KSMX - Where to Park

[Flying Viking]

Flying into KSMX (Santa Maria/Hancock Field, CA) for a long weekend of wine tasting. Question is where do I tie the plane down for a couple of days? I'll be picking up the rental car in the terminal, but according to AirNav transient pilots need to keep clear of commercial ramp and terminal area. There is an FBO on the field (Central Coast Jet Center) but it's at the very opposite end of the field from the terminal.

Is there a transient GA parking close to the terminal? How do you find out this information, when there's nothing in the AF/D or elsewhere on the interwebs?

 

[Artiom]

I never stayed overnight at SMX but for a day trip I parked right in front of Redisson Hotel located on the field. Maybe give them a call and ask for overnight parking?
They are walking distance from the terminal.

 

[James331]

Just tie down by the hotel on the east side, enter and exit through the hotel, hey have a buzzer ramp side to open the door for ya.

 

[Jeff Oslick]

I think there is transient parking just to the southeast and/or northwest of the commercial ramp in front of the terminal (south of the red line). Here is the airport manager's number:
805-922-1726

 

[Vf6cruiser]

Do the Radisson on the field........great hotel.......really nice folks.......ask for a room overlooking the plane.......look out the window and see your bird.........

 

[ejensen]

Radisson is the only transient parking, sign in at the front desk. No FBO as of last spring. The old GA terminal room is CBP now.

 

[Flying Viking]

Thanks guys, will call the Radisson for parking information. Already have a hotel reservation in Solvang...

 

[Jeff Oslick]

Thanks guys, will call the Radisson for parking information. Already have a hotel reservation in Solvang...

Call the airport manager... There is a whole lot of pavement outside of the Red/Blue zone. Coastal Valley Aviation (the repair shop just north of the tower) could also probably help. I just don't know how helpful the Radisson will be if you aren't staying there (I have stayed there a couple times).

 

[Flying Viking]

Call the airport manager... There is a whole lot of pavement outside of the Red/Blue zone. Coastal Valley Aviation (the repair shop just north of the tower) could also probably help. I just don't know how helpful the Radisson will be if you aren't staying there (I have stayed there a couple times).

To wrap this up for future SMX-visitors, I called the airport ops manager (thanks Jeff) who directed me to park outside the Radisson (there is also some transient parking closer to the terminal building for those eating at the Mexican restaurant). After landing we taxied to the Radisson, tied down and walked to the hotel entrance. Next to the door is a buzzer that will get you into the hotel. You have to register your aircraft at the front desk - there is no tie-down or landing fee. The hotel apparently administers this also for non-guests.

When I picked up the aircraft this morning I went to the front desk and told them I needed access, they sent a guy who checked us off on a clipboard and let us out through the door to the transient parking area. It was all very efficient!

Nice folks at the Radisson - we'll probably stay there for a night next time!

 

[Dav8or]

To wrap this up for future SMX-visitors, I called the airport ops manager (thanks Jeff) who directed me to park outside the Radisson (there is also some transient parking closer to the terminal building for those eating at the Mexican restaurant). After landing we taxied to the Radisson, tied down and walked to the hotel entrance. Next to the door is a buzzer that will get you into the hotel. You have to register your aircraft at the front desk - there is no tie-down or landing fee. The hotel apparently administers this also for non-guests.

When I picked up the aircraft this morning I went to the front desk and told them I needed access, they sent a guy who checked us off on a clipboard and let us out through the door to the transient parking area. It was all very efficient!

Nice folks at the Radisson - we'll probably stay there for a night next time!

I'm late to this thread, but this has been my experience there too. I have tied down and over nighted several time in front of the Raddison, but I have never stayed there. Not likely to either as I can stay for free with family a mile away.

 

[Jeff Oslick]

Cool, thanks for the update!

BTW, if anyone needs a great paint shop, Art Craft at SMX is awesome. They do everything from flivvers to biz jets, and even with a lowly 182 getting a relatively inexpensive touch-up job they treated us great.

Jeff

 

[Dav8or]

Cool, thanks for the update!

BTW, if anyone needs a great paint shop, Art Craft at SMX is awesome. They do everything from flivvers to biz jets, and even with a lowly 182 getting a relatively inexpensive touch-up job they treated us great.

Jeff

And they are Mooney specialists!