Cheap flights to California

California Travel Guide

Know this before booking California flights – if America is the land of opportunity, California is the state of chance. California showed great prospect as far as back as the 1800’s, when a settler struck gold at Sutter’s Mill and California quickly became the land of wealth. The effects of the California Gold Rush were monumental and today, the coastal state continues to welcome visitors booking airline tickets to California for a greater opportunity, or for just plain fun.

The third-largest state in the United States is a place of enormous diversity. From the Redwood forests in the north to the sunny beaches of the Pacific Coast, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Central Valley, visitors will be spoiled for choice. The question travelers should ask themselves before booking a cheap flight to California is not what to do, but where to start? The four biggest cities in California are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. Each of these cities have more than enough to occupy visitors, between museums, galleries, shopping, world-class dining and exciting nightlife.

In LA, travelers have the chance to experience some of the West Coasts’ most famous streets. The rich and luxurious charter their own California flights to Beverly Hills and to shop the swank stores along Rodeo Drive. In Hollywood, see the Mann Chinese Theater and be on the lookout for celebrity A-listers. Gold stars grace the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard, marking the achievements of Hollywood’s greatest artists. Just outside of Los Angeles, visitors would be remiss if they didn’t visit one of California’s beautiful beaches in Malibu or Santa Monica before boarding the California flight home. In San Fran, people will be awed by the hilly streets and views of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge which spans the Golden Gate strait, a channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Fisherman’s Wharf and the former prison on Alcatraz Island also are big reasons why many take flights to California. San Diego is famous for its beaches, parks like the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, and warm weather. You can also catch a Padres game if you’re a sports fan, or grab some food and drinks in the famous Gaslight district. Lastly, San Jose is known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley” and is major technology hub, home to many high tech and electronics companies. Many business conferences are held in the area as well each year.

Outside these bustling metropolises, natural wonders are in abundance. For the outdoor traveler going to California, open parks and hiking trails at Big Sur, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Park contrast with the beaches of Orange County and are a nature-lover’s dream come true. One of the best-kept secrets in California is the Shasta Cascade region in the far north of the state. Covering 20 percent of California, this uncrowded region of national forests, parks, lakes, rivers and waterfalls offers the chance to refresh and recharge before heading back to the work-a-day world. For the wine connoisseur, be sure to visit the Sonoma and Napa Valley regions which reaches into the Redwood forests and trails of the North Coast. Wine country draws large crowds of tourists each and every year, and there are numerous vineyards to visit where you can sample a glass if you desire.

People traveling to California are bound to be busy during their visit and the options for activities are endless. However, in the land of opportunity, what better state to take a chance in?

How to get around the city of California

Los Angeles International:

Downtown LA is located around 18 miles from LAX airport. The easiest and cheapest option is to get a free shuttle bus from the airport. Outside of arrivals you should take either shuttle G or C. C takes you to the Metro bus center and from there you can either continue on your way to downtown LA or if you’re staying in Hollywood or Santa Monica, you can find means of transport from here.  You can also jump in a taxi if you want convenient and fast travel from the airport, however the price won’t be cheap and it is expected that you tip your driver. This is a good option if there are a few of you to split the fare.

San Francisco International:

The easiest and most convenient way to travel from the airport to the city is from the BART station. It’s located in the International Terminal, and you can take a free AirTran from all terminals to the BART station. You will need to buy a ticket from the BAET station before you travel, or you can book in advance and exchange your voucher for the correct ticket, which is kind of like a debit card which you keep for your time in San Francisco. Another option is to get a taxi from outside of the airport, although this can be costly if you’re travelling alone. You can also take a shuttle or shared van from the airport, simply tell the driver where you want to go and he’ll add you to his route and tell you the price.

In general, driving is the best way to cover short distances in California, or if you enjoy long drives, for covering the entire state. If you’re booking flights to California and then planning on driving the state, make sure to carry a map as not all road signs indicate a direction, just town or city names. If you’re headed into the mountains, make sure to get antifreeze and tire chains

Many freeways have carpool lanes called “diamond” lanes or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations regarding the use of these lanes as some of them are monitored even during non-rush hour and fines can be quite high.

