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$105+ 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 5/31. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SFO — SBA
Jun 17 — Jun 241
Wed 6/17
Wed 6/24
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 Tuesday 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 May 18, 2026.

This Expedia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/14. 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 Expedia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 6/66:16 am
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop9h 01m
Alaska Airlines
Tue 6/96:00 am
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop5h 53m
Alaska Airlines
Deal found 5/14$253
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/15. 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.
Wed 7/110:29 am
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 23m
United Airlines
Tue 7/76:15 am
SBA
-
SFO
Nonstop1h 10m
United Airlines
Deal found 5/15$257
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/13. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 5/315:00 am
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop4h 30m
Southwest
Sat 6/610:50 am
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop3h 55m
Southwest
Deal found 5/13$258
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/13. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 6/146:25 am
SFO
-
SBA
2 stops9h 35m
Southwest
Tue 6/165:05 am
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop6h 00m
Southwest
Deal found 5/13$260
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/13. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 8/15:55 pm
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop5h 25m
Southwest
Tue 8/410:55 am
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop6h 00m
Southwest
Deal found 5/13$265
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/15. 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.
Tue 6/236:00 am
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop3h 17m
United Airlines
Wed 7/86:15 am
SBA
-
SFO
Nonstop1h 10m
United Airlines
Deal found 5/15$267
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/16. 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.
Mon 8/1710:40 am
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 17m
United Airlines
Wed 8/194:15 pm
SBA
-
SFO
Nonstop1h 23m
United Airlines
Deal found 5/16$272
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/13. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 6/45:00 am
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop5h 40m
Southwest
Mon 6/86:00 pm
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop6h 30m
Southwest
Deal found 5/13$273
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/15. 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.
Wed 7/16:00 am
SFO
-
SBA
1 stop3h 17m
United Airlines
Wed 7/86:18 pm
SBA
-
SFO
1 stop3h 20m
United Airlines
Deal found 5/15$277
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/13. 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 6/219:23 pm
SFO
-
SBA
Nonstop1h 22m
United Airlines
Tue 6/236:15 am
SBA
-
SFO
Nonstop1h 10m
United Airlines
Deal found 5/13$278

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 May 18, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$253
(Expedia)

One-way from

$105
(Southwest)

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$399

Good round-trip deal

$308 or less

Good one-way deal

$194 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. 3% potential increase in price ($12 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($7 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in May 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 May 18, 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

Thu 6/4

5:00 am-10:40 am

1 stop5h 40m

Santa Barbara

Mon 6/8

6:00 pm-12:30 am

1 stop6h 30m

$273
Quickest round-trip

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sun 6/21

9:23 pm-10:45 pm

Nonstop1h 22m

Santa Barbara

Tue 6/23

6:15 am-7:25 am

Nonstop1h 10m

$278

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sat 6/27

1:50 pm-3:17 pm

Nonstop1h 27m

Santa Barbara

Mon 6/29

4:03 pm-5:29 pm

Nonstop1h 26m

$319

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Fri 7/10

9:23 pm-10:45 pm

Nonstop1h 22m

Santa Barbara

Sun 7/12

6:15 am-7:25 am

Nonstop1h 10m

$319

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Fri 8/14

6:45 am-11:55 am

1 stop5h 10m

Santa Barbara

Mon 8/17

5:30 am-11:55 am

1 stop6h 25m

$323

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Thu 6/25

6:00 am-9:17 am

1 stop3h 17m

Santa Barbara

Sun 6/28

9:59 am-11:25 am

Nonstop1h 26m

$329

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Thu 6/25

1:15 pm-5:25 pm

1 stop4h 10m

Santa Barbara

Sun 6/28

4:40 pm-12:10 am

1 stop7h 30m

$359

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Sat 6/13

7:45 pm-11:44 pm

1 stop3h 59m

Santa Barbara

Sun 6/14

6:15 am-7:24 am

Nonstop1h 09m

$359

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Fri 7/10

8:45 am-5:25 pm

2 stops8h 40m

Santa Barbara

Sun 7/12

4:40 pm-11:30 pm

2 stops6h 50m

$364

San FranciscoSanta Barbara

SFO - SBA

SFOSBA

San Francisco

Thu 7/9

4:00 pm-11:30 pm

2 stops7h 30m

Santa Barbara

Sun 7/12

4:40 pm-11:30 pm

2 stops6h 50m

$364

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 5/16

Showing 1-10 of 20 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 May.
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?

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, you should look to book at least 38 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, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (average of $250). Flying from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in July is currently the most expensive (average of $423). 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 May 18, 2026.

It’s typically best to fly out from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 11% 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 May 16, 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. Thursday at noon 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 San Francisco to Santa Barbara?

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 May 18, 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
9,737 reviews

Comfort

7.3

Overall

7.4

Food

6.6

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.1

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
9,737 reviews
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,737 reviews

Comfort

7.3

Overall

7.4

Food

6.6

Entertainment

7.1

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.1

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 17m for a nonstop flight. There are 11 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 22m. Southwest provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $278. 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 ($143), offers the cheapest pricing from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. This flight start at 58% 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 (89%), SkyWest Airlines (81%), United Airlines( 81%).

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

    The cheapest flight price from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is $98. On average you can expect to pay $338. The most popular route, (San Francisco - Santa Barbara), can usually be booked for $257.

  • 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, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (average of $250). Flying from San Francisco to Santa Barbara in July is currently the most expensive (average of $423). 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 May 18, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
United AirlinesCheapest$143Average$348FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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