$139 Find Cheap Flights from New Jersey 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 New Jersey to California departing on 7/8. 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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Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$139
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 9% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 5% increase in price.
Flight from New York John F Kennedy Airport to Las Vegas

Flights from New Jersey to California: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from New Jersey to California 
MitchellFlew with United Airlines
EWR
-
SFO
Apr 2026
security access line for Premier access was very reasonable, process was less than 10-15 minutes. Leave time for dropping off a rental car - is a bit of a walk and then AirTrain transfer due to the current construction - so allow time for less stress. take advantage of the tables in the boarding area for charging devices or doing work.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines
EWR
-
LAX
Mar 2026
This flight is very convenient, it should be noted that the security at Newark seems quite understaffed and not the most efficient so passing through it will always take at least half an hour.
AnjaliFlew with Spirit Airlines
EWR
-
LAX
Dec 2025
look out for landing in the new terminal that is then a bus ride away from your luggage
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines
EWR
-
SFO
Dec 2025
Bring your own food and in flight activity since they don’t supply any.
AracelyFlew with Spirit Airlines
EWR
-
LAX
Dec 2024
Bring snacks and your own water bottle to stay hydrated.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines
EWR
-
SAN
Feb 2025
My flight was not delayed, but my family had a flight earlier in the week that was, by 5 hours. My daughter says she'll never book a late afternoon flight as they seem most likely to be delayed. I personally like the timing and usually they cost less. Also, get on the plan with fully charged devices or a non-electronic form on entertainment.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines
EWR
-
LAX
Jun 2024
Make sure to get food before you get to the airport. Bring chargers for ur phone or your technological device.
BerniceFlew with Alaska Airlines
EWR
-
SAN
Jun 2024
Give yourself plenty of time to get through security.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines
EWR
-
LAX
Apr 2024
There are buses from Time Square Bus Terminal to Newark for $18 direct no stops you are there in 30 minutes.
MasakoFlew with Alaska Airlines
EWR
-
LAX
Apr 2024
Newark has few food options so pack something if you can. It’s not worth getting food at Newark.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines
EWR
-
SAN
Feb 2024
Allow time for TSA (I had) or figure out the priority boarding (I didn't but will look into it for future flights), I thought they were pretty inefficient. A guy behind me was freaking out because he was going to miss his flight and a bunch of us let him cut the line in hopes he could make it.
SridharFlew with Spirit Airlines
EWR
-
OAK
Dec 2023
Fly light. Get seats in front. Make sure you get here before 10 - rental car place closes prior.

FAQs for booking flights from New Jersey to California

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from New Jersey 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 New Jersey to California.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • How many airports are there in California?

    There are 28 airports in California. The busiest airport is Los Angeles Airport (LAX), with 41% of all flights arriving there.

  • Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in California?

    Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in California is San Diego Airport (SAN), with an average flight price of $263.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to California?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to California is Thursday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $427. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Monday, where round-trip prices are $578 on average.

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

    The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally at night, when round-trip flights cost $431 on average. Morning departures are around 29% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally in the evening, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $629.

  • What is the cheapest flight to California?

    The cheapest ticket to California from New Jersey found in the last 5 days was to San Diego, at $277 round-trip. The most popular route is Newark Airport (EWR) to Los Angeles (LAX) and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 5 days was $297.

  • What is the cheapest month to fly from New Jersey to California?

    The cheapest month for flights from New Jersey to California is January, when tickets cost $342 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and April, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $535 and $460 respectively.

  • How far in advance should I book a flight from New Jersey to California?

    To get a below average price on the flight from New Jersey to California, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 38% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 16 weeks before departure.

  • How long is the flight to California?

    An average nonstop flight from New Jersey to California takes 7h 01m, covering a distance of 2434 miles. The shortest route is Philadelphia (PHL) to Las Vegas (LAS) with an average flight time of 5h 20m.

  • What are the most popular destinations in California?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is San Francisco (54% of total searches to California). The next most popular destinations are Los Angeles (18%) and Las Vegas (11%). Searches for flights to Ontario (4%), to San Diego (4%) and to San Jose (4%) are also popular.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from New Jersey to California

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from New Jersey 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.
7.9
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 12468 reviews
8.5Crew
7.0Entertainment
7.1Food
7.8Comfort
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

I was very impressed at how Alaska Airlines handles people with medical needs.

8.0 ExcellentJeanie, Jun 2026
JFK - SAN
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

I was very impressed at how Alaska Airlines handles people with medical needs.

Check in & bag drop was straightforward. Alaskair changed the gate approx 40 min before departure, and I only became aware due to Google wallet update to my boarding pass. Had to move from gate N1 to C9 which required use of the Train, luckily I had time available.

Wish there were more complimentary drinks available - only had water and apple juice. Also - no snacks were provided during the flight, but we were offered some items as we exited the plane.

