Uber / Lyft · ~15–25 min to leftover downtown Santa Rosa (AirNav leftover 6 miles NW)
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
OAK7.8
STS8.5+0.7
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
OAK6.8
STS7.7+0.9
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
OAK7.2
STS7.6+0.4
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
OAK8.0+0.5
STS7.5
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
OAK6.7
STS7.7+1.0
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
OAK7.0+5.0
STS2.0
Best for
OAK
Southwest-heavy itinerariesEast Bay/Oakland originsBART-connected city tripsQuick low-stress domestic departures
STS
Wine Country travelers who would otherwise drive SFO or OAKAlaska, American PHX/DFW, and Southwest BUR/LAS/SAN banks without a second terminalTravelers who can use $22 long-term parking instead of a Bay Area garage
Watch out for
OAK
Only one Priority Pass lounge (closes early)Southwest peak crowds and limited gate seatingBART requires Coliseum transfer + higher airport connector fareFacilities feel dated pending modernization
STS
Official Security: TSA Precheck is not currently offered at STSAmerican.com clubs Not Available; live Priority Pass /en/airport/santa-rosa-sts is 404Official About still reprints Avelo; official FAQ also names Delta SLC versus the live Tuesday boardOfficial SMART station is one mile from the terminal, not at the curb
Amenities and tips
OAK
Escape LoungeLocal dining (Calavera, Tay Ho, OAK Clubhouse)BART connectorFree Wi-Fi + chargingNursing rooms & pet reliefCLEAR + PreCheck
Build 90–120 minutes for Southwest banks
Peak pressure is early morning and late afternoon Southwest banks in Terminal 2. PreCheck and CLEAR help; the airside connector lets you pick the shorter checkpoint when you have time.
Walk airside between T1 and T2
You do not re-clear to change terminals after security. International arrivals process in Terminal 1; JSX uses a separate building on Earhart Road.
Use the T1–T2 connector for better food
Terminal 2 is Southwest-heavy and fills at banks. Walk to Terminal 1 for more variety or the Escape Lounge if your card or day pass covers it.
STS
Flying Ace restaurant and barLong-term parking $22 / dayNo commercial loungeComplimentary Wi-FiAira Access and two pet-relief areasCafe Costeaux and Concourse A food
Official Check-In 120 minutes
Official Check-In prints arrive 120 minutes prior to departure to finish check-in and TSA.
One hall — Concourse A and Concourse B
Official Amenities print Concourse A (Apple Spice, Crush) and pet relief between A and B.
Flying Ace is the named sit-down kitchen
Official Flying Ace is a full-service restaurant and bar just off the main terminal during operational flight times.
OAK · OAK delivers easy navigation and solid BART access with local food options but trades off limited lounges and aging facilities against SFO's scale.
STS · A one-hall Wine Country field with Alaska, American, and Southwest on the live 15 Sep 2026 board, $22 long-term parking, no TSA PreCheck, and no commercial lounge.
