Flying from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to San Diego International Airport (SAN): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport is 1 hour 35 minutes.
Sacramento and San Diego are in the same timezone, UTC-8.
Flights from SMF to SAN start at 05:55 — the earliest with Southwest Airlines. The last departure is at 21:05 with Southwest Airlines. In total, there are 79 weekly Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport flights.
To ensure you catch your SMF to SAN flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Travelling during a peak time like July? Public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Southwest Airlines has direct flights from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to tick off the sights in San Diego — and maybe even more of the United States if time allows.
Most travellers choose to travel with Southwest Airlines on this route.
With 69.94% of its services landing on schedule, Alaska Airlines is the most punctual carrier offering SMF to SAN flights.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or visit a new city along the way. Here's where you can stop between SMF and SAN:
Los Angeles International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbour Airport
Harry Reid International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Right now, R 771 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is R 1,541. Keep in mind that fares can change due to availability when booking.
It's usually best to book ahead of time if you want to find cheap tickets from SMF to SAN. That's because airlines change prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for flights from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfare across each month.
Finding cheap flights from SMF to SAN is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as fares go down.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport.
Handy information about Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
You'll find SMF at 6900 Airport Boulevard.
Sacramento International Airport gets top marks for on-time performance. 81% of flights that depart SMF arrive at their destination as scheduled.
Sacramento International Airport is about 19 kilometres from central Sacramento. If you're driving, catching a taxi or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Planning to take public transport? Expect a trip time of around 50 minutes.
Get your flight from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport off to an easy start. Only a short drive from SMF, spend the night in Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas by IHG and be well-rested for the journey ahead.
Arriving at San Diego International Airport (SAN)
If you're landing on a late Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport flight, nothing beats the convenience of being close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near SAN:
Hit the road running by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond San Diego's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the best rate by booking your vehicle from San Diego International Airport around two weeks before your departure date.
When to fly to San Diego International Airport (SAN)
The quietest month for a flight from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport is March, while August is the most popular. Pick the best time to visit San Diego based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in your flight from Sacramento International Airport to San Diego International Airport for August if you'd like to go to San Diego during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 16ºC (61ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF).
February sees average temperatures of between 8ºC (46ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Search for cheap tickets from SMF to SAN sometime around then if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
Explore more of the United States
San Diego has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of the United States waiting to be explored. About 177 kilometres north-west of San Diego, a trip to Los Angeles will keep you on the move. Check out popular attractions like Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl.
Phoenix is another favourite destination in the United States and is around 483 kilometres east of San Diego. No journey is complete without visiting Camelback Mountain, Yayoi Kusama Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room and Heard Museum.
