10 Reasons Why Sacramento’s SMF Is Secretly the Best Airport in California
California has no shortage of major airports. There’s LAX in Los Angeles, SFO in San Francisco, SAN in San Diego, SJC in San Jose and OAK in the East Bay. They all have their advantages, especially when it comes to the number of destinations you can reach.
But after living in the Sacramento area and flying out of Sacramento International Airport (SMF) for family vacations, weekend getaways and longer trips, I’ve come to appreciate something that Sacramento locals already know: SMF might secretly be the best airport in California.
It’s not the biggest airport. It doesn’t have hundreds of international routes. And you probably aren’t going to see celebrities dodging paparazzi outside baggage claim.
That’s exactly part of its appeal.
Sacramento International Airport is big enough to offer plenty of nonstop flights, restaurants, rental cars and major airlines, but small enough that getting on a plane doesn’t have to become an all-day ordeal.
And apparently we aren’t the only ones who have noticed. The Wall Street Journal named SMF the top midsize airport in the United States in its 2022 airport rankings, evaluating airports on factors including reliability, convenience and value. SMF had also earned the top midsize ranking in 2019.
As Sacramento continues to grow, our airport is growing right along with it. SMF handled approximately 13.9 million passengers in 2025, up from about 13.6 million in 2024.
So, is Sacramento International Airport the best airport in California?
For travelers who value convenience, easy navigation and a less stressful start to their vacation, I think there’s a very strong case for it.
Here are 10 reasons why.
Quick Facts About Sacramento International Airport
Airport: Sacramento International Airport
Airport Code: SMF
Location: Sacramento, California
Address: 6900 Airport Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95837
Terminals: Terminal A and Terminal B
Best for: Sacramento, Northern California, Gold Country and travelers heading toward destinations such as Lake Tahoe and Napa Valley
Official airport website: Sacramento International Airport
One question I hear from people unfamiliar with Sacramento is why our airport code is SMF instead of SAC. SMF comes from the airport’s original name, Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The name eventually changed to Sacramento International Airport, but the SMF airport code remained.
Today, when you see SMF on your boarding pass, you’re flying through Sacramento International Airport.
#1 – SMF Is Incredibly Easy to Navigate
The biggest reason I love flying from Sacramento International Airport is simple: SMF is easy.
Anyone who has traveled through one of California’s enormous airports knows how stressful an airport can become before you even reach security. You can spend what feels like forever figuring out where you’re supposed to go, navigating endless terminals and walking huge distances just to reach your gate.
SMF feels much more manageable.
Sacramento International Airport has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B. The airport is large enough to have the services you need without feeling like you’ve entered a small city.
Once we’re inside, finding check-in, security, baggage claim and our gate is generally straightforward.
That matters even more when you’re flying with kids from Sacramento.
Traveling as a family already means keeping track of carry-ons, snacks, water bottles, tablets and whatever stuffed animal suddenly became absolutely essential to the trip. I don’t need a confusing airport layout added to the equation.
SMF makes the airport portion of family travel feel manageable.
There’s even some objective evidence behind that feeling. When SMF topped the Wall Street Journal’s midsize airport rankings, the airport noted that its maximum walking distance was only 1,213 feet.
#2 – Getting to Sacramento Airport Is Usually Pretty Painless
Another underrated advantage of SMF is its location.
The airport sits north of Downtown Sacramento near Interstate 5, rather than being squeezed into the middle of the city’s busiest neighborhoods.
For many Sacramento-area residents, getting to the airport is relatively straightforward. You’re not navigating the traffic maze surrounding LAX or driving deep into the Bay Area hoping you correctly predicted traffic conditions around SFO.
Of course, Sacramento has traffic too. Anyone who has attempted Interstate 5 or Highway 50 during rush hour knows that.
But getting to SMF generally feels much less intimidating than reaching some of California’s larger airports.
That convenience becomes especially valuable for early morning flights.
When I book a 6:00 or 7:00 a.m. departure from Sacramento, I know we’re going to have an early wake-up call. But I don’t feel like we need to add another hour to our morning just because the airport itself is difficult to access.
That makes SMF particularly convenient for families living in Sacramento, West Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Davis, Woodland and surrounding Northern California communities.
