Cheap Flights from San Francisco International (SFO) to San Diego (SAN)

Take a break from the San Francisco fog and revel in the sunshine of San Diego, just north of the Mexican border. As a city, San Diego has a slow-paced energy which many visitors find relaxing. 

You can skip over the 500 miles between the cities in just an hour and a half’s flight time, and direct flights are easy to come by. United offer 62 weekly non-stop flights between San Francisco International Airport(SFO) to San Diego’s Lindbergh Field(SAN). Southwest has 50 direct flights on this route every week, and Virgin America has 32.

Making your way to San Francisco International Airport

SFO is a big bustling airport located 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco. Depending on traffic, the trip can take you anywhere from 20 minutes (late at night) to over 60 minutes (during rush hour.) You can also take the BART train to the SFO stop. The fare will be under $6. There are also multiple public bus lines which connect to SFO from various parts of the city. The average taxi fare from the city center is about $45.

The airport consists of 4 terminals: 1, 2, 3, and the International Terminal. All the terminals are connected by the AirTrain people mover, which also connects to the BART station, the rental car facility, and the two international terminal parking garages. It is free to ride and operates 24 hours a day. WiFi is free throughout the airport, which also boasts facilities such as a medical center, laptop charging work stations and conference rooms, and visits from the “wag brigade” of friendly trained dogs.

Arriving in San Diego

Beautiful and laid back, San Diego doesn’t get as much attention as San Francisco, but it holds its own in the charm stakes. Cultural diversity and deep hippie roots have left a strong impression on the city, even as tech giants and a quietly booming economy usher in changing demographics.

San Diego is famously sunny, but May and June can be predictably overcast. September is the hottest month, when the Santa Ana winds blow their strongest. For the rest of the year, It’s a great city to indulge outdoors living. Biking is a popular form of transportation, with trails winding through the city and its beautiful parks. Surfing, boating, whale-watching, and simply laying on the beach are all huge pastimes in San Diego.

Save money on your trip from San Francisco to San Diego by using Skyscanner’s free airfare comparison tool. One quick search will uncover dozens of tickets, to help you find the best deal every time.