Alaska Airlines Flies San Diego to Loreto From 19 December

MEXICO · TRAVEL

A quiet Baja town on the Gulf of California gets its only nonstop link to San Diego, just before Christmas.

Alaska Airlines will start nonstop Loreto flights from San Diego on Saturday, 19 December, with two round trips a week. Loreto is a small Gulf of California town in Baja California Sur, about 584 miles from San Diego.

For Southern Californians, it is a short hop to a town that until now required a connection or a long drive. The seasonal service runs until Wednesday, 28 April 2027, covering the winter months that bring most US visitors to Baja.

What the New Route Is

Alaska Airlines announced the route on 3 September, marking 40 years at San Diego International Airport. The airline says Loreto is its 50th nonstop destination from San Diego and the only nonstop service between the two cities.

Flights will run on Wednesdays and Saturdays on Embraer 175 regional jets. SkyWest Airlines operates them under the Alaska brand, a common arrangement on smaller routes.

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority says Loreto becomes its third nonstop destination in Mexico and 12th international one. The authority adds that San Diego is the fourth US airport with nonstop international service to Loreto.

Atif Saeed, the authority’s chief executive, said the service gives San Diego travellers “another convenient option for international travel.” Alaska already flies from San Diego to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, its two other Mexican destinations there.

Why Loreto Draws US Visitors

Loreto sits on the eastern side of the Baja peninsula, facing the Gulf of California rather than the Pacific. It is far smaller and quieter than Cabo San Lucas, which lies several hours’ drive to the south.

The town grew around a Jesuit mission founded in 1697, which still stands near the main square. Offshore lies Loreto Bay National Park, a protected marine area known for its islands, clear water and sea life.

Visitors come mainly for fishing, kayaking, snorkelling and diving, as well as hiking in the dry mountains behind the coast. The winter season, when the new Loreto flights operate, is also the period when whale-watching tours run in the Gulf.

For retirees and remote workers, Loreto offers a slower pace than the big resort towns. Its small size also means fewer restaurants, shops and medical options, which is worth weighing before a long stay.

Getting There and Getting Around

The flights use Loreto International Airport, a small airfield just outside the town. Travellers arriving from San Diego clear Mexican immigration and customs there.

Neither the airline nor the airport authority has published departure and arrival times. Check the schedule on alaskaair.com before booking hotels, transfers or connecting trips.

Loreto is compact, and most visitors stay in or near the centre and its seafront promenade. Taxis and hotel shuttles serve the airport, while a rental car helps for trips into the mountains or along the coast.

Driving in Baja is common among US visitors, but avoid long stretches of highway after dark. Livestock, narrow shoulders and few services make night driving on rural roads risky.

Entry Rules and Safety for US Citizens

US citizens flying to Mexico need a valid passport book, because the US passport card is not accepted for international air travel. Tourists from the United States do not need a Mexican visa, and the immigration officer sets the length of stay on arrival.

The US State Department rates Mexico overall at Level 2, “Exercise increased caution,” in an advisory issued on 29 May 2026. Baja California Sur, which includes Loreto, Cabo and La Paz, also carries Level 2.

The advisory cites terrorism and crime, with a risk of violence from cartels, gangs and other criminal groups. It sets no specific travel restrictions for US government employees in the state.

The Pacific hurricane season officially ends on 30 November, three weeks before the first flight. Storms Rachel and Simón hit parts of Baja California and Mexico’s Pacific coast in early October.

Costs and Money

Alaska Airlines has not announced introductory fares, so compare prices on its website against connecting options. Holiday weeks around Christmas and New Year usually cost more on any Mexico route.

Carry some Mexican pesos, since small shops, taxis and tour operators in Loreto may not take cards. A MXN 500 note is worth about US$28, and MXN 1,000 is about US$55.

Conversions use the open.er-api.com rate of about MXN 18.1 per US dollar on 11 October 2026. Ask whether a price is quoted in pesos or dollars before paying, as both are common in Baja.

What It Means for You

If you live in Southern California, the new Loreto flights turn a remote Baja town into a realistic long-weekend trip. A Saturday-to-Wednesday schedule fits a four-night stay without extra connections.

If you already own property or rent long-term in Loreto, the route may cut travel time to and from San Diego. With only two flights a week, plan backup options in case a flight is cancelled.

What Is Not Known

Alaska Airlines has not published flight times or introductory fares in its announcement. It is also not known whether the route will return after April 2027 or become year-round.

Mexican authorities in Baja California Sur have not yet commented publicly on extra tourism or airport measures for the new service. Ground transport prices at Loreto airport are also not confirmed.

What Comes Next

The first flight leaves San Diego on Saturday, 19 December, and the season ends on Wednesday, 28 April 2027. Alaska Airlines will decide later whether to repeat the route next winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the San Diego to Loreto flights start?

Alaska Airlines starts the nonstop service on Saturday, 19 December 2026. Flights run on Wednesdays and Saturdays until Wednesday, 28 April 2027.

Do US citizens need a visa to fly to Loreto?

No visa is needed for tourism, but you must carry a valid US passport book. The passport card is not accepted for international flights.

Is Loreto safe for American travellers?

The US State Department rates Baja California Sur at Level 2, which means exercise increased caution. It sets no specific travel restrictions for US government employees in the state.

Sources: Alaska Airlines newsroom; San Diego County Regional Airport Authority; US State Department, Mexico Travel Advisory; TravelPulse; Travel Extra (all accessed 11 October 2026).