Airports / California / PAO
Palo Alto Airport
KPAO / PAOPalo Alto, CaliforniaELEV 4 FT
Google rating
Google reviews
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
#44 / 152
California airports by Google rating
4.6★ across 119 Google ratings — ranked against 152 rated CA fields.
4 nm
To the nearest alternate
Moffett Federal Airfield (NUQ) — 6 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Palo Alto Airport (KPAO / PAO) sits in Palo Alto, California, where it functions as a mid-sized airport. Field elevation is 4 feet above sea level. Free of scheduled airline operations, it serves business aviation, charter flights, and local general aviation.
While no charter operators list PAO as their home base, the field is reachable for repositioned charter aircraft from nearby bases. The closest alternate fields are Moffett Federal Airfield (NUQ, 4 nm), San Carlos Airport (SQL, 7 nm), and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC, 11 nm).
Trip costs from PAO are driven by the aircraft category flown and how far it must reposition. You may also see the field referenced as Santa Clara County. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from PAO to plan your flight.
What fliers highlight
Terminal & facilities
3/5 reviews“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Palo Alto Airport is a great small airport with a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful views of the Bay.”
Subhajit Bag5★ on Google
Easy in & out
2/5 reviews“It’s small, easy to get around, and the area is clean and well maintained.”
Jordan Lopez5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Palo Alto Airport — every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KPAO
IATA
PAO
FAA / Local
PAO
Elevation
4 ft
Coordinates
37.4611° N · 122.1150° W
Airspace
D · DeltaClass D — DeltaA control tower runs the immediate airspace. Pilots establish two-way radio contact before entering — typical for busy business-aviation fields.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
No
Elevation vs CA fields
state range -210–7,135 ft
At 4 ft, PAO sits lower than 94% of the 156 California fields on the register.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance — every listing links to its own field brief.
- 4nmNUQMoffett Federal AirfieldMountain View
- 7nmSQLSan Carlos AirportSan Carlos
- 11nmSJCNorman Y. Mineta San Jose International AirportSan Jose
- 16nmSFOSan Francisco International AirportSan Francisco
- 16nmOAKSan Francisco Bay Oakland International AirportOakland
- 32nmCCRBuchanan FieldConcord
Location
Open the full mapKPAO · Palo Alto Airport · Palo Alto, CA
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Palo Alto Airport — tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.