Airports Near Vista, California

Brenna Swanston, Leaf Group Updated March 15, 2018

The city of Vista in San Diego County just grazes the southernmost part of California around the Mexican border. It offers gardens, museums, farmer's markets, theaters and a water park to its visitors. Travelers who decide to spend time in Vista have a handful of nearby airports to choose from, including both domestic and international ports.

McClellan-Palomar Airport

The closest major airport to Vista is in Carlsbad, just nine miles down the road. This airport is very small, with only one commercial airline operating direct journeys to one destination. You can fly in and out of McClellan-Palomar via Cal Jet by Elite Airways, which began operating flights to Las Vegas in September 2017.

Otherwise, there's not much available at the Carlsbad airport, with the exception of one restaurant called the Landings.

San Diego International Airport

The most-popular option for flying in and out of the Vista area is via the San Diego International Airport, located 42 miles from the center of Vista. It's a relatively large airport, serving nonstop journeys to more than 75 international and domestic locations via the following airlines:

  • Air Canada
  • Allegiant Air
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Delta
  • Edelweiss
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Japan Airlines
  • JetBlue Airways
  • Lufthansa
  • Spirit
  • Sun Country Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Virgin America
  • WestJet

You can grab transportation from San Diego International via rideshare, taxi, shuttle, rental car, public transportation or even bicycle. Amtrak Intercity operates out of the airport, as do COASTER commuter trains, which take travelers to communities as distant as Los Angeles and Orange County.

John Wayne Airport

Venture some 60 miles from the center of Vista, and you'll find yourself at Orange County's John Wayne Airport. This port is located in Santa Ana and offers the only commercial air service in Orange County, with nonstop journeys to these domestic and international locations:

  • Albuquerque, New Mexico, via Alaska Airlines
  • Atlanta, Georgia, via Delta Airlines
  • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, via Alaska Airlines and Southwest
  • Chicago, Illinois, via American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest
  • Dallas, Texas, via American Airlines and Southwest
  • Denver, Colorado, via Frontier, Southwest and United Airlines
  • Detroit, Michigan, via Delta Airlines
  • Houston, Texas, via Southwest and United Airlines
  • Las Vegas, Nevada, via Southwest and Delta Airlines
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota, via Delta Airlines
  • Newark, New Jersey, via United Airlines
  • Oakland, California, via Southwest
  • Phoenix, Arizon,a via American Airlines and Southwest
  • Portland, Oregon, via Alaska Airlines
  • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, via Alaska Airlines
  • Sacramento, California, via Southwest
  • Salt Lake City, Utah, via Delta Airlines
  • San Francisco, California, via Alaska Airlines, Southwest and United Airlines
  • San Jose, California, via Alaska Airlines and Southwest
  • Santa Rosa, California, via Alaska Airlines
  • Seattle, Washington, via Alaska Airlines and Delta
  • Vancouver, Canada, via WestJet

At John Wayne, travelers will find an array of dining and shopping options to help curb cravings or to pick up any last-minute clothing items or souvenirs before their trip. You'll also find art exhibits here, along with an electronics store, free Wi-Fi and representation from rental car companies.