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Low season

January
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 14% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 2% increase in price.

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

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from San Francisco Bay Area to California 
JuneFlew with Alaska Airlines-Nov 2026
If there is a significant delay, talk to the counter asap and ask if it's possible to switch flights to a one that is less delayed
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jul 2026
Develop a list of essentials, prepare for 3 or 4 interchangeable outfits, 2 pairs of shoes and try not to overpack!
CherylFlew with United Airlines-Jul 2026
Don’t take a bottle of Korbel in your carry on! It has to be checked.
Mary KayFlew with Alaska Airlines-Apr 2026
Alaska is excellent with many options between SoCal and NoCal. Being able to fly into Santa Rosa was a great option to avoid the hectic pace of other airports. Palm Springs and Santa Rosa are great secondary airports to use.
GregFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jan 2026
Upgrade to first class for free checked bags, priority boarding and half off the SFO lounge for not that much extra
PhilipFlew with Alaska Airlines-Feb 2026
Taking a flight with a smaller plane was pleasant, fewer passengers and.easier boarding and disembarking.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jan 2026
If you want a better experience, fly non stop. American has a superior wireless connection experience. Delays appear to be the norm. Book two hours between flights minimum. Check your bags.
SarahFlew with Alaska Airlines-Feb 2025
Go early in the day so if your flight is canceled, you might have better alternatives than I did when my 12:30 flight was canceled.
Verified travelerFlew with Spirit Airlines-Nov 2024
Make sure to arrive at the airport early. On my recent flight from LAX to San Jose, the plane departed 20 minutes ahead of schedule. It seemed like all passengers were on board, and the aircraft was ready for takeoff.
MohammadFlew with Spirit Airlines-Sep 2024
The TSA process is very short and quick. No need to come 2 hours ahead.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Oct 2024
An hour before flight was enough time for departing from Santa Rosa. (I doubt anyone is at the airport and working at 4:30am).
JamesFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jun 2024
It’s pretty simple there. It’s one of the better airports.TSA has never been a problem for me there it moves and is mostly efficient… I was happy that we didn’t have to takeoff our shoes, which surprised me. They’re always seems to be long walk to the gates coming and going not sure why that is
IreneFlew with Southwest-Jun 2024
Arrive a least 1 hour before boarding if you’re checking bags. Light layers due weather variation
JohnjimyFlew with ANA-Aug 2024
Layover from NRT(JPN), to SFO (US), to LAX(US) Easy if you are a United States Citizen, when you go to US Border & Customs, bring your Passport if you arrive Internationally. Remember to pick up your check baggage before moving into domestic flights, as they will check the tag for the plane you are boarding in. (They will check your baggage again). Bring your ID/DL (Real-ID COMPLIANT) with you to pass security/TSA, passport works too. SFO is pretty strict as well as LAX.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jun 2024
SFO ~ most convenient People should prepare themselves for cold temperature inside the cabin, bring coat/jacket and food in case flight is delayed.
FatimaFlew with Frontier-Jun 2024
Frontier requires 3hr preflight check in even on domestic flights
JulieFlew with Southwest-Jun 2024
Avoid flying into LAX. It’s a nightmare. Baggage claim took 40 minutes. And then the shuttle to the car rental place took an hour because there are two shuttles. The first is a local bus that makes a stop at every seven terminals and then it takes you to another place where you have to wait for your smaller shuttle to the car rental place.
JoonwonFlew with Alaska Airlines-Apr 2024
The airplane is a quite small one, compared to the regular size, so pls be ready for some restrictions on carry on bags.
KateFlew with Alaska Airlines-Apr 2024
Fly in the morning when it’s not windy.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Feb 2024
Book directly from the airline and/or get refundable tickets.

FAQs for booking flights from San Francisco Bay Area to California

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

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

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

  • Which airlines fly most frequently to California?

    San Francisco Bay Area and California are connected by different airlines. The airlines that fly that route the most regularly are United Airlines (600 flights per week), Southwest (419 flights per week), and Air Canada (328 flights per week).

  • How many airports are there in California?

    There are 28 airports in California. The busiest airport is Los Angeles Airport (LAX), with 40% 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 Ontario Airport (ONT), with an average flight price of $149.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to California?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to California is Friday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $302. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Sunday, where round-trip prices are $480 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 $261 on average. Morning departures are around 13% more expensive than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $367.

  • What is the cheapest flight to California?

    The cheapest ticket to California from San Francisco Bay Area found in the last 5 days was to Ontario, at $38 round-trip. The most popular route is Oakland (OAK) to Los Angeles (LAX) and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 5 days was $89.

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

    The cheapest month for flights from San Francisco Bay Area to California is January, when tickets cost $144 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are March and October, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $172 and $171 respectively.

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

    To get a below average price on the flight from San Francisco Bay Area to California, 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 12 weeks before departure.

  • How many cities have direct flights to California?

    From San Francisco Bay Area, there are direct flights to California from 2 cities. The city with the most direct flights is San Francisco, with 3,342 direct flights each week.

  • How many direct flights to California are there each day?

