California International Airshow

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Salinas, CA
California International Airshow

Since 1981, the California International Airshow has been committed to the Central Coast.

Together, we have raised more than nine million dollars which stays right here on the Central Coast! Utilizing all volunteers and service groups from the community the organization each year plans and executes the event that entertains 40,000 to 50,000 spectators annually. The top military and civilian performers in the United States and Canada thrill the crowds, and over 100 static aircraft, exhi

bits and displays are available for Airshow fans to enjoy during their experience. The goal each year is to produce an event that will be family oriented, educational and entertaining for the whole family.

06/13/2026

There’s a very specific kind of airshow fan who sees this photo and immediately starts zooming in on the camera rig instead of the background. 😎📷

Massive lens?
Carbon fiber tripod?
Perfect spot on the ramp?

Yeah… this is peak energy.

The Salinas Airshow is where aviation obsession and camera obsession collide at full afterburner. What's in your camera bag?

06/11/2026

The corner office is overrated.

Give us a folding table on the ramp, a headset, and six Thunderbirds painting the sky overhead.

For the USAF Thunderbirds team, this is just another day at work.

For the rest of us, it's a reminder of why we love airshows.

Precision. Teamwork. Dedication. And a little bit of aviation magic.

While the pilots capture our attention in the sky, none of it happens without the incredible ground crew behind the scenes. Every launch, recovery, radio call, maintenance check, and perfectly timed movement is the result of professionals who make excellence look routine.

So, here's a tip of the hat to the men and women on the ground who help make every Thunderbird performance possible. Thank you for the work you do and the standard you set.

If this is what the office looks like, we're updating our résumé immediately. 😏✈️

🎟️ Secure your tickets now and experience the Air Force Thunderbirds and the team that makes it all happen at the California International Airshow.
https://www.salinasairshow.com/tickets/

06/09/2026

Somewhere between the roar of afterburners and the smell of kettle corn… there’s a very important mission happening:

Maximum face paint acquisition. 🎨🛩️

Camouflage cheeks?
Thunderbird lightning bolts?
A full shark mouth across the face?

At Salinas, the ground show goes just as hard as the flying display.

Drop your best airshow face paint idea below. The more ridiculous, the better.

https://www.salinasairshow.com/

06/06/2026

In the early hours of June 6, 1944, thousands of Allied troops crossed the English Channel as the largest amphibious invasion in history began unfolding below them.

Above Normandy, C-47s carried airborne troops through darkness, bad weather, and enemy fire. Young crews flew low and steady while paratroopers prepared to jump into uncertainty behind enemy lines.

The mission was bigger than fear. Bigger than any one person in those aircraft.

D-Day changed the course of history, but it came at an enormous cost. Today, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and determination of the service members who fought for freedom on the beaches, in the skies, and far beyond the shores of Normandy.

More than 80 years later, the sound of a DC-3 overhead still carries the echo of that day. ✈️

Come walk amongst history by getting your ticket here: https://www.salinasairshow.com/tickets/

06/04/2026

The official vehicle of:
✔ chasing down last-minute logistics
✔ checking static displays
✔ moving radios, cones, and snacks
✔ pretending not to geek out when literally any plane taxis by

The Salinas Airshow takes a massive team effort both in the sky and on the ground, and these crews are the reason the weekend feels seamless for our guests.

If you see the operations team flying by during the show, give them a wave. They’ve probably already walked about 12 miles that day. 😅

06/03/2026

✈️ YOUR VOTE TAKES FLIGHT! ✈️

We're proud to be nominated for the 2026 Business Excellence Awards, but we need your help to get across the finish line.

Every vote helps showcase what makes our community, our volunteers, and our airshow so special.

⏰ Voting closes June 5.

Don't wait until the last pass of the weekend. Cast your vote today and help Salinas take home the win!

VOTE NOW 👉 https://bit.ly/4dFaG3e

05/30/2026

You can almost hear your Pop Pop say, “Back in my day…”

And honestly? Those are some of the best conversations you've had anywhere.

The vintage aircraft. The smell of oil and sun-warmed metal. Kids staring wide-eyed at machines that look straight out of a storybook.

Somewhere between nostalgia and imagination is where airshows really live.

And if you suddenly feel the urge to climb onto a doghouse and challenge the Red Baron… we get it. 🐶✈️

One walk through the ramp, one roar overhead, or one moment standing next to an old biplane can spark a memory you've carried forever.

Who do you hold in your heart as you walk the ramp?

https://www.salinasairshow.com/

05/28/2026

Since the Air Force Thunderbirds don’t really operate in “normal orientation,” we aren’t entirely sure which way is up in this shot. 😎✈️

So now we’re turning to the real experts.

Is this photo right side up…
or do we need to tell the social media team to rotate it before anyone notices? 👀

📸 Tech. Sgt. Joseph Morgan

https://www.salinasairshow.com/tickets/

05/25/2026

Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember those who gave everything in service to our country.

Their courage, sacrifice, and commitment helped preserve the freedoms we celebrate today, including the simple privilege of gathering together beneath open skies with family, friends, and community.

At the California International Airshow, aviation has always meant more than speed and noise. It’s a tribute to service, excellence, and the generations who have carried that legacy forward.

As we prepare to celebrate 250 years of American spirit and aviation heritage this September, Flight Line Villa tickets are officially now live.

Positioned directly on the flight line, Flight Line Villa offers an elevated airshow experience with premium viewing, hospitality access, and reserved seating options for individuals, families, and groups looking to experience the show from the heart of the action.

From the first engine start to the final pass overhead, there’s nothing quite like being on the flight line in Salinas.

🎟️ Secure your Flight Line Villa tickets today before availability is gone here: https://www.salinasairshow.com/tickets/

05/23/2026

Ground Crew: “Jason, the crowd keeps asking when the next announcement is coming.”

Jason Somes: “Good. Means they’re paying attention.”

Ground Crew: “Should we give them a hint?”

Jason: “Sure. Tell them Airshow Insiders get the news first.”

👀 Something’s coming. Better get on the list.

➡️here: https://www.salinasairshow.com/
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Address

P. O. Box 1448
Salinas, CA
93902

Website

http://www.salinasairshow.com/

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