#3 – Sacramento Airport Has a Surprisingly Good Selection of Nonstop Flights
One of the biggest misconceptions about Sacramento International Airport is that you need to drive to San Francisco whenever you’re taking a significant trip.
That simply isn’t true anymore.
SMF has continued adding routes as Sacramento and the surrounding region have grown. In early 2025, the airport said it expected to offer more than 180 daily nonstop flights on 12 domestic and international carriers by July of that year.
Depending on the season and airline schedules, Sacramento travelers can find nonstop service to major destinations across the United States as well as select international vacation destinations.
That can make a huge difference when planning a trip.
A cheaper ticket out of San Francisco might initially look tempting. But once I factor in driving to the Bay Area, gas, bridge tolls, airport parking and the extra time involved, flying from SFO isn’t always the deal it appeared to be.
And then there’s the return trip.
After a long vacation, there is something wonderful about landing at SMF, collecting your luggage and knowing you’re already back in Sacramento.
I’ll happily pay a little more for a Sacramento departure in many situations if it means avoiding a long drive home after the flight.
#4 – SMF Is Busy Without Feeling Overwhelming
This might be Sacramento International Airport’s sweet spot.
SMF isn’t tiny.
In fact, Sacramento International Airport served approximately 13.9 million passengers in 2025, following a then-record 13.6 million passengers in 2024.
That’s a lot of people.
Yet SMF rarely gives me the same overwhelming feeling I associate with some larger airports.
You still need to arrive early. Security lines can get longer during holidays, summer travel and busy weekends. Parking lots can fill. Flights can obviously be delayed.
But the scale of the airport feels very reasonable.
There’s enough happening that you have choices, but not so much happening that you feel like you’re battling thousands of other travelers at every turn.
That’s one of the biggest reasons I recommend SMF to people who get anxious about airports or parents taking their first big flight with young children.
#5 – The Giant Red Rabbit Makes Sacramento Airport Instantly Memorable
If you’ve flown through Terminal B, you’ve probably noticed the enormous red rabbit suspended above the baggage claim area.
It’s hard not to.
The artwork is called Leap, and it has become one of the most recognizable sights at Sacramento International Airport.
This is something I love about SMF. It doesn’t feel completely generic.
Airports can easily become sterile spaces filled with the same chain restaurants, gray carpets and endless rows of seats. Sacramento has made public art a noticeable part of the passenger experience.
The red rabbit is the piece most travelers remember, but it’s far from the airport’s only commitment to art.
SMF has continued investing in public art as part of its expansion plans. In 2025, the airport announced a $2 million investment in three permanent art installations associated with its new pedestrian walkway project.
That attention to art gives SMF a personality. You know you’re in Sacramento.
#6 – Flying With Kids From SMF Is Easier Than Flying From a Mega-Airport
As a mom, my definition of a good airport changed dramatically after having kids.
Before children, I cared about ticket prices, flight times and maybe whether I could find coffee near the gate.
Now I care about how far we’re walking, how confusing the terminal is, whether everyone can get through the airport without a meltdown and how difficult it will be to retrieve our luggage at the end.
This is where SMF really shines for families.
The manageable terminal size means you’re generally not dragging children across an enormous airport. Bathrooms, restaurants and gates are relatively easy to locate. Baggage claim isn’t an expedition.
If you’re traveling with a stroller, car seats and several pieces of luggage, those little conveniences become very big conveniences.
There are certainly airports with more elaborate children’s play areas and family amenities. But sometimes the best family-friendly feature is simply an airport that doesn’t make everything harder than it needs to be.
That’s SMF.
#7 – Picking Someone Up at SMF Doesn’t Have to Become a Major Event
Airport pickups are one of those things you don’t appreciate until you’ve experienced a truly terrible airport pickup.
At some major California airports, collecting a friend or family member can involve circling terminals, sitting in traffic and sending a stream of increasingly frantic texts:
“Where are you?”
“What door?”
“Are you upstairs or downstairs?”
“I passed you.”
“I’m coming around again.”
SMF can certainly get busy, particularly around holidays, but picking someone up usually feels far less chaotic than at a massive airport.
The two-terminal layout makes it easier to understand where you need to be, and baggage claim areas are relatively straightforward.
For Sacramento locals who regularly pick up visiting relatives, grandparents or friends, this is one of those small quality-of-life perks that adds up over time.
