Honestly, if you're planning a trip to the storybook streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the "best" airport isn't always the one that looks closest on a map. People usually just plug "airports near Carmel CA" into a search bar and grab the first thing that pops up. Usually, that's Monterey Regional (MRY). And yeah, it’s tiny and charming, but depending on where you're starting from, it might actually be a giant headache.
I've seen travelers spend six hours on a layover in San Francisco just to catch a 20-minute hopper flight to Monterey. In that time, you could have landed at a bigger hub, grabbed a rental car, and been halfway through a bottle of Pinot Noir at a tasting room on Ocean Avenue.
The Monterey Secret (MRY)
If you can snag a direct flight, Monterey Regional Airport is basically a cheat code. It is only about 7 miles from downtown Carmel. You land, you grab your bags in ten minutes, and you’re at your hotel in fifteen. It’s that fast.
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Starting in May 2026, United is even adding a seasonal direct flight from Chicago-O’Hare, which is a big deal for Midwest travelers who used to have to connect. Right now, you’ve got Alaska, Allegiant, American, and United running the show. They fly in from spots like:
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Phoenix (PHX)
- Denver (DEN)
- San Diego (SAN)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Las Vegas (LAS)
But here’s the kicker: because it’s a "non-hub" airport, the planes are often smaller regional jets. If you hate turbulence or small cabins, keep that in mind. Also, if there’s heavy fog—which happens a lot in Northern California—MRY is often the first to see delays.
San Jose: The Practical Middle Ground
San Jose Mineta International (SJC) is the airport most "in-the-know" travelers actually use. It’s about 75 to 80 miles north of Carmel.
Why bother with the 90-minute drive? Because SJC is way more reliable than San Francisco International (SFO) when it comes to weather. SFO gets socked in by fog and shuts down runways constantly. SJC stays clear. Plus, it’s much easier to navigate than the bigger hubs.
If you aren't renting a car, you can hop on the Monterey Airbus. It’s a shuttle service that runs almost hourly. It isn’t "luxury," per se, but it’s clean and gets the job done for about $55.
The SFO vs. OAK Debate
Then you’ve got the big dogs. San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK).
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SFO is roughly 105 miles away. On a good day, it’s a two-hour drive. On a Friday afternoon? Forget it. You’re looking at three or four hours of soul-crushing traffic on Highway 101. But, SFO has the most international direct flights. If you're coming from London, Tokyo, or New York, you’re likely landing here.
Oakland is the wild card. It’s about 110 miles away. People choose OAK because Southwest Airlines has a massive presence there, and sometimes the fares are $200 cheaper than anywhere else. Just know that you’ll have to cross the San Mateo Bridge or drive through the East Bay, which is its own special kind of traffic nightmare.
Private Jets and the "1% Way" In
Carmel and Pebble Beach are magnets for the private aviation crowd, especially during Car Week or the AT&T Pro-Am. If you're flying private, you’re still using MRY, but you’re heading to the Fixed Base Operators (FBOs).
You’ve got two main choices: Monterey Jet Center and Del Monte Aviation. Both are top-tier. The Monterey Jet Center is usually where you see the really heavy metal parked. If you're looking to charter, companies like Clay Lacy Aviation operate right out of the field. It’s pricey, obviously, but it’s the only way to truly bypass the "travel" part of traveling.
Getting from the Tarmac to the Beach
Once you land, you need to move. Here’s the reality of ground transport:
- Rental Cars: At MRY, the rental counters are right next to baggage claim. At SJC or SFO, you usually have to take a train or shuttle to the rental center.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft work fine at MRY, but they can be sparse late at night. A ride from MRY to Carmel will usually run you $25-$40.
- The Monterey Airbus: This is the lifeline for people flying into SJC or SFO. It drops you off at their Monterey station, and you’ll need a quick Uber for the final leg to Carmel.
- Public Transit: Just... don't. Technically, the Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) bus exists. But if you have luggage and want to enjoy your vacation, it's not the move.
Actionable Advice for Your Booking
- Check MRY first, but don't force it. If a direct flight exists from your city, take it. The time saved is worth the extra $100.
- Use SJC as your backup, not SFO. You'll thank me when your flight actually lands on time and you aren't wandering around a terminal the size of a small city.
- Watch the fog. If you're flying into MRY in the summer, try to book a mid-day flight. Morning and evening "marine layers" are the biggest cause of diversions to SJC.
- Book the Airbus in advance. If you decide against a rental car from the big airports, the shuttle fills up, especially on holiday weekends.
Now that you know where to land, the next step is actually navigating the town. Would you like me to map out a 3-day itinerary focusing on the best hidden tasting rooms and coastal hikes in Carmel?