SFO - SAN

$45 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San Diego

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego departing on 10/6. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Diego

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Francisco to San Diego, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Francisco to San Diego, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flight Deals from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO-SAN)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from San Francisco to San Diego that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to San Diego

KAYAK's recommended return flight deals from the most popular airlines that fly from San Francisco to San Diego.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Choose your dates
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
06:00 - 07:39SFO-SAN
1h 39mdirect
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
22:15 - 23:53SAN-SFO
1h 38mdirect
$77Hawaiian Airlines
Find Deal
Di, 3 Jun - Di, 3 Jun
United Airlines Logo
07:00 - 08:40SFO-SAN
1h 40mdirect
United Airlines Logo
10:43 - 12:20SAN-SFO
1h 37mdirect
$81United Airlines
Find Deal
Sa, 7 Jun - Sa, 7 Jun
Alaska Airlines Logo
21:57 - 23:35SFO-SAN
1h 38mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
19:45 - 21:30SAN-SFO
1h 45mdirect
$89Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Mo, 5 Mai - Do, 8 Mai
Alaska Airlines Logo
07:20 - 09:02SFO-SAN
1h 42mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
06:15 - 08:00SAN-SFO
1h 45mdirect
$120Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Di, 12 Aug - Mi, 13 Aug
Alaska Airlines Logo
08:30 - 10:05SFO-SAN
1h 35mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
12:44 - 14:30SAN-SFO
1h 46mdirect
$127Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Mi, 7 Mai - Mi, 7 Mai
United Airlines Logo
21:08 - 22:42SFO-SAN
1h 34mdirect
United Airlines Logo
06:20 - 07:58SAN-SFO
1h 38mdirect
$133United Airlines
Find Deal
Mo, 21 Jul - Fr, 25 Jul
Southwest Logo
06:35 - 08:05SFO-SAN
1h 30mdirect
Southwest Logo
14:50 - 23:25SAN-SFO
8h 35m1 stop
$144Southwest
Find Deal
Do, 22 Mai - Do, 29 Mai
Southwest Logo
06:00 - 07:30SFO-SAN
1h 30mdirect
Southwest Logo
06:40 - 08:20SAN-SFO
1h 40mdirect
$152Southwest
Find Deal
Fr, 8 Aug - So, 10 Aug
Delta Logo
06:05 - 09:21SFO-SAN
3h 16m1 stop
Delta Logo
19:18 - 00:21SAN-SFO
5h 03m1 stop
$277Delta
Find Deal
Do, 8 Mai - So, 11 Mai
Delta Logo
06:05 - 09:21SFO-SAN
3h 16m1 stop
Delta Logo
19:18 - 00:21SAN-SFO
5h 03m1 stop
$281Delta
Find Deal
Do, 8 Mai - So, 11 Mai

KAYAK's insights & trends for San Francisco to San Diego flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from San Francisco to San Diego to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to San Diego?

The average price of all round-trip flights from San Francisco to San Diego clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
If your flying dates are flexible, you should consider flying to San Diego on a Tuesday, as we generally find the cheapest rates on that day for this route. On the other hand, Sunday is the most expensive day to fly from San Francisco to San Diego. For your return ticket, we recommend flying on a Friday and avoiding Tuesdays for the best deals.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to San Diego?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from San Francisco to San Diego, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from San Francisco to San Diego is January, where tickets cost $167 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and June, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $277 and $269 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from San Francisco to San Diego, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.
To get a below average price on the flight from San Francisco to San Diego, you should book around 2 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 5 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

February

High season

April

Cheapest flight

$45
Best time to beat the crowds (15% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (7% more expensive on average)
Flight from San Francisco to San Diego

When to book flights from San Francisco to San Diego

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco to San Diego based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

Flights from San Francisco to San Diego: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew the route from San Francisco to San Diego 
BradFlew with Alaska AirlinesSFO-SANAug 2024
Alaska airlines with the SkyWest planes have 'no middle seats'. That is a comfy way to go.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska AirlinesSFO-SANJuly 2024
They could smile more! It woukd greatly improve the mood in the packed aircraft
BrianFlew with Alaska AirlinesSFO-SANApr 2024
LAX and Seoul, Korea by far are the best airports

FAQs for booking flights from San Francisco to San Diego

  • What if I just want to relax? Is there a quiet room at San Francisco International Airport?

