San Francisco Airstrip

Natural disaster and subsequent economic non-viability. The primary cause of closure was catastrophic damage from Hurricane Odile. The powerful storm's winds and storm surge severely eroded and washed out the dirt/gravel runway, making it unsafe for any aircraft operations. The cost to repair and maintain the remote airstrip, coupled with the damage to the associated tourist facilities it served, made rebuilding economically unfeasible for the private owners.

The airstrip is abandoned and permanently closed. Satellite imagery and pilot reports confirm that the runway is in a state of complete disrepair, heavily eroded, and overgrown with desert vegetation. It is not maintained and is unsafe for landing. Aviation databases and charts explicitly mark it as closed to prevent pilots from attempting to use it. The site itself is simply derelict land adjacent to the remnants of the coastal resort.

The San Francisco Airstrip was a classic example of a Baja California fly-in destination airstrip. Its primary and sole purpose was to support tourism by providing direct air access for general aviation pilots to the remote Punta San Francisquito area. Operations consisted almost exclusively of small, private, single-engine aircraft (such as Cessnas, Pipers, and Bonanzas), typically flying from the Southwestern United States. It was a vital link for the small resort at Punta San Francisquito, allowing guests to bypass long and difficult dirt roads. The airstrip was a key piece of infrastructure for the local sport fishing, diving, and eco-tourism economy.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the San Francisco Airstrip. The significant capital investment required to completely rebuild the runway to a safe standard is a major barrier. Without a fully operational and profitable resort to justify the expense and ongoing maintenance costs, there is no economic incentive for its restoration. For the foreseeable future, the airstrip is considered permanently abandoned.