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PAO · medium airport

Palo Alto Airport

Palo Alto, United States

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PAOmedium airport

Palo Alto Airport

Palo Alto, United States
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KPAO
ICAO
4 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Silicon Valley's general aviation hub serving Palo Alto.

Opened
1920
Location
Palo Alto, United States
Palo Alto Airport (PAO/KPAO) is a public general aviation airport located in Palo Alto, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is owned and operated by the City of Palo Alto and primarily serves private, corporate, and flight training aircraft rather than commercial airline service. The airport sits adjacent to the San Francisco Bay and is one of several general aviation reliever airports in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. It supports a busy mix of single-engine, multi-engine, and turbine aircraft operations, reflecting the high concentration of technology industry executives and businesses in the surrounding region. Palo Alto Airport is home to multiple fixed-base operators (FBOs) and flight schools, making it an active training environment. Its proximity to Stanford University and major tech campuses adds to its significance as a corporate aviation resource in the region.
Terminals
The airport has no commercial passenger terminal; it features general aviation facilities including FBO lounges and pilot services.
Getting to & from
The airport is accessible by car via Highway 101 and is served by local Palo Alto transit connections, with no dedicated rail or shuttle service.
Airlines here
No scheduled commercial airlines operate at Palo Alto Airport; it serves exclusively general aviation, charter, and corporate flight operations.
Notable facts
  • ›The airport has a single runway (31/13) approximately 2,443 feet long.
  • ›It is classified as a general aviation reliever airport for the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • ›The airport is located near the edge of San Francisco Bay, requiring noise-sensitive departure and arrival procedures.
  • ›Palo Alto Airport is one of the busiest general aviation airports in Northern California by operations count.
  • ›Several prominent Silicon Valley technology executives are known to base aircraft at this airport.
Official website Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Silicon Valley's compact gateway where innovation meets general aviation

Palo Alto Airport, officially known as Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County, is a small general aviation facility nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, California. Established in the 1920s, it serves private pilots, charter flights, and flight training operations rather than scheduled commercial service. Its location adjacent to the San Francisco Bay and close proximity to Stanford University and major tech campuses make it a convenient option for business aviation in the region.

Terminals
  • General Aviation Terminal — A single, modest facility handling FBO services, pilot lounges, and light charter operations with no commercial airline gates.
Ground Transport
  • Taxi and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) available curbside
  • Rental car agencies accessible nearby in Palo Alto
  • VTA bus routes serving the surrounding Palo Alto area
  • Caltrain station at Palo Alto approximately 1.5 miles away
  • Private car and limousine charter services
Nearby Hotels
  • Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel
  • Novotel Palo Alto
  • Westin Palo Alto
  • Graduate Palo Alto
  • Dinah's Garden Hotel
Dining

Dining options within the airport itself are limited to basic pilot lounge amenities and vending facilities. The surrounding Palo Alto area offers an outstanding variety of restaurants ranging from casual cafes to upscale dining, particularly along University Avenue just minutes from the airfield. Stanford Shopping Center nearby also provides numerous food and dining choices.

Traveller Tips
  • This is a general aviation airport only — no commercial airline flights operate here; plan accordingly.
  • Confirm FBO hours in advance as services may not be available around the clock.
  • The airport sits near sensitive wildlife refuge areas along the Bay; be mindful of noise abatement procedures.
  • Caltrain is the most practical public transit link to San Francisco or San Jose from nearby Palo Alto station.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

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Routes

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Palo Alto Airport
Encyclopaedia

Palo Alto Airport is a general aviation airport in the city of Palo Alto. Santa Clara County, California, near the south end of San Francisco Bay on the western shore.

Read full article on Wikipedia