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Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to California

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$189
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$277
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$337
San Jose
San Jose1 stop$301
Palm Springs
Palm Springs2 stops$277
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$232
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo1 stop$379
Bakersfield
Bakersfield1 stop$368
Arcata
Arcata2 stops$367
Redding
Redding1 stop$614
Reno
Reno1 stop$211
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$189
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$277
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$337
San Jose
San Jose1 stop$301
Palm Springs
Palm Springs2 stops$277
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$232
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo1 stop$379
Bakersfield
Bakersfield1 stop$368
Arcata
Arcata2 stops$367
Redding
Redding1 stop$614
Reno
Reno1 stop$211
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Washington, D.C. to California flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. to California?

Flight prices are below average for this route right now.

Flights to California from Washington, D.C. usually cost between $264 and $491 in September.
The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $189 on Frontier (Sep 19-Oct 2).

What is the cheapest Washington, D.C. to California flight route?

The cheapest ticket to California from Washington, D.C. found in the last 5 days was to Los Angeles, at $158 round-trip. The most popular route is from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles (LAX), and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 5 days was $257.

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 $418 on average. Morning departures are around 2% more expensive 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 $537.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Washington, D.C. to California?

No, with an average price for the route of $491, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to California?

The cheapest month for flights from Washington, D.C. to California is January, when tickets cost $372 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and March, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $522 and $506 respectively.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to California?

If you are looking for a flight deal from Washington, D.C. to California, look for departures on Thursdays and avoid leaving on a Sunday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from California, Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly and Sunday is the most expensive.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Washington, D.C. to California?

To get a below average price on the flight from Washington, D.C. to California, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 39% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 25 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$97
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 19% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 9% increase in price.
Flight from Washington Dulles Airport to Las Vegas

Flights from Washington, D.C. to California: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Washington, D.C. to California 
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Feb 2026
DCA only has a few flights to other coast. IAD has many. If something goes wrong you’ll have more options flying out of IAD.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jan 2025
Reserve your plane seat & bring something to eat in the plane.
PhallyFlew with Alaska Airlines-Oct 2024
Don't take too much stuff. Make sure to have the necessary documents or boarding pass ready.
RebeccaFlew with Alaska Airlines-Sep 2024
Get something to eat in the airport, just in case there is no food onboard.
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jul 2024
Easy access via metro, and by car with parking available walking distance from the terminal. Lots of seating and dining options near the flight boarding gates.
NoamFlew with Alaska Airlines-Aug 2024
Flying to the Ronald Reagan airport is closer and faster to D.C. than the Dulles airport.
BillFlew with Alaska Airlines-Jun 2024
At Dulles, you can spend 30 minutes getting to your AFTER clearing TSA
DeniseFlew with Alaska Airlines-May 2024
Bring your own device. No screens on the seatbacks.

FAQs - booking California flights

  • What are some of the ways to get from the center of Washington, D.C., to Washington Dulles International Airport?

    Several transportation options connect the center of Washington, D.C., to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Silver Line Train provides a direct connection to the airport from Farragut West that takes about 50 minutes. There are also two private bus companies that offer service direct service to the airport within about 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions. If you plan to utilize a taxi or rideshare vehicle, you can expect a trip time of about 35 minutes, depending on traffic.

  • Do any airlines allow children to fly alone from Washington, D.C., to California?

    Alaska Airlines prioritizes the well-being of young travelers through its Unaccompanied Minor program. Tailored to children aged 5 to 17 traveling alone, the service ensures a safe and supportive journey. Trained staff assists with check-in, provides in-flight support, and ensures a secure handover at the destination. Parents or guardians receive regular updates for added peace of mind. Alaska Airlines' commitment to family-friendly travel is evident in its reliable and caring UM program, offering a positive experience for young passengers flying solo.

  • What are some ways I can get from Washington, D.C., to the Monterey Peninsula in California?

    You will find that there are plenty of one-stop flight options to get you to this beautiful part of the world quickly. American Airlines offers a one-stop flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) with a layover at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), while United Airlines offers a flight from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Monterey Regional Airport with a layover at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

  • What are some benefits of upgrading to business class on United Airlines?

    Upgrading to Business Class on United Airlines flights from Washington, D.C., to California unlocks a host of premium benefits. Passengers experience elevated comfort with spacious seating and potential lie-flat beds for optimal rest. Gourmet dining, fine wines, and personalized service enhance the in-flight experience. Priority services, including check-in and boarding, coupled with increased baggage allowances, ensure a seamless journey. 

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Washington, D.C. to California?

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

Top tips for finding cheap flights to California

  • One of the quickest trips you can make from Washington, D.C., to California is on one of the nonstop flights offered by both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
  • The most convenient airport for travelers in the center of Washington, D.C., is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). It is situated in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington, D.C. Its accessibility and efficient transportation options, including Metro rail service, make it a popular gateway for those departing from the nation's capital.
  • If you will be traveling aboard United Airlines from Washington Dulles International Airport, you should know that this airline offers five of its lounge locations at this airport. Four of the lounges are in Concourse C, while the other one is in Concourse D.
  • If your final destination in California is San Francisco, one of the quickest ways to make the trip is to take one of the nonstop flights available aboard United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or Frontier Airlines from Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
  • If you want to make a trip to the beautiful southern California city of San Diego, the quickest way to get there is to take nonstop flights available aboard American Airlines, United Airlines, or Alaska Airlines from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Diego International Airport (SAN).

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Washington, D.C. to California

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Washington, D.C. 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 4190 reviews
8.6Crew
8.0Comfort
7.5Entertainment
7.0Food
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

Terrible delay today. also, waited 90 minutes for baggage to unload in Seattle earlier in the week.

4.0 OkayHervey, Sep 2026
Read more Southwest reviews

Terrible delay today. also, waited 90 minutes for baggage to unload in Seattle earlier in the week.

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.

Flight left on time and was early landing. Seats not comfortable and not enough space…

It would have been better if the flight was on time

No wifi, seems to be very common with Southwest currently. Everything else was normal.

Haven’t flown on SW in years. Flight was on time departing and arriving. Served vegan butter onion flavored pretzels which were bad. Coke served was in a tiny paper cup. Crew was not engaging. Felt like they were going through the motions. Old plane, tight seats and no leg room.

No delays and arrived to destination 30 min early. Staff was super friendly.

Pretty standard flight. We left late, but arrived early. The wifi entertainment is always nice. The free snacks and beverages are simple, but appreciated. I'm tall and the seats are an issue. I can deal with a short flight, but any longer, I have to find another airline where I know beforehand I have extra legroom.

Awesome experience. No in-flight video or meal. Still do not like the boarding process.

On time, good crew, easy flight. Just like the old days!

Alaska has been my favorite airline for years, so this last trip came as a shock and disappointment. The seats on the plane were so uncomfortable and seemingly cheap. The person sitting next to me said the same thing. I used to love the in cabin lighting, the purple was so relaxing, it's now gone. The little touches that made Alaska great are gone. I purchased the wifi and it wasn't working during much of the flight, the flight attendants kept rebooting it. I wouldn't have spent my money that way had I known it would be unusable for 50% of the flight. I am bummed because I always chose Alaska over price shopping. I have an upcoming flight back to DC and decided to go with American Airlines. It was a better price and I don't feel like Alaska gives me anything special.

It departed an hour and a half late because the crew got in late the previous night due to weather related problems. So we got into LA later than anticipated and traffic was much worse.

Good. I didn’t order food and there was no entertainment available.

Flight cancelled and deplaned. Rescheduled 8 hours later at a different airport. Ended up at destination but late.

The seats are very small. I’m 5’ 3”, so don’t think I should notice. The food selection was non existent and very disappointing. 5 hour flight plus TSA, etc. I would have appreciated a small salad, crudités. Something fresher not just chips.

Flight from LAX to STS das excellent. Flight from DCA to LAX was troubled by the previous flight returning to the one DCA gate putting our flight in jeopardy. However another gate was arranged and that flight was a bit late, but was handled exceptionally.

Boarding process was poorly handled by the gate crew and the onboard crew. No effort was made to provide equal treatment to passengers with overhead bin space. Crew seemed disengaged and unfriendly.

Awesome. Great flight. Super nice people and I like the extra space

On time, WiFi worked, reasonable legroom, helpful staff. Unfortunately there was no water for handwashing in the rear lavatory.

One of the stewardess, Tre, went above and beyond to ensure my comfort!

the seat has a problem. the back had a hole.

Delayed 2 hours while stuck on the aircraft. If the luggage was properly loaded the first time we probably wouldn’t have been delayed at all

Like: departed and arrived on time. Unlike: Food options for purchase allways bad, 1 of 2 of the crew members not very friendly at all. Seats and leg room aweful. At this point I am thinking on switching to AA.

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

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

This was a 5 hour flight with no entertainment and with a snack being provided (pretzels and fruit bar), which are both high in carbs and sugar. Nuts would have been a better choice.

Good plane, crew, and flight. Boarding was a bit chaotic. Bathrooms were unacceptable. United DESPERATELY needs a new terminal at IAD.

Should have video screens Plane audio was poor and without wired connection hard to understand crew. Should serve more than just cups of water and pretzels on six hour flight. Did not see crew rest of flight. Fix charging sockets to retain charging blocks.

787-9 Transcon from IAD-LAX FYI no meals in premium plus, not considered Premium - seats are wonderful https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/premium-services.html Horrible handling of delayed flight

I was crammed against a person too large for one seat. This traveler (who I’m sure you have a record of, 21E) should be required to purchase two tickets in the future. Also, your streaming service kept kicking me out of my movie.

Wifi was good on the flight from DCA to Dallas and terrible on the flight from Dallas to Tucson. The forward head in the flight from Dallas to Tucson was putrid smelling entirely urine soaked. The flight from DCA to Dallas was delayed by almost 30 min with a plane change.

Sat on tarmac at arrival at DFw for more than 30 min waiting for a gate.

Business Class layout was excellent. The seats were not nearly as comfortable as UA, Delta or Air New Zealand (the best). Nor were the controls as flexible. Food was okay but not great. Breakfast pancakes were like cardboard.

I am Plstinum Pro snd was standby on earlier flight. They gave seats to people that asked rather than follow standby order. When realized what was happening was too late to get on as no seats left. My scheduled flight was late. Then filled the seat beside me Ruth rude person that they had to move from her original seat

I have yet to come across an AA agent or flight attendant that is friendly. They really inhibit a good experience.

the flight is delayed, which is not uncommon but the communication was still getting hopes on reaching on time which didn't happen. When I boarded the flight it was so like unimaginably filthy. My seat belt had some sticky stuff to it like food or something from before and the space below the arm rest is accumulated dust and waste like from few months i have the pictures. Cheery on top, the airhostess was an old lady who was so bossy and mad for no reason and bossing around everyone!! worst experience ever!!

Flight was good, little delayed because of busy plane traffic

Flight was delayed multiple times and rerouted to different concourses in the airport because of all of American's delays. App/boarding pass would not update with changed gate information.

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

We were told the flight was delayed 5 times, then it was moved to the next day.

Flight was delayed by about an hour, once we arrived at LAX we had to take a shuttle to the baggage claim - it was completely disorganized. The agents at the shuttles were rude and unable to provide any information. Frontier charges extra for everything from bags to drinks - at the end it ends up being more expensive than flying the better airlines

Tiny seats, no entertainment, no amenities, delays, they charge for carry on and their allowed personal item is smaller than in other airlines.

More inflight connection. And leg space is horrible. And the paying for baggage I'd ridiculous!!!

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.

I missed a flight because of a delay. I had to buy a new ticket through Southwest.

Bag should not be so much money. This is how Frontier takes advantage of customers

Frontier is definitely a good option for people traveling light or on a budget - just remember to bring your own entertainment and your own headphones if you need them.

Never offer anything to drink ☹️ Flight delayed gate moved poor communication

It’s a cheap airline. I wish they had better seats.

Seats are cramped and very uncomfortable. You have to pay for everything and it is too expensive.

More options for your flight from Washington, D.C. to California

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