    Sometimes you just want a little solitude before getting on your flight. While waiting on your flight from San Francisco to San Diego, visit SFO’s yoga room in Terminal 2 where you can meditate, stretch, and exercise. There are also a number of lounges in the airport including the Delta Sky Club, United Club, and both the Admiral and Centurion Clubs (by American Express).

  • What restaurants are close to the San Francisco International Airport?

    Around the airport are a number of great restaurants for dining. Within a couple of miles is a sushi spot (Zen Sushi Bistro), a steakhouse (Hangar Steak), and a Benihana. If you prefer something quick, consider Wendy’s on Gateway Boulevard, Hana Hawaiian Barbecue on San Mateo Avenue, or McDonald’s on Airport Boulevard.

  • Are there hotels close to the San Diego International Airport?

    If you’re only in town 2-3 days, you might want to just stay at or around the airport. Staying close to the airport is also convenient when you have a very early morning flight. There are several hotels less than a mile from the airport, including the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Holiday Inn Express.

  • Is it easy to get around the San Diego International Airport?

    Getting around SAN is not too difficult. The airport offers a simple design which includes three terminals. Terminal 1 houses Southwest, Frontier, and Allegiant Airlines. There are also numerous restaurants here for passengers such as Ciao Gourmet Market, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Emerald Express. British Airways, jetBlue, and Alaska Airlines are all located in Terminal 2. It also offers passengers a variety of dining options from Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar to the California Pizza Kitchen. A shuttle is easily accessible and makes it convenient to get from one terminal to the other.

  • What is the cheapest flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego was $29 for a one-way ticket and $49 for a return.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Francisco to San Diego?

    Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the San Francisco to San Diego flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San Francisco to San Diego?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the San Francisco to San Diego flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

    oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between San Francisco and San Diego, with Star Alliance being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

    There are direct flights from San Francisco to San Diego on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from San Francisco to San Diego.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Francisco to San Diego?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Diego from San Francisco is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to San Diego with an airline and back to San Francisco with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Diego from San Francisco up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San Francisco to San Diego

  • Enjoy non-stop flights from San Francisco to San Diego with Alaska, Southwest, or United Airlines. These flights take off throughout both the day and evening and last about an hour and a half. You will depart from San Francisco International Airport and will land at San Diego International Airport.
  • Parking at San Francisco International Airport is abundant. There is long-term parking found both in a garage and lot. Parking costs around $25 per day and includes express entry and exit. Shuttle service to airport terminals is also provided 24/7.
  • Along with food and shopping, San Francisco International Airport offers a number of cultural and educational opportunities. Learn about the history of the airport through exhibits in international terminal hall. You might also read a book in the Christian Science Reading Room (Terminal 1, near Gate 40) or watch a short film in the screening room which is also in the international terminal hall.
  • San Diego International Airport, or SAN, is conveniently located off of I-5. It is a short drive from outdoor attractions like Windansea Beach and La Jolla Caves, and than 10 minutes from Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres) and the downtown area.
  • Getting to downtown or other communities in San Diego from the airport is quite convenient via Bus Route 992. It is only a 10-minute ride and the bus will pick you up just outside of baggage claim. If you don’t want to use public transportation, there are a number of transportation companies that provide shuttle service from the airport -- simply catch a shuttle at Transportation Plaza in either Terminal 1 or 2.
See more tips

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

Find which airlines fly direct from San Francisco Airport to San Diego Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Francisco to San Diego

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +18 more

ANA, Air Canada, +19 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air China, +18 more

ANA, Air Canada, +19 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +21 more

ANA, Air Canada, +22 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +19 more

