Cheap Flights from Sacramento (SACA) to San Diego (SANA)

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      Compare Sacramento to San Diego flight deals

      Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to San Diego

      Book the best San Diego fare with no extra fees

      Flight deals from Sacramento to San Diego

      Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Sacramento to San Diego? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $165. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

      Find the cheapest month to fly from Sacramento to San Diego

      We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Sacramento to San Diego flights are currently cheapest in September.

      Direct flights from Sacramento to San Diego

      Alaska Airlines
      American Airlines
      British Airways
      Japan Airlines
      Southwest Airlines

      Alternative Sacramento to San Diego routes

      Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Sacramento to San Diego? You could fly into the following airports instead.

      Sacramento to San Diego: Flight information

      The things to know before you go.
      Cheapest flight found$153
      Cheapest month to flySeptember
      Average flight time1 hr, 36 mins
      Most popular airlineSouthwest Airlines
      Average flights per week1,935

      Finding cheap flights from Sacramento to San Diego: Frequently asked questions

      There are 2 airports in San Diego: San Diego International and McClellan-Palomar.
      The best price we found for a return flight from Sacramento to San Diego is $153. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
      1 hour and 36 minutes is the average flight time from Sacramento to San Diego.
      Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines fly direct from Sacramento to San Diego.
      As of August 2026, there are 860 flights per week flying from Sacramento to San Diego.
      The cheapest month to fly from Sacramento to San Diego is usually September.
      If you're flying from Sacramento, the cheapest airport near San Diego is San Diego International – which is 4.1 km away from the centre of San Diego. We've found flights into this airport from $153.
      After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Sacramento to San Diego on Monday, 28 September 2026.
      Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 36 minutes.
      We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to San Diego but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

      We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to San Diego is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

      In August, the average temperature is usually around 23°C. August is typically the warmest month in San Diego, when it usually averages around 28°C. You can expect the least rain in June. The coldest month is December, with temperatures averaging 10°C. The rainiest month is February.
      The cheapest airline that flies to San Diego is Alaska Airlines .

      Travelling from Sacramento to San Diego: what you need to know

      • Start your travels at one of Sacramento's main airports, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) or Sacramento Stockton Airport (SCK). Explore your options for booking a flight from Sacramento to San Diego taking off from either of these.

      • San Diego International Airport (SAN) and McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) are the major arrival points in San Diego.

      • Jump on a direct Sacramento to San Diego flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 35 minutes.

      • Sacramento and San Diego follow the same timezone, UTC-8.

      • With 79 flights a week between the two airports, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the busiest route. Hop on the first flight from Sacramento to San Diego with Southwest Airlines at 05:55. If you'd like to get more out of your day before jetting off, the latest flight from SMF to SAN is with Southwest Airlines at 21:05.

      • To ensure you get on your Sacramento to San Diego flight, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.

      • Flying during a popular month like July? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.

      How to find the cheapest flights from Sacramento to San Diego

      • Booking in advance is often the key to finding a cheap Sacramento to San Diego flight. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.

      • The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Sacramento to San Diego across every month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.

      • Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Sacramento to San Diego by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.

      • Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your Sacramento to San Diego flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'

      Flying from Sacramento

      Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

      • You can catch a direct flight from Sacramento to San Diego jetting off from Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Start your trip at SMF and land at San Diego International Airport (SAN).

      • Southwest Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct Sacramento to San Diego plane tickets leaving from SMF.

      • Travelling from central Sacramento to SMF takes about 50 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 16 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

      • Get your flight from Sacramento to San Diego off to a relaxed start. Just a quick ride from Sacramento International Airport, stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas by IHG and you'll be well-rested for the journey ahead.

      • Sacramento International Airport maintains a solid on-time record, making delays less likely. Departures from SMF land at their destination as scheduled 81% of the time.

      • SMF's address is 6900 Airport Boulevard.

      Arriving in San Diego

      San Diego International Airport (SAN)

      • San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego takes around 15 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 5 kilometres away.

      • Travelling to the centre by public transport typically takes 25 minutes.

      • Consider staying in a hotel close to SAN if you have a late flight from Sacramento to San Diego. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:

      • Follow your own route with a San Diego International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and discover more of San Diego and beyond.

      • Booking your vehicle from San Diego International Airport about two weeks in advance gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.

      • You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.

      McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)

      • Central San Diego is approximately 48 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). As soon as your flight from Sacramento to San Diego has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 35 minutes.

      • You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.

      • After your flight from Sacramento to San Diego, settle in at a hotel near CLD. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:

      • The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Budget, Hertz or Avis and be off and running.

      • Avoid filling out forms at the home desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from CLD a few weeks in advance so you can just grab the keys and go.

      Best time to go to San Diego

      • March is the quietest month for flights from Sacramento to San Diego, while August is the busiest. Find the best time to visit San Diego based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.

      • The warmest month in San Diego is August, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Lock in your Sacramento to San Diego ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.

      • February sees average temperatures of between 8ºC (46ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Search for cheap flights from Sacramento to San Diego around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.

      More about San Diego

      • After booking your flight from Sacramento to San Diego, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Diego:

      • There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum are leading attractions which should be on any good San Diego itinerary.

      Explore more of the United States

      • You've done San Diego, now it's time to discover more of the United States. Travel around 177 kilometres northwest to Los Angeles to tick off its leading sights. From Hollywood Sign to Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.

      • Phoenix is another standout destination in the United States and is around 483 kilometres east of San Diego. No trip is complete without a visit to Camelback Mountain, Yayoi Kusama Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room and Heard Museum.

      Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.