Flying out of Carlsbad’s McClellan-Palomar Airport for the first time? Here’s what to expect, including parking, TSA, food, boarding, and tips before your flight.
As someone who lives in North County San Diego, I have been waiting for this moment for years.
When McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad announced commercial flights, I was immediately interested. Not because I dislike flying out of San Diego International Airport, but because getting to the airport is half the battle.
If you’ve ever driven from North County to the San Diego Airport during rush hour, you know exactly what I mean.
So when we booked a direct flight from Carlsbad to Denver to visit family, I was ridiculously excited.
A tiny airport?
Close to home?
This was going to be easy.
Well…
Mostly.
While I absolutely loved flying out of Carlsbad Airport, there were a few things that completely surprised us, and I wish I had known them before arriving.
If you’re flying out of McClellan-Palomar Airport for the first time, here’s exactly what to expect.
Table of Contents
- McClellan-Palomar Airport at a Glance
- What Is McClellan-Palomar Airport?
- Airlines & Nonstop Destinations from Carlsbad Airport
- Quick Tips for Flying Out of Carlsbad Airport
- Why I Chose to Fly Out of Carlsbad Airport
- Is Flying Out of Carlsbad Airport Worth It?
- How Early Should You Arrive at Carlsbad Airport?
- Parking at McClellan-Palomar Airport
- What Is Security Like at Carlsbad Airport?
- Is There Food at Carlsbad Airport?
- Boarding Our Flight
- Is Carlsbad Airport Better Than San Diego International Airport?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts: Flying Out of McClellan-Palomar Airport
McClellan-Palomar Airport at a Glance
If you’re wondering whether flying out of Carlsbad Airport is right for your trip, here’s a quick overview before we dive into the details.
Airport: McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
Location: Carlsbad, California (North County San Diego)
Best For: Travelers living in North County San Diego who are flying to one of the airport’s nonstop destinations.
Terminal: One small commercial terminal with a single TSA security checkpoint.
Parking: Parking is located just steps from the terminal, making it one of the easiest airports I’ve ever parked at.
Food & Drinks: One restaurant, The Landings, is located before security. During my visit, there were no convenience stores, food kiosks, or places to buy bottled water after TSA.
Coffee: Coffee is available before security at The Landings. There are no vending machines or food/drink stands after security.
Restrooms: Restrooms are available both before and after the TSA checkpoint.
Water: Bring an empty reusable water bottle. You won’t find bottled water for sale after security.
Airlines Currently Flying from Carlsbad Airport:
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- JSX
- Advanced Air
Current Nonstop Destinations Include:
- Denver, Colorado
- Phoenix, Arizona
- San Francisco, California
- Reno, Nevada
- Mammoth Lakes, California (seasonal)
What Is McClellan-Palomar Airport?
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is a small regional airport located in Carlsbad, California.
For years it primarily served private aircraft and business aviation, but it has recently expanded commercial flight options, making it an exciting alternative for North County San Diego travelers.
Instead of driving 40 minutes to more than an hour to San Diego International Airport, many North County residents can now reach Carlsbad Airport in just 10 to 20 minutes.
For us, that convenience alone made it worth trying.
Airlines & Destinations from Carlsbad Airport
Commercial flight options continue to grow, but currently airlines flying from McClellan-Palomar Airport include:
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- JSX
- Advanced Air
Current nonstop destinations include:
- Denver
- Phoenix
- San Francisco
- Reno
- Mammoth Lakes (seasonal)
Know Before You Go: Flying Out of Carlsbad Airport
Quick Tips for Flying Out of Carlsbad Airport
If you’re short on time, here are my biggest takeaways after flying out of McClellan-Palomar Airport for the first time.
Arrive at least 90 minutes to 2 hours before your flight.
The airport may be tiny, but there is only one TSA security line. On our Saturday morning flight, security took about 50 minutes and the line stretched outside the building. And there is no TSA Pre Check line.
Parking is easy and close to the terminal.
One of my favorite things about this airport is how convenient parking is. You’re only a short walk from the terminal, which is a huge perk compared to larger airports.
Bring an empty reusable water bottle.
There weren’t any convenience stores,kiosks or vending machines selling bottled water after security during our visit. Bring an empty bottle and refill it once you’re through TSA.
Eat before going through security.
The airport restaurant, The Landings, is located before TSA. Once you’re through security, there are no food or beverage options.
Grab your coffee before TSA.
If you’re someone who needs coffee before a flight (hi, it’s me), make sure you buy it before heading through security. There wasn’t anywhere to grab coffee after TSA during our visit. But also – be sure to finish it before security.
Pack a smaller carry-on if possible.
Our United flight used a smaller regional aircraft with compact overhead bins. My carry-on fit, but just barely. A smaller suitcase will make boarding much easier.
This airport is a fantastic option for North County San Diego residents.
If you’re flying to one of the nonstop destinations, McClellan-Palomar Airport can save you a lot of driving time compared to flying out of San Diego International Airport.
