Yes, San Diego International Airport (SAN) has designated outdoor smoking areas. You will find them on the curb outside the New Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (East and West), set back from the entrances.
San Diego is smoke-free inside every building, with no enclosed smoking rooms or lounges airside. To smoke you step outside to a designated curbside spot and re-clear security to return to your gate. SAN is a compact two-terminal airport, so that round trip is short.
New Terminal 1
The New Terminal 1 opened its first phase in 2025, replacing the original Terminal 1 that long served Southwest and other carriers. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the new building. Designated outdoor smoking spots sit on the curb away from the doors — most travelers use the arrivals (lower) level near baggage claim and ground transportation, or the departures curb. Step outside, move clear of the entrances, and look for the signed areas.
Terminal 2 (East and West)
Terminal 2 is split into Terminal 2 East and Terminal 2 West (the West expansion opened in 2013). Both are smoke-free inside. Outdoor smoking spots are on the curb at both the arrivals and departures levels, set back from the building entrances. Exit through the terminal doors or baggage claim and head to the designated curbside zone away from the foot traffic.
Summary Table
| Terminal | Smoking area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Terminal 1 | Outdoor curb, arrivals + departures | Away from doors; 2025 building, smoke-free inside |
| Terminal 2 East | Outdoor curb, both levels | Set back from entrances |
| Terminal 2 West | Outdoor curb, both levels | Set back from entrances |
Heading up the coast next? See our guide to smoking at San Francisco Airport (SFO).
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.