ANA, Air Canada, +20 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air China, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Diego to San Francisco

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +19 more

ANA, Air Canada, +20 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air China, +19 more

ANA, Air Canada, +20 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +21 more

ANA, Air Canada, +22 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +19 more

ANA, Air Canada, +20 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air China, +21 more

ANA, Air Canada, +22 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +21 more

ANA, Air Canada, +22 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top airlines flying from San Francisco to San Diego

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from San Francisco to San Diego. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San Francisco to San Diego? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 9906 reviews
7.1Food
7.9Comfort
8.5Crew
8.2Boarding
7.1Entertainment
Airline reviews

All good. Great food and entertainment when there isn’t any on a one hour flight

10.0 ExcellentSteven, Feb 2025STS - SAN
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

All good. Great food and entertainment when there isn’t any on a one hour flight

The flight was delayed over two and a half hours thus causing me to miss my best friend’s funeral. All because the flight crew had to get more rest. That was the reason stated. I understand however very unfortunate. Glad everyone is well rested and resting in peace.

All good except both the outbound and return flights were delayed about 1 1/2 hrs.

Not great. My flight was canceled due to a mechanical problem and I could not get rebooked for the same day. I needed to get to my destination yesterday, not today. I was able to book with another airline but it was a layover and ultimately a 1 hour flight took me 12 hours. Normally I like Alaska much more than Southwest, but Southwest came through with a not terrible price for same day.

The plane was late arriving. The Alaska people did a great job of turning it around quickly and getting us off. We took off about 35 minutes after it reached the gate.

I liked the flight attendant named Tyler. He was charismatic and genuine. I like the pilot in my second flight, he was considerate to everyone’s feelings. I liked the people I sat beside. I like the plane size. I like Alaska airlines

I appreciate the priority for safety. I did not enjoy how the delays were handled.

orgiginal scheduled flight ( 2.5 hours connection) was cancelled, was given option to rebook between a 1-hour connection or a next day flight. Missed connection flight, and decided to book last minute with an other airline.

Crew members were helpful and responsive. However, the toilet in the only main cabin bathroom didn’t work properly.

Damaged my luggage. Insisted to check in my small luggage now it’s scratched and dented.

The seats were hard molded plastic covered in plastic vinyl. And the scam to charge people extra to sit together. Don’t they know we can just ask someone to trade seats. And watching the staff separate young children from parents… super classy. We had to guilt them into offering up our seats. This companies policies suck. Don’t give them your money.

Frontier had yet another flight cancellation. Have never made a complete round trip with this airline without at least one leg getting cancelled. Miserable flights - dirty, uncomfortable planes that apparently always have issues since I've had multiple delays and cancellations with them.

Everything went as planned. Crew was great. Seats were still not that comfortable.

No frills for sure. No gate announcements about flight delay, not even water to drink on the flight.

I loked walking out on the tarmac to board and no first class. I didn't like that they have no snacks or onboard wifi to bide your time.

The plane was clean, the crew was friendly and helpful. It’s a low cost airline so there was no food, drinks or in flight entertainment but we didn’t expect any of these things. In the room for improvement department, they should install USB ports in seats to charge mobile devices.

I was surprised that all baggage, including carry on, were charged. Each additional bag went up in cost. Really disappointed in the additional costs.

It was a redeye flight, so every passenger just wanted to sleep, but through the entire flight, the flight crew made announcements over the loudspeaker at maximum volume every few minutes making sleep impossible. For example: it’s 2am, and the crew decides to give an extremely detailed announcement about snacks and beverages for sale. And 3am is the perfect time to wake up everyone with a lengthy announcement about how to get a coffee refill and how to take advantage of new offer from frontier for a credit card.

Charges unexpected. For seat that didnt recline. Please reverse extra seat and carryon charge. Bad business that is a bait and switch.

I couldn’t check in because the app didn’t work. It took 3 Frontier employees at the counter to get me checked in. Flight left 3 hours after departure time

Everything you need to know for your flight from San Francisco to San Diego

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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