$42 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area

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 Diego to San Francisco Bay Area departing on 12/23. 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

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Francisco Bay Area

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area.
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area.
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Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
San Francisco
San Franciscononstop$83
San Jose
San Josenonstop$110
San Francisco
San Franciscononstop$83
San Jose
San Josenonstop$110

Book Cheap San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area 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 San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area

Tue, Jan 6 - Thu, Jan 8
Southwest Logo
8:50 am - 10:35 amSAN-SFO
1h 45mnonstop
Southwest Logo
7:40 am - 9:10 amSFO-SAN
1h 30mnonstop
$83Southwest
Find Deal
Fri, Jan 9 - Mon, Jan 12
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:59 pm - 10:47 pmSAN-SFO
1h 48mnonstop
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:13 pm - 3:52 pmSFO-SAN
1h 39mnonstop
$84Multiple Airlines
Find Deal
Mon, Dec 15 - Mon, Jan 12
Frontier Logo
8:10 pm - 10:03 pmSAN-SFO
1h 53mnonstop
Frontier Logo
2:13 pm - 3:52 pmSFO-SAN
1h 39mnonstop
$85Frontier
Find Deal
Wed, Dec 24 - Thu, Dec 25
Frontier Logo
8:10 pm - 10:03 pmSAN-SFO
1h 53mnonstop
Frontier Logo
2:13 pm - 3:52 pmSFO-SAN
1h 39mnonstop
$86Frontier
Find Deal
Fri, Jan 9 - Tue, Jan 13
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:32 pm - 10:25 pmSAN-SFO
1h 53mnonstop
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:41 am - 1:25 pmSFO-SAN
1h 44mnonstop
$87Multiple Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Jan 6 - Thu, Jan 8
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:25 am - 4:36 pmSAN-SJC
6h 11m1 stop
Alaska Airlines Logo
12:46 pm - 2:11 pmSJC-SAN
1h 25mnonstop
$116Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Mon, Jan 12 - Wed, Jan 14
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:59 pm - 10:35 pmSAN-SJC
1h 36mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:45 am - 9:19 pmSJC-SAN
13h 34m2 stops
$118Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Mon, Jan 5 - Sat, Jan 10
American Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 12:29 pmSAN-STS
6h 14m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
12:55 pm - 6:31 pmSTS-SAN
5h 36m1 stop
$158American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Jan 10 - Sun, Jan 11
American Airlines Logo
10:09 am - 3:53 pmSAN-STS
5h 44m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
12:55 pm - 6:35 pmSTS-SAN
5h 40m1 stop
$177American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Jan 10 - Tue, Jan 13
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
12:30 pm - 2:29 pmSAN-STS
1h 59mnonstop
Hawaiian Airlines Logo
6:50 am - 1:01 pmSTS-SAN
6h 11m1 stop
$180Hawaiian Airlines
Find Deal
Booking Insights

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

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

What is the cheapest San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The cheapest ticket to San Francisco Bay Area from San Diego found in the last 72 hours was to San Francisco, at $76 round-trip. The most popular route is from San Diego (SAN) to San Francisco (SFO), and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $76.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area?

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 $406, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area, 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 Diego to San Francisco Bay Area is January, when tickets cost $101 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are November and September, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $197 and $162 respectively.

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

The average price of all round-trip flights from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

For San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area, Friday is the cheapest day to fly on average and Sunday is the most expensive. Flying from San Francisco Bay Area back to San Diego, the best deals are generally found on Tuesday, with Friday being the most expensive.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area, 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 Diego to San Francisco Bay Area, you should book around 2 weeks before departure, which saves you about 35% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 9 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$42
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 17% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 32% increase in price.
Flight from San Diego to San Francisco

Flights from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area 
AmyFlew with Spirit AirlinesSAN-OAKDec 2024
Make sure you download your movies in advance and try not to bring more luggage than you need. And keep in mind that the gate at San Diego airport is terribly small.
VyomaFlew with Alaska AirlinesSAN-SFOJun 2024
Be sure to read the signs, i have heard it's confusing for connecting flights if you don't follow the directions.

FAQs - booking San Francisco Bay Area flights

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

    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 Diego to San Francisco Bay Area.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area 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 Diego to San Francisco Bay Area?

    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 San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area 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 San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area?

    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 San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area 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 San Francisco Bay Area?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to San Francisco Bay Area is generally in the evening, when round-trip flights cost $206 on average. Morning departures are around 129% more expensive than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to San Francisco Bay Area is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $472.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to San Francisco Bay Area

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found tickets from San Diego to the following destinations at these prices or less: San Francisco $97 one-way - $199 round-trip

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area. 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 Diego to San Francisco Bay Area? 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 11388 reviews
8.1Boarding
7.8Comfort
8.5Crew
7.1Food
7.0Entertainment
Airline reviews

I truly appreciated the kindness and attentiveness of the staff and flight attendants. They did their best to be prompt with departure times to San Diego and back to New York! Alaska Airlines ... you are awesome!!