My boarding passes were pulled from my Apple wallet and my 3 family members who were all sitting together in the same row all got put middle seats and were one of the last to board and barely were able to get our bags in the luggage bins.

Everything went smoothly from the transfer from Orlando to a quick board. Flight was not full and we were able to get underway a little early. My only critique is that in Orlando, they offered active duty service members and veterans to board ahead of their zones in the initial boarding process. They did not offer to veterans in San Diego. Both flights were comfortable

Terrible experience with an extremely obese passenger seated directly behind me - who snored and gagged so loudly, even throughout takeoff, that no one within ten rows could have gotten any rest even with earplugs! I get that this poor person has a serious health issue, and that Alaska (maybe) had no way to prepare in advance (though he did occupy two seats). Still there must be a way to take a six-hour flight without feeling like I'm next to a roaring grizzly bear.

It might not have been their fault, but there was a two hour delay due to weather. Then we boarded and were about to leave when they said there were more problems at the destination, took us back to the gate where we had to fully deplane. But then five minutes later, they said everything was fine and to get back on the plane. This was the part that pissed everybody off.

I'm tall and the seats do not have a headrest so its hard to get comfortable. Staff and checking were all great.

I was surprised by everything. The cleanliness, the punctuality, the friendliness of the crew… and the Wi-Fi! Please keep up the good work.

Good flight overall. Lots of bumps during flight but pilot kept searching for smooth air

Flight delayed two hours , missed connection flight then connection cancelled- horrible experience with hotel

The checking was disaster, the crew wasn't behave well. It took us two hours to check in, after that thr line at the TSA was long, we barely make the flight. Bad airline

I like that if they asked you to checked in a bag at the gate they give you priority to board

I liked the Starlink WiFi but didn't like how they said they were the only airline to offer a free meal and it turns out to be just a standalone sandwich and then charge for snacks to go with it. Rather have the free snacks like Southwest, but have the option to purchase a decent meal for a 5+ hour flight.

I like Hawaiian, it was great that they had good internet connection across the Pacific Ocean, thanks to Star Link satellites. The seating was comfortable, ( I was in economy ). Maybe I missed it, but I only got offered a beverage once. It was a nonstop flight KOA to SMF. I would take it again next time I go that way.

Previously flown Hawaiian Airlines on similar routes, I found Alaska Airlines to be noticeably more comfortable. The seats on Alaska Airlines provided better support and cushioning, which made a significant difference on the long flight to the islands. When you’re spending 5-6 hours in the air, seat comfort really matters, and Alaska Airlines delivered where it counts. After comparing both carriers, I’ve decided to book with Alaska Airlines for all my future Hawaii trips. The superior seat comfort alone makes it worth choosing Alaska over Hawaiian Airlines. If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii and prioritizing comfort, I’d recommend giving Alaska Airlines a try. You won’t be disappointed. Highly recommended for Hawaii travel!

I received several emails about my 3:10 flight. When I showed up to the airport at 12:30 to check my bags I was told the flight was actually at 1 pm. They grudgingly rebooked me for a flight at 5:22 to Vegas to get a connecting to LAX. I did find the gate for my original 3:10 flight but they were booked. I proceeded to receive status updates and gate change information for the 3:10 flight, even though I was apparently never supposed to be on that flight

The crew was EXTREMELY helpful And sweet and the flight was smooth!

The Kayak confirmation number did not work for checking in the day before. I checked in at 8.30 using my ticket number. When I arrived at the airport, I was informed that the flight was overbooked, and since I had checked in late, I did not have a seat. The Next flight was not until ten PM. I called my wife, who had been taking care of our kids all weekend, and she was upset, calling me a liar and telling me to stay in SD. It turned my weekend getaway into a nightmare! I blame the Kayak website and will not book flights using your app in the future.

One hour waiting time after boarding, but arrived in time. I am satisfied

New plane was lovely. Crew customer service is always lax but expected. Kraft on time and arrived safely.

Seat pitch is horrible especially on the 15 hour flight. Gate crew at SFO was Outstanding. The flight crew was also great.

6 1/2 hours from Tampa to SFO on a Boeing 737. Cramped. No Service. No real food. One pass for coffee at the beginning and a second pass THREE hours later. And check-in in Tampa was nasty even by United standards. And I am at almost TWO million miles on United. It's a non-stop. But terrible service.

First class ticket gets you no seat back entertainment? I have to bring my own laptop to see a movie? And most of their movies have ADS? No thank you. Worse: Tiny snacks only on a 2 hr flight?

Late plane. Only one crew on the ground so we b had to wait for Denver flight to come in, board, and depart. At 78 yrs of age I was not pleased trying to get my connection. What really made me angry was the notification you sent me to hurry up or I would miss my connection. Why tell me to hurry up when you got me in late. It was not a good way of treating customers.

No complaints other than luggage carousel was incorrectly guiding passengers to the wrong carousel on the screen.

