Santa Monica Municipal (KSMO), California
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Santa Monica Municipal (KSMO) is a towered general aviation airport in Santa Monica, California, situated about 5.44 nm from the Los Angeles metro area. The field operates under noise restrictions and a single runway configuration, with nearest customs clearance available at Los Angeles International, roughly 4.90 nm away.
Runways
Santa Monica Municipal has one paved runway, 03/21, 3,500 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Helipads and surfaces under 500 ft are excluded.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Santa Monica Municipal has Jet A, 100LL and UL94 available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Santa Monica Municipal does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Los Angeles International (KLAX), 5 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Santa Monica Municipal recorded 6,773 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in May, June and October. Business aviation traffic at KSMO is concentrated in the April through October period, based on 2025 FAA TFMSC data, with October showing the highest monthly volume.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 671 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Santa Monica Municipal averages 1.6 days above 90°F in October. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 76.5°F, and February the coldest, at 65.6°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Santa Monica Municipal has published operating constraints in five categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, noise procedures and other notes.
Open helicopter flight training is prohibited. Helicopter operations approaching the airport boundary at midfield must be at or above 900 feet MSL.
The runway 03/21 departure end is approximately 1,000 feet from residential homes. Extended high power settings during run-up or departure negatively impact the community.
No touch-and-go, stop-and-go, or low approach operations are permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, or on weekdays from sunset to 0700.
Prior permission is required for ex-military aircraft; contact the airport manager.
A curfew prohibits engine starts, APU use, and takeoffs from 2300 to 0700 Monday through Friday and from 2300 to 0800 on weekends, except for lifeguard flights with prior permission.
For clearance delivery when the control tower is closed, contact SoCal Approach.
Prior permission is required for dual-wheel aircraft exceeding 60,000 lbs certified max landing weight; contact the airport manager.
Turbine aircraft and aircraft over 12,000 lbs are prohibited from south side transient parking.
When the control tower is closed, activate REIL for runway 21 and MIRL for runway 03/21 via CTAF.
VFR departures from runway 21 should turn left 10 degrees over the SMO VOR, then turn right 225 degrees.
If departing north, no right turns are permitted before reaching the shoreline. Runway 03 departures must make no turns prior to the 405 freeway, located 1 mile east.
The paved areas preceding the runway 03/21 thresholds are not available for landing, takeoff, or taxi operations. These paved areas are blast pads created from the threshold relocation and runway length reduction in December 2017.
Aircraft must now exit the runway at designated connector taxiways. The previous runway exit system is no longer available.
A noise ordinance is in effect; contact the noise office for procedures.
Noise limits apply to all aircraft: pure jets and Stage II aircraft, with or without hushkits, are prohibited. The maximum noise limit is 95.0 dBA single event noise exposure level (SENEL), recorded 2,200 feet along the extended centerline.
100LL fuel is available full service only.
UL94 fuel is available at the self-serve island.
Intersection departures and formation landings or departures are prohibited.
Engine maintenance run-ups for jets and turboprops are conducted on the north side, within 300 feet east of taxiway A4. Piston singles and twins run up on the south side, within 300 feet east of taxiway B4, between 0900 and 1700 only.
IFR jets and turboprops must contact ground control prior to engine start.
Pure jets and Stage II aircraft, with or without hushkits, are prohibited.
Transient parking is located on the south side, next to the beacon.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Santa Monica Municipal has five airfields within 14 NM. The closest is Los Angeles International (KLAX), 4.90 NM southeast.
Part of the Los Angeles area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KSMO
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$600.00 catering order at KSMO.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
The $75 minimum applies below $862.50.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the runway length at KSMO?
Santa Monica Municipal (KSMO) has a single paved runway, 03/21, measuring 3,500 feet by 150 feet with an asphalt surface. The paved segments preceding both thresholds are blast pads, not usable for landing, takeoff, or taxi operations.
Are jets restricted at Santa Monica Municipal Airport?
Yes. KSMO prohibits pure jets and Stage II aircraft, with or without hushkits, and enforces a maximum single event noise exposure level of 95.0 dBA measured 2,200 feet along the extended centerline. Turbine aircraft and aircraft over 12,000 lbs are also barred from south side transient parking.
Is there a curfew at KSMO?
Santa Monica Municipal enforces a curfew prohibiting engine starts, APU use, and takeoffs between 2300 and 0700 on weekdays and between 2300 and 0800 on weekends. Exceptions require prior permission and are limited to lifeguard flights.