travel san francisco to san diego

Flight search

Adults Remove adult 1 Add adult
Children Aged 2-11 Aged 2 to 11 Remove child 0 Add child
Infants In seat Remove infant in seat 0 Add infant in seat
Infants On lap Remove infant on lap 0 Add infant on lap
Premium economy

Cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

Good to know, when is the cheapest time to fly, popular airports near san francisco.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) San Francisco 18 min 17 km
San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK) Oakland 26 min 18 km
San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) San Jose 50 min 62 km
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) Sacramento 1 hr 35 min 125 km

Popular airports near San Diego

San Diego International Airport (SAN) San Diego 10 min 3 km
Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) Tijuana 37 min 26 km
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Los Angeles 2 hr 2 min 178 km
John Wayne Airport (SNA) Santa Ana 1 hr 21 min 125 km

Frequently asked questions about flying from San Francisco to San Diego

Search more flights, popular trips from san francisco.

These suggestions are based on the cheapest fares to popular destinations in the next six months.

Prices include required taxes + fees for 1 adult. Optional charges and bag fees may apply.

Portland RUB 3,777 Aug 17 — Aug 19 Nonstop 1 hr 41 min Frontier
Los Angeles RUB 4,130 Aug 17 — Aug 19 Nonstop 1 hr 29 min Frontier
New York RUB 15,823 Aug 16 — Aug 19 1 stop 8 hr 18 min Frontier
Honolulu RUB 26,053 Sep 5 — Sep 9 Nonstop 5 hr 22 min United

Find flights from San Francisco to anywhere

More places to fly.

C$ 53 Find cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from san francisco to san diego departing on 8/9. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to san diego.

Save 22% or more Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track prices Not ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Free to use There are no hidden charges or fees.

Filter your deals Choose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO-SAN)

Flights from san francisco to san diego - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends into flights from san francisco to san diego to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from san francisco to san diego, if you are looking for a flight deal from san francisco to san diego, look for departures on tuesdays and avoid leaving on a wednesday, as it's usually the priciest day. when flying back from san diego, wednesday is the cheapest day to fly and monday is the most expensive., what is the cheapest month to fly from san francisco to san diego, the cheapest month for flights from san francisco to san diego is may, where tickets cost c$ 235 on average. on the other hand, the most expensive months are december and march, where the average cost of tickets is c$ 380 and c$ 369 respectively., how far in advance should i book a flight from san francisco to san diego, to get a below average price on the flight from san francisco to san diego, you should book around 3 weeks before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 175 days before departure., which airlines provide the cheapest flights from san francisco to san diego, in the last 72 hours, the cheapest one-way ticket from san francisco to san diego found on kayak was with frontier for c$ 53. alaska airlines proposed a round-trip connection from c$ 105 and delta from c$ 213., which airlines fly most frequently between san francisco and san diego, san francisco and san diego are connected by different airlines. the airlines that fly that route the most regularly are alaska airlines (47 flights per week), united airlines (41 flights per week), and southwest (27 flights per week)., which airlines fly direct between san francisco and san diego, there are 4 airlines that fly direct from san francisco to san diego. they are: alaska airlines, frontier, southwest and united airlines. the cheapest price of all airlines flying this route was found with alaska airlines at c$ 183. on average, the best prices for this route can be found at alaska airlines., how many flights are there between san francisco and san diego per day, each day, there are between 14 and 18 nonstop flights that take off from san francisco and land in san diego, with an average flight time of 1h 35m. the most common departure time is 10:00 a.m. and most flights take off in the morning. each week, there are 122 flights. the most frequent day of departure is monday, when 15% of all weekly flights depart. the fewest flights depart on a saturday., which cabin class options are there for flights between san francisco and san diego, there is only one cabin class option available for the route, which is economy. perform a search on kayak to find the latest prices and availability for all cabin fares, which differ across airlines., how long does a flight from san francisco to san diego take, the average direct flight takes 1h 37m, covering a distance of 1,156 km., what’s the earliest departure time from san francisco to san diego, early birds can take the earliest flight from san francisco at 6:00 am and will be landing in san diego at 7:38 am., what’s the latest departure time from san francisco to san diego, if you prefer to fly at night, the latest flight from san francisco to san diego jets off at 10:15 pm and lands at 11:55 pm., good to know, when to book flights from san francisco to san diego, faqs for booking flights from san francisco to san diego, what if i just want to relax is there a quiet room at san francisco international airport.

Sometimes you just want a little solitude before getting on your flight. While waiting on your flight from San Francisco to San Diego, visit SFO’s yoga room in Terminal 2 where you can meditate, stretch, and exercise. There are also a number of lounges in the airport including the Delta Sky Club, United Club, and both the Admiral and Centurion Clubs (by American Express).

What restaurants are close to the San Francisco International Airport?

Around the airport are a number of great restaurants for dining. Within a couple of miles is a sushi spot (Zen Sushi Bistro), a steakhouse (Hangar Steak), and a Benihana. If you prefer something quick, consider Wendy’s on Gateway Boulevard, Hana Hawaiian Barbecue on San Mateo Avenue, or McDonald’s on Airport Boulevard.

Are there hotels close to the San Diego International Airport?

