B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 249
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
We were on short final for 27 in SAN. A military aircraft seemed to be hovering one or two miles south of our path. I was hand flying the approach when the F/O (First Officer) mentioned that the craft could be a drone. It was; and therefore much closer to our path that what we originally believed. It stayed at a fairly safe distance and I refocused on landing the aircraft. An aircraft was cleared for immediate takeoff and separation was tight. During the landing roll; the drone reappeared in my peripheral vision as it passed us on the taxiway. When we cleared the runway; it was now hovering over an (other carrier) aircraft in our 12 o'clock position at [the] Terminal. I advised the Tower of the encounter and its present location. The drone was black; probably two or three feet wide. It was being flown in a very skilled way. The hovering and flight path was precise. It was a professional instrument; not a toy. In my opinion; the intent was commercial; perhaps filming. That is where I would lead an investigation.This encounter highlights a safety issue of the highest level. A drone that size can be used in a terminal area of a major US airport without the knowledge of ATC. One or more can be used to cause catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft. The skill level of drone operators as well as the maneuverability capability can be the greatest hazard we face. The same event at night would have been unknown from anyone. This is an eye opener. It needs to be addressed.
B737 Captain reported sighting a drone while flying a visual approach to runway 27 at SAN and then again hovering over a parked airplane upon landing.