List of airports in the San Francisco Bay Area facts for kids
The San Francisco Bay Area is a busy place, and that includes its skies! This article will tell you about the different kinds of airports found here. These airports are located around the San Francisco Bay, near big cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.
We'll explore airports used by large passenger planes, special government airports, and smaller airports for private planes.
Contents
Major Airports for Travelers
The Bay Area has four main airports where you can catch a flight on a big airline. These are often called "commercial airports" because they handle many passenger flights.
- San Francisco International Airport (KSFO): This is the largest airport in the Bay Area. It's a major hub for flights all over the world.
- Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (KSJC): Located in San Jose, this airport serves many flights, especially to places within the United States.
- Oakland International Airport (KOAK): Found in Oakland, this airport is popular for both passenger and cargo flights.
- Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (KSTS): This airport is a bit further north in Santa Rosa. It offers flights to some specific destinations.
Government-Only Airports
Some airports are not open to the public. Instead, they are used by the United States government for special purposes.
- Moffett Federal Airfield (KNUQ): This airport is in Mountain View and Sunnyvale. It's famous for being near NASA Ames Research Center.
- Travis Air Force Base (KSUU): Located in Fairfield, this is a large base for the United States Air Force.
Airports for Smaller Planes
These airports are mainly used by smaller aircraft, like private planes, flight training schools, or business jets. This type of flying is called "general aviation."
Airports with Control Towers
Some general aviation airports are busy enough to have an air traffic control tower. Air traffic controllers in the tower guide planes safely on the ground and in the air nearby.
- Buchanan Field Airport (KCCR) in Concord
- Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD) in Hayward
- Livermore Municipal Airport (KLVK) in Livermore
- Napa County Airport (KAPC) in Napa
- Palo Alto Airport (KPAO) in Palo Alto
- Reid–Hillview Airport (KRHV) in San Jose
- San Carlos Airport (KSQL) in San Carlos
Airports Without Control Towers
Many smaller airports do not have control towers. Pilots flying to or from these airports talk to each other on the radio to make sure everyone knows where other planes are.
- Angwin–Parrett Field (2O3) in Angwin
- Byron Airport (C83) in Byron
- Cloverdale Municipal Airport (O60) in Cloverdale
- Gnoss Field (KDVO) in Novato
- Half Moon Bay Airport (KHAF) in Half Moon Bay
- Healdsburg Municipal Airport (KHES) in Healdsburg
- Hollister Municipal Airport (KCVH) in Hollister
- Nut Tree Airport (KVCB) in Vacaville
- Petaluma Municipal Airport (O69) in Petaluma
- Rio Vista Municipal Airport (O88) in Rio Vista
- Sonoma Skypark (0Q9) in Sonoma
- Sonoma Valley Airport (0Q3) in Sonoma
- San Martin Airport (E16) in San Martin
- Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI) in Watsonville
Airports from the Past
The Bay Area has also been home to several airports that are no longer in use today. These places played a role in aviation history.
- Naval Air Station Alameda in Alameda (closed in 1997)
- Alum Rock Airport in San Jose (closed around 1936)
- Crissy Field in San Francisco (airfield closed in 1974)
- Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato (closed in 1996)
- Santa Cruz Skypark in Scotts Valley (closed in 1983)
- Carmel Valley Airport in Carmel Valley, California (closed in 2002)
- Antioch Airport in Antioch
- Fremont Airport (identifier Q59) in Fremont
- Montgomery Field / Marina Airfield (now Marina Green) in San Francisco
- Sky Sailing Gliderport in Fremont
- Vacaville Airport/Vacaville Gliderport in Vacaville
See also
- List of airports in California
- List of airports of Santa Cruz County, California
