$55 Find Cheap Flights from Des Moines to California

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Des Moines to California departing on 9/15. 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

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These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Des Moines to California, 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 Des Moines to California, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flights from Des Moines to California

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$195
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$228
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$197
San Jose
San Jose1 stop$239
Palm Springs
Palm Springs1 stop$245
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$295
Bakersfield
Bakersfield1 stop$269
Reno
Reno2 stops$207
Sacramento
Sacramento1 stop$297
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$195
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$228
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$197
San Jose
San Jose1 stop$239
Palm Springs
Palm Springs1 stop$245
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$295
Bakersfield
Bakersfield1 stop$269
Reno
Reno2 stops$207
Sacramento
Sacramento1 stop$297

Book Cheap Des Moines to California Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Des Moines to California 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 round-trip flight deals from Des Moines to California

Mon, Sep 8 - Thu, Sep 11
Allegiant Air Logo
3:30 pm - 4:41 pmDSM-LAS
3h 11mnonstop
Allegiant Air Logo
5:43 pm - 10:41 pmLAS-DSM
2h 58mnonstop
$89Allegiant Air
Find Deal
Mon, Sep 8 - Fri, Sep 12
Allegiant Air Logo
3:30 pm - 4:41 pmDSM-LAS
3h 11mnonstop
Allegiant Air Logo
5:31 pm - 10:29 pmLAS-DSM
2h 58mnonstop
$90Allegiant Air
Find Deal
Wed, Aug 27 - Wed, Sep 3
Southwest Logo
12:15 pm - 1:20 pmDSM-LAS
3h 05mnonstop
Southwest Logo
10:50 am - 3:50 pmLAS-DSM
3h 00mnonstop
$167Southwest
Find Deal
Wed, Aug 27 - Wed, Sep 3
Southwest Logo
4:35 pm - 10:10 pmDSM-LAS
7h 35m1 stop
Southwest Logo
10:50 am - 3:50 pmLAS-DSM
3h 00mnonstop
$177Southwest
Find Deal
Sat, Sep 13 - Thu, Sep 18
American Airlines Logo
4:09 pm - 10:22 pmDSM-LAS
8h 13m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
11:59 pm - 9:04 amLAS-DSM
7h 05m1 stop
$187American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Sep 13 - Sat, Sep 20
American Airlines Logo
4:20 pm - 8:41 pmDSM-LAS
6h 21m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
2:59 pm - 11:13 pmLAS-DSM
6h 14m1 stop
$188American Airlines
Find Deal
Sun, Oct 12 - Wed, Oct 15
Frontier Logo
8:44 pm - 11:32 pmDSM-LAS
4h 48m1 stop
Frontier Logo
8:00 am - 2:43 pmLAS-DSM
4h 43m1 stop
$196Frontier
Find Deal
Wed, Oct 15 - Wed, Oct 22
Frontier Logo
3:30 pm - 12:25 amDSM-LAX
10h 55m1 stop
Frontier Logo
6:45 am - 2:43 pmLAX-DSM
5h 58m1 stop
$218Frontier
Find Deal
Wed, Aug 20 - Wed, Dec 10
United Airlines Logo
6:15 pm - 11:58 pmDSM-LAX
7h 43m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
5:00 am - 12:38 pmLAX-DSM
5h 38m1 stop
$296United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Nov 1 - Wed, Nov 5
United Airlines Logo
2:52 pm - 9:54 pmDSM-SNA
9h 02m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
12:15 pm - 10:20 pmSNA-DSM
8h 05m1 stop
$297United Airlines
Find Deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Des Moines to California flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Des Moines to California to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How much is a round-trip flight from Des Moines to California?

What is the cheapest Des Moines to California flight route?

The cheapest price for flight routes found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks for round-trip flights from Des Moines to California.

The cheapest ticket to California from Des Moines found in the last 72 hours was to Santa Ana, at $108 round-trip. The most popular route is from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego (SAN), and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $111.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Des Moines to California?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

No, with an average price for the route of $289, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to California?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Des Moines to California, 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 Des Moines to California is August, when tickets cost $313 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and February, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $460 and $451 respectively.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Des Moines to California?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Des Moines to California clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to California on a Friday and more expensive on a Saturday. On your return trip to Des Moines, you should consider flying back on a Friday, and avoid Thursdays for better deals.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Des Moines to California?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Des Moines to California, 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 Des Moines to California, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 28% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 10 weeks before departure.


Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$55
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 5% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 7% lower on average.
Flight from Des Moines to Las Vegas

FAQs - booking California flights

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Des Moines to California?

    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 Des Moines to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Des Moines to California?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from Des Moines to California 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 Des Moines to California?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly from Des Moines to California with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Des Moines to California?

