What can I see on the Gillespie Field Airport webcam?

You’ll see general aviation traffic—small planes, flight-school trainers, and business jets—along with the ever-changing San Diego sky.

Where is Gillespie Field located?

It’s in El Cajon, California, about 10 miles northeast of downtown San Diego.

Who operates Gillespie Field?

The airport is managed by San Diego County and serves as the region’s main general aviation field.

What types of aircraft use the airport?

You’ll see everything from Cessna trainers to private turboprops, business jets, and helicopters.

When is the best time to watch airport activity?

Morning and late afternoon are busiest when flight schools and charters are most active.

How do I take a snapshot from the Gillespie Field webcam?

Click the “Snapshot” button below the player to capture the current view. Logged-in users can save images to their gallery; anyone can download them.

Can I use the camera to check the weather?

Yes—the view offers a real-time look at cloud cover, wind direction, and sky conditions in eastern San Diego County.

How do I share this live stream with friends?

Select the “Share” button below the video to copy the link or post directly to Facebook, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, or Email.

Why is Gillespie Field important to pilots?

It’s a key training airport with multiple runways and flight schools that help new pilots earn their wings.

Does this stream include a timelapse feature?

Yes. Use the “Time-Lapse” option to watch recent daily clips showing flight activity and weather changes throughout the day.

What are the airport’s runways used for?

Two main runways handle both light aircraft training and business or charter operations.

Do I need an account to enjoy this webcam?

You can watch freely, but creating a free HDOnTap account lets you save snapshots and mark the stream as a favorite.

Are helicopters visible on this camera?

Yes, you may see medical, news, or training helicopters hovering near the field.

What does Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) mean for this stream?

ABR automatically adjusts video quality to match your internet speed, keeping playback smooth on any device.

What’s the terrain like around Gillespie Field?

It sits in a broad valley framed by the Cuyamaca foothills, offering scenic backdrops on clear days.

How do I save this camera to my favorites list?

Sign in to your HDOnTap account and click the heart icon below the player to add it to “My Favorites.”

Can I see Mount Helix or downtown San Diego from this view?

On especially clear days, you might spot distant ridges or skyline outlines on the western horizon.

Where can I view snapshots I’ve saved?

Saved images appear in the stream’s “Snapshots” gallery and in your personal gallery at hdontap.com/snapshots/.

Why does the light change so much through the day?

The fixed camera faces west, so morning light comes from behind while sunsets bathe the field in golden color.

Can I watch on my phone or tablet?

Yes—HDOnTap streams work on smartphones and tablets using any modern browser.

How can I tell the wind direction from the video?

Watch the orange windsock near the taxiway—it points away from the wind source.

What are the benefits of HDOnTap Premium?

Premium removes ads for uninterrupted viewing and supports stream hosting. Plans are $4/month, $20/6 months, or $36/year—cancel anytime.

What kind of training happens here?

Student pilots practice takeoffs, landings, and traffic-pattern work known as “touch-and-go” circuits.

Can weather affect the live view?

Yes—marine layer fog, rain, or Santa Ana winds can all alter visibility dramatically.

How can I share a specific snapshot?

Open any saved snapshot in your gallery to copy a shareable link or post directly to social media.

Is Gillespie Field open to the public?

Yes—visitors can watch aircraft from viewing areas or the café near the terminal.

Why shouldn’t I embed this stream elsewhere?

HDOnTap streams are token-secured and can only be viewed on authorized pages, not embedded on other sites.

Are there any aviation museums nearby?

Yes—the San Diego Air & Space Museum runs a restoration facility adjacent to the airport.

Does this webcam show night operations?

Yes, though lighting is limited. Look for landing lights and runway beacons after dark.

How clear is the video quality on this webcam?

The camera provides HD video, and ABR ensures clarity even on slower internet connections.

How busy is Gillespie Field compared to other airports?

It’s among Southern California’s busiest general aviation fields, with hundreds of daily operations.

Can I cancel my Premium plan anytime?

Yes—manage or cancel at any time through https://hdontap.com/settings/premium/.

Who uses Gillespie Field for business travel?

Private companies, air-charter services, and law-enforcement agencies use it for regional flights.

Does the airport handle firefighting aircraft?

Yes, Cal Fire and local agencies occasionally base air-tankers or helicopters here during wildfire season.

How do I report a technical issue with this stream?

Use the “Feedback” link on HDOnTap to report problems or broken feeds.

