Sonoma County Airport (STS)

Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (IATA code: STS) serves as the premier commercial aviation gateway to California's world-renowned Wine Country. Named after the creator of the iconic Peanuts comic strip, the airport delivers an easy, stress-free travel alternative to congested Bay Area hubs, providing scheduled domestic passenger flights operated by major national carriers to key destinations across the western United States.

Official Website: sonomacountyairport.org

Phone: +1 707-565-7243

Social Media:

Terminal

STS operates through a single modern passenger terminal featuring newly expanded baggage claim facilities, upgraded ticketing counters, gate areas, and an outdoor courtyard adorned with bronze Peanuts character statues. The terminal building opens daily 90 minutes prior to the first scheduled commercial departure and closes 30 minutes after the final arrival (with standard operating hours from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM).

Annual Traffic (2025): 780,637 passengers.

Information Points

The Visitor Assistance Booth is located in the main terminal concourse near the ticketing and arrivals area, offering regional travel guides, ground transportation advice, and passenger assistance.

 Location

The airport is situated at 2200 Airport Boulevard, 7 miles (11 km) northwest of downtown Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, California, approximately 55 miles (88 km) north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge via the US-101 corridor.

What services does Sonoma County Airport (STS) offer?

The passenger terminal offers amenities catering to vacationers and regional travelers:

Connectivity and Financial Services

• Wi-Fi: complimentary wireless internet access is available throughout the terminal.
• ATMs: cash machines are located landside in the pre-security check-in concourse.
• Device Charging: fast-charging power outlets and FuelRod mobile charging kiosks are available throughout departure gate waiting areas.

Food and Dining

• Flying Ace / Tap & Pour: full-service restaurant and taproom with an outdoor dining patio overlooking the airfield; open to the ticketed and non-ticketed public without passing security.
• Costeaux on the Go: artisanal French bakery serving espresso drinks, specialty sandwiches, and fresh pastries.
• Crush Wine Lounge: airside wine bar showcasing tastings and glasses from local Sonoma County vineyards alongside light fare.
• Apple Spice: pre-packaged grab-and-go meal options, boxed lunches, and snacks.

Baggage Services

• Luggage Carts: complimentary luggage trolleys are provided in the check-in and baggage claim halls.
• Wine Flies Free Program: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members flying from STS may check one properly packaged case of wine (up to 12 bottles) with zero baggage fees under the regional wine partnership.
• Lost and Found: for items mislaid in the terminal or parking lots, contact the airport administration office (+1 707-565-7243). For items left on an aircraft, contact the operating airline directly.

Additional Amenities

• Pet Relief Area: outdoor dedicated pet relief zone located outside the terminal building.
• Accessibility and Spa: Aira Access free visual interpretation service for low-vision passengers, and Runway Wellness & Express Spa.

Accommodation near Sonoma County Airport (STS)

On-site Accommodations

There are no hotels located directly inside the terminal building.

Nearby Hotels

• Hilton Garden Inn Sonoma County Airport: located 0.6 miles (1 km) from the terminal, accessible on foot or via complimentary guest airport shuttle.
• Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country: located approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) north in Windsor.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Windsor - Sonoma Wine Country: situated 2.8 miles (4.5 km) from the airport.
• Vintners Resort: luxury vineyard resort located 3.4 miles (5.5 km) away in Santa Rosa.

Public and private transportation

STS is located approximately 10 to 15 minutes by road from downtown Santa Rosa and provides several regional ground transportation links:

Regional SMART Train

The SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) train operates through Sonoma and Marin counties to Larkspur (connecting with the San Francisco ferry). The Sonoma County Airport Station is located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from the terminal at Airport Blvd and Regional Parkway. The on-demand SMART Connect microtransit shuttle operates daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (booked via the Ride Pingo app), connecting rail passengers directly to the airport terminal bus stop.

Public Transit and Shuttles

Sonoma County Transit (SCT): Route 62 and local bus lines connect the airport directly to Windsor, downtown Santa Rosa, and the Santa Rosa Transit Mall.

Airport Express: provides scheduled motorcoach service between STS and both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK).

Rideshare Apps

Uber and Lyft operate on airport grounds. The passenger pick-up and drop-off staging area is clearly marked along the curb in front of the main terminal building.

Taxis and Private Cars

Licensed taxis, including Sonoma County Airport Taxi, and pre-arranged wine tour limousines and private shuttle operators stage outside terminal exits.

Car rental agencies

On-site rental car desks are located inside the passenger terminal in the arrivals and baggage claim area, with vehicles parked within immediate walking distance.

Available Agencies

• Avis: terminal counter service.
• Budget: terminal counter service.
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car: terminal counter service.
• Hertz: terminal counter service.
• National Car Rental: terminal counter service.
• ACE Rent A Car: terminal counter service.

Car Rental Requirements

Renters must present a valid driver's license (an International Driving Permit is required if the license is not in the Roman alphabet), a passport or government-issued photo ID, and a valid credit card in the primary renter's name. The standard minimum rental age is 21, and underage driver surcharges generally apply to individuals between 21 and 24 years old.

Parking services at Sonoma County Airport (STS)

STS provides convenient on-site parking lots situated within a short walk of the passenger terminal, operating under a modern ticketless parking system.

Parking Lots

• Short-Term Parking Lot: located directly east of the terminal. The first 30 minutes are complimentary. Subsequent increments are charged at $2 per 30 minutes up to the maximum daily rate.
• Long-Term Lots A and B: situated northeast (Lot A) and southeast (Lot B) of the terminal, providing multi-day parking at daily rates.
• Street Parking: available along Flightline Drive one block east of the terminal, payable via mobile QR code.
• Valet Parking: morning reservation-only valet service accessible through the official airport parking website.

Key Guidelines

Grace Period: first 30 minutes are free in the Short-Term Parking Lot.

Ticketless System (Metropolis): license plate recognition cameras scan vehicles upon entry and exit. Drivers can pre-register via Metropolis or scan lot signage QR codes on departure to settle payments digitally without manual ticket machines.

Curbside Pick-up and Drop-off: curbside parking in front of the terminal is strictly limited to immediate loading and unloading; unattended vehicles are cited immediately.

Official parking rates and reservations

Facilities for passengers with special needs

The Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport terminal is built to ensure full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Terminal Accessibility

The single-level terminal layout provides seamless barrier-free movement, featuring ADA-compliant access ramps, automatic entrance doors, accessible family restrooms, and wide pathways.

Visually impaired travelers can utilize Aira Access, an innovative visual interpreting mobile app service provided free of charge across airport property.

Special Assistance Requests

Passengers requiring wheelchair escorts or boarding accommodations should arrange assistance directly with their airline at least 48 hours prior to scheduled departure.

Accessible Parking

Designated accessible parking spaces for travelers displaying valid disability placards or license plates are located in prime positions in both Short-Term and Long-Term lots closest to terminal crosswalks.