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Nov 2025SAN - JFK
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

I truly appreciated the kindness and attentiveness of the staff and flight attendants. They did their best to be prompt with departure times to San Diego and back to New York! Alaska Airlines ... you are awesome!!

I've never flied them before but liked them. Weather was bad so a little scarey but they did a great job landing.

I recently traveled with my service animal, and before boarding, a gate agent kindly arranged for me to have an empty seat next to me to give my dog more space. However, once on board, a male crew member spoke to me in a rude and loud tone, insisting my dog stay on the floor or my lap—even after I explained what the gate agent had approved. His tone and behavior were unprofessional and made me feel uncomfortable in front of other passengers. I understand and respect airline policies, but I would appreciate if this could be reviewed to ensure better awareness and sensitivity toward passengers traveling with service animals. Thank you for your understanding.

Check in online didn't accept my confirmation number so i could only check in with assistance at the airport and ended up with s creepy middle seat.

It was the most expensive Alaska Airlines ticket I’ve ever purchased. I had a middle seat with no legroom or space compared to any other middle seat I’ve hadThere was a silver box under the seat that took up 70% of my legroom on the most narrow 737 max the crew flat out would not help they would not help with bags they would not help with garbage there was no coffee,It was definitely not one of my better experiences on Alaska.

Sitting on the ground for 2 hours waiting for a gate wasn't fun.

It was a great experience, friendly staff and good snacks

Very mediocre, and disappointing for the price of the ticket

My flight wait is 3 hours delayed due to Unknown reason. We waited a very long time in the tarmac. Our flight 24 was scheduled @ 7, therefore we left my house at 330 to park our car. We were at the gate @ 530, then we were told at 6a that it will be late , we boarded at 930 but did not take off until 1015. Therefore my arranged pick up in JFK was cancelled because of no show. Before all these I got an email offers of changing my flight to a different date which I took a day earlier. I will never again take Alaska Airlines, very Inefficient and Disappointing.

Such great crew, from checkin to the plane. So friendly and helpful, I was genuinely impressed.

San Diego airport is brand new, spacious, airy and very smooth checkin at SW baggage drop.

Ever since Southwest starting charging for bags, passengers don't want to pay to check their bags, so the gate agents have to beg people to check their roller bags now because there's "not enough space". This was a terrible business move by Southwest.

Delays delays delays. Late taking off, late landing, wait for a gate, etc.

Connecting flight is on time and boarding was a breeze!

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

No trays in our seats, we sat in first row, purchased a business class fare. Had to hold our drinks and snack in our hands. No plugs for our cell phones. Had to pay for it a drink cocktail each. Seats so uncomfortable.

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.

United needs to step up their game. Delayed flight leaving Seattle, San Francisco. Older aircraft, not very comfortable.

Plane boarded early a quickly, was mostly full. We left close to on time. And landed early.

7 hours delayed due to operational issues on United’s end. Basically laziness.

Flight was timely, relatively comfortable, with decent entertainment and food served. Only problem encountered was with the free messaging which I highly appreciate, but it did not work from iphone to non-iphones.

The internet service I paid for didn’t work at all and the flight crew was not very friendly.

Subject: Formal Complaint: Discriminatory and Unprofessional Conduct – Request for Immediate Action & Compensation Dear [Airline Customer Relations Team], I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my recent travel experience with [Airline], which was by far the worst I have ever encountered. What occurred was not only unprofessional, but in several instances discriminatory, unsafe, and unacceptable. On the first leg of my trip, I arrived only four minutes past check-in. Instead of making any attempt to resolve the matter, your representative flatly denied me boarding and made me wait while she attended to passengers who arrived after me. By the time a manager intervened, it was too late to board, costing me time, money, and unnecessary frustration. The second leg of my trip (Chicago–San Francisco) raised even more serious concerns. From the outset, it was apparent that the staff—particularly two attendants—prioritized Caucasian passengers while dismissing African American and minority passengers. • When a Caucasian passenger in the exit row refused to comply with federal safety requirements, I, as a first responder, immediately offered to switch seats and assume the responsibility. My offer was blatantly ignored, and instead, a Caucasian passenger seated further up was chosen. This was discriminatory and deeply insulting, especially as I was actively de-escalating the situation that could have delayed the flight further. • During a lengthy tarmac delay of over 90 minutes, passengers were given conflicting and unreasonable instructions that created unnecessary distress and tension. • Throughout the flight, a visibly intoxicated passenger directly in front of me was disruptive, rude to others, failed to comply with seatbelt and electronic device rules, and yet faced no enforcement from the crew. In stark contrast, I was singled out for repeated compliance checks even though I was following every rule. This unequal treatment was so obvious that multiple passengers around me spoke up in my defense. This pattern of behavior demonstrated a clear lack of professionalism, disregard for passenger safety, and discriminatory treatment. I expect far better from an airline of your stature. As a paying customer subjected to this unacceptable treatment, I am formally requesting: 1. A full investigation into the conduct of the staff on both flights. 2. A written apology acknowledging the discriminatory and unprofessional behavior I endured. 3. Appropriate compensation for the distress, inconvenience, and mishandling of my travel. If this matter is not addressed promptly and thoroughly, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint further, including filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation and sharing my experience through other channels. I trust [Airline] will take this complaint seriously and provide a timely resolution.