Tips for Your Stay in California

• Los Angeles covers desert basin, mountain canyons, and coastal beaches. With its rich cultural diversity, LA offers countless attractions—catch a glimpse of the stars, hike the Hollywood sign, visit the La Brea Tar Pits, walk the boardwalk at Venice Beach, spend like a celebrity on Rodeo Drive, and enjoy free attractions like the Watts Towers or Getty Museum.
• The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Castro, Mission District, and Haight Ashbury just skim the surface of San Francisco’s diversity and charm. The city also cherishes its past, restoring and reusing its historic buildings. The surrounding areas—Marin County, Oakland, and Berkeley—are as popular as the city itself.
• John Sutter’s trading post became the main supply point for gold miners, then western headquarters of the transcontinental railroad. Today Sacramento is growing, offering affordable homes to those seeking California weather. The capital city is known for its natural parkland and streets lined with fruit-bearing trees. Once the Gateway to Gold Country, Sacramento is now a gateway to the wine country.
• Most of California’s wineries are in Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. Hundreds of wineries invite you to enjoy their tours, tastings, restaurants, and spas. Napa Valley has more wineries and a higher volume of tourism, with more commercial tours and attractions such as hot-air ballooning. Sonoma Valley is lower key, with family-run wineries, fewer tourists, and relaxed ambience. Book flights to California’s wine region and join a tour of the wineries.
• Anaheim is home to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. The Orange County coast offers miles of beaches, and the California Riviera is the stretch between Seal Beach and San Clemente. The area’s eccentric beach towns, Santa Ana Artists’ Village, Laguna Beach boardwalk, San Juan Capistrano Mission, and Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace attract tourists year-round.
• Costa Mesa, located in the heart of Orange County in Southern California, is within close proximity to Disneyland, major beaches, museums, nightlife and recreation and is home to internationally-renowned South Coast Plaza, an award-winning performing arts district as well as the Orange County Fairgrounds.
• Some ambitious travelers book vacations to California and then drive the coastline to the state’s northern most cities. While the drive and landscape is beautiful, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time for the long drive north. It’s advisable that you book outbound California flights from your destination point.

Finding Flights from California

If you’re looking to extend your trip outside of California, let Cheapflights help you get there in a convenient and affordable fashion. LAX accommodates all of the major U.S. carriers including American Airlines, Jet Blue, Delta and Virgin America, and Sun Country offers charter flights within the U.S and to Mexico, so booking your outbound flight should be a breeze. LAX also serves several international carriers for outbound flights, including Air Canada, Scandanavian Airlines and British Airways.

Check out these popular U.S. flight routes from California, along with some great flight deals:

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If you need transportation to the airport, there are several options available ranging from public transportation to shuttle services such as Super Shuttle, Airport Shuttle and Prime Time Shuttle. United Taxi offers flat rates to the airport, and ride-sharing services such as Lyft and Uber are authorized to both drop off and pick up at LAX.

The LA Flyaway located in Van Nuys provides regular shuttle services for passengers heading to the airport from the San Fernando Valley, and  Metro Red Line city buses pick up passengers at multiple locations throughout the state. If you plan to take public transportation, it’s always a good idea to catch a bus at least four hours before your flight, as traffic in Los Angeles can lead to delays, especially if you’re traveling during rush hour. LAX requires passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure for security purposes, so you’ll also want to make sure to incorporate this into your overall travel time.

When booking a shuttle van, taxi or shared transportation service such as Uber, scheduling your ride at least 24 hours prior will help to ensure a timely arrival at the airport. However, most taxis and ride-sharing services can also pick you up with a 15 minute notice if you’re strapped for time.

For additional information about navigating the Los Angeles International Airport, take a look at our detailed airport guide.

Top Destinations in California

• Flights to Fresno
• Flights to Long Beach
• Flights to Los Angeles
• Flights to Oakland
• Flights to Ontario
• Flights to Palm Springs
• Flights to Sacramento
• Flights to San Diego
• Flights to San Francisco
• Flights to San Jose
• Flights to Santa Ana
  • John Wayne/Orange County (SNA)
• Flights to Santa Barbara
• Flights to Santa Rosa