Silicon Valley Aviation
San Carlos, CA
About Silicon Valley Aviation
Silicon Valley Aviation is an FBO at San Carlos Airport, located at 701 Skyway Road midway between San Francisco and San Jose directly alongside U.S. Highway 101. The airport's position on the San Francisco Peninsula makes it one of the most conveniently located airfields for reaching Sand Hill Road's venture capital firms, Stanford University, and the tech campuses clustered along the peninsula corridor.
The facility provides fuel services with 100LL and Jet A, aircraft parking, and basic terminal amenities including a public terminal building with restrooms, vending, a weather terminal, and a meeting room with observation area. The airport is home to more than 25 aviation businesses, creating a busy general aviation environment.
The critical limitation at San Carlos is runway length. The single runway, 12/30, is just 2,621 feet, which restricts operations to piston aircraft, light turboprops, and some very light jets. Midsize jets, super-mids, and heavy aircraft cannot operate here. Passengers in larger aircraft should plan on San Jose (SJC), Palo Alto (PAL), Oakland (OAK), or San Francisco (SFO) as alternatives.
For passengers who arrive by turboprop or light piston, San Carlos offers meaningful advantages. The drive to Menlo Park and Palo Alto is 10 to 15 minutes, downtown San Francisco is about 25 minutes north in light traffic, and the lack of airline operations means quick taxi and departure times. The airport sits adjacent to the San Carlos waterfront district with restaurants and shops within walking distance. Silicon Valley Aviation caters primarily to the local flying community and visiting light aircraft, providing personalized service in a small-airport setting.
Amenities and services
Operations at San Carlos Airport
The airport is about 8 miles from Redwood City, 10 miles from Palo Alto, 12 miles from Menlo Park, and 15 miles from Mountain View. Stanford University is roughly 10 miles south. San Francisco is 25 miles north via US-101, typically 30 to 45 minutes outside peak commute hours. San Jose is about 20 miles south. Uber, Lyft, and pre-arranged car service are the standard options. The road network along the Peninsula can slow significantly during morning and evening commutes on US-101, so factor that into timing for afternoon departures.