Whispers of blimps and roaring engines. That’s the legacy of Del Mar Airport. Right here where we stand was once a bustling airfield. Del Mar Airport wasn’t just any airport. It held a special place in San Diego’s history.
Initially the US Navy established San Dieguito Air Field in the 1920s. This covered over 80 acres. It became Del Mar Municipal Airport in 1938. This served racegoers at the nearby Del Mar Fairgrounds. It boasted a 2500-foot runway and various support buildings. Imagine the daily flights taking off and landing.
World War II changed everything. Racing and fairs stopped. The Navy took over the fairgrounds and the airfield. Del Mar Airport became the US Naval Air Facility Del Mar. It was a base for blimps. These airships patrolled the West Coast hunting submarines. The base included a large asphalt landing mat mooring circles buildings and barracks for over 130 personnel. Think of the scale of this operation.
After the war in 1945 the base returned to California. Del Mar Airport reopened as a civil airfield. A popular restaurant patio and lounge attracted visitors. Pacific Southwest Airlines even used its 3500-foot runway. They offered DC-3 service from Burbank.
But Del Mar Airport’s time was limited. In 1959 it closed. The land became part of the Interstate 5 right-of-way. Today only pavement and foundations remain. They are within the San Dieguito River Regional Park. A historical marker commemorates the airport. A silent testament to its unique past. Del Mar Airport a forgotten gem now part of the San Dieguito River Regional Park. So next time you see a blimp remember Del Mar.