Santa Maria Public Airport

Santa Maria Public Airport opened in the 1930s and today operates a single small terminal serving the Central Coast of California. As the primary commercial gateway between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, the airport handles regional and leisure traffic with a handful of gates and easy parking, rentals and car-share options. It’s conveniently reached from US‑101 and Highway 135, with local bus links, hotel shuttles and private transfers to downtown Santa Maria and nearby beach towns. Not a major hub, SMX is generally budget-friendly thanks to low‑cost carriers and seasonal regional flights (including carriers like Allegiant and Avelo), making it a good option for cheap flights on the Central Coast.