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$84+ 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 5/6. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SFO — SBA
Apr 15 — Apr 221
Wed 4/15
Wed 4/22
1 adult, Economy
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Find cheap flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go

Enter your travel information like dates, passengers, trip type (one-way or round trip), and preferred cabin class then click “Find deals”

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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San Francisco to Santa Barbara are usually found in September or August, booked 39 days in advance, depart on a Saturday or Wednesday and return on a Friday

Cheap 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 March 16, 2026.

This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/12. 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.
Sat 5/22:05 pm
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 28m
United Airlines
Tue 5/52:20 pm
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop6h 19m
United Airlines
Deal found 3/12$258
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/13. 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.
Sat 5/231:50 pm
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 27m
United Airlines
Tue 5/266:15 am
SBA
-
SFO
Nonstop1h 10m
United Airlines
Deal found 3/13$259
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/12. 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.
Sun 4/128:55 pm
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 29m
United Airlines
Thu 4/165:50 pm
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop3h 35m
United Airlines
Deal found 3/12$260
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/12. 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 4/28:55 pm
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 29m
United Airlines
Mon 4/68:31 pm
SBA
-
SFO
Nonstop1h 17m
United Airlines
Deal found 3/12$261
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/12. 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 4/1010:35 pm
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 24m
United Airlines
Wed 4/158:31 pm
SBA
-
SFO
Nonstop1h 17m
United Airlines
Deal found 3/12$263
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/12. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 4/183:05 pm
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop6h 00m
Southwest
Tue 4/212:10 pm
SBA
-
SFO
2 stops7h 55m
Southwest
Deal found 3/12$266
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/13. 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 Alaska Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 5/27:15 am
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop16h 30m
Alaska Airlines
Tue 5/56:00 am
SBA
-
SFO
2 stops12h 41m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 3/13$268
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/13. 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.
Sat 5/239:23 pm
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 22m
United Airlines
Wed 5/276:00 am
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop4h 45m
United Airlines
Deal found 3/13$269
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/11. 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 4/171:55 pm
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop3h 14m
United Airlines
Mon 4/208:31 pm
SBA
-
SFO
Nonstop1h 17m
United Airlines
Deal found 3/11$270
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/15. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 4/95:05 am
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop6h 55m
Southwest
Mon 4/139:40 am
SBA
-
SFO
2 stops7h 20m
Southwest
Deal found 3/15$274

Find 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 March 16, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$258
(United Airlines)

One-way from

$84
(Expedia)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$438

Good round-trip deal

$286 or less

Good one-way deal

$118 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for San Francisco-Santa Barbara flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for San Francisco-Santa Barbara flights.
Search Deals
From San Francisco to Santa Barbara
Search Deals
One-way flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 8% potential increase in price ($30 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($9 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in March 2026
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.
Search Deals
Price to beat on a one-way flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.
Search Deals

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 March 16, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sat 5/2

2:05 pm-3:33 pm

Nonstop1h 28m

Santa Barbara

Tue 5/5

2:20 pm-8:39 pm

1 stop6h 19m

$258

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sat 4/18

8:55 pm-10:24 pm

Nonstop1h 29m

Santa Barbara

Mon 4/20

6:00 am-7:18 am

Nonstop1h 18m

$261

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Fri 4/10

10:35 pm-11:59 pm

Nonstop1h 24m

Santa Barbara

Wed 4/15

8:31 pm-9:48 pm

Nonstop1h 17m

$263

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sat 5/2

7:15 am-2:16 pm

1 stop7h 01m

Santa Barbara

Tue 5/5

6:00 am-6:41 pm

2 stops12h 41m

$268

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Thu 4/16

10:40 am-12:01 pm

Nonstop1h 21m

Santa Barbara

Sun 4/19

6:00 am-7:18 am

Nonstop1h 18m

$279
Quickest round-trip

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Tue 3/31

10:40 am-12:01 pm

Nonstop1h 21m

Santa Barbara

Mon 4/6

8:31 pm-9:48 pm

Nonstop1h 17m

$294

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Fri 5/8

7:15 am-2:16 pm

1 stop7h 01m

Santa Barbara

Mon 5/11

6:00 am-5:21 pm

1 stop11h 21m

$323

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sun 4/5

10:35 pm-11:58 pm

Nonstop1h 23m

Santa Barbara

Sun 4/12

6:00 am-7:18 am

Nonstop1h 18m

$324

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Fri 4/10

8:59 pm-12:36 am

1 stop3h 37m

Santa Barbara

Fri 4/17

5:50 pm-9:25 pm

1 stop3h 35m

$329

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Fri 4/3

6:14 pm-7:35 pm

Nonstop1h 21m

Santa Barbara

Mon 4/6

6:00 am-7:18 am

Nonstop1h 18m

$338

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 3/10

Showing 1-10 of 18 resultsSorted by cheapest first
1
2

Compare providers for flights from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

Provider information is updated monthly. Please note that these providers often have deals for this flight, but the availability may vary on a day-by-day basis on Cheapflights.
Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in March.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy1 starTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars

*The Trust Score is based on feedback from users after their booking experience. It measures overall satisfaction, helping us identify issues like hidden fees, problems during the ticketing process, and the quality of customer service. This score is our best indicator of the provider's quality and reliability.

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on San Francisco-Santa Barbara flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on San Francisco-Santa Barbara flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from San Francisco-Santa Barbara flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on San Francisco-Santa Barbara flights, Cheapflights users trust FlightHub the most. FlightHub has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for San Francisco-Santa Barbara flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

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 March 13, 2026.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, you should look to book at least 39 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, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (average of $33). Flying from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in July is currently the most expensive (average of $78). 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 March 16, 2026.

It’s typically best to fly out from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 12% 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 March 14, 2026.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their San Francisco to Santa Barbara flight should consider departing on Saturday at noon when fares are most often at their lowest. Monday mornings 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 March 16, 2026.
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
9,428 reviews

Comfort

7.3

Overall

7.4

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.1

Food

6.6

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
9,428 reviews
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,428 reviews

Comfort

7.3

Overall

7.4

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.1

Food

6.6

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 16m for a nonstop flight. There are 15 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 28m. United Airlines provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $258. 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 ($149), offers the cheapest pricing from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. This flight start at 57% 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: SWISS (87%), Air New Zealand (86%), Air Canada( 86%).

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

    The cheapest flight price from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is $100. On average you can expect to pay $332. The most popular route, (San Francisco - Santa Barbara), can usually be booked for $199.

  • 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, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (average of $33). Flying from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in July is currently the most expensive (average of $78). 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
Santa Ynez
Buellton

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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 March 16, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
United AirlinesCheapest$149Average$342FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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