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$76+ Cheap flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (SFO - SBA)

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 10/26. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SFO — SBA
Oct 18 — Oct 251
Sat 10/18
Sat 10/25
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San Francisco to Santa Barbara are usually found in September or August, booked 83 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Tuesday and return on a Friday

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from San Francisco (SFO) to Santa Barbara (SBA). 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 September 18, 2025.

Round-trip from

$134
(United Airlines)

One-way from

$76
(Southwest)

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$264

Good round-trip deal

$176 or less

Good one-way deal

$68 or less
From San Francisco to Santa Barbara
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One-way flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 12% potential increase in price ($50 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($5 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in September 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.
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Find flight deals from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Cheapest flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 18, 2025.

This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/17. 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 11/118:30 amSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 19mUnited Airlines
Fri 11/142:09 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 07mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/17$134
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/17. 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 10/156:25 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 13mUnited Airlines
Wed 10/225:00 pmSBA - SFO
1 stop3h 10mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/17$137
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/16. 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 10/155:30 amSFO - SBA
1 stop5h 05mSouthwest
Thu 10/164:55 pmSBA - SFO
1 stop6h 40mSouthwest
Deal found 9/16$151
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/16. 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 10/86:25 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 13mUnited Airlines
Thu 10/98:40 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 10mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/16$157
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/17. 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 10/91:28 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Mon 10/132:04 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 11mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/17$158
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/16. 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.
Sat 11/89:15 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 21mUnited Airlines
Mon 11/102:09 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 07mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/16$187
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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 10/2610:38 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 21mUnited Airlines
Mon 10/276:50 pmSBA - SFO
Nonstop1h 15mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/15$188
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/17. 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.
Fri 12/125:00 amSFO - SBA
1 stop5h 05mSouthwest
Fri 12/123:35 pmSBA - SFO
1 stop4h 35mSouthwest
Deal found 9/17$191
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/16. 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 10/141:28 pmSFO - SBA
Nonstop1h 14mUnited Airlines
Sat 10/186:00 amSBA - SFO
1 stop3h 45mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/16$197

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara 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 September 18, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara that are best for you.

Fly from

San Francisco

Fly to

Santa Barbara

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Thu 10/16

1:28 pm-2:42 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

Santa Barbara

Thu 10/23

5:00 pm-8:10 pm

1 stop3h 10m

$137

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Mon 11/17

9:05 am-1:49 pm

1 stop4h 44m

Santa Barbara

Tue 11/18

6:50 pm-8:05 pm

Nonstop1h 15m

$137

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Wed 10/22

5:30 am-10:35 am

1 stop5h 05m

Santa Barbara

Sat 10/25

5:35 am-10:10 am

1 stop4h 35m

$151

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Wed 10/29

5:30 am-10:35 am

1 stop5h 05m

Santa Barbara

Thu 10/30

5:30 am-10:55 am

1 stop5h 25m

$151

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Thu 10/30

5:20 am-10:35 am

1 stop5h 15m

Santa Barbara

Thu 10/30

1:15 pm-10:05 pm

1 stop8h 50m

$151

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sun 10/26

8:05 pm-12:05 am

1 stop4h 00m

Santa Barbara

Mon 10/27

3:00 pm-11:45 pm

2 stops8h 45m

$156

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Thu 10/30

9:15 pm-10:29 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

Santa Barbara

Tue 11/4

2:09 pm-3:16 pm

Nonstop1h 07m

$157

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Thu 10/16

1:28 pm-2:42 pm

Nonstop1h 14m

Santa Barbara

Mon 10/20

3:44 pm-4:55 pm

Nonstop1h 11m

$157

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sat 10/11

10:40 pm-11:59 pm

Nonstop1h 19m

Santa Barbara

Tue 10/14

8:40 pm-9:50 pm

Nonstop1h 10m

$157

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sun 10/26

10:38 pm-11:59 pm

Nonstop1h 21m

Santa Barbara

Mon 10/27

6:50 pm-8:05 pm

Nonstop1h 15m

$188

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 9/16

Showing 1-10 of 21 results
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Best time to book a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Santa Barbara from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Santa Barbara

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. Price data was last updated on September 12, 2025.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, you should look to book at least 83 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

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

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $475). 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 SFO to SBA?

Find hourly flight availability from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated September 18, 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from San Francisco to Santa Barbara at noon. Doing so could potentially save you 26% on the flight price compared to flying in the afternoon, which is usually more expensive.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. Price data was last updated on September 14, 2025.

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

Reviews of airlines servicing Santa Barbara

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara. Reviews last updated September 18, 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with United Airlines from San Francisco to Santa Barbara have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,925 reviews

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.3

Food

6.6

Overall

7.4

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.7

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Thomas,Mar 2025

SFO - TPE

When I asked for an extra snack, I got an unhappy look from the stewardess. Geez, does one extra snack really affect the bottom line??
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,925 reviews
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,925 reviews

Entertainment

7.1

Comfort

7.3

Food

6.6

Overall

7.4

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.7

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Thomas,Mar 2025

SFO - TPE

When I asked for an extra snack, I got an unhappy look from the stewardess. Geez, does one extra snack really affect the bottom line??

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. 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 San Francisco to Santa Barbara?

    If you book a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, you will be flying from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. Flights to Santa Barbara (SBA) from San Francisco (SFO) take 1h 14m for a nonstop flight. There are 13 flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara per day from 1 airline.

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

    Within the past month, 4 users have taken a look at flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.

  • How long is the flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?

    A quick flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara can take about 1h 14m. United Airlines provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $137. The distance between San Francisco and Santa Barbara is about 262 mi. Both multi-stop and nonstop flights can be found to your destination and back.

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

    According to our current data, United Airlines ($156), offers the cheapest pricing from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. This flight start at 55% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

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

    Before booking your flight to Santa Barbara from San Francisco, check out the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time: SkyWest Airlines (92%), United Airlines (84%), Air New Zealand( 81%).

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

    The cheapest flight price from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is $48. On average you can expect to pay $545. The most popular route, (San Francisco - Santa Barbara), can usually be booked for $97.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from San Francisco to Santa Barbara 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 San Francisco to Santa Barbara?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $475). 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
Buellton
Santa Ynez

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Alternative routes for San Francisco to Santa Barbara

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Top airline flying from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Discover the top airline that operate flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. 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 September 18, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
United AirlinesCheapest$156Average$343FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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