San Diego Miramar Air Show: Tips For Taking Children

The Miramar Airshow is coming to San Diego September 26-28 2025! This is the largest military air show filled with immersive experiences, static displays, and aerial shows both daring and silly! We go every year with our kids and I am here to help you navigate this amazing event.

It’s a perfect spot for unforgettable family memories. Whether this is your first time or you’ve been many times before, hopefully, this helps you feel ready to take on this event with your family. If you have any aviation enthusiasts, definitely make sure to check it out!

Here is what I will be covering 

1. 2025 Flying Schedule
2. Where to park and how parking works.
3. What ages can you bring to the air show and tips for safety with little kids?
4. Ideas for where to watch with smaller kids if you’re nervous about the noise.
5. Do you need to buy tickets?
6. Which day to go to the Miramar Airshow.
7. What to bring (and NOT to bring) on base.
8. Where to find the full schedule of which planes are flying when.

2025 Schedule of Events

This is all from this link here! All are subject to change. The static displays are always there, We actually went at 9 am to see the static displays without any planes flying so our baby wouldn’t get too scared.

FRIDAY / SATURDAY / SUNDAY

Please note that times and dates are tentative and subject to change.

Time (Approx)	Performer
8:00 AM	Gates Open to the Public
10:00 AM	USMC MV-22 Osprey Demo
10:10 AM	Aarron Deliu Extra 330 Aerobatics Teaser
	Race – Precision Exotics vs. Aarron Deliu
10:20 AM	Altus AFB USAF C-17 and KC-135 Demo
10:55 AM	Welcoming Ceremonies Featuring USMC 3D MAW Marching Band, Mounted Color Guard, and USSOCOM ParaCommandos
11: 10 AM	USMC F-35B LIGHTNING II Demo
11:30 AM	USMC Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Demo
12:36 PM	Vicky Benzing P-51D “Plum Crazy” Mustang Demo
	Race – Precision Exotics vs. Vicky Benzing
12:55 PM	USMC Silent Drill Platoon (Performing in the USMC Recruiting Area)
1:15 PM	Aarron Deliu Extra 330 Aerobatics
1:30 PM	USAF F-22 Raptor Demo w/ P-51 D Heritage Flight
2:00 PM	Warbirds Over Miramar – The Flying History of the USMC
2:45 PM	USN Blue Angels w/ Fat Albert
4:15 PM	End of Show

Where to park for The Miramar Airshow and how parking works.

The event takes place on a real military base in the middle of San Diego. Good news, the parking here is EASY. Basically what happens is you get on base and military personnel show you to a parking lot. When you get out of the car they will direct you to a tram, also driven by a friendly person who lives on base. Then you take a tram to the main air show. The parking lots are all color coded, like Disneyland except it’s free and way cooler.

There are different gates to get in (north gate, west gate etc) but generally when you get to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar they will have an idea of where they want you to park. There is free parking everywhere. The best views are from everywhere as the show is in the sky!

You might have to fold the stroller for the tram, but both times we went, three strong young men took my stroller from my hands and folded it for me while I calmly got the kids on the tram. Way better than Disneyland where everyone glares at you while you struggle with your stroller and your kids.

What ages can you bring to The Miramar Air Show and tips for safety with little kids

We brought a 3 year old and a 6 year old and I was pregnant with our third baby. All the walking at the air show actually put me into labor (I was past my due date)! Make sure to buy noise reducing ear protection for kids. You can get them for a few bucks at Home Depot or Lowes or you can get nicer ones on Amazon, 2 for $10.

I am not sure I would take my baby right up to the front row grandstands because I think she would be too scared. I would probably be ok taking them to one of the parks mentioned in the next section. You know your kid best. If you think the noise is too much you can always take them somewhere else on base or to one of the parks. Both my kids are REALLY into planes so they were ok with the noise because they were excited. If you’re worried, grab some blanket seating on base or at one of the nearby parks mentioned. 

Ideas for where to watch the Miramar Airshow with smaller kids if you’re nervous about the noise

We brought headphones for our kiddos and watched from the regular place where you watch for one day. It wasn’t too bad for my 3 and 6 year old. The next day the line was too long to get into that area so we watched from the Denny’s on base. I ate a Moons Over My Hammy while watching The Blue Angels fly with my feet up and my kids ran around the grassy area. (NOTE: This Denny’s is now closed, but the grassy area is still a great spot to watch!). It wasn’t as loud and it was WAY less stressful. You could recreate this anywhere on base and have a great view. I also saw a McDonald’s and a few other restaurants.

If you want to watch off-base, try Mira Mesa Park, Miramar Overlook Park, Breen Park, Westview Park, Hourglass Park, or even just pulled over on the freeway has a great view. Note: I have not tried watching from all of these parks, we like to watch on base! If you go and find they have a bad view, please message me and I will remove them from the list. Thank you!

Do you need to buy tickets for The Miramar Air Show?

Nope, it’s free! You CAN buy tickets for the grandstands, but the planes fly in the air. So you get a great view whether you are sitting on hot bleachers or chilling on base or at a park somewhere. Bleachers with wiggly kids are the worst, it’s hot and they want to move and I am always scared they will fall through! The grandstand tickets are only $24 so if you don’t have wiggly kids it might be fun to purchase some! Here is where to buy tickets. There are also options for more expensive shaded seating.

Just note that everyone goes through the same security line no matter if they bought an expensive ticket or not. There was a guy next to us in the long security line throwing a toddler worthy tantrum about having to stand in line with us when he bought $250 tickets. So if you buy tickets, don’t think you can get there late and you’ll be fine. You might still miss the show!

The area around the grandstands is free to enter and has lots of cool static displays including vintage aircraft and dedicated family-friendly zones! Last year we even saw a MV-22 Osprey So make sure to at least walk by and check that out.

Which day to go to the Miramar Airshow.

Go Friday if you can especially if you have young kids! I took my kids after school on Friday and we walked right in. No lines, easy peasy. We went on Saturday and it was PACKED and HOT. Even people who bought expensive seats were having trouble getting through security. If you do decide to go on Saturday or Sunday get there early to avoid the long security lines in the heat of the day. Or watch from one of the alternate locations.

​If you get there Friday you might be there for the opening ceremonies when they sing the national anthem! 

What to bring (and NOT bring) to The Miramar Airshow.

Bring your stroller because it’s a bit of a walk from the tram to the airshow entrance (about 1/2 mi). They have a clear bag policy so you will not be able to take in any not see-through bags. I saw a lot of people with gallon Ziplock bags. They do have clear bags available for purchase for $5.

Bring photo ID or valid military ID if you have it as they check it at the gates. 

Bring LOTS of water because it is hot and snacks. I would also bring hats, sunscreen, and comfortable lounge chairs. There is not a lot of shade, but sometimes you can find a shaded tent to sit underneath. When we went Friday they let us set up beach chairs next to the runway. I have heard that is not the case sometimes depending on the crowd level.

They do not let you bring coolers, real or toy weapons, animals, alcohol, glass containers, tents, pop up canopies, pepper spray, or laser pointers. Full list of allowed and banned items here.

Where to find the full schedule of which planes are flying when.

Here is the full schedule. The performances will be the same all three days. My kids LOVED Kent Pietsch Comedy, The Hotstreak Jet Truck (this will be on the ground in front of the grandstands), and of course The Blue Angels! The Blue Angels are the main draw if you aren’t familiar with air shows. They are AMAZING and worth seeing fly at least once in your life.

They have both military demonstration teams and civilian aerobatic teams. Both are super fun to watch! My kids loved watching the fighter jet fly super fast over us. Make sure to grab a souvenir air show program on your way out!