Can you believe SoCal has 11 Commercial Airports?

Estimated read time: 4 minutes
Good for: Anyone tired of LAX, planning a SoCal trip, or curious what San Bernardino and Carlsbad airports are actually doing on this list.

What You’ll Learn Today

• Where to fly without going near LAX

• Which small airports connect to big adventures

• How much money you can save by looking beyond the obvious

• The growing role of CBX and Breeze Airways in SoCal travel

11 Airports, 1 Big Idea: Stop Defaulting to LAX

Southern California has 11 commercial airports — but most travelers only search one or two. That’s a mistake.

In May, I booked a roundtrip to Oaxaca for $210 via Tijuana (TIJ).
Same route from LAX? $590+.

This isn’t about avoiding airports.
It’s about using the ones that work for you — your location, your wallet, your sanity.

Here’s how they stack up:

1. LAX – Los Angeles International

• Passengers: 88 million/year

• Flights/day: ~1,300

• Top routes: Tokyo, Paris, London, Seoul

• Best for: Long-haul international, premium seats

• Skip if: You’re going anywhere domestic and hate crowds

✈️ Sample fare: LAX–Tokyo (ANA): $790 RT

2. SAN – San Diego International

• Passengers: 25 million/year

• Flights/day: ~500

• Top routes: Tokyo, London, Frankfurt, Mexico City

• Best for: Southern San Diego or if you want a smooth customs experience

✈️ Sample fare: SAN–Tokyo (JAL): $850 RT
📍 Proximity bonus: 20 minutes to CBX bridge (for flights out of TIJ)

3. SNA – John Wayne (Orange County)

• Passengers: 11 million/year

• Flights/day: ~130

• Top routes: Vancouver, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo

• Airlines: Southwest, Alaska, Air Canada

• Best for: Short security lines and easy parking

✈️ Sample fare: SNA–PVR: $199 RT on Southwest

4. LGB – Long Beach Airport

• Passengers: 3.5 million/year

• Flights/day: ~40

• Top routes: Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Honolulu

• Best for: Travelers who value chill airports over terminal chaos

✈️ Sample fare: LGB–Honolulu: $139 RT
(cheaper than $250+ from LAX)

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5. ONT – Ontario International

• Passengers: 6 million/year

• Flights/day: ~100

• Top routes: Taipei, Guadalajara, Mexico City

• Best for: Inland Empire, Asia flights without LAX headaches

✈️ Sample fare: ONT–Taipei: $850 RT
(LAX average: $1,100+)

6. BUR – Hollywood Burbank

• Passengers: 5 million/year

• Flights/day: ~70

• Top routes: Seattle, Portland, San Jose

• Best for: Valley residents, minimal wait times, fast boarding

🕒 Speed test: From curb to gate in under 15 minutes

7. SBA – Santa Barbara Airport

• Passengers: 850,000/year

• Flights/day: ~25

• Top routes: Denver, Phoenix, Dallas

• Best for: Pre-flight beach walk and quick connects through the Rockies

🌊 Bonus: It feels like flying out of a surf town. Because it is.

8. PSP – Palm Springs International

• Passengers: 3 million/year

• Flights/day: ~40

• Top routes: Calgary, Mexico City, Seattle

• Best for: Winter sun travel or laid-back getaways

✈️ Sample fare: PSP–Mexico City: $220 RT
(LAX: often $100+ more)

9. CRQ – Carlsbad (McClellan-Palomar)

• Passengers: ~200,000/year

• Flights/day: ~2

• Top route: Phoenix (American Airlines only)

• Best for: North San Diego County flyers avoiding I-5 entirely

⚠️ Limited use: Great if PHX is your hub or you're connecting further

10. TIJ – Tijuana International (via Cross Border Xpress)

• Passengers: 12 million/year

• Flights/day: ~200

• Top routes: Mexico City, Cancún, Guadalajara, Oaxaca

• Airlines: Volaris, Viva Aerobus

• How it works: Park in San Diego → walk across CBX bridge → board in Mexico

I haven’t flown TIJ myself, but many friends use it to save hundreds on flights to Mexico. The process is smooth, the airport is modern, and CBX is faster than many U.S. security lines.

✈️ Sample fare: TIJ–Oaxaca: $210 RT
(LAX: $590+ same dates)

11. SBD – San Bernardino International

• Passengers: 84,000/year

• Flights/day: 2–4

• Current airline: Breeze Airways

• Top route: Phoenix

• Best for: Inland Empire residents who want the easiest airport on this list

📈 One to watch: Breeze is expanding — expect more low-cost routes in 2026.

TL;DR: Search Smarter, Fly Cheaper

• ✅ Check 2–3 airports beyond your default

• ✅ TIJ, ONT, and LGB can save you $100–$400 per trip

• ✅ SBD, CRQ, and BUR offer time savings that are priceless

• ✅ Share this guide with someone who only knows “LAX”

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Until next Thursday,
Jeff