing winds that channel through the Salinas Valley, and the airport authority maintains the grounds to FAA standards applicable to general aviation reliever airports in rural California.

Runway 14/32 at Mesa Del Rey stretches approximately 4,200 feet, accommodating a wide range of piston and turboprop aircraft commonly used in agricultural aviation, private charter, and personal travel. The runway surface is asphalt, regularly inspected and maintained in cooperation with Monterey County, which oversees the airport's operational framework. Pilots operating into KIC should consult current NOTAMs and ASOS data, as valley fog and low-visibility conditions during winter months can affect approach planning.

The airport supports a small but active fixed-base operation providing fuel — both 100LL avgas and Jet-A — along with basic aircraft services and tie-down facilities. Agricultural operators make frequent use of the airfield for spray plane operations that support the vineyards, vegetable crops, and orchards surrounding King City. The Salinas Valley's dependence on aerial application work means that KIC sees consistent traffic from ag-aviation specialists operating Thrush Aircraft, Air Tractor, and similar purpose-built platforms.

For private pilots and charter passengers, Mesa Del Rey offers a quieter and more accessible alternative to the commercial terminals at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), located approximately 45 miles to the northwest. The absence of airline traffic and commercial gate procedures makes KIC particularly appealing for instrument training, cross-country stops, and business aircraft serving the King City area. Several regional charter operators based in the Salinas Valley list KIC as a supported destination, enabling point-to-point travel for business travelers visiting local agricultural firms, wineries, and food processing facilities.

The surrounding Salinas Valley offers numerous destinations accessible from KIC. The Pinnacles National Park lies approximately 25 miles to the east, and several wineries in the Hames Valley and San Antonio appellations are within a short drive. Pilots based farther north frequently use KIC as a fuel stop on routes down the Central Coast toward Santa Barbara (SBA) or Los Angeles Basin airports, given its reasonable prices and uncongested ramp environment.

King City's location within Monterey County means that airport matters fall under the county's transportation planning umbrella, and the airport has benefited from periodic capital improvements funded through FAA Airport Improvement Program grants. These have supported runway resurfacing, lighting upgrades, and navigational aid maintenance over the years, keeping the facility current with safety standards for a public-use general aviation airport.

Transient pilots should contact the FBO in advance for fuel availability and ramp space, particularly during peak agricultural seasons when platform space can be limited. The self-serve fuel option, where available, operates around the clock, which is a significant convenience for pilots transiting after hours. The airport's traffic advisory frequency should be monitored on approach, and pilots should be alert to low-level agricultural aircraft operating in the pattern without radio communication, a common characteristic of working agricultural airports throughout California's Central Valley and coast ranges.

Mesa Del Rey Airport - KIC Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in King, Washington.

Name Mesa Del Rey Airport - KIC
Address Metz-King City Rd, King CA 93930 Map
Phone (831) 385-3281
Website
Hours

Map of Mesa Del Rey Airport - KIC


Frequently Asked Questions — Mesa Del Rey Airport (KIC), King City, CA

Mesa Del Rey Airport carries the FAA identifier KIC. It is located in King City, Monterey County, California, in the southern Salinas Valley at an elevation of approximately 1,270 feet MSL. The airport is a public-use general aviation facility owned and managed under Monterey County authority, situated roughly 130 miles south of San Francisco along the US-101 corridor.

Mesa Del Rey Airport offers both 100LL avgas and Jet-A fuel through its fixed-base operation. Basic aircraft services including tie-downs and ramp access are available. Pilots are advised to contact the FBO ahead of arrival during peak agricultural seasons, as ramp space can be limited when agricultural spray operators are active. A self-serve fuel option may be available outside staffed hours — confirm current availability via the airport's NOTAMs or direct contact before arrival.

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is approximately 45 miles northwest of KIC and serves commercial airline passengers via American, United, and Alaska Airlines. KIC, by contrast, is strictly general aviation — no scheduled commercial service operates there. For private pilots, charter operators, and agricultural aviation, KIC offers a much simpler, less congested environment with no airline traffic. Travelers needing commercial airline access to the southern Salinas Valley should use MRY or consider San Jose International (SJC), roughly 90 miles to the north.

The Salinas Valley is subject to marine layer intrusion from Monterey Bay, which can produce dense fog and low-visibility conditions particularly during late spring through early fall mornings — a phenomenon locals call the "valley fog" or "June gloom." Winds typically accelerate through the valley corridor in the afternoon due to thermal pressure gradients from the Central Valley. Pilots should check ASOS data for KIC, review current METARs for nearby Monterey (MRY) as a reference, and file IFR when VMC conditions are uncertain. Summer afternoons may bring moderate turbulence on approach due to valley heating.

Several alternate general aviation airports are within reasonable range of KIC. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) lies to the north in the East Bay, approximately 100 miles away, and serves as a major GA hub with full services. Meadowlark Airport is a smaller private facility. For commercial connections, Oakland International Airport (OAK) and its associated services — including Clean Energy fueling infrastructure and Direct Airport Shuttle ground transport — are accessible for pilots needing to connect with airline networks. Pilots diverting from KIC due to weather or NOTAMs most commonly use Paso Robles Municipal Airport (PRB), roughly 40 miles to the southeast, which has a longer runway and instrument approaches.

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