    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 from Des Moines to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to California?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally in the morning, when round-trip flights cost $194 on average. Morning departures are around 80% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally in the afternoon, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $874.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to California

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found tickets from Des Moines to the following destinations at these prices or less: Las Vegas $74 one-way - $146 round-trip

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Des Moines to California

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Des Moines to California. 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 Des Moines to California? 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
SouthwestOverall score based on 4241 reviews
8.6Crew
8.1Boarding
7.5Entertainment
8.0Comfort
7.0Food
Airline reviews

Very smooth checking in our luggage with a super pleasant SW agent. I enjoyed a fun entertaining movie.

10.0 ExcellentGordon, Jul 2025GEG - OAK
Read more Southwest reviews

Very smooth checking in our luggage with a super pleasant SW agent. I enjoyed a fun entertaining movie.

First time traveling on Southwest since bag fees were implemented. Usual good service. Just more expensive now.

It was a perfect flight in all aspects! Both legs!

Boarding process, crew were good. But the seats were so uncomfortable that was all I could focus on. I literally had to sit forward so that all 3 of us could fit in row. I will try to avoid Southwest in the future for any flights over 60 minutes.

Great flight, 47 passengers on a 180 seat plane. Stewardess was pleasant and cheerful.

Great experience flying Southwest. The crew was really kind and helpful, and very friendly with our toddler.

Plane late from DC to Austin 30 minutes. Crew made up much of the time enroute to San Diego.

Fine, but how to board on SW versus othrr airlines, is just lame. Goood staff though and all was solid otherwise.

Was as expected. Crowed planes. Too many carryons delaying takeoff. But the ride only took an hour and saved me a lot of time SFO is a not a great airport.

I will be flying again Southwest Airlines. Friendly crew, comfortable and affordable.

Boarded plane and then delayed 1.5 hours while on the plane

Horrific. They missed my connecting flight to San Diego. I didn’t get there until Monday at 9am when I had a mandatory court settlement conference scheduled at 6am since we had parties on the east coast. This caused many issues. All because United apparently forgot to hold the doors open until my flight landed that only had a 10 minute delay. This was the last flight to Southern California. So I couldn’t even rent a car to finish the trip. United cannot be trusted when traveling on specific days and times since weather didn’t have anything to do with the delays.

My flight was delayed a very short period of time but they did not hold my connecting flight to San Diego, also through United. So they closed the doors before we got off our plane. They would only have to help the door open for another five to ten minutes. So I missed a court deadline for a manditory mediation settlement conference for my client. I had to get an associate to be there in person and be on the phone with him relaying what he needs to do the entire time. The court was very upset with me and so was my client. United cannot be trusted.

Very rough getting into denver. my kid threw up it was so rough.

We were given vouchers we couldn’t use with a 5.5 hour delay

Really good 😊 the woman at the gate entrance was a little rude checking in our carry-on but i dont think she worked for the airline, she worked for the airport at sacramento, other than that amazing.

Boarding was mayhem. Late boarding by 15 minutes because of lack of staff (missing 1 flight attendant. We had to wait for an arrival of another plane before we could board). Flight was a little rough, but cannot blame on airlines.

Great experience…left a bit behind schedule but made up fir that in the air and landed 10 minutes early 😁

United out of SFO is having issues with catering so none of our meals were loaded on the plane and no offer of compensation for our tickets purchased was offered.

A bit rush for transit. Food and entertainment are not available

Amazing food, great staff, with one noticable detail missing ...but no seat entertainment in any of aircraft ...I am not a fan

Boarding gate in Honolulu was staffed with a great clerk with a soothing voice despite the flight delay of over an hour. Flight attendants in the plane were all grumpy, not pleasant looking bunch. Their sour attitude showed throughout the flight. Inly able to get a select few movies started. Most of the movie links in the “free entertainment” did not work.

This was a horrible experience. For a first class experience, my chair was held together by 3M tape - and I have a photo. The crew weren’t very attentive, somewhat dismissive and forgot my drink and snack, the chair reclined about 3 inches on a 6-hour cross country flight. I was also not informed that there was no lounge available in Newark airport because of renovations, so all around this was one of the worst experiences and I would actively avoid both American and Alaska Air going forward.

Boarding was very efficient. Everyone got on board and we got on our way very quickly. It was frustrating that the entertainment app was not functioning properly. I was not able to activate some of the movies offered. The crew on this flight appears to be pretty grumpy. They had no smile on their faces. I felt like they were doing us a favor for being there.

Loved the staff, boarding and drink options! Wish the comfort of the seat could have been better nevertheless

Honestly, I haven’t flown American in years, probably due to the pandemic and my being unable to travel for certain periods in the last two years, but it was a good experience to dig out or obtain a new American Airlines account after many years of traveling for business with American in the past.