What makes the Gillespie Field timelapse interesting?

It compresses a full day of aircraft movements and shifting weather into a quick, fascinating replay.

Does the camera ever move or zoom?

No—it’s a fixed-position camera designed to give a consistent, wide view of the runways.

Are there restaurants or cafés near the airport?

Yes—a popular pilot café beside the field offers great food and the same view you see online.

Can viewers help support this camera?

Yes—Premium subscriptions and viewer support help maintain and stream this camera to the public.

What makes this live stream special?

It offers a real-time window into San Diego’s lively general aviation scene, with new sights every minute.

Gillespie Field Airport Live Webcam

LIVE NEW

About the Gillespie Field Airport Live Webcam

The Gillespie Field Airport Live Webcam offers an impressive high resolution look at one of Southern California’s most active general aviation airports. Perched high on a hillside in El Cajon, the fixed 4K camera faces northeast and provides a sweeping view over Gillespie Field. Viewers can watch small aircraft taking off and landing, training flights circling in the traffic pattern, and daily changes in sky clarity and light. The stream also features a TimeLapse replay that captures an entire day’s worth of airport activity in just a few moments.

Operated in collaboration with the Gillespie Pilots Association, this webcam helps aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and visitors stay connected to the airfield. The camera’s elevated position gives an unmatched perspective of flight operations, runway traffic, and weather transitions that define the flying conditions at Gillespie Field Airport.

Weather

El Cajon enjoys a warm, Mediterranean climate with clear skies most of the year. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cooler with mild rainfall. The area’s reliable weather and wide visibility make Gillespie Field Airport a perfect training location and an excellent setting for live webcam viewing. Clear mornings often give way to golden evening light, creating striking TimeLapse sequences that highlight the region’s beautiful skies.

History

Gillespie Field Airport was established in 1942 as a training base for World War II pilots. After the war, it transitioned into a public general aviation airport under San Diego County’s management. Over the decades, it has evolved into a vital hub for private pilots, flight schools, and local aviation businesses. The airport also supports emergency services and aircraft maintenance facilities, making it an integral part of the region’s aviation community.

Activities and Nearby Attractions

The city of El Cajon and the surrounding East County region offer visitors a variety of experiences. Aviation fans can explore local flight museums and observe aircraft up close at the airport’s viewing areas. Nearby attractions include the Water Conservation Garden, Mission Trails Regional Park, and the scenic drive to Mount Helix for panoramic views of San Diego County. Downtown El Cajon provides dining, shopping, and events throughout the year, while the proximity to San Diego makes day trips to beaches and historic landmarks easy.

Interesting Facts

Gillespie Field Airport is the oldest and largest of San Diego County’s four public airports.
The airport covers 758 acres and includes three runways supporting general aviation, flight instruction, and business aircraft.
It is home to several aviation organizations, including the Gillespie Pilots Association, which promotes safety, education, and community engagement among pilots.
The Gillespie Field Airport Live Webcam captures a wide range of activity, from early morning departures to late afternoon training flights.

When to Watch

Viewers can enjoy the Gillespie Field Airport Live Webcam at any time of day, though the most dynamic activity often occurs during morning and late afternoon hours. Clear skies and soft light conditions make those times ideal for both aviation watching and TimeLapse highlights. Whether you are a pilot checking weather or an aviation enthusiast following daily airfield operations, this webcam offers a continuous connection to one of California’s most active airports.