    There are around 581 direct flights from within San Francisco Bay Area to California every day. Most flights (42%) depart in the morning.

  • How many direct flights to California are there each week?

    Each week there are around 4,065 direct flights from within San Francisco Bay Area to California. The most common day for departures is Sunday, with 17% of flights taking off on this day.

  • How long is the flight to California?

    An average nonstop flight from San Francisco Bay Area to California takes 2h 04m, covering a distance of 324 miles. The shortest route is San Francisco (SFO) to Monterey (MRY) with an average flight time of 0h 54m.

  • How many long-haul flights are there to California each week?

    There are not any long-haul (6-12 hour flight duration) or medium-haul (3-6 hour flight duration) flights to California. Instead, there are 4,065 short-haul flights (up to 3 hour flight duration), with the most arriving from San Francisco.

  • What are the most popular destinations in California?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Las Vegas (27% of total searches to California). The next most popular destinations are Los Angeles (26%) and Ontario (19%). Searches for flights to John Wayne (Santa Ana) (11%), to San Diego (7%) and to Palm Springs (4%) are also popular.

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

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San Francisco Bay Area 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 4223 reviews
8.0Comfort
8.6Crew
7.0Food
7.5Entertainment
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

Terrible, decided to delay our flight since another flight require a flight captain

2.0 MediocreChih Hsuan, Nov 2026
Read more Southwest reviews

Terrible, decided to delay our flight since another flight require a flight captain

staff and crew were great but the flight delays for the last few flights are insane. After a long day of work and you will get a notification of flights delay is not the message we want to see. And for some reason it keeps happening often this year.

Not exactly Southwest’s problem, but the new Burbank airport is not great. No restaurants open and tons of work still to be completed. Can’t believe they opened the airport in that condition.

I liked how it boarded fast. I do not like how the seats are just too narrow, and I’m not a big person.

Despite paying for an ‘upgraded’ seat in row 1, I had to put my luggage in the middle of the plane. Snacks were bleh and seat was small and uncomfortable and I am not large. Attendants were fine but not super helpful. Plane just seemed outdated.

Seated at front bulkhead for a smidge extra leg room away from home and on flight back home. Away crew was very proactive about assuring our carryons had space close behind us (because no seat in front of us our personal items had to be in a small bin overhead). They actively required passengers place overhead luggage on its side so more items could fit in bins. Home crew made no such efforts. I had to struggle back rows to get overhead bags upon landing, no crew help then either, and some disgruntled passengers as I and others retrieved our bags. There was a system that worked pretty well. The home bound crew just didn't feel like working.

Boarding was easy. The seats are small and fairly uncomfortable

The problem with the seat assignments is that there were a lot of rows in the front that were empty but my row at the back was full. Just not so pleasant.

Good but I prefer choose your own seat. With the new assigned seats they should board from the back I see no advantage to this new boarding. Just like every other airline

The charges were ridiculous for an hour flight and the turbulence was very scary.

This was the 3rd time in a row that my flight was late leaving or canceled. Other airlines seemed leave on time.

The flight was delayed multiple times and then finally it was late by 5 hours. I tried to be patient and then when I finally asked if there was an earlier flight to LA, I had just missed it. I would have appreciated an updated text or something to let me know that was an option earlier. It would have been better for me to get a bus to L.A. with that time!

I didn't like the delays on the air plan I had a appointment/ meeting and of the delay I didn't make it

I haven't flown Alaska in years, so this is my first time in a long time. Both the outgoing and return flights were delayed, which affected my plans at the destination, which were time sensitive. I've flown Southwest dozens of times without delays, so to come to Alaska for just one round trip and have both of them be affected tells me I need to go back to Southwest. Other items: I tried to join an earlier flight, and was denied, even though online it showed seats available. Seems like this would have been an easy way to make things right. The in flight WiFi on the flight down was nice, I watched half a movie and was really looking forward to watching the 2nd half on the way back, but the plane didn't have the same options available, so I had to pay to watch the movie on my own streaming service. Irritating. Given the competitive nature of flying and choosing carriers, I thought Alaska had a better reputation for the little things like this.

Alaska prevented me from selecting a seat and was only assigned a seat at the gate. This gave me unnecessary anxiety prior to boarding. Several 15-minute delays (probably weather though no explanation was provided) eventually pushed departure back by one hour.

It was friendly. Also, we had some turbulence due to the wing of a plane in front of us, and I was grateful the pilot explained that reason to us. It made me feel like we were safer than if there were no explanation and it was inherently interesting to learn.

Our original flight was cancelled and we were rebooked on a flight the next afternoon. Finally gotten it straightened out at guest services and we were able to get on a delayed flight that departed about an hour later that our original flight. The Guest Services and Gate staff were very helpful!!

Smooth boarding process and comfy seats! Will definitely fly Alaska Airlines again!

Trip from SNA to SFO and back was riddled with DELAYS.

I love the service! I was hoping they would keep the Ontario to Santa Rosa route.

The Airline Attendant found us in flight and moved us to seats in the front of economy due to the short time we would have to make our connecting flight. We really appreciated it.