Outstanding service, efficient & friendly crew, flight was safe, comfortable & on time

The crew was great. Very friendly and responsive. The plane was old, small and tight. We ran out of overhead space and I had to check. Middle seat was particularly tight.

The flight was delayed from take off because only one runway was operational in San Francisco.

Several missed and almost missed connections. It felt like everything was being patched together last minute without enough resources and it ended up being an extremely stressful experience that basically ruined our weekend on the west coast. What a waste.

Was put into a seat right behind the toilet that had no entertainment possible but did have plenty of leg room over noisy part of plane.

American delayed the flight for a crew rest period. The delay occurred late in the evening - the earliest i can find is 10:20 pm. With a 6 am flight anyone on the flight would have already have been asleep (unless you are insane, a vampire or on drugs) and at least for me i was already on the way to the airport at 445 am the next morning when i discovered they delayed the flight until 9 am. Given the incoming flight was in the air at 6 pm the evening before this should have been figured out a lot more timely that was there only crew to use. Just frustrating given there is no consideration for customer experience anymore in flying.

Flight: Started on time. Comfortable flight. Arrived on time. Crew: Very cordial and helpful. Drinks and snack was served with a smile. Overall enjoyed the trip. Regards, Hari Doss Chanchala Doss

To have arrived on time and not 3 hours late after having already spent $100 to change to an earlier flight, only to arrive back home close to the original flight time.

American Airlines is a miserable experience. It is predictably miserable, in the sense that every time I fly American, I brace myself for the certainty that it will be unpleasant and uncomfortable. But it is unpredictable in the sense that I never know if the flight will be on time or delayed nine hours (both happened to me this week). I never know if I will be able to sit in the seat that I selected when I purchased the ticket or if I will be told by Customer Service (!!!) that I must relocate from first class to a seat in the back of the aircraft with no explanation (both happened to me this week). Will the food be frozen and half defrosted, or scalding hot? Will the drinks be warm? Will the flight attendants be surly and mean? Will the toilets be cramped and foul? Will the seats be narrow and uncomfortable? Will there be a real electric outlet at the seat, or just an unreliable USB-2 port? Will there be enough seats in the boarding lounge or just a few? Will the boarding process be smooth and efficient, or will the gate agents mess it up and delay it needlessly for 30 or 40 minutes? Will the catering and cleaning crew be prompt or will they take an extra 30 minutes? Will the brakes on the aircraft work properly, or will the pilot delay takeoff for four hours while the ground crew attends to what can only be described as routine maintenance that should have been done the night before? I've eexperienced every one of these unpleasant things this year, 2026. The only thing I can reliably count on is that American will find a new way to make the experience of flying as miserable as they possibly can.

Wifi was spotty. Tray table was very dirty when I sat down.

The WiFi would not connect enough for me to do my actual work. It permaspooled, disconnected, said it was connected, then wouldn't open an email... it was frustrating. I am not a tall person, 5'4" - and I felt cramped with little room to reach into my bag under the seat in front of me. I feel sorry for anyone taller than me having to fly. the one positive thing I will add, is the overhead bins are roomy enough to manage more bags than other carriers.

Going non stop to lax like I paid for. Not stopping in MCI for gas. Too long of delays

Delayed for mechanical and no updates on what was happening and how long the delay might be.

A first class seat should fit a fat person, and this doesn't. The trays in the armrest are less functional than an ordinary tray in the back of the seat.

Since we started at syr the service, crews, and flights were just excellent

It was fine for what it was. It’s not luxury travel but it was efficient, for the most part. Having my carry-on transferred into luggage however, was unwelcome.

We had better-than-average leg room and I loved the access to shows and movies. During boarding, we could not hear the agent even though we were close to the boarding door, which was kind of scary when we realized that half of the passengers had already boarded. Also, the entertainment was awesome, but I could not hear the movie as well as I would have liked, because my headphones were crappy. It would have been better if I could connect my own ear buds via Bluetooth or if JetBlue provided headphones.

On time, friendly attendants, quick wheelchair assistance and help checking in bags. Also appreciated change in seats, more forward to make it easier for my 97 year old mother to board and exit the plane. Thank you, JetBlue!

Flight did not have onboard charging and TV screen flickering.

I was seated next to an autistic child who was out of control and had a child behind me kicking my seat for most of the trip. I will never fly JetBlue again. Ever. I don't care how cheap it is. It's terrible.

Boarding process was terrible. No assigned seat until the gate, then a long line to get seat assignment.

This was the first flight I've taken since pre-pandemic. I was pleased with how orderly the boarding and disembarking went. The seats were comfortable. I loved that there was no "first class'. The attendants and passengers I met were all very friendly and welcoming.

Boarding was easy. Provided drinks and snacks. Good aircraft and staff

Not very happy because of the long delaying which causes our luggages were not on the connection flight and nearly missed our connection flight.

Everything you need to know for your flight to California

Cabin class types available on flights to New Jersey

Cabin classes available on flights to New Jersey. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.