[Note: Most of these viewing sites are on private property.  Nobody has ever asked me to leave or complained to my knowledge about people aircraft watching from these sites.  Nevertheless, please be kind and courteous, and respect the property rights of the owners. Thanks.]

In the Terminal:  The terminal building itself doesn't have a "viewing area."  (People like me who remember the old Martin Terminal with its second-story viewing deck, coffee shop, and soda counter may sigh sadly here if they wish.)  But you can get some really views (and photos in the morning) of the aircraft close up.  At present, the terminal is housing a very interesting display showing the development of airport and aircraft design.  It is very much worth viewing, but, as a historian, I was hoping for a few less pictures and a little more analysis.

Sites 1, 2, and 3:  These three are all in the same area, but provide different views.

Directions:  From Red Hill Ave, turn onto Airport Loop Drive which is just south of the 405 overpass. Drive to the end of this curvy road through an area of light industry.  At the end, you will come to an airport acess gate.

This is Site 1.  Just pull your car around to one side or the other, out of the way of the service trucks that scurry back and forth through the gate.  From here, you have a pretty good view of aircraft on final approach.  The view isn't great, but you can watch from the privacy of your own car, and you don't have to drive on the main road.

Site 2 is in the parking lot to the right of the airport gate (as you are approaching it).  Drive down to the end of this parking lot to the point at which the fence with the hedge turns 90 degrees to the right.  There is a little grassy knoll here and a break in the hedge.  The best place of all is in the break in the hedge:  The threshold is so close you can spit on it; jets throttle up so loudly and so close your head will explode.  If you have a camera with a small diameter lens, you should be able to photograph through the links in the fence.  Safety note:  Although I have never (ever) had any problems here and it seems safe, standing in the hedge break, hidden from view, where I can't see behind me, and with aircraft noise that drowns out nearly all sound makes me very nervous.  Please take a buddy along, or be vigilant.  My favorite way to view is actually standing on top of my car to see over the hedge.  If you want to do this, try looking for places where the hedge is a little lower for a better view.  Food note:  If you are here during the week days, there is a small sandwich shop right there in the commercial building behind you.

Site 3 is just further along the same fence-hedge.  Continue down the the now-narrow parking lot (along side the fuel tank farm), until the fence turns again.  At this point, you are next to the airports Runway Visual Range system, and right at the spot where aircraft touchdown on runway 19 Right.   The view is very good, but the fence is in the way of any really good pictures.  (I haven't the guts to try climbing the trees.)

Site 4

Directions: From Airport Loop Drive, turn south onto Airway Ave (which parallels Red Hill Ave) to Baker St; turn left onto Ike Jones Rd.  From Red Hill, turn down Baker which ends right at Ike Jones Rd. Ike Jones is an odd little road that seems like a parking lot entrance, but curves around the general avaiation tiedown area that should be visible.  After the initial curve, the road will make a right turn at the fence: stop and park here.  (There may be a B-26 parked in front of your view.)

Site 4 is really two spots divided by the Martin Aviation hanger.  Both provide views of taking-off aircraft at the point of rotation or landing aircraft with the thrust deflectors and spoilers deployed.  At the south end, you'll most likely see an old PBY seaplane and a DC-3.  The airports control tower stood nearby until a few months ago when it was torn down.

Site 5

Directions: From MacArthur or Red Hill, turn onto Main St.  You can park in the McDonald's parking lot (on the south side of the street near MacArthur and walk.  [Parking is prohibited on Main St.]  Or you can turn on Sky Park South (which is actually NORTH of Main), then left on Sky Park and pull into one of the parking lots.  Better yet, just ride your bike if you can.  The big parking lot is long term parking for the airport, and local businesses are liable to think you're just stealing a cheap parking ticket. So, don't stay too long, or keep an eye out for tow trucks!)

From either main street, or the long-term parking lot off of Sky Park, the aircraft on final pass right overhead at a very low altitude.  Boy that's loud.  Good photos of underneath the aircraft. Also, note the Non-Directional Beacon in the middle of the long-term parking lot. This is the Inner Marker for 19 Right.

Site 6

Directions: As for Site 5, but turn south at Sky Park (toward the airport) from Main St.  Continue along this parking lot road past the parking structures.  Park when you get to the end of the parking lot (overlooking the 405 freeway).  

This is the best place for morning photos of approaching aircraft.  You aren't as close as at sites 1-3, but there is no fence or hedge.  Also, you are right under the flight path for 19 Left; most of the light planes landing at the airport will fly about 100 feet directly over your head.  This site also provides a nice view of the terminal and ramp areas.

Site 7

Directions:  Proceed Campus (south from MacArthur or north from Bristol) to Dove Street.  Park in one of the business parking lots on the side of the street opposite from the airport.  

You can walk across the street (at the light) and go over to the parking lot of the old fire house.  Things are pretty busy here, and there is a big chain-link fence, but you can watch landing aircraft turn off the runway and pass right by.  

Site 9 (This should have been site 8, but oh well.)  

Directions:  Drive to the terminal area, and park in the south parking structure.  These are sometimes full Tuesday through Thursday, but even then there is almost always some 2 hour parking available ($1.00 per hour).  Park and walk over to one of the elevators (watch yourself here; drivers are often oblivious to pedestrians in here).  Go up to the fourth floor, exit, and walk to the other end of the parking structure roof.

Although there is of course the omnipresent, view-damaging, photo-destroying chain-link fence here, this is a great view. You can watch aircraft land and depart on both runways, see arriving aircraft parade by toward the terminal, and get a good overall view the airport.  This also provides a good view of the cargo aircraft area just to the south.