SAN-Spot1
San Diego Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on February 13, 2024
With around 24 Mio passengers in 2019, San Diego is one of the smaller airports in the US. But with only one active runway who handles all operations, its a pretty busy airport and gets interesting for planespotters.
The main carrier is Southwest Airlines, followed by United Airlines. British Airways, Lufthansa, Edelweiss and JAL are the only intercontinental carriers with flights to London, Frankfurt, Zurich and Tokyo. The airport is located within the city border of San Diego and Downtown is just a hop away. The approach on RWY27 is called one of the most dangerous worldwide.
Written by Julian Mittnacht, Achim Walther, Bruno Geiger and Matthias Buchheim, Tombarelli Federico. Last change: January 2024 (Spot 1 updated, 5 and 6 added)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 09/27 | 2.865 m (9.401 ft) |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 | Alaska, Southwest |
| Terminal 2 | all other carriers |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Just needed at spot 1 for departures. |
| Car/Public Transport | Not necessary as you are very close to downtown San Diego and can walk or use public transport to all spotting locations. |
| Restrooms | Check the hotels or fast food restaurants that you find all around the airport. |
| Drinks/Food | Almost around the whole airport there are fast food restaurants. Inside Terminal one there is a food court at one of the lower levels, where you might take pictures from. We’ve not tested this spot yet, that’s why we didn’t mark it as spot – we can’t guarantee at the moment. |
| Hotels | The Motel 6 is almost directly under the approach path. You can “relax” at the pool and watch the planes arriving. The DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown San Diego offers a nice view of the 27 approach from the balcony if you get a room on the upper floors. Pictures taken there. |
| Season | Avoid the hot summer months. At all of the locations heat haze is very visible even in winter. I had this happen at all spots in the guide but it usually dies down as it gets later. Early evening is when it usually ends. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 09/27 | Main runway direction is 27 as the wind comes from the ocean. 09 is very uncommon. |
 |
Spot #1 – Walking Trail – 27 arrivals and 09 departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | As the official viewing area is no longer available due to the construction of the new terminal, you can easily move to the opposite side. There is a nice walking trail which runs parallel to the “N Harbor” where you can stay. It is just next to the huge gate to the helicopter base of the coast guard. In the overview pictures below we chose to step over the wall to have a different angle, but you can freely move along the walking trail and find your favourite spot. Limited Parking is available next to the spot at the waterfront. But you don’t really need a car as the hotels are pretty close and you can walk from the Downtown within 15-30 min along the boardwalk to this place. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 27, every aircraft can land at a different height so be ready. Aircraft waiting for departure can blow a ton of haze and affect quality of pictures cuz they are between you and the landings, it is a bit tricky to avoid, so keep that in mind if you choose this spot! Departures from 09 aren’t great as you are to the far end of the runway. Line-ups are not possible! There is the San Diego Coast Guard Base, where you can get some interesting helicopters. |
| TIME | All day long in winter. Summer its backlit in the morning and evening. You’d have backlit all day for the helicopters (except early mornings and late evenings, but this depends on the angle, too), that’s why cloudy days are better here. |
| MISC. | Hotels and fast food restaurants are within your reach. There are benches to sit down and trees spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Arrival: A320/737 = 220mm |
 |
Spot #2 – W Laurel St – 27 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is located along the sidewalk of “West Laurel Street”, which connects “North Harbor Drive” and “Pacific Hwy”. As mentioned, this spot isn’t an exact position, rather the area along the sidewalk, depending ont he angle you like the most! The example shots and the overview picture were taken exactly from the marked spot (on the map) just next to a zebra crossing, which is new and cannot be seen on Google Maps yet. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 27. |
| TIME | All day long in winter. Summer its backlit in the morning and evening. |
| MISC. | You find some motels and some stores (like Seven Eleven or Jack in the Box) nearby. No ladder needed.
|
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50 – 400mm |
 |
Spot #3 – Waterfront Park – 27 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Just search a parking lot around the harbor or the San Diego Country Administration Center. Go to the north west end of the Waterfront Park. You’ll find some steps at West Grape Street where you can stand and take the pictures. This spot is an alternative to spot #2, but due to the bigger distance spot #2 is almost always better!
