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$39+ Cheap flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco (SBA - SFO)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 10/20. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SBA — SFO
Aug 19 — Aug 261
Tue 8/19
Tue 8/26
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Santa Barbara to San Francisco are usually found in September or June, booked 47 days in advance, depart on a Friday or Saturday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Santa Barbara (SBA) to San Francisco (SFO). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated August 14, 2025.

Round-trip from

$77
(United Airlines)

One-way from

$39
(United Airlines)

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$389

Good round-trip deal

$329 or less

Good one-way deal

$199 or less
From Santa Barbara to San Francisco
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One-way flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 4% potential increase in price ($15 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($8 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in August 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco.
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Find flight deals from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on August 14, 2025.

This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/11. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 9/26:52 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 11mUnited Airlines
Sat 9/69:00 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 8/11$77
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/11. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 9/26:52 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 11mUnited Airlines
Sun 9/79:00 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 8/11$114
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/11. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/52:32 pmSBA - SFO
1 stop4h 33mUnited Airlines
Sat 9/61:25 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 8/11$124
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 9/42:09 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 11mUnited Airlines
Mon 9/810:45 amSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 8/12$137
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/124:00 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 11mUnited Airlines
Sun 9/144:30 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 8/12$151
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/13. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 9/146:30 amSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 10mUnited Airlines
Thu 9/181:25 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 8/13$161
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 11/218:19 amSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 19mUnited Airlines
Mon 11/2410:47 amSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 8/12$168

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated August 14, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco that are best for you.

Fly from

Santa Barbara

Fly to

San Francisco

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Sat 9/20

6:30 am-7:40 am

Nonstop1h 10m

San Francisco

Mon 9/22

10:45 am-11:59 am

Nonstop1h 14m

$77

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Tue 9/30

3:44 pm-4:55 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

San Francisco

Wed 10/1

10:54 am-12:08 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

$77

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Tue 9/23

4:00 pm-5:11 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

San Francisco

Wed 9/24

4:30 pm-5:44 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

$77

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Sun 9/21

6:30 am-7:40 am

Nonstop1h 10m

San Francisco

Mon 9/22

6:50 pm-8:09 pm

Nonstop1h 19m

$114

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Wed 9/17

4:00 pm-5:11 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

San Francisco

Fri 9/19

1:25 pm-2:39 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

$114

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Tue 9/9

6:52 pm-8:03 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

San Francisco

Fri 9/12

1:25 pm-2:39 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

$114

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Wed 9/17

4:00 pm-5:11 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

San Francisco

Thu 9/18

1:25 pm-2:39 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

$137

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Mon 9/15

4:00 pm-5:11 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

San Francisco

Thu 9/18

1:25 pm-2:39 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

$137

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Thu 9/4

4:00 pm-5:11 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

San Francisco

Mon 9/8

1:25 pm-2:39 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

$138

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Mon 10/20

3:44 pm-4:55 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

$39

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 8/14

Showing 1-10 of 19 results
1
2

Best time to book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to San Francisco from Santa Barbara with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

How far ahead should I book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Price data was last updated on August 8, 2025.

Booking 47 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. The general trend is that the closer you book to the departure date, the more expensive your flight will be.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco (average of $276). Flying from Santa Barbara to San Francisco in June is currently the most expensive (average of $358). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SBA to SFO?

Find hourly flight availability from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated August 14, 2025.

When flying from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, the time of day you fly usually plays a role in the price. Save by searching for a flight in the afternoon, which can drop the price by up to 14% versus a flight in the evening.

What is the cheapest day to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Price data was last updated on August 10, 2025.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Santa Barbara to San Francisco flight should consider departing on Thursday afternoons when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday evenings flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

Reviews of airlines servicing San Francisco

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to San Francisco. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to San Francisco. Reviews last updated August 14, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown United Airlines from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,916 reviews

Overall

7.4

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.3

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.1

Food

6.6

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Thomas,Apr 2025

TPE - SFO

The boarding experience was okay. The dietary food choices were limited, the midway snacks were hard and dry. The seat was uncomfortable - stiff seat cushion, seat back kept springing back to the upright position, narrow seat width. Love the app and the ability to track my luggage. Flight crew was efficient.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,916 reviews
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,916 reviews

Overall

7.4

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.3

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.1

Food

6.6

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Thomas,Apr 2025

TPE - SFO

The boarding experience was okay. The dietary food choices were limited, the midway snacks were hard and dry. The seat was uncomfortable - stiff seat cushion, seat back kept springing back to the upright position, narrow seat width. Love the app and the ability to track my luggage. Flight crew was efficient.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airports do I use to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    You will need to book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco if you want to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. At least 1 airline has flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to San Francisco (SFO) on a regular basis. There are 11 flights to San Francisco from the Santa Barbara airport per day. If you manage to book one that is nonstop, then you can expect the flight time from SBA to SFO to be around 1h 07m.

  • How popular is this Santa Barbara to San Francisco flight route?

    This flight path from Santa Barbara to San Francisco was viewed by 8 users in the past month. Keep an eye out for changes in search interest prior to high and low season.

  • What is the cheapest airline to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco round-trip?

    Our cheapest airline available from Santa Barbara to San Francisco is United Airlines. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $196 on this airline. Users have found that United Airlines is 46% cheaper than the other options available to this destination.

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    The top 3 most reliable airlines when flying from Santa Barbara to San Francisco are Air New Zealand (73%), United Airlines (73%) and SkyWest Airlines (66%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    The cheapest flight price from Santa Barbara to San Francisco is $105. On average you can expect to pay $791. The most popular route, (Santa Barbara - San Francisco), can usually be booked for $77.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Santa Barbara to San Francisco flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Santa Barbara to San Francisco by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco (average of $276). Flying from Santa Barbara to San Francisco in June is currently the most expensive (average of $358). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Traveling to a place near San Francisco?

Book flights to San Francisco if you plan to visit one of these locations
Roseville
Santa Cruz
Livermore
South San Francisco
Mountain View
Turlock
Santa Clara
Hollister
Antioch
Watsonville
Manteca
Sunnyvale
Newark
Milpitas
Campbell
Foster City
San Leandro
Burlingame
Redwood City
Vallejo

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Top airline flying from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Discover the top airline that operate flights from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated August 14, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
United AirlinesCheapest$196Average$356FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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