Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 40 minutes.
San Diego's timezone is UTC-7, which is the same as San Francisco (the location of San Francisco International Airport).
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the most traveled route, with 119 weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from SFO to SAN is with United Airlines at 22:53. Go for the first departure with Southwest Airlines at 05:40 if you want to get on your way earlier.
To avoid missing your SFO to San Diego flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or another peak period, allow extra time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
Direct San Francisco International Airport to San Diego tickets are available for booking. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is where you'll complete your journey.
You'll have your pick of carriers that offer direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego. Book your seat with one of these:
The journey from central San Francisco to SFO takes about 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want an easy start to your trip? Stay near SFO. Whether you have an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are worth a look:
77.36% of flights that take off from San Francisco International Airport make it to their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego
Rs8,763 is currently the lowest price for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to San Diego flight. A return flight ticket starts at Rs16,998. These prices can change depending on demand and availability.
To secure cheap flights from SFO to San Diego, book your trip one month before your departure date.
The best month for finding cheap San Francisco International Airport to San Diego tickets is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from SFO to San Diego by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego.
Airports in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego takes about 10 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 5 kilometres away.
It typically takes 20 minutes to get there using public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near SAN:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond San Diego's usual tourist stops.
Reserving your vehicle from San Diego International Airport about two weeks before your flight from SFO to San Diego can help you lock in the lowest rate.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is roughly 56 kilometres from central San Diego. Following your flight from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego, it'll take you around 40 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 2 hours 15 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near CLD. Kick back and get cosy after your SFO to San Diego flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Grab a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare rates and availability from Budget, Hertz and Avis.
Pick the vehicle you actually want, not just whatever's left, by securing your ride from CLD in advance. You'll also avoid paying more than you need to, especially during peak travel times.
Best time to go to San Diego
Before securing your flights from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in San Diego offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the low season means you'll get cheaper deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
Lock in a San Francisco International Airport to San Diego flight ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 17ºC to 28ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SFO to San Diego in February when temperatures average between 7ºC and 23ºC.
More about San Diego
After booking your flight from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring San Diego:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. USS Midway Museum, San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego are top sights which should be on every San Diego itinerary.
Explore more of United States
You've done San Diego, now it's time to explore other parts of United States. Travel around 177 kilometres north-west to Los Angeles to tick off its top sights. From Griffith Observatory to The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If you're eager to discover another corner of United States, head for Phoenix, roughly 483 kilometres east of San Diego. Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park are highlights.