San Diego International Airport

Continent: North America

Country: United States

Region: California

San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field)
Location	San Diego, California
IATA code	SAN
ICAO code	KSAN
Airport type	Commercial
Website	[www.san.org www.san.org]
Overview map	[maps.google.com/maps?ll=32.734801,-117.190175&spn=0.020131,0.038242&t=h&hl=en Google Maps]
Communications
Tower	118.3 338.225
Ground	123.9
Clearance	125.9
Approach	119.6 (West) 124.35 (East)
Departure	119.6 (West) 124.35 (East)
ATIS	134.8 619-298-0997
Departure	122.95

San Diego International Airport is the primary commercial airport for San Diego County. No airline maintains a hub there, and Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier. The vast majority of scheduled flights are to points within North America; currently only Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines provide transoceanic service; both to Hawaii. The airport has only a single runway, 9/27, and normal operations call for arrivals and departures on runway 27.

The airport is notable for its approach to runway 27, which due to the airport's close proximity to Downtown San Diego, will have many aircraft flying level to the roofs of the downtown skyscrapers.

Official Spotting Locations

Harbor & Laurel Parking Lot

The airport has a small free parking lot at the intersection of Harbor Dr. and Laurel St. for spotting. From here you will see aircraft arriving and departing on runway 27, which is the airport's normal operation. You will need a ladder or tall vehicle to get camera lenses above the fence line for departure and taxi shots, however you can photograph arrivals from street level with a long enough lens if you time it right to avoid poles and trees. Posted signs prohibit unattended vehicles, so you won't want to go far from the lot unless someone is with you to stay with your car. Avoid the adjacent Solar Turbines parking lot, but the sidewalk along Laurel St. should be okay.

Locations To Avoid

Solar Turbines Parking Lot

This lot is next to the official observation area at Laurel St. and Harbor Dr. It is tempting because it gets you closer to the action than the official area. However, it is private property and Solar Turbines security does patrol the lot and has asked spotters to leave. If you stay on the public sidewalk outside the lot along Laurel Dr., you should be okay.