#8 – SMF Features Popular Local Restaurants and Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork Spirit
One of my favorite things about Sacramento International Airport is that the food actually feels connected to Sacramento. Instead of filling the terminals exclusively with the same national chains you see at airports across the country, SMF features several popular local restaurant concepts and Sacramento-area favorites.
That feels especially fitting for a city known as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. Sacramento’s food scene is heavily influenced by the incredible farms, orchards and agricultural communities surrounding the region, and many local restaurants have embraced that farm-to-fork mentality.
Travelers can get a small taste of Sacramento’s food culture before they even leave the airport. Local names and concepts throughout SMF help give the terminals more personality while showcasing what makes our region’s dining scene special.
I love that visitors arriving in Sacramento are introduced to our local food culture almost immediately, while those of us heading out of town can enjoy one last taste of home before boarding a flight.
It’s another detail that makes SMF feel less like a generic airport and more like an extension of Sacramento itself.
#9 – SMF Is Growing Without Trying to Become LAX
This might be the most exciting reason to watch Sacramento International Airport over the next several years.
SMF is undergoing a major modernization program called SMForward.
The original program was announced as a $1.3 billion expansion designed to accommodate Sacramento’s growing passenger numbers. Projects include terminal and concourse expansions, parking improvements, ground transportation upgrades and a pedestrian connection between Terminal B and Concourse B.
The Concourse B expansion has also been approved to include six additional aircraft gates, more concessions, two additional restroom banks, additional security checkpoint lanes and new baggage carousels.
The part I’m most interested in is the pedestrian walkway connecting Terminal B and Concourse B.
Currently, passengers use the automated people mover to travel between them. The new walkway will give travelers another option.
That’s exactly the type of airport improvement I want to see.
SMF is becoming more capable without losing the convenience that makes people love it in the first place.
Sacramento is growing. The airport needs to grow too.
But hopefully it never grows out of being easy.
#10 – Coming Home Through SMF Is One of Its Best Features
This final reason isn’t something you’ll find on an airport amenities page.
Landing at Sacramento International Airport feels good.
When you’ve been traveling for days, navigating an unfamiliar destination and sleeping in hotel rooms, there’s something comforting about stepping off the plane at SMF.
The airport is familiar. Baggage claim is manageable. You know where you’re going.
And most importantly, you don’t have a two-hour drive from the Bay Area standing between you and your own bed.
For Sacramento-area families, that last part deserves more credit than it gets.
Sometimes the best airport isn’t the airport with the most restaurants, the biggest international terminal or the greatest number of flights.
It’s the airport that makes traveling easier from beginning to end.
For us, that’s SMF.
Is Sacramento International Airport Better Than SFO or LAX?
It depends entirely on where you’re flying.
If you’re taking an international trip to a destination that SMF doesn’t serve directly, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) may offer better routes and fewer connections.
But if comparable flights are available from Sacramento, I almost always check SMF first.
The airfare isn’t the only cost worth comparing.
Before choosing SFO over SMF because a ticket is cheaper, calculate:
- Gas for the drive to the Bay Area
- Bridge tolls, if applicable
- Airport parking
- Additional travel time
- The return drive after your vacation
- The value of avoiding an extra few hours in the car with kids
Suddenly, that slightly more expensive SMF flight can look much more reasonable.
For Sacramento residents, convenience has real value.
SMF Parking Is Convenient, But Plan Ahead
Parking is one area where I wouldn’t recommend getting overly confident just because SMF is easier than many larger airports.
During busy travel periods, Sacramento Airport parking can fill quickly.
SMF offers different parking options, including lots located closer to the terminals and economy parking farther away. If you’re using an economy lot that requires a shuttle, build extra time into your airport arrival.
The airport itself has advised travelers using economy parking to allow substantial extra time for parking and shuttle transportation during busy periods.
Before leaving home, I recommend checking the current parking availability and rates directly through the airport.
It’s one of the easiest ways to prevent your relaxing SMF experience from suddenly becoming stressful.
How Early Should You Arrive at Sacramento Airport?
For most trips, I follow the standard advice of arriving roughly two hours before a domestic flight and allowing additional time for international travel.
Don’t assume that because SMF is easy to navigate you can show up at the last minute.
