Flying from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): What you need to know
Kick off your travels at one of San Diego's main airports, San Diego International Airport (SAN) or McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). Check out your options for booking a flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) leaving from either of these.
Take a direct San Diego to San Francisco International Airport flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 40 minutes.
San Francisco's timezone is UTC-8, which is the same as San Diego. San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the most popular route. There are 129 direct flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, take the last flight with Alaska Airlines at 10:20pm. Choose the first SAN to SFO departure with Alaska Airlines at 6:15am if you'd rather get going earlier.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your flight from San Diego to SFO. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Popular months like July or vacation times such as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year will mean bigger queues at check-in and security. Be on the safe side and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of international flights is a wise idea.
Airports in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
You can book a direct flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) leaving from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
At SAN, you'll find a variety of carriers operating direct flights from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport, including:
Most passengers choose to fly with United between SAN and SFO.
The carrier with the top on-time arrival performance on this route is Frontier Airlines.
SAN is around 5 kilometers from central San Diego. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the center, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 25 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near San Diego International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport or prefer not to rush, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Diego International Airport, data shows 74% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find SAN at N Harbor Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
Planning to catch a flight from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)? Direct San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) plane tickets can be booked from this popular hub.
Get on your direct flight from San Diego to SFO with United Airlines. This is one of the leading airlines that operates this route out of CLD.
United is the top choice for bookings on the CLD to SFO route.
CLD is approximately 48 kilometers from the center of San Diego. Plan ahead to find the best way to get to your terminal.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your San Diego to SFO flight? Unwind in a hotel near McClellan-Palomar Airport before your vacation officially begins. These stays have a room with your name on it:
The majority of flights that depart McClellan-Palomar Airport arrive at their destination as planned. It maintains a high on-time performance rate of 88%.
About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Have a late flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport? Don't let it rob you of real rest. Stay at one of these hotels near SFO and hit the lights earlier:
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle around one week before your San Diego to San Francisco International Airport flight.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport is around 21 kilometers from central San Francisco. It takes around 25 minutes or so to get to the city by car.
Traveling on public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Currently, AED 100 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is AED 204. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Score cheap flights from San Diego to SFO by booking 11 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
The best month for landing cheap San Diego to San Francisco International Airport tickets is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's a better deal on plane tickets from San Diego to SFO.
Uncover a great deal on a flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
The best time to fly from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
December is the quietest month for flights from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), while July is the most popular. Figure out the best time to visit San Francisco based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in San Francisco is September, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). Lock in your San Diego to SFO plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January sees temperatures of between 5ºC (41ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Look for cheap tickets from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Francisco
Once you've booked your flight from San Diego to San Francisco International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Francisco:
Golden Gate Bridge and Painted Ladies - Alamo Square are just a couple of the popular attractions to put on your San Francisco to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Alcatraz Island.
Explore more of the United States
You've done San Francisco, now it's time to explore other parts of the United States. Travel about 257 kilometers east to Fresno to tick off its popular sights. From Forestiere Underground Gardens to Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If you're eager to discover another great destination in the United States, consider Sacramento, roughly 129 kilometers northeast of San Francisco. California State Railroad Museum, Old Sacramento State Historic Park and Crocker Art Museum are among the biggest draws.