r/northcounty

Expect more flights in and out of North County as early as this week after the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved an expanded contract with American Airlines at Palomar Airport on Wednesday. 

The County Supervisors unanimously approved the expanded contract. The deal lets American run four arrivals and four departures a day, with an option of ten seasonal flights available during peak times like the holidays. 

This will bring the total number of commercial flights in and out of Palomar to 16 per day: eight from United and eight from American Airlines. 

“They are doubling down on an illegal contract," Vickey Syage, the President of Citizens For A Friendly Airport (C4FA), said.

C4FA has sued the county several times since 2018, most recently over the County's United Airlines lease, alleging environmental and permitting violations. This litigation joins an ongoing legal challenge filed in 2024 against the county's lease with American Airlines, which the City of Carlsbad formally joined as an intervenor.
In 2025, the local group filed a lawsuit against San Diego County for violating state environmental laws by granting American Airlines to operate four flights in and out of the North County airport. According to that lawsuit, the County failed to adequately assess the environmental impacts of its decisions by allowing the flights. A judge denied this preliminary injunction, ruling that stopping the service would cause irreparable financial harm.

In 2018, the group sued San Diego County for adopting the airport's Master Plan Update. 
A judge in that case ruled that the County's noise study was inadequate and ordered it redone.
C4FA argues Palomar is a "General Aviation Airport," an assertion that has been backed by the City of Carlsbad. 
"And having American and United here changes that use from a General Aviation Airport to a Commercial Airport, and that’s a big deal. Because if you allow American and United to fly out of here, you can’t say no to FedEx or UPS or DHL or any of those kinds of cargo carriers. And we have no quiet hours. Planes can come in and out of here 24/7," Syage said.

Dom Betro is involved with the Palomar Airport Action Network and San Diego Airports Action Advocates. He tracks and analyzes noise and emissions data at Palomar Airport. 

“Our big concern is they are increasing the amount of flights significantly," Betro said. "We’re very concerned about the safety aspects of what they are doing, because this airport is not rated for these-sized jets," Betro said.
He adds that noise over residential communities is another reason to push back.

A spokesman for San Diego County told CBS 8 that American plans to use the Embraer 175 aircraft, with a Stage 5 engine. A spokesman shared that this is the highest standard and quietest engine available to commercial carriers, exceeding FAA noise mitigation requirements. 

“I 100% agree with the vote," Alan Baldus, a pilot and member of the Palomar Airport Association, said. 
He argues that adding flights will help Carlsbad's economy and provide more travel accessibility for North County.

“I live on the right downwind, so I hear every plane that takes off and lands. But the interesting thing about the airplanes that are here today, they’re the quietest jets on the planet right now. The ER 175s that they fly," Baldus said. "So, is there noise? Of course, there’s noise. Is it overwhelming? It might be to somebody that literally lives underneath the airport. But that doesn’t mean the entire county has a concern with it.

Meanwhile, after Wednesday's vote, C4FA is already planning its next steps. 
“We will continue on with the litigation. We have two outstanding lawsuits, one against the first American Airlines contract, contract," Syage said.
A spokesperson for the County told CBS 8 that American Airlines will start these extra flights this Friday. 

I'm looking at a home in Oceanside, and i work in Poway. Its a hybrid job, and i only come into the office 2-4 days a week, depending on the workload for the week.

What times should I begin my commute to avoid peak traffic?

Where can I donate miscellaneous items near Escondido / Rancho Bernardo? Specifically near Mershops North County Mall. I know there’s Salvation Army but it’s still a 15 minute drive

Hello! Can anyone recommend a good dermatologist in North County? Tia!

Hello yall! Not sure if this would be the right forum, but I am looking for a store similar to Bottlecraft in central San Diego , that has a great variety of canned craft beers ? I know that BevMo and Totalwine exist but I was looking for a more local choice. Any recommendations are appreciated, thanks in advance.

Trying to look for some legit venues/bars/clubs in the area that usually have cover bands. My band has played at the Coyote in Carlsbad quite a few times, but the pay is so low that we realistically can’t afford to play there anymore with the amount of work it takes.

In 2006, the current band direct of Rancho Buena Vista HS hired an assistant percussion instructor. This man regularly came to lessons drunk. He eventually began a grooming me via text in the guise of giving me private percussion lessons. Multiple times he called me drunk and tried to convince me to go over to his home and have sex with him. I was 16. Mr. W needs to be held accountable!!! I can’t believe yall named a day after him, insane

Im a dude in his 30s and have never done anything like this. It sounds like fun, but dont really know where to look.

Forgot to say that I dont have Facebook, so im kind of shooting myself in the foot here.

Thanks, everyone. Ill see if I can find a group this week!

Does anyone know an honest, reliable mechanic around Encinitas who charges fair prices? (I know that’s prob obvious lol)

I keep getting recall notices for my Honda, but every time I take it to the dealership, they brush me off and claim nothing is wrong with the exact part listed in the recall. Then I'll mention it to an independent mechanic who confirms there actually is an issue. I'm just incredibly tired of throwing away $275 on dealership diagnostic fees just to get ignored.

I usually take my car to Moonlight Motors, and while they've always been honest and great, their prices have gotten pretty steep. I'm really just looking for someone trustworthy, and reasonably priced. I’m not looking to take my car back to Honda either it’s not worth the time stress and hassle anymore

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Crap. I was in the mood for crispy duck. My wife doesn't like the smell but she's out for the evening. I called my favorite local Chinese restaurant - Panda Garden - and am told that they're out of duck! Damn. So, I go to Yelp and check a dozen Chinese restaurants from Carlsbad to Vista to San Marco to Escondido and none of them even have duck on their menus! I found one place in Rancho Bernardo that has duck but not crispy duck and I don't want to drive almost an hour for take-out!
Maybe we don't need 10,000 Mexican food places around here and can get a little more variety without having to drive down to San Diego!

Grew up coming to Oceanside every weekend, finally just moved here from Lake Elsinore & I’m having a hard time finding good sushi. Any recommendations? Bonus if it’s AYCE