Carlsbad Jet Center
Carlsbad, CA
About Carlsbad Jet Center
Carlsbad Jet Center opened in January 2019 under the ownership of Josh and Julia Hochberg, who also run Sonoma Jet Center at Charles M. Schulz Airport in Santa Rosa, California. After initially operating from a temporary facility, the FBO moved into a brand-new 12,000-square-foot terminal building in early 2020, bringing a modern, purpose-built space to McClellan-Palomar Airport.
The two-story executive terminal dedicates 4,000 square feet to FBO operations, including workspaces, passenger waiting areas, a conference room, a refreshment center, and a pilot lounge. The remaining space houses leasable offices, giving the building a dual-purpose function that brings ongoing activity to the facility. Carlsbad Jet Center supplies Avfuel-branded Jet-A and avgas, and the staff handles customs support for international operations.
The FBO sits on McClellan-Palomar's general aviation ramp and offers an alternative to the larger Atlantic Aviation operation also on the field. For passengers who prefer a boutique experience with a smaller, more attentive team, Carlsbad Jet Center delivers that independent feel. The ownership's track record at Sonoma Jet Center, which has earned strong pilot ratings, carries over to the Carlsbad operation.
North San Diego County is one of Southern California's most desirable regions, combining beach communities like Encinitas and Del Mar with a thriving biotech corridor and destination resorts like Omni La Costa and Park Hyatt Aviara. McClellan-Palomar sits right in the middle of it all. For charter passengers, Carlsbad Jet Center provides a fresh, well-designed facility with the personal service that comes from an owner-operated FBO.
Amenities and services
Operations at McClellan-Palomar Airport
The airport is well-positioned for North County destinations. La Costa Resort is roughly 4 miles away, about 10 minutes by car. Rancho Santa Fe is around 15 miles southeast, typically 20 to 25 minutes. Del Mar and Solana Beach are about 20 miles south, 25 to 30 minutes. Downtown San Diego is 30 miles south, 40 to 50 minutes depending on I-5 traffic. Car service is the standard option. Ride-share pickups work at the FBO ramp. If your destination is Los Angeles, the drive north on I-5 runs 80 to 100 miles and can take 90 minutes to over two hours depending on time of day. In that case it may be worth weighing a direct flight into Van Nuys or Burbank instead.