Security lines vary significantly depending on the day and time you’re traveling. Holiday weekends, spring break and summer vacation periods can be especially busy.
If you’re checking bags, parking in an economy lot or traveling with young children, give yourself additional time.
I’d much rather have 30 extra minutes sitting near our gate with coffee and snacks than spend the beginning of vacation sprinting through an airport.
Is Sacramento International Airport Actually an International Airport?
Yes. Sacramento International Airport is an international airport, despite having fewer international routes than major gateways such as SFO or LAX.
SMF offers select international service, particularly to destinations in Mexico, with routes changing depending on airline schedules and season.
If you’re planning an international vacation from Sacramento, it’s always worth searching SMF before automatically assuming you need to depart from San Francisco.
Even if your itinerary requires a connection somewhere else in the United States, beginning and ending the trip in Sacramento can still make the overall journey much easier.
Why Sacramento International Airport Keeps Getting Busier
The secret about SMF isn’t quite as secret as it used to be.
Passenger numbers have continued climbing.
Sacramento International Airport reported a record 13.6 million passengers in 2024, followed by approximately 13.9 million passengers in 2025.
That’s good news for Sacramento travelers because increased passenger demand can help support additional routes and services.
It’s also why the SMForward expansion is so important.
The challenge will be preserving what people already love about the airport while preparing it for millions more travelers.
If Sacramento can pull that off, SMF could become an even stronger alternative to California’s much larger airports.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sacramento International Airport
What does SMF stand for?
SMF is the airport code for Sacramento International Airport. The code dates back to the airport’s earlier name, Sacramento Metropolitan Airport.
Where is Sacramento International Airport?
Sacramento International Airport is located at 6900 Airport Boulevard in Sacramento, California, north of Downtown Sacramento near Interstate 5.
How many terminals does Sacramento Airport have?
SMF has two passenger terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B.
Is SMF a big airport?
SMF is a midsize airport, although passenger traffic has grown significantly. Sacramento International Airport handled approximately 13.9 million passengers in 2025.
Is Sacramento Airport easy to navigate?
In my experience, yes. The relatively simple two-terminal layout and manageable walking distances are among the biggest advantages of flying through SMF.
Is SMF good for families?
I think SMF is one of the easiest California airports for families because it is relatively simple to navigate. Shorter walking distances and straightforward baggage claim areas are particularly helpful when traveling with young children, strollers or car seats.
Does Sacramento Airport have international flights?
Yes. SMF offers international flights, although the selection is smaller than major international gateways such as SFO and LAX. Routes can change seasonally, so check current schedules when planning your trip.
Should Sacramento residents fly from SMF or SFO?
If both airports offer reasonable flight options, compare the entire cost of the trip rather than airfare alone. A cheaper SFO ticket can become less attractive once you add gas, tolls, parking and the time required to drive between Sacramento and San Francisco.
How early should I arrive at SMF?
I recommend planning for approximately two hours before a domestic departure and allowing additional time for international flights, checked baggage, economy parking and peak travel periods.
Why is there a giant red rabbit at Sacramento Airport?
The giant red rabbit in Terminal B is a public artwork called Leap. It has become one of the most recognizable features of Sacramento International Airport and is part of SMF’s broader collection of public art.
So, Is SMF the Best Airport in California?
Calling any airport the “best airport in California” is obviously subjective.
If your priority is nonstop international flights, SFO and LAX win.
If your priority is sheer number of routes, Sacramento can’t compete with California’s largest aviation hubs.
But that’s not what makes Sacramento International Airport so good.
SMF occupies a sweet spot that is increasingly difficult to find.
It’s large enough to connect Sacramento travelers with major cities and vacation destinations, yet small enough to navigate without feeling exhausted before your vacation even begins.
It’s easy to understand.
It’s relatively easy to reach.
It has memorable public art.
It continues to add flights and passenger amenities.
And despite serving nearly 14 million passengers a year, it still feels distinctly more manageable than California’s mega-airports.
The airport is changing quickly through the SMForward expansion, but I hope one thing never changes: that feeling Sacramento locals get when someone complains about dealing with LAX or fighting Bay Area traffic to catch a flight at SFO.
We quietly think to ourselves:
This is why we fly out of SMF.
