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El Centro, California

El Centro is a city in and the county seat of Imperial County, California, United States. El Centro is the most populous city in the Imperial Valley, the east anchor of the Southern California Border Region, and the core urban area and principal city of the El Centro metropolitan area which encompasses all of Imperial County.

Type Town

Why go

  • City in California, United States.
  • Served by El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field) (NJK).

History

El Centro is a city in and the county seat of Imperial County, California, United States. El Centro is the most populous city in the Imperial Valley, the east anchor of the Southern California Border Region, and the core urban area and principal city of the El Centro metropolitan area which encompasses all of Imperial County. El Centro is also the most populous U.S. city to lie entirely below sea level. The city, located in southeastern California, is 113 miles (182 km) from San Diego and less than 20 miles (32 km) from the Mexican city of Mexicali.

Airports

General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada International Airport (MXL) 21 mi to the centre
Mexicali, BCN, MX — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (AeroMéxico, Volaris) · direct flights to 3 destinations incl. Mexico City, Guadalajara, Hermosillo (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 3 direct destinations
  • AeroMéxico AM (737, ERJ) · 2 routes: Hermosillo*, Mexico City
  • Volaris Y4 (A320) · 2 routes: Guadalajara, Mexico City

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Imperial County Airport (IPL) 3.5 mi to the centre
Imperial, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (SeaPort Airlines) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Burbank, San Diego (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 2 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field) (NJK) 7.4 mi to the centre
El Centro, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Calexico International Airport (CXL) 8.5 mi to the centre
Calexico, CA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Brawley Municipal Airport (BWC) 14 mi to the centre
Brawley, CA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport (CLR) 24 mi to the centre
Calipatria, CA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field) (NJK); 11 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: IPL has direct flights to 2 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Burbank, San Diego).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for El Centro, California. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus · Yuma, Arizona · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach