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$69+ 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 8/13. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SBA — SFO
Jun 17 — Jun 241
Tue 6/17
Tue 6/24
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 Saturday or Friday 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 June 12, 2025.

Round-trip from

$245
(United Airlines)

One-way from

$69
(United Airlines)

Popular in

February

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$319

Good round-trip deal

$310 or less

Good one-way deal

$170 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. 10% potential increase in price ($43 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($8 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in June 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 June 12, 2025.

This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/9. 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.
Wed 7/94:54 pmSBA - SFO
1 stop3h 25mUnited Airlines
Tue 7/1510:35 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 12mUnited Airlines
Deal found 6/9$245
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/9. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 7/912:30 pmSBA - SFO
1 stop4h 40mSouthwest
Tue 7/155:25 amSFO - SBA
1 stop6h 20mSouthwest
Deal found 6/9$249
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/11. 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 Alaska Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 9/27:29 pmSBA - SFO
2 stops16h 56mAlaska Airlines
Sat 9/2711:44 amSFO - SBA
1 stop8h 05mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/11$328

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 June 12, 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

Wed 7/9

4:54 pm-8:19 pm

1 stop3h 25m

San Francisco

Tue 7/15

10:35 pm-11:47 pm

Nonstop1h 12m

$245

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Wed 7/9

12:30 pm-5:10 pm

1 stop4h 40m

San Francisco

Tue 7/15

5:25 am-11:45 am

1 stop6h 20m

$249

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Tue 9/2

7:29 pm-12:25 pm

2 stops16h 56m

San Francisco

Sat 9/27

11:44 am-7:49 pm

1 stop8h 05m

$328

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Thu 9/18

6:05 am-7:02 pm

2 stops12h 57m

San Francisco

Sun 9/21

9:07 am-10:17 pm

2 stops13h 10m

$798

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Wed 8/13

8:12 am-9:25 am

Nonstop1h 13m

$69

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Mon 8/11

11:20 am-7:10 pm

2 stops7h 50m

$121

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Tue 7/15

12:40 pm-12:19 am

2 stops11h 39m

$191

Santa BarbaraSan Francisco

SBA - SFO

SBASFO

Santa Barbara

Mon 8/4

7:30 pm-12:56 pm

2 stops17h 26m

$212

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 6/11

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 June 9, 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 $364). 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 June 12, 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 16% 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 June 8, 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 afternoons flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Weekly flight availability from Santa Barbara to San Francisco

Explore weekly flight availability from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated June 12, 2025.

The most flights from SBA to SFO are scheduled on a Thursday (15 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Tuesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (6 on average).

Rainfall in San Francisco by month

Plan your trip to San Francisco by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in San Francisco ranges from 0.0 - 4.4 inches per month. January is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 4.4 in. July is typically the driest time to visit San Francisco when rainfall is around 0.0 in.

Temperature in San Francisco by month

Plan your trip to San Francisco by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to San Francisco, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, September is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 62.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 51.8 F).

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 June 12, 2025.
To help decide which airline to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, see what other customers have to say about Alaska Airlines, Southwest and Delta. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,946 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,790 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Food

7.1

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.

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 12 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 6 users in the past month. Keep an eye out for changes in search interest prior to high and low season.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying 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 $245 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Southwest and Alaska Airlines, starting at $249 and $328 round-trip. Users have found that United Airlines is 29% cheaper than the other options available to this destination.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Santa Barbara to San Francisco one-way?

    The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco are United Airlines ($69), Southwest ($121), and Delta ($191).

  • 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 Emirates (78%), Air New Zealand (77%) and Copa Airlines (73%).

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

    The cheapest flight price from Santa Barbara to San Francisco is $135. On average you can expect to pay $1,407. The most popular route, (Santa Barbara - San Francisco), can usually be booked for $137.

  • 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 $364). 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 Santa Barbara?

Book flights to Santa Barbara if you plan to visit one of these locations
Roseville
Mountain View
South San Francisco
Livermore
Turlock
Santa Cruz
Manteca
Fairfield
Watsonville
Antioch
Hollister
Milpitas
Newark
Hayward
Alameda
Sunnyvale
Daly City
Union City
Campbell
Capitola

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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 June 12, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
United AirlinesCheapest$192Average$342FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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