SFO - SAN

$84 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San Diego – Compare and Save

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 19/8. 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.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return fare
$132
Typical prices: $153-$368
Alaska Airlines
Thu 10/9Thu 10/9
SFO - SAN • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$84
Typical prices: $97-$212
Southwest
Wed 19/8
SFO - SAN • 1 stop
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $132 (return)
Best reviews • 7.9 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Alaska Airlines, Frontier, and others. Average duration is 1h 42m
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 82% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 48% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 23% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
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Good to know
Good to know
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We hope you love your trip to San Diego!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights 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.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to San Diego

Thu, 10 Sep - Thu, 10 Sep
Alaska Airlines Logo
08:25 - 10:08
SFO
-
SAN
1h 43mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
13:00 - 14:45
SAN
-
SFO
1h 45mdirect
$132Alaska Airlines
Thu, 20 Aug - Mon, 24 Aug
Southwest Logo
14:00 - 15:35
SFO
-
SAN
1h 35mdirect
Southwest Logo
13:05 - 14:40
SAN
-
SFO
1h 35mdirect
$139Southwest
Thu, 10 Sep - Thu, 10 Sep
Alaska Airlines Logo
08:25 - 10:08
SFO
-
SAN
1h 43mdirect
Alaska Airlines Logo
19:59 - 21:42
SAN
-
SFO
1h 43mdirect
$143Alaska Airlines
Thu, 20 Aug - Mon, 24 Aug
Southwest Logo
05:10 - 09:35
SFO
-
SAN
4h 25m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
16:55 - 18:30
SAN
-
SFO
1h 35mdirect
$153Southwest
Thu, 20 Aug - Mon, 24 Aug
Southwest Logo
12:30 - 14:05
SFO
-
SAN
1h 35mdirect
Southwest Logo
15:30 - 21:30
SAN
-
SFO
6h 00m
2 stops
$160Southwest
Thu, 13 Aug - Mon, 17 Aug
Southwest Logo
05:10 - 08:50
SFO
-
SAN
3h 40m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
18:40 - 23:25
SAN
-
SFO
4h 45m
1 stop
$167Southwest
Thu, 20 Aug - Mon, 24 Aug
Southwest Logo
15:20 - 22:00
SFO
-
SAN
6h 40m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
15:10 - 21:30
SAN
-
SFO
6h 20m
2 stops
$175Southwest
Thu, 20 Aug - Mon, 24 Aug
Southwest Logo
11:30 - 20:00
SFO
-
SAN
8h 30m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
15:10 - 21:30
SAN
-
SFO
6h 20m
2 stops
$182Southwest
Wed, 23 Sep - Sat, 26 Sep
Southwest Logo
07:40 - 20:30
SFO
-
SAN
12h 50m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
09:10 - 13:35
SAN
-
SFO
4h 25m
1 stop
$183Southwest
Sat, 15 Aug - Sat, 22 Aug
Southwest Logo
06:00 - 13:10
SFO
-
SAN
7h 10m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
13:10 - 14:45
SAN
-
SFO
1h 35mdirect
$189Southwest
Booking Insights

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.

How much is a return flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

This analysis is based on the cheapest return trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego departing in September.

Flight prices are below average for this route right now.

Flights to San Diego from San Francisco usually cost between $181 and $396 in September.
The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $132 on Alaska Airlines (10 Sept–10 Sept).

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 October, where tickets cost $243 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are March and April, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $382 and $378 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 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 48% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 10 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$84
Best time to beat the crowds (1% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 24% lower 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.

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 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego was $84 for a one-way ticket and $132 for a return.

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

    Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta 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 Airbus A320neo 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 is the only airline alliance operating flights between San Francisco and San Diego.

  • 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.

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.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying 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

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Diego to San Francisco

Monday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Friday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Frontier,Southwest, +1 more

Alaska Airlines,Frontier, +2 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top airline 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.
7.9
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 12705 reviews
8.1Boarding
7.8Comfort
7.0Food
8.5Crew
7.0Entertainment
Airline reviews

Not able to get boarding pass for domestic connection flight when check in at international airport. I was told I need to get connection flight boarding pass after I entered US. It us very inconvenient.

6.0 GoodVI, June 2026
SFO - SAN
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

Not able to get boarding pass for domestic connection flight when check in at international airport. I was told I need to get connection flight boarding pass after I entered US. It us very inconvenient.

Four hour delay. Missed our event. And they offered me $75. Absolutely shameful.

I have been flying commercial for decades. I was in one of the ladder boarding groups, had my bag tagged because they thought there was not going to be enough space for it in the overhead bins. I politely asked one of the attendance if I could try to find a space- she said I could and I did. I then took the bag tag off and gave it to one of the other attendants as I was told to do by the first one. He, in a curt, anal, and disrespectful manner, told me that I needed to take my bag down from the overhead bin and check it. This was a situation I’ve never encountered before. The attendant’s attitude was confrontational and belittling in front of other onlooking passengers as if daring me to challenge him. I am a physician who takes care of patients day in and day out. Not wanting to make a scene, I calmly told him, “do what you need to do.” he took my bag down from the overhead bin, put the back tag back on it, and checked it only to make room for another bag that was also supposed to be technically checked by a following passenger. The same male attendant later came up to me and said “you shouldn’t have showed me the bag tag,” as if conveying that he was just following protocol was a justification for treating me like a kid out of line. I cared about this because it took 15 minutes from my life to then retrieve the bag at baggage claim and it also felt like really poor customer service. I understand the need for protocols. This is also a service industry, and we the passengers are the clients. We should be made to feel welcome and respected and our life in transit made as easy as it can be within reason. This attendant clearly needs to be reminded of that. Of note, an older female fellow passenger sitting next to me agreed with this assessment.

I love Alaska! We arrived on the later side without seat assignments only to find the had oversold the flight by 1. The attendants worked extra hard to find a way for our party of 7 to stay together and we made it on the flight! Loved the free WiFi also!

The he whole flight was very smooth on every aspects.

Big delay of over 7 hours on next leg of trip with Alaska. Would have been nice to have food or something

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

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.

the departure time was changed several times. At the end we were late 2 hours and 15 min. It was a poor experience

Be prepared for departure delays at SFO while the runways are under construction. No fault of the airlines, so be flexible. Alaska is my favorite air line but needs to pay flight attendants for all the time they're at work, not just when in the air.

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports