General Information
Address: 18601 Airport Wy
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Phone: 949-252-5200
Lost & Found: 949-252-5000
Website: www.ocair.com
Overview
Though most of us typically associate John Wayne with dusty Hollywood westerns rather than aviation, Orange County has seen fit to name its only commercial airport after the leather-chapped actor, a longtime OC resident. They’ve even erected an impressive nine-foot bronze statue out front honoring the Duke in mid-swagger, complete with cowboy hat and spurs. Located well behind the “Orange Curtain,” John Wayne Airport (SNA) is quite a trek from LA (approximately fifty miles), but airlines can sometimes make the commute worth your while with lower fares. Aesthetically, the airport makes a solid effort, featuring rotating art exhibits displayed on the departure level at each end of the terminal. Probably the best thing we can say about John Wayne Airport is that it isn’t LAX.
How to Get There—Driving
Driving yourself or tapping that indebted buddy is definitely your best means of transportation to the airport. Sadly, most paths from LA County to John Wayne Airport at some point lead to the 405 Freeway—one of LA’s more congested routes. The 405 will bring you closest to John Wayne, which lies just a short distance from the MacArthur Boulevard exit (CA-73). From downtown or the eastern part of Los Angeles, however, there is another option. Take the Santa Ana Freeway (5 S) to the Costa Mesa Freeway (55 S), exiting at the ramp marked “I-405 S to San Diego/John Wayne Airport,” and follow the signs from there.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
From LA? You’ve got to be kidding. If you’re dead-set on taking this course, you’d better have a LOT of free time. Several hours, in fact, as there are no direct bus routes that connect Los Angeles County with John Wayne Airport. However, for only $2.25 the MTA can get you as far as Disneyland on the 460. After the over-two-hour bus ride from downtown LA, get out and kill some time with a few rides on Space Mountain, then board Bus 43 heading south toward Costa Mesa, and take this to the corner of Harbor and MacArthur Boulevards. Are we there yet? Hardly. THEN transfer to Bus 76 heading east toward Newport Beach, which will take you right by the airport. All in all, you sure saved a bundle going the thrifty route for a grand total of $4.75, but not if you missed your flight.
How to Get There—Ground Transportation
A taxi ride from Los Angeles to John Wayne Airport starts at about $80. Some companies to consider are LA Yellow Cab, (877-733-3305) and the Beverly Hills Cab Company (310-273-6611). Leaving the airport, the John Wayne Airport Yellow Cab Service (800-535-2211) is the only company authorized to pick up fares. They’ll charge around $90 from the airport to downtown. Compared to those prices, SuperShuttle (800-258-3826) is a veritable bargain at $65 from downtown LA to John Wayne.
Parking
Terminal parking lots (A1, A2, B1, B2, and C) charge $2 per hour with a $20 maximum
per day. The Main Street long-term lot is also $2 per hour but only $14 per day with a courtesy shuttle to the terminal available every 15 minutes. Selected parking spaces are available in Lots A1, B2, and C for a two-hour maximum, and are ideal for dropping people off and picking up, but you still have to fork over $2. If you’re really a high roller—or, say, on your way to Vegas—valet your car at $30 per day.
Airlines Terminal
Airtran Airways C
Alaska Airlines A
American Airlines A
Delta Air Lines / Delta Connection A
Frontier Airlines C
Interject B
Southwest Airlines C
United Air Lines B
US Airways/US Airways Express B
WestJet Airlines A
Car Rental
On-Site:
Alamo 800-327-9633
Avis 800-230-4898
Budget 800-527-0700
Enterprise 800-736-8222
Hertz 800-654-3131
National 800-227-7368
Thrifty 800-847-4389
Off-Site:
Advantage 800-777-5500
AM-PM 800-220-4310
Beverly Hills 800-479-5996
Fox/Payless 800-225-4369
Go Rent-A-Van 800-464-8267
OC Car & Truck 800-349-6061
Rent4Less 866-945-7368
Stop-Then-Go 888-704-7867
United Auto 866-878-6483
Hotels
Best Western • 2700 Hotel Terrace Dr •
714-432-8888
Embassy Suites • 1325 E Dyer Rd •
714-241-3800
Holiday Inn • 2726 S Grand Ave •
714-481-6300
Quality Suites • 2701 Hotel Terrace Dr •
714-957-9200
Travelodge • 1400 SE Bristol St •
714-557-8700