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 110 upcoming events in and around Monterey (counted Sep 24, 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.
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 centre | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) 2.9 mi (5 km) | Smaller, scheduled flights | Nearest to Golden State Theatre, Sunset Center, Monterey Fairgrounds, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas Municipal Airport, Cardinale Stadium and Carmel Mission Basilica. |
| Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) 53 mi (86 km) | Large | — |
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.
| Venue | Nearest airport we list | Second option |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Theatre Hotels near Golden State Theatre Airports near Golden State Theatre | MRY, 3 mi | SJC, 53 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 |
| Pebble Beach Golf Links Hotels near Pebble Beach Golf Links | MRY, 6 mi | SJC, 55 mi |
| Raceway Laguna Seca Hotels near Raceway Laguna Seca | MRY, 4.2 mi | SJC, 55 mi |
| Salinas Municipal Airport Hotels near Salinas Municipal Airport | MRY, 14 mi | SJC, 51 mi |
| Cardinale Stadium Hotels near Cardinale Stadium | MRY, 4.9 mi | SJC, 50 mi |
| Carmel Mission Basilica Hotels near Carmel Mission Basilica | MRY, 5.2 mi | SJC, 57 mi |
- Golden State Theatre is nearer MRY (3 mi) than SJC (53 mi).
- Sunset Center is nearer MRY (5 mi) than SJC (56 mi).
- Monterey Fairgrounds is nearer MRY (1.4 mi) than SJC (53 mi).
Flying in for a Monterey event
In the next 30 days (counted Sep 24, 2026): 33 events in and around Monterey; 67% on Fri–Sun; 21 of the 29 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.
Monterey Jazz Festival - 3 Day Pass
Monterey Fairgrounds, Monterey, California
From about $1,432.00View TicketsMonterey Jazz Festival - Friday
Monterey Fairgrounds, Monterey, California
From about $125.00View TicketsMonterey Jazz Festival - Saturday
Monterey Fairgrounds, Monterey, California
From about $780.00View TicketsLinea Personal
Golden State Theatre, Monterey, California
From about $53.00View TicketsMonterey Jazz Festival - Sunday
Monterey Fairgrounds, Monterey, California
From about $546.00View TicketsGeoff Tate's Operation: Mindcrime
Golden State Theatre, Monterey, California
From about $63.00View TicketsJessica Kirson
Golden State Theatre, Monterey, California
From about $61.00View TicketsThe Green
Golden State Theatre, Monterey, California
From about $55.00View Tickets
Search flights for:
- Sep 25: Monterey Jazz Festival - 3 Day Pass
- Sep 26: Monterey Jazz Festival - Saturday
- Sep 27: Monterey Jazz Festival - Sunday
- Sep 30: Geoff Tate's Operation: Mindcrime
- Oct 1: Jessica Kirson
- Oct 2: The Green
- Oct 3: Death From Above 1979
- Oct 6: Killer Queen
Flying in to Monterey: checklist
- 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).
Which airport is best for Sunset Center?
The closest airport to Sunset Center is Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), a smaller airport with scheduled flights, 5 miles away in a straight line; Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is 56 miles. Fares differ by date, so compare both when you search.
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?
33 in and around Monterey in the 30 days from Sep 24, 2026, when this page's figures were counted. 67% of them fall on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and 21 of the 29 with a set start time begin at 7 pm or later, local time.
