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Price, demand and travel trends for Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

Are flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area are about 24% higher than they were in November last year, averaging $418 round-trip.

What's the cheapest month to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

September is typically the cheapest month to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area, with round-trip fares averaging $255. July and May are usually the most expensive, averaging $399 and $386, respectively.

How do fares from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area vary by day of the week?

On average, Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area and Monday is the most expensive. Looking at the past 12 months of KAYAK data, it's 45% more expensive to fly on a Monday compared to Wednesday.

What's the best time of day to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

It's cheapest to fly to San Francisco Bay Area in the morning with average prices of $339. The evening is the most expensive time to fly, with average prices of $476.

What's the best time to book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

Book your flights 16 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data collected over the past 12 months shows that booking in this window can save you around 79% compared to booking at the last minute (within 2 weeks of departure).

Key details for Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area flights

Low season

August
Beat the crowds with an average 30% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 37% increase in travelers.

Your Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • How much should I budget for a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

    Over the past 12 months, round-trip fares from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area have typically cost between $266 and $514.

  • Which airlines fly nonstop from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, 2 airlines offer nonstop flights on this route:

    • United Airlines
    • Southwest

  • Is it cheaper to fly with a layover from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

    Yes, nonstop flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area average $350 over the past 12 months. Flights with a layover can cost less, cheapest when connecting through Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS), with average fares of $340.

  • How long is a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

    Nonstop flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area take 1h 22m on average.

  • Which cabin classes are available from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

    On flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area you can book Economy Class, Business Class or First Class.

  • What are some popular landmarks around San Francisco Bay Area?

    San Francisco Bay Area is home to many popular sights. KAYAK travelers' favorites include:

    • Fisherman's Wharf
    • Union Square
    • Moscone Center
    • San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area?

    The earliest nonstop flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area departs at 6:00 am and the latest leaves at 8:41 pm. Nonstop flights take about 1h 22m.

Your guide to booking Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If you can plan ahead, the sweet spot for booking your flight is 16 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data shows fares in this window are around 79% lower than last-minute bookings (made within 2 weeks of departure). Not ready to commit? Set a Price Alert and we'll let you know when prices change.
  • Flexible with your dates? Fly in September to save some money. It's typically the cheapest month on this route, while flights in July will cost you the most.
  • Fly out on a Wednesday to get the cheapest fares. Avoid Monday flights, which are about 45% more expensive.
  • Start your trip in San Francisco, the most popular destination in San Francisco Bay Area. From there, it's easy to continue on to other popular spots such as Santa Cruz, San Jose and Napa.

Reviews of the top 3 airlines serving from Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay Area

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Santa Barbara 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
SouthwestOverall score based on 4219 reviews
8.0Comfort
7.0Food
8.6Crew
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!

Over all it was great. My original flight was canceled but they quickly rebooked me. I was frustrated because I had to cancel my entire plans for the day but all considered, not bad. The crew tried to keep us calm while we sat in the plane for was felt was an hour or so but they could use a bit of a script. The seats were comfortable and I would give it another try.

If they actually let me fly. I was rerouted to United and there was no Alaska airlines reps at all. Then the lady who worked the delta counter told me to go away and figure things out myself. Horrible experience.

Santa Barbara is a super small and easy airport. Breezed through rental car return, breezed through Security, ordered a coffee and muffin and to my gate in less than 30 minutes. Maybe because it was a small airport we got the oldest plane. Hardly any overhead space and absolutely zero internet. Its NFL Sunday man! That hurt.

We were delay because so many bags needed to be gate checked and it was disappointing not to have outlets in the seats for such a long flight.

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

I paid $380 for my one-way ticket from California to Minnesota. The fair did not include online check-in. I received instructions from their app to check in at a kiosk. At the kiosk, the boarding pass would not print until an actual person came to verify that I had a personal item and not a carry-on item, On the plane, the person next to me was drunk and allowed to continue to order alcohol. United is garbage I’d rather fly spirit.

Delays!!! Maintain your planes so your customers don’t have to sit on their assess for over an hour on the tarmac!! Also, United app is buggy. Videos did not load. Overall a miserable experience. Flight crew was awesome though.

My fi t er t esed to Denver was cancelled and need to schechedule

More options for your flight to San Francisco Bay Area

Complete your trip to San Francisco Bay Area with a hotel stay or car rental