Long 5 hour and 45 min flight and only one drink service and cookie snack

In flight connectivity (via T-Mobile) was often not working.

One bottle of water and a package of cookies for comfort plus. We had to literally beg a flight attendant for an extra bottle of water later in the flight due to feeling dehydrated.

Flight boarded from Gate 39 at OGG, the farthest gate in the terminal. There were no Hawaiian themed amenities for the flight. The first class service was mediocre at best; I received not special welcome or recognition as an executive platinum member of American Advantage program. The flight attendants were more concerned with their cell phones than saying "thank you" to the passengers as we disembarked. Fortunately, the flight arrived at LAX a few minutes early.

It was canceled. The flight wasn’t rescheduled, everyone had to figure out their own new arrangements. They said we would get refunded our original fare and receive an additional $150. We received links for $100 only and they expired before we could activate them.

The plane had originated in Las Vegas at 6:30 in the morning and flew to Moline where we boarded. The flight left around 12:30 PM and there were no boxed snacks available and many of the alcoholic beverages were unavailable. I would find it hard to believe that that many of the passengers coming from Las Vegas at 6:30 in the morning, drank and ate that much of the items. I can only come to the conclusion that someone failed to stock the plane for the round-trip. This is a huge revenue failure for the airline and disappointment for the passengers. The flight crew did not seem happy to be there and did not engage with passengers. Allegiant you can do better.

They did not let my husband on the plane with our service animal at the last minute. Do NOT fly this airline with a service animal!

Tight! Seats are not designed for those of us who wear extra-large clothes.

The non-stop flight from Grand Rapids was excellent. I neither expected or needed a budget flight and Allegiant made the trip easy and for an affordable price, Arriving at the Mesa Airport (AZA) is a delight compared to the international airport. For our return flight, we were able to arrive 75 minutes before the flight, return the rental car, check our bag and make it to the gate in plenty of time. That would never happen at most airports.

Easiest flights I’ve ever taken. Plane was comfortable without overly crowded seating.

Terrible. Still have not received the refund from them. They sent it to some account that I don't even know. Spoke with costumer service and they are unable to help.

I didn’t like it at all. I miss my second flight because of the delay on Allegiant Air now I m stuck in MCO.

Good, but a bit late on take off after loading. Don't like charging for carry ons!

First time flying with them and will definitely fly again in the future. Crew was so nice and friendly, fought was seamless. They are simple planes, no entertainment, but it’s fine for a short flight or if you have personal devices Rates are competitive, and they did so well with keeping the flight on time after a tropical storm, where other airlines had delays and cancellations.

Boarding in Orlando was not good. Giant mob at the gate, should have been lines.

Decent clean onboard experience. Okay discount airline experience. Unfortunately, any customer service interactions are difficult and unhelpful. There is no service. Also, a premium seat only gets you premium boarding if you line up first. Once they start general boarding you must go to the back of the line. Not very premium

baggage clamed had to wait over a hour and half for all people on my flight it was terrible

The ticketing agents were rude but then we had a great gate agent very nice we had to ride a buss out to where the plane was parked but it was in some back corner of the airport when we got to the plane the captain who was great btw was cleaning the plane because the same rude ticketing agent told them they we not contracted to vacuum the plane. The ride to las Vegas was fine We had a connecting flight to Dallas. The flight was fine but when we arrived in Dallas everyone who flew on any frontier airlines the picked up bags from baggage claim D15 had to wait over a hour for their bags to start we arrived at 11:30pm ish to the gate we didn't leave the baggage clamed till 12:50 am very not happy and i used to fly frontier 4 times a week for work in Denver i will not be using them again

I was 2 hr arrive in the airport and 45 min in the line . After take to my turn . The agent tell me I’m later . I can not board . So my vacation was going to the floor . Just for their bad customer service agent in the airline

Frontier Airlines was AWFUL. I was an hour early for my flight and the lady refused to check me in. I had to purchase a whole new ticket with a different airline.

My flight was canceled I was promised a reginf still not received.

Late, terrible communication, horrible planning of passenger seating until the literal last minute. One of the worst flying experiences of my life. Y'all suck

Both legs of the flight were changed. The day of the flight and length of the trip.

First of all, we never got on the connecting flight to Denver. They delayed our flight for two hours. If we would have gotten on that flight, we would have been stuck in Denver for 13 hours. So we re- routed our flight for a straight through flight to Oklahoma two days later. THEN, they delayed that flight for two hours. After that we were able to finally get on our flight and come home. Frontier Airlines - one of the worst airlines I have ever been on.

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