Very bad multiple confusion and miscommunication which i ended up missing my flight.

Delta is always late. Ruined our first day of a short vacation. Timing is important. We pay to stay on an itinerary

Flight delayed four separate times. I’m now one hour hours late to landing.

While they turned off most cabin lights to allow people to sleep, I was bothered by how bright the side lights still were. It was still quite bright for me in a window seat, when I wish I could have slept!

Generally on time departures and arrivals, clean planes, sky miles membership provides great benefits (complimentary upgrades, etc).

Awesome! On time flight, early arrival, and a complimentary upgrade!

Staff were friendly and happy. Delta could make sure passengers that don't have the app know of changes. Without Kayak I would not have known about the change of gate or the delay. Kayak was faster to notify me.

There are 4 flights in consecutive gates with about the same departure time. Two flights were boarding at the same time. One was delayed or boarding would be happening at the same time. I am not sure what Delta and LAX need to do to have a better layout at the end of Terminal 2

There was a loud squeaky sound the whole time we were flying.

Boarding, time to take off, in flight offerings, and staff were all great. I recommend using UA for this short flight.

The flight out of Fresno boarded 1.5 hour past scheduled and made me miss my connecting flight from SFO to SEA.

It was a short, comfortable flight. It did leave an hour late due to the pilot having to be replaced (family emergency) but that didn’t inconvenience myself & my friend. The situation was explained, eventually.

UA594 was delayed multiple times. I ended up getting picked up so I can make it in time for work 6AM on Monday, 7/6/2026

Service was professional and quick. Premium economy seat was comfortable given the class

The staff was extremely helpful and friendly at all times! They went above and beyond to get us into an earlier flight in San Diego to make our connection in SFO possible, because our original flight did actually not make it! I did so much appreciate the UA team and how they made this possible. We also didn’t have seats together on the long flight to Singapore, but they found us seats together last moment with no additional cost! Nobody sat next to us, so that we were able to sleep! Thanks to UA for improving their service and Underpricer for booking this trip! Please be careful: 1,5 hrs for transfer in San Francisco might not be enough time in the future

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

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.

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

Flight delayed for more than 16 hrs and no effort was spent to provide an alternate

I really didn't like anything. Paid for my checked luggage online ($79) and then was told that I would have to paid another $79 for my carry on. Was not allowed to enter the terminal until 3 hours before my flight and when I finally was allowed to check my bag and enter, my flight was delayed 3 times. When I finally landed, we were all instructed to "run off the plane" as they had to do a quick turn around to Las Vegas. Me and several of my flying companions will never fly Frontier again.

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

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

Stop changing gates at sfo. When you are elderly going back for it’s not fun.

There was no easy way to check in. I don't want to install an app to checkin. I will use alaska from now on because they have a web check in method that is easy.

Horrible! The short distance flight ended up taking 5 hrs! There was a 3 hr delay for the flight to take off and there was a 70 min wait on the tarmac for some bogus reason that the pilot said the gate he was supposed to board was taken up. After a 30 min wait he said the plane that was supposed to push out of the gate called a medical emergency and 40 min later he ended up boarding another gate. For the initial 3 hr delay there was no information/alert about the gate or delay in the app or the boards up until the boarding time and even beyond! Had to walk all the way to the end of the terminal to find the frontier staff to ask what was going on. Avoid this airline at all costs! If you have carryon bags or checked bags , their prices come equivalent to the prices of more reliable airlines. They are the worst in timeliness at 60% (reported as delayed) this year (check the data) by a high margin even compared to the second worst airline. If you are ok with having a miserable flight experience with the odds close to flip of a coin, feel free to try them. If you value your time , money and flying experience, stay away.

I went to the Frontier counter in San Jose at 1030am or so on Sunday 10/13/24 to see if I could get an earlier flight to San Diego in lieu of my reserved 630pm flight. One thing led to another, and I was able to obtain an open seat for about $ 56. on the earlier flight. Fine. Then the agent asked if I "was checking a bag". Not knowing that carry-ons cost extra per Frontier policy, I thought that she meant a regular checked bag. Therefore, I said no. Once I got to the gate, the same gate agent who sold me a ticket told me that I had to pay $99 for a carry-on, and that all bags were extra on Frontier. Having never flown on Frontier, I was not aware of this. Part of the issue was that she was not a native English speaker, so there was a miscommunication as to what "bag" meant. I would have preferred for her to have clearly let me know at the front counter that any bag including a carry-on cost $99. It would have had the same outcome, as I had to take my carry-on. But it got hectic at the last minute at the gate itself. The baggage policy should have mentioned "including carry-ons" when we first spoke.

Most horrible airlines. Please avoid it. It's ok to spend $50 extra for delta, united or Alaska

The trip was good but the last minute changes I didn’t like because I had already talked to the attendee and they didn’t help me with my ticket I was having trouble checking in and when the time was up they help me but charge me for that and last minute luggage it was a small bag. After I was in the airplane I realized you were charging because the flight was almost empty and you have to get the money some how. Thanks for everything.

More options for your flight to California

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