If you’re only in town 2-3 days, you might want to just stay at or around the airport. Staying close to the airport is also convenient when you have a very early morning flight. There are several hotels less than a mile from the airport, including the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Holiday Inn Express.

Is it easy to get around the San Diego International Airport?

Getting around SAN is not too difficult. The airport offers a simple design which includes three terminals. Terminal 1 houses Southwest, Frontier, and Allegiant Airlines. There are also numerous restaurants here for passengers such as Ciao Gourmet Market, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Emerald Express. British Airways, jetBlue, and Alaska Airlines are all located in Terminal 2. It also offers passengers a variety of dining options from Bubbles Seafood and Wine Bar to the California Pizza Kitchen. A shuttle is easily accessible and makes it convenient to get from one terminal to the other.

What is the cheapest flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego was C$ 39 for a one-way ticket and C$ 77 for a round-trip.

Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Francisco to San Diego?

Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the San Francisco to San Diego flight route.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San Francisco to San Diego?

The Boeing 737-800 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the San Francisco to San Diego flight route.

Which airline alliances offer flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between San Francisco and San Diego, with Star Alliance being the most commonly used for this route.

On which days can I fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

There are direct flights from San Francisco to San Diego on a daily basis.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from San Francisco to San Diego.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Francisco to San Diego?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Diego from San Francisco is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to San Diego with an airline and back to San Francisco with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Diego from San Francisco up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San Francisco to San Diego

Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for C$ 63 or less one-way.
Enjoy non-stop flights from San Francisco to San Diego with Alaska, Southwest, or United Airlines. These flights take off throughout both the day and evening and last about an hour and a half. You will depart from San Francisco International Airport and will land at San Diego International Airport.
Parking at San Francisco International Airport is abundant. There is long-term parking found both in a garage and lot. Parking costs around $25 per day and includes express entry and exit. Shuttle service to airport terminals is also provided 24/7.
Along with food and shopping, San Francisco International Airport offers a number of cultural and educational opportunities. Learn about the history of the airport through exhibits in international terminal hall. You might also read a book in the Christian Science Reading Room (Terminal 1, near Gate 40) or watch a short film in the screening room which is also in the international terminal hall.
San Diego International Airport, or SAN, is conveniently located off of I-5. It is a short drive from outdoor attractions like Windansea Beach and La Jolla Caves, and than 10 minutes from Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres) and the downtown area.
Getting to downtown or other communities in San Diego from the airport is quite convenient via Bus Route 992. It is only a 10-minute ride and the bus will pick you up just outside of baggage claim. If you don’t want to use public transportation, there are a number of transportation companies that provide shuttle service from the airport -- simply catch a shuttle at Transportation Plaza in either Terminal 1 or 2.

Prefer to fly non-stop from San Francisco to San Diego?

Find which airlines fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Nonstop departures

San Francisco to San Diego

ANA,Air Canada,Air New Zealand, +16 more

ANA,Air Canada, +17 more

ANA,Air Canada,Air New Zealand, +19 more

ANA,Air Canada, +20 more

ANA,Air Canada,Air China, +19 more

ANA,Air Canada,Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA,Air Canada, +21 more

Nonstop returns

San Diego to San Francisco

ANA,Air Canada,Air New Zealand, +18 more

ANA,Air Canada, +19 more

ANA,Air Canada,Air China, +20 more

Top airline flying from San Francisco to San Diego

The handle was broken on my rolling suitcase, and the leather name tag on my other case was torn off and missing. I was stuck in the middle seat even though there were many isle seats open.

The staff is very good especially the man at the boarding gate by the name of Noel. Very nice guy very helpful. Good customer service. The flight attendants are also quite nice. there was a bit of a delay leaving but not much the flight was basically on time The pretzel snack that they served everybody is very bland and dry. They need to get something more tasty

I like the kindness and friendliness of the crew but not the long waits between flights

USB and power ports available in seats 💺. Inadequate snack options.

Good and easy. Seats are a bit crammed and plane was small.

Be prepared for departure delays at SFO while the runways are under construction. No fault of the airlines, so be flexible. Alaska is my favorite air line but needs to pay flight attendants for all the time they're at work, not just when in the air.

Flying any other airline, even Frontier is better than Alaska

I had never flown Alaska Airlines before. I’ll definitely use them again. Seats were comfortable and roomier than expected.

I like the big picture of the Eskimo on the tail of the plane.

The crew was the best I’ve had the experience of flying with. A misbehaving child was making things difficult for me with bopping my tray table, taking my snack, and continually tapping or bumping me. The crew quietly and respectfully moved me to another seat, and thanked me for my patience. They couldn’t have been more kind. Their professionalism really stood out to me and I am more than happy to leave a great review for them!

Book cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

Recent one-way flight deals, search by stops, search by airline, search by price, last minute flights from san francisco to san diego, last minute flight, train and bus deals, san francisco - san diego flights.

San Francisco (SFO) United States

Destination:

San Diego (SAN) United States

Return flight deals:

San Diego - San Francisco

Cabin classes:

Browse origins:.

Flights »
San Francisco

Browse destinations:

Worldwide »

$102 Find cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from san francisco to san diego departing on 20/10. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to san diego.

Save 21% or more Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track prices Not ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Free to use There are no hidden charges or fees.

Filter your deals Choose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO-SAN)

Flights from san francisco to