For route guide systems: West Grape St. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on runway 27. |
| TIME | All day long in winter. Summer its backlit in the morning and evening. Due to the distance it is not the best place during the day because of the heat distortion. |
| MISC. | You find some motels and some stores (like Seven Eleven or Jack in the Box) nearby. Heat haze might be a big problem due to the busy “West Grape St” infront of you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 300mm for B737, 200mm for B787 |
 |
Spot #4 – Spanish Landing Park |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Drive from Photo-Point 1 on North Harbour Drive to direction Airport. After 3 km turn left to the Spanish Landing Park and park your car. It´s a nice park directly at the water to relax under the trees or jump into the water from the very tiny “beach”. |
| WHAT | Takeoff shots from runway 27. |
| TIME | All day long in winter. Summer its backlit in the morning and evening. Due to the distance it is not the best place during the day because of the heat distortion. |
| MISC. | Hotels and fast food restaurants are within your reach, just westwards of your location. No ladder needed |
| FOCAL LENGTH | From 330 mm to 600 mm (A330 340mm / E175 600mm) |
 |
Spot #5 – Waterfront – 09 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Reach Spot #4 and keep going forward with the terminal on your left. At the first traffic lights turn right into McCain Road. After 300mt turn left into Spruance Road and follow till the end. There you will find a free parking. Leave the car there and walk to the riverside. This is your spot. Be aware to the signs around, don’t go too far ahead into the firefighters area. |
| WHAT | Landings 09, maybe late take offs 27 |
| TIME | All day long in winter. Summer its backlit in the morning and evening. Due to the distance it is not the best place during the day because of the heat distortion. |
| MISC. | Only sky shots and pretty far, but the angle is great |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 400mm B737-700 |
 |
Spot #6 – Park – 09 arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is in the Park on the other riverside. To reach it go for Spot #4 and keep following N Harbor Dr. After the bridge turn right into Laning rd and again left at the first road. Here you will reach this huge park with plenty of free parking space. |
| WHAT | Landings 09 only |
| TIME | All day long in winter. Summer its backlit in the morning and evening. |
| MISC. | You can move freely around the park to have the distance and angle you prefer, you will find a lot of free space between poles and trees. You can be closer than Spot #5 but more below the aircraft. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Various based on your distance, for the pictures below we used: E175 – 210mm; B737 – 170 mm |
Hello. Sorry to be off topic here. Does anyone have information about spotting at Miramar (NKX)? Is it even allowed or possible? Thanks.
Has anyone had experience on the new parking ramp in front of the new Terminal 1 yet? Is it high enough (appears to be)? Is it allowed to plane spot from up top that new parking ramp? Curious before I head there next week. Thanks!!
I have had experience on the top level of the T1 parking structure. The pictures you can get there are great with a somewhat nice backdrop. The only issue with it are the light posts in the way of some shots. If you are trying to get departures and the airport is in normal ops I think that this is the best shot as you are high enough. If you are trying to track arrivals I would say the best spot is #1 or #2 on the guide depending on the background that you prefer.
Thank you for that!!
yeah of course. How did it work out for you?
Here are some of my pictures from san diego:
/
Sorry, forgot to come back and check in. I wasn’t impressed in the new T1 ramp on the top level. The new T1 itself blocks too much of the view (of course, I’m more into video than photo). So, I resorted back to my usual spots of Liberty Station, Courtyard Little Italy hotel, and Laurel St Garage.
Hey all, I’m looking for any updated advice on the best spots to photograph aircraft on the ground or in the air. I’m thinking about driving down from LAX around April 9ish for a day. Thanks!
In my opinion, Liberty Station/NTC Park just west of the airport is the best public place to spot. The ramps on the east side of the airport that everyone talks about (Alladin, Laurel) are both pretty strict about not being on the ramps and spotting – even if you pay for a full day of parking!
There was a DoubleTree hotel that had great approach and landing views (with a good zoom lens) from the the top 5 or so floors, but unsure if it’s back open after privatizing and dropping the Hilton brand. It’s located at 1646 Front St in downtown San Diego.
I can recommend the Doubletree by Hilton, Hotel San Diego Downtown as a hotel to stay. Non downtown facing rooms on a high floor have a balcony and great pics are obtainable all day as the sun is behind.
Would love to get some photos taken from the hotel. Is it possible to send the to support@spotterguide.net
-Julian
Unfortunately that hotel is no longer a DoubleTree, nor is it a Hilton property. It’s privately owned now, but still a hotel from what I can tell. I have not been there since they dropped the Hilton brand.
Spot 4 – Liberty Station NTC and Spanish Landing NTC appear on Google maps to be 2 totally different locations.
You are right! The correct position is the Spanish Landing Park. But the Liberty Station can be used for take offs too, of course more belly shots.
-Julian
Are there any night spotting locations?
There is a parking Garage at Kettner Blvd/West Laurel St. Might be possible to see the line up from there but I am not really sure.
-Julian
Ok, so, if you are looking for a place to see the touchdown point along 27, go to the FedEx Gateway. Park along that area. Best during weekends.
I went once, but its kind of a strugle because of the fedex planes that might be parked there, you need to check your radar before going
Just an update, they just opened up a rental car terminal on the north side of the field. Haven’t checked it out yet but probably can get some pics from it.
Unfortunately upper level with awesome view is off limits to the public.
Any help would be appreciated ,will be driving down from LAX and will in the area spotting and taking photos for the day ,can anyone tell me if it would at all be possible to use the following parking garages Aladdin Airport Parking or Laurel Airport Parking or should we stay at the viewing car park as mentioned in the article above .
thankyou in advance
Darryn UK spotter
Hi Darryn,
you can park at the official viewing area but you should stay next to your car and not leave it. Otherwise there are plenty of parking lots along the harbour drive.
Regards
Julian
Thank you for the prompt repy , Julian
hey guys is somebody around here who cant sport a very special plane tomorrow pls contact me as fast as possible and i will let you know whats due into san diego