Guide to San Diego's MCAS Miramar Air Show

The MCAS Miramar Air Show brings high-flying excitement to San Diego, with three days of aviation thrills, military displays and family activities. Don't miss this chance to witness incredible feats by renowned flight demonstration teams, explore exhibits, enjoy food and shopping opportunities, and experience one of the region's most anticipated annual events.

The MCAS Miramar Air Show offers a wide variety of activities and amenities over the course of its three-day run. Here's some of what you'll discover at this signature San Diego event:

• Daring and dramatic aerial demonstrations by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels squadron are traditionally a centerpiece of the show's flight excitement. This year the lineup also will include a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B TAC DEMO and the U.S. Special Operations Command's Para-Commandos, plus such civilian performers as Vicky Benzing Aerosports and Ed Hamill's Folds of Honor biplane.
• The air show's "flight line" will feature dozens of aircraft on display from all branches of the military as well as Cal Fire, NASA and law enforcement. Among the planes and helicopters available for up-close viewing will be the B-29 Superfortress, F/A-18F Super Hornet, Sea Knight and many more.
• The air show includes five separate food courts spread around the site, offering more than two dozen dining and beverage options, from barbecue to Mexican food to coffee and ice cream.
• A newer addition to the MCAS Miramar Air Show is the Expo, taking place in Hangar 3 and featuring booths highlighting everything from STEM programs to aviation trade partners.

General admission and parking for the MCAS Miramar Air Show are free. The show runs Friday through Sunday, Sept. 25-27, 2026. Gates open each day at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Here is general information on accessing and parking at the show; consult the event website for further details.

Driving to the show

• MCAS Miramar is located on Miramar Road near Camino Ruiz in San Diego's Miramar neighborhood. Driving from the north or south, take I-5 or I-15 to Miramar Road. Enter through the base's North Gate.
• Upon entering MCAS Miramar, you’ll be directed to the closest parking lot. Shuttles are available from all lots to the flight line.

Rideshare

• Pickup and drop-off for rideshare services are at the McDonald’s parking lot on Mitscher Way and Elrod Avenue.
• Rideshare vehicles may not access the flight line.

Public Transportation

• Public transportation does not service the air show.

Bicycle Access

• While you may ride your bike to the vicinity of the base, there is no designated bicycle parking or secure storage area available.
• Bicycles are not permitted on the flight line or inside the Air Show grounds.

If you're planning to spend multiple days at the MCAS Miramar Air Show, or want to make the show part of a longer visit to San Diego (highly recommended!), there are numerous inviting hotel options that will put you in close promixity to both the show site and everything else San Diego has to offer. Check out these great possibilities.

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Where: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
Nestled among vine-covered pathways and serene verandas, the Rancho Bernardo Inn offers an idyllic escape just a few miles north of MCAS Miramar. Amenities include a championship golf course, beautiful outdoor spaces and a popular spa.

Hilton Garden Inn San Diego - Rancho Bernardo

Where: 17240 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
Conveniently situated next to the I-15 freeway a short drive north of the air show, the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego - Rancho Bernardo offers a pool and spa plus an on-site restaurant and bar. The hotel's array of rooms and suites also include pet-friendly options.

Embassy Suites Hotel San Diego - La Jolla

Where: 4550 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92122
Located in the bustling Golden Triangle region of greater La Jolla, the Embassy Suites San Diego - La Jolla is just a few miles west of MCAS Miramar. The hotel combines inviting accommodations with quick access to both the Blue Line of the San Diego Trolley and a myriad of retail and dining options, thanks to its location near the Westfield UTC mall. 

Hotel Circle

Where: Mission Valley neighborhood
With more than 20 hotels arrayed in a loop in San Diego's bustling Mission Valley, Hotel Circle is a convenient place to serve as your home base while visiting the air show, which is only a 20-minute drive north. Options range from no-frills budget stays to such inviting full-service properties as the Town and Country Hotel and Resort.

The MCAS Miramar Air Show is not only a spectacular happening but a great way to discover the vibrancy of nearby San Diego neighborhoods, as well as explore the region's rich military history at locations around San Diego. Don't miss these highlights during your San Diego visit:

• Military museums, memorials and more abound in San Diego. Climb high above the San Diego harborfront to experience the USS Midway Museum, housed on a retired aircraft carrier along San Diego's Embarcadero. Or visit Downtown's Navy SEAL Museum San Diego, the only museum on the West Coast dedicated to honoring the Navy's elite special operations force.
• The Marine base's own Miramar neighborhood takes in such highlights as Miramar Lake, a suburban oasis offering fishing, biking, cycling and bird-watching; plus a string of breweries and tasting rooms that are part of San Diego's nationally renowned craft-brewing community.
• The Convoy Asian Cultural District, located just south of MCAS Miramar in San Diego's Kearny Mesa, is one of the largest pan-Asian business districts in the nation. You can easily spend a day exploring the district's restaurants, shops and cultural highlights.
• MCAS Miramar is part of San Diego's North County Inland region, a diverse area that takes in bustling communities, rural hamlets, mountain landscapes and plenty of natural wonders. Check out such highlights as the famed San Diego Zoo Safari Park, with its newly opened Elephant Valley habitat; and the whimsical Queen Califia's Magical Circle in Escondido.