Live well. Eat well. Travel well.

Planning on visiting Southern California but can’t decide what airport to use? Let me share my experiences after flying in and out of the handful of airports available so you can decide.

87 flights — that was my flight count last year (2025). Most of the flights were flights originating to and from one of the handful of airports in Southern California from Los Angeles County to Orange County. It is a mix of morning, afternoon, and evening flights… both weekdays and weekends. I remember taking the first flight out to Long Beach with only 3 passengers onboard and surprisingly, the flight was not cancelled!

My SoCal home base is in the border of Orange County and Los Angeles County, by Buena Park. Lucky enough to have a handful of choices where I can fly that is convenient and cheapest for me. Caveat is… depending on the time of day, LA traffic is so unpredictable that on a good day it’s only a 35 minutes car ride and worst can be close to 2 hours!

Here are the major airports that I have used more than a dozen times over the years across both counties with pros, cons, and tips that I hope would be helpful for your plans:

BUR – Hollywood Burbank Airport – formerly known as Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)

Pros:

• Small airport (easy to get in and out)
• Clear and TSA pre-check is available
• Parking choice of valet, garage, or outdoor parking (covered and uncovered)
• Closest parking is right across the airport, only a short 5 minute walk or less. Cheaper option, Parking Lot G is about a 10 minute walk.
• Rental car facility is walking distance. No need to shuttle!

Cons:

• Not a lot of international flight options
• Outdoor boarding and deplaning (when it rains, expect that you will be wet)
• Not many choices for food options in the terminal

Tip: Closest airport to Universal Studios Hollywood

LAX – Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles, CA)

Pros:

• Since it is a major hub, lots of airline and flight choices
• Flights can be cheaper
• Lots of choices for restaurants and shops
• Most airlines are assigned their own terminals so they have their own security lane (this can actually be both positive and negative depending on the time of day). Some terminals are connected to each other so you don’t have to get put of security if you have a connecting flight in another terminal

Cons:

• Flying domestic, there aren’t a lot of lounges you can use
• Depending on the terminal and your airline, you may need to be shuttled to your airplane so plan to at least arrive 2 hours before your flight (this was the case for American and American Eagle)
• Security lanes may get crowded. With TSA pre-check after 7pm, there’s usually at least 15 minutes wait — happened multiple times that the most I have been in line is 30 minutes with TSA pre-check!)
• Airport loop traffic is unpredictable! The pickup/dropoff traffic including shuttle service is really a mess! Good luck getting in and out fast (be prepared to have at least 30 minutes buffer time… you’re very lucky if it is less than that)
• Rental car facility is offsite. You will need to ride the rental car company’s shuttle to take you there and it will go through the loop and stop at all terminals. At least a 15 minute ordeal not including the wait in line when you get there. Better have status or a fast track checking option if they offer one!

Tip: Since this is the biggest airport in the area, obvious choice for more flight time and airline options. If the schedule and price fit your preference… go for it! But seriously though, I would avoid this airport at all costs unless there is no other choice.

LGB – Long Beach Airport (Long Beach, CA)

Pros:

• Small airport means easy drop off and pickup.
• CLEAR and TSA pre-check available. Security lines are usually not too long of a wait.
• Front and back boarding and deplaning process means faster to get in and out.
• Covered parking garages usually have lots of availability and both are walking distance to the airport.
• Rental car facility is a small open lot walking distance right across the airport.

Cons:

• Not a lot of international flight options
• It can be hot since terminal has an outdoor vibe. I have seen birds flying inside the terminal!
• Outdoor boarding and deplaning (when it rains, expect that you will be wet)

Tip: Closest airport to cruise ports or if you plan to go to Santa Catalina Island

ONT – Ontario International Airport

Pros:

• International flights are available so more airline and time options.
• Easy to get in and out.
• CLEAR and TSA pre check available. Security lanes are not too busy.
• Decent food options – restaurants, fast food, and convenience stores.
• Priority Pass lounge access in both terminals.
• Dedicated entertainment area.
• Valet and self parking available.

Cons:

• 2 main terminals that are not connected to each other. It is a few minutes shuttle away.
• Airport parking is only outdoors. Though each are walking distance to the terminals have availability.
• Rental car lot is outside the airport. It can be a 15 minute walking distance from Terminal 4 (closest terminal to rental car lot) or a short 3-5 minutes shuttle ride depending on which terminal you’re coming from.

Tip: Arrive early of you are into getting lounge access to relax before your flight.

SNA – John Wayne Airport (Orange County / Santa Ana, CA)

Pros:

• Small airport so it is easy to get in and out.
• Airport parking garages are available just across the terminal.
• Valet and self-parking available.
• Rental car facility is right across the airport.

Cons:

• Airport parking garages are available just across the terminal
• Not a lot of choices for food and drinks.

Tip: Closest airport to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.

Final Verdict: Overall, I would say ONT is the best airport to fly in and out from based on the size, convenience, and amenities.