Why I Chose to Fly Out of Carlsbad Airport
As someone who lives in North County San Diego, this airport was a no-brainer for our trip to Denver.
Instead of driving all the way to San Diego International Airport, we were able to get to McClellan-Palomar Airport in about 20 minutes. That convenience alone made me want to give it a try.
Like any airport, there were a few surprises (I’ll definitely tell you about those), but overall I was really impressed and would absolutely fly out of Carlsbad again.
Is Flying Out of Carlsbad Airport Worth It?
Flying out of Carlsbad Airport is definitely worth it, especially if you live in North County or Temecula area.
The airport is incredibly easy to find, parking is simple and the terminal is small.
You’re not walking miles to your gate like you might at larger airports.
But…don’t let the size fool you.
That tiny terminal means everyone is funneled through one TSA checkpoint.
And that’s exactly where we ran into trouble.
Oh, and there’s no TSA Pre Check line.
How Early Should You Arrive at Carlsbad Airport?
This is probably the biggest reason I wanted to write this guide.
We assumed we only needed to arrive about an hour before our flight.
After all, it’s a tiny airport.
Wrong.
Apparently, everyone else had the exact same idea.
When we arrived, the TSA line stretched outside the building.
It took us about 50 minutes to get through security.
While we were waiting, the airport staff actually pulled dozens of passengers from another flight out of the security line and to the front because their plane was about to leave.
There were probably 30 people still waiting for that flight.
Then, by the time we finally made it through security, our own flight was already boarding.
We barely had enough time to use the restroom, refill our water bottles, and head to the gate.
Our flight even departed a little early.
Next time?
We’ll absolutely arrive at least 90 minutes to two hours before departure.
Even though it’s a tiny airport.
Parking at McClellan-Palomar Airport
One of my favorite things about flying from Carlsbad was how easy parking was.
Unlike larger airports, parking is close to the terminal, making the walk short and convenient.
There is a small parking lot across the street if the up front parking is full but they have a cute little golf cart shuttle to take to you the terminal.
What Is Security Like at Carlsbad Airport?
Security itself was easy.
The TSA officers were friendly and the screening process was straightforward.
The challenge wasn’t the screening.
The challenge was the line.
Because every passenger goes through the same checkpoint, lines can build quickly, especially on busy travel days like weekends.
And there was no TSA pre-check line.
Our flight was on a Saturday morning, so weekdays may look completely different.
As we take more flights from Carlsbad Airport, I’ll continue updating this guide with new experiences.
Is There Food at Carlsbad Airport?
Yes, there is food at the Carlsbad Airport but there’s a catch.
There is currently one restaurant before security called The Landings. But I didn’t see any snack stands or convenience stands.
After TSA security, there is no food or drinks sold. Not even a vending machine.
If they do add one later on, I’ll be sure to update this post.
That means if you want a meal or snacks, buy them before you arrive.
And be sure to bring an empty reusable water bottle to refill after security.
Boarding Our Flight
By the time we made it through security, pre-boarding had already started.
We were scrambling. We quickly used the restroom and then got in line to board.
Because the airport is so small, boarding happens quickly.
Don’t expect lots of waiting around once you’re through TSA.
Is Carlsbad Airport Better Than San Diego Airport?
I mean, it depends on a few factors: where you live, what your destination is and your budget.
Because there are only two airlines flying out of Carlsbad Airport – there aren’t amny options for flights or different pricing.
The trade-off is flexibility.
But if you’re heading somewhere like Denver, Phoenix, or San Francisco?
I’d happily fly from Carlsbad again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I arrive at Carlsbad Airport?
Based on my experience, I recommend arriving at least 90 minutes to two hours before your flight.
Is there food at McClellan-Palomar Airport?
Yes. There is a restaurant called The Landings before security.
Is there food after TSA?
No. When we visited, there were no food kiosks or convenience stores or vending machines after security.
Can you buy water after security?
Not during our visit. Bring an empty reusable water bottle to refill after TSA or purchase water before going through security.
Is parking easy at Carlsbad Airport?
Yes. Parking is close to the terminal and much easier to navigate than larger airports.
Is Carlsbad Airport worth using?
If you’re flying to one of its nonstop destinations and live in North County San Diego, I absolutely think it’s worth considering.
Final Thoughts on Flying out of Carlsbad Airport
Overall, I had a great experience flying out of Carlsbad Airport, and I would absolutely do it again.
The convenience of having a commercial airport in North County is incredible, especially if you’re traveling to one of the available nonstop destinations.
The biggest lesson I learned?
Don’t let the size of the airport fool you.
It may only have one small terminal, but that also means everyone is standing in the same TSA line.
Arrive early, bring your own snacks, pack an empty water bottle, and you’ll be off to a much smoother start than we had.
And if this is your first time flying out of McClellan-Palomar Airport, I hope this guide helps you know exactly what to expect before you go.
XOXO,
Julia
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About the Author: Hey there! I’m Julia, a passionate theme park and travel writer. My love for theme parks has fueled my obsession with sharing tips and adventures for years. Join me as I uncover the magic of San Diego and beyond!
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