Last Updated: October 7, 2025

Partners

Gillespie Pilots Association

The primary objective of GPA is to foster camaraderie and enhance aviation safety within its membership by organizing fly-ins, meetings, and special events. GPA is committed to maintaining a General Aviation-friendly environment at Gillespie Field and ensures that airport development and enhancements receive input from its key stakeholders, the pilots. The organization actively supports members in safety and education initiatives, while also striving to enhance the local community's appreciation for the importance of its nearby airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I see on the Gillespie Field Airport webcam?: You’ll see general aviation traffic—small planes, flight-school trainers, and business jets—along with the ever-changing San Diego sky.
Where is Gillespie Field located?: It’s in El Cajon, California, about 10 miles northeast of downtown San Diego.
Who operates Gillespie Field?: The airport is managed by San Diego County and serves as the region’s main general aviation field.
What types of aircraft use the airport?: You’ll see everything from Cessna trainers to private turboprops, business jets, and helicopters.
When is the best time to watch airport activity?: Morning and late afternoon are busiest when flight schools and charters are most active.
How do I take a snapshot from the Gillespie Field webcam?: Click the “Snapshot” button below the player to capture the current view. Logged-in users can save images to their gallery; anyone can download them.
Can I use the camera to check the weather?: Yes—the view offers a real-time look at cloud cover, wind direction, and sky conditions in eastern San Diego County.
How do I share this live stream with friends?: Select the “Share” button below the video to copy the link or post directly to Facebook, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, or Email.
Why is Gillespie Field important to pilots?: It’s a key training airport with multiple runways and flight schools that help new pilots earn their wings.
Does this stream include a timelapse feature?: Yes. Use the “Time-Lapse” option to watch recent daily clips showing flight activity and weather changes throughout the day.
What are the airport’s runways used for?: Two main runways handle both light aircraft training and business or charter operations.
Do I need an account to enjoy this webcam?: You can watch freely, but creating a free HDOnTap account lets you save snapshots and mark the stream as a favorite.
Are helicopters visible on this camera?: Yes, you may see medical, news, or training helicopters hovering near the field.
What does Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) mean for this stream?: ABR automatically adjusts video quality to match your internet speed, keeping playback smooth on any device.
What’s the terrain like around Gillespie Field?: It sits in a broad valley framed by the Cuyamaca foothills, offering scenic backdrops on clear days.
How do I save this camera to my favorites list?: Sign in to your HDOnTap account and click the heart icon below the player to add it to “My Favorites.”
Can I see Mount Helix or downtown San Diego from this view?: On especially clear days, you might spot distant ridges or skyline outlines on the western horizon.
Where can I view snapshots I’ve saved?: Saved images appear in the stream’s “Snapshots” gallery and in your personal gallery at hdontap.com/snapshots/.
Why does the light change so much through the day?: The fixed camera faces west, so morning light comes from behind while sunsets bathe the field in golden color.
Can I watch on my phone or tablet?: Yes—HDOnTap streams work on smartphones and tablets using any modern browser.
How can I tell the wind direction from the video?: Watch the orange windsock near the taxiway—it points away from the wind source.
What are the benefits of HDOnTap Premium?: Premium removes ads for uninterrupted viewing and supports stream hosting. Plans are $4/month, $20/6 months, or $36/year—cancel anytime.
What kind of training happens here?: Student pilots practice takeoffs, landings, and traffic-pattern work known as “touch-and-go” circuits.
Can weather affect the live view?: Yes—marine layer fog, rain, or Santa Ana winds can all alter visibility dramatically.
How can I share a specific snapshot?: Open any saved snapshot in your gallery to copy a shareable link or post directly to social media.
Is Gillespie Field open to the public?: Yes—visitors can watch aircraft from viewing areas or the café near the terminal.
Why shouldn’t I embed this stream elsewhere?: HDOnTap streams are token-secured and can only be viewed on authorized pages, not embedded on other sites.
Are there any aviation museums nearby?: Yes—the San Diego Air & Space Museum runs a restoration facility adjacent to the airport.
Does this webcam show night operations?: Yes, though lighting is limited. Look for landing lights and runway beacons after dark.
How clear is the video quality on this webcam?: The camera provides HD video, and ABR ensures clarity even on slower internet connections.
How busy is Gillespie Field compared to other airports?: It’s among Southern California’s busiest general aviation fields, with hundreds of daily operations.
Can I cancel my Premium plan anytime?: Yes—manage or cancel at any time through https://hdontap.com/settings/premium/.
Who uses Gillespie Field for business travel?: Private companies, air-charter services, and law-enforcement agencies use it for regional flights.
Does the airport handle firefighting aircraft?: Yes, Cal Fire and local agencies occasionally base air-tankers or helicopters here during wildfire season.
How do I report a technical issue with this stream?: Use the “Feedback” link on HDOnTap to report problems or broken feeds.
What makes the Gillespie Field timelapse interesting?: It compresses a full day of aircraft movements and shifting weather into a quick, fascinating replay.
Does the camera ever move or zoom?: No—it’s a fixed-position camera designed to give a consistent, wide view of the runways.
Are there restaurants or cafés near the airport?: Yes—a popular pilot café beside the field offers great food and the same view you see online.
Can viewers help support this camera?: Yes—Premium subscriptions and viewer support help maintain and stream this camera to the public.
What makes this live stream special?: It offers a real-time window into San Diego’s lively general aviation scene, with new sights every minute.

Gillespie Field Airport Live Webcam

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