About San Bernardino Airport
San Bernardino International Airport is located just two miles outside downtown San Bernardino, California. A former Air Force Base, it was opened right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor to serve the US war effort but transitioned to civilian use after the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Since then, San Bernardino Airport has grown year after year and currently welcomes thousands of passengers to California every year, mostly on budget airlines like Breeze Airways. San Bernardino Airport is also an important freight hub, with Amazon Air beginning flights from the airport in 2021.
San Bernardino Airport connects this part of California to San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Hartford, Connecticut. Thanks to its proximity to Los Angeles, San Bernardino International Airport can provide a good alternative to the much bigger and busier LAX. Plus, San Bernardino has its share of attractions in its own right.
The first thing you'll want to do is drop off your bags in a convenient luggage storage. San Bernardino is much more fun to explore if you don't carry more than you need to, and Bounce offers plenty of store locations in local shops and businesses, so you can store luggage for anything for a few hours to an entire day to days at the time in total security. Forget airport luggage lockers and instead store your belongings with Bounce so you can make the most of your time in San Bernardino.
Top attractions near San Bernardino Airport
Because it's so close to downtown San Bernardino, you can begin enjoying the city almost from the moment you get off your flight. Just drop off your suitcases at a luggage storage and try some of these top attractions in the area.
Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art luggage storage
Located at California State University, this museum has been in operation since 1996 and is one of the cultural treasures of San Bernardino. It is particularly famous for its collection of ancient Egyptian art and artifacts, but also collects priceless artistic treasures from around the world, and also has a gallery displaying the work of art students at the University, making it a great place to see something new. Large bags are not permitted in the museum and must stay in the lobby. For security, store your things with Bounce before you arrive.
Seccombe Lake Park luggage storage
Part of the attraction of visiting San Bernardino is having ready access to some beautiful natural areas. And you don't need to leave the city to enjoy this gorgeous park. Seccombe Lake Park is a great place to relax, get some fresh air, and stretch your legs on the local hiking trails, but bear in mind there are no luggage lockers in the park. Better to leave your bags behind at a San Bernardino luggage storage so that you won't be weighed down in this relaxing area.
First Original McDonald's Museum luggage storage
Although it's not widely known outside the city, San Bernardino was indeed the location of the world's very first McDonald's restaurant. This specialist museum commemorates the establishment of a brand that went on to change the world, with displays explaining the story of McDonald's and how it grew to become one of the world's biggest companies today. Note that there is no luggage storage available at the small museum, so you'll want to leave your suitcases behind with Bounce before visiting.
San Bernardino National Forest luggage storage
Located to the northeast of the city itself, this National Forest is a gorgeous place to explore the unrivaled scenery of Southern California. Within the National Forest, you'll find the legendary Big Bear Lake, the perfect place for swimming, hiking, boating, or staying in a luxurious resort while you enjoy the great outdoors. Leave the bags behind in a convenient San Bernardino luggage storage so you can experience the California wilderness for yourself.
San Bernardino County Museum luggage storage
Located just across the river from the San Bernardino Airport, this intriguing museum features exhibits on local history and natural history and even has a small zoo on site. Exploring more than just history, this is a great place to come with families, but make sure to leave your luggage behind, as the museum has no place to store bags for visitors.
Transport options at San Bernardino Airport
San Bernardino Airport bus station luggage storage
Because it's so close to downtown San Bernardino, it's really not hard to get to and from the airport. An Omnitrans bus will take you from just outside the airport to San Bernardino Transit Center in the center of the city. It's also a very short ride in a taxi, taking only around seven minutes to reach the center of the city.
Local tips and insider info
- San Bernadino Airport doesn't offer flights to very many destinations, with Breeze Airways being the only significant provider of passenger flights. However, it's easy to get the Metrolink to Los Angeles Union Station, so this small airport can provide a good alternative to LAX with much shorter lines and a more laid-back experience than that busy airport.
- Breeze Airways is a resolutely no-frills airline, and the only thing you can get on board without paying is water, so if you want snacks or drinks, it's best to bring your own. San Bernardino airport has a couple of local shops where you can pick up something for your flight.
- Most flights from San Bernardino Airport are domestic, so security here usually doesn't take too long. Plus, since the airport is so close to the heart of the city, you don't need to plan to arrive too early, and there isn't a lot to do inside the airport itself anyway. Two to three hours should be plenty to make your flight here.
Conclusion
San Bernardino Airport is an excellent alternative to LAX if you're flying to Las Vegas, San Francisco, or Hartford, Connecticut. It also gives you an excuse to explore San Bernardino, which has lots to offer despite often being in the shadow of nearby Los Angeles. With frequent connections to Union Station, San Bernardino can be the gateway to exploring Santa Monica, Hollywood, and everything else Los Angeles has to offer. Just remember to drop off your unneeded luggage with Bounce so you won't be weighed down while you travel.