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Traveler with a black carry-on suitcase at an airport terminal window, watching a jet at the gate and another taking off at sunset

Flights

Flights to Monterey

Flying to Monterey for a game, a concert or a show? The airport you pick decides the rest of the trip more than the fare usually does. This page lists the 2 airports with scheduled flights near Monterey, how far each is from the centre and which is nearest each of the city's main venues. StubOrder lists 138 upcoming events in and around Monterey (counted Nov 12, 2026); fares are searched live when you pick your dates.

The closest airport to downtown Monterey is Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), 2.9 miles away. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is 53 miles away. For Golden State Theatre, the nearest is MRY at 3 miles.

Search flights to Monterey

Trip type

Airports serving Monterey

Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the centre of Monterey, which is the fair way to compare airports with each other; the drive is always longer.

Airport and distance from the centreTypeNotes
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)
2.9 mi (5 km)		 Smaller, scheduled flights Nearest to Golden State Theatre, Raceway Laguna Seca, Sunset Center, Monterey Fairgrounds, Salinas Sports Complex, Carmel Mission Basilica and Fox Theater - Salinas.
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
53 mi (86 km)		 Large None

Nearest airport to each Monterey venue

The busiest venues in and around Monterey, each with its own nearest airport. A stadium in the suburbs is often nearer a different airport than downtown is, so this is the table to book from.

VenueNearest airport we listSecond option
Golden State Theatre
Hotels near Golden State Theatre		 MRY, 3 mi SJC, 53 mi
Raceway Laguna Seca
Hotels near Raceway Laguna Seca		 MRY, 4.2 mi SJC, 55 mi
Sunset Center
Hotels near Sunset Center		 MRY, 5 mi SJC, 56 mi
Monterey Fairgrounds
Hotels near Monterey Fairgrounds		 MRY, 1.4 mi SJC, 53 mi
Salinas Sports Complex
Hotels near Salinas Sports Complex		 MRY, 13 mi SJC, 49 mi
Carmel Mission Basilica
Hotels near Carmel Mission Basilica		 MRY, 5.2 mi SJC, 57 mi
Fox Theater - Salinas
Hotels near Fox Theater - Salinas		 MRY, 12 mi SJC, 50 mi
  • Golden State Theatre is nearer MRY (3 mi) than SJC (53 mi).
  • Raceway Laguna Seca is nearer MRY (4.2 mi) than SJC (55 mi).
  • Sunset Center is nearer MRY (5 mi) than SJC (56 mi).

Flying in for a Monterey event

In the next 30 days (counted Nov 12, 2026): 39 events in and around Monterey; 77% on Fri–Sun; 30 of the 39 with a set time start at 7 pm or later, local time.

Fly in the day before an evening event: a delayed afternoon flight is a missed show. Plan to fly home the morning after, because the last departures of the night often leave before a late finish lets out. The dates below set the search to do exactly that, around each event.

Search flights for:

See all Monterey events →

Flying in to Monterey: checklist

Traveler at an airport window watching a jet take off at sunset: flights to Monterey for concerts, games and shows
  • Book the airport for your venue. For Golden State Theatre it is MRY, 3 miles away; the table above has the rest.
  • The closest airport is the smaller one. MRY, a smaller airport with scheduled flights, is 2.9 mi from the centre; the nearest large airport we list, SJC, is 53 mi.
  • Arrive the day before an evening event, and plan the flight home for the next morning.
  • Names exactly as on the ID. The airline compares the booking with the ID at the airport.
  • Check the bag allowance. It is shown on every fare; extra bags are not part of the fare price.

Plan the rest of the trip

Frequently asked questions

How many airports serve Monterey?

StubOrder lists 2 airports with scheduled passenger flights within 100 km (62 miles) of downtown Monterey: Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) and Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).

Which airport is best for Golden State Theatre?

The closest airport to Golden State Theatre is Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), a smaller airport with scheduled flights, 3 miles away in a straight line; Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is 53 miles. Fares differ by date, so compare both when you search.

How far is SJC from downtown Monterey?

Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is 53 miles (86 km) from downtown Monterey in a straight line. It is the nearest large airport we list; MRY, a smaller airport with scheduled flights, is closer at 2.9 miles. The drive is always longer than the straight line, and the roads near the venues are busiest at event times, so allow more than a map suggests.

Are fares shown on this page?

No. Airline fares change by the minute and depend on your exact dates, airports and travellers, so this page shows none. Pick your dates in the search form and StubOrder asks the airlines live; every fare it shows is the total for all travellers, taxes and fees included.

What is the closest airport to Monterey?

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the closest airport with scheduled flights to downtown Monterey, 2.9 miles away in a straight line. StubOrder also lists SJC (53 miles).

Can I buy event tickets and flights together?

Not as one purchase. Event tickets come from our resale marketplace and flights from our travel partner and the airlines, as separate bookings with separate confirmations. Neither depends on the other, so if an event moves, your flight does not change automatically.

How many events are in Monterey in the next 30 days?

39 in and around Monterey in the 30 days from Nov 12, 2026, when this page's figures were counted. 77% of them fall on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and 30 of the 39 with a set start time begin at 7 pm or later, local time.

Which airport is best for Raceway Laguna Seca?

The closest airport to Raceway Laguna Seca is Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), a smaller airport with scheduled flights, 4.2 miles away in a straight line; Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is 55 miles. Fares differ by date, so compare both when you search.