I was in first class. The outlets at my seat did not work. The plane was shabby and run down. I had prepurchsed a day subscription for internet that was not redeemable. I had to repurchase the internet for my flight and then it didn’t work anyway. Quite disappointed in what was supposed to be the launch of a great vacation.

Check in was quick and easy during early hours. Flight was on time, and customer services was a plus.

The flight was comfortable with the exit row and great service

Plane was crowded and even when we hit altitude, the plane was hot, not enough air flow.

The plane was freezing and everyone had on their winter coats. I pulled out my sweaters out of my carryon to cover myself and put on an extra pair of socks. They offered NO FREE drinks or snacks on a 6 hour flight. The seats don’t have plugs or charges or any form of entertainment- so I just played my one downloaded game on my phone because I couldn’t sleep because I was too cold. Miserable flight though we landed safely.

Always comes in handy when I want a quick weekend getaway.

My luggage didn’t arrive at LAX, so that wasn’t a good experience.

I was never aware that I had to pay $100 per luggage to them on the plane that are simply carry-ons. This is discriminatory and I’m going to be alerting my entire family and friends and my Instagram following up over 75,000 of this issue and misunderstanding, including mismanaging.

Cancelled my flight last minute and did not help me rebook. It was a horrible experience.

The staff was very very rude in Las Vegas when boarding the flight. When presenting the boarding ticket. Las Vegas flight, it was hot and stuffy, it smelled really bad.

Late departure by 1:45min. No explanation why. During boarding inconsistent policing of their baggage rules. Before takeoff and lamdimg strange obsession with window shade and armrest positions. Don't know why they care. 15 min tarmac delay on arrival, they blamed airport congestion but we were the o lh flight waiting, it was clear it was due to poor staff planning (only one ground crew to receive airplanes and multiple arrivals) Got there but was rrally lame the whole trip.

I liked how cheap it was but both my flights were delayed heavily

It was okay delay was long but I made it

Boarding was a breeze, however, two of the flights that I boarded with Spirit did not have Wi-Fi available.

When I wanted to check in 3 hours prior to boarding time, the employees mentioned “a little over an hour delay” so I waited for an hour then I went to go look for food in the terminal and most people from that flight were in the same area looking for food. Finally I decided after food to check to see if it’s anytime closer and now it’s 2 mins until boarding closes?! What are you kidding me? I didn’t receive anything via sms about boarding now nor via email or on the intercom. I luckily made it through, barely, and then there’s no room for my carry on mind you I’m in the very first row so I had to place my purse in one further row back and my carry on sections down. Not sure who pays for better seats to get your stuff placed all over the plane but that was the worst experience I’ve ever had flying with anyone.

Terrible. The canceled my entire flight when I requested a refund for a trip frontier canceled trip one way.

i was unable to check in the flight. refund requested

I think Frontier was very good at communication. Their app worked very well. Loading was great and the flight was nice and easy.

This airline sucks. They offer low rates then charge you for everything, the app does not work well, the seats are the most uncomfortable. Maintenance issues on the flight, and you still have to sit through their credit card commercials. People are nice enough but does not make up for overall poor experience.

Great for the price. No wifi or entertainment, but gate agents and crew were fantastic and we boarded quickly and left on time.

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

The crew was mostly okay. The flight attendant who answered our questions was curt and unhelpful unfortunately. He seemed upset and I understand having off days.

Very bad! No good service delayed my second connection flight

They canceled flight. Hard to believe there was even a plane incoming for us to get on

Everything you need to know for your flight to San Francisco Bay Area

Information on your arrival and departure airports