Cheap flights from Chicago (CHI) to California (CA)

When you're looking to get out of Chicago for a few days or weeks, a California vacation could be just what you need. The state has some of the nation's best outdoor areas, including national parks, hiking trails and beaches, giving you the opportunity to enjoy that fantastic California weather. If you want to visit another big city like Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco are two of the best options, or you can check out one of California's charming smaller towns. There are plenty of daily direct flights from Chicago to California, and it only takes about four hours.

How long is the flight from Chicago to California?

The flight time from Chicago to California varies a bit depending on which city you fly into, but on most trips, expect a flight time of around four hours.

Which airlines operate flights from Chicago to California?

American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United and Virgin America all have flights available from Chicago to one or more cities in California.

How frequent are flights between Chicago and California?

Chicago to California is a popular route with dozens of flights every day. Quite a few of those are direct flights, and there are also many with stops available.

Which airports serve Chicago to California?

Chicago's primary airport is O'Hare International Airport, but there are also flights to California at its other airport, O'Hare International Airport. California has airports in quite a few of its major cities, with Los Angeles International Airport being the busiest. It's followed by San Francisco International Airport, San Diego International Airport and Oakland International Airport.

Which direct flight route between Chicago and California is cheapest?
There's no single route between Chicago and California that's consistently the cheapest, as it depends on the airline deals available. Since O'Hare International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport are the two options with the most flights available, that route sometimes has the cheapest routes. The best way to book your flight is to first figure out which part of California you want to visit and then look for deals to that area.

Most travelers visit California either to check out one of its cities or focus on one of its theme parks, such as Disneyland in Anaheim or Universal Studios in Los Angeles. If you go during the summer, make sure you spend an afternoon at one of the state's many beautiful beaches, which include Coronado in San Diego and El Matador in Malibu. Since California is known for having delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, you may also want to stop by a farmers market while you're there.

There's always plenty to do when you go on a California vacation. Use our smart search engine to find yourself the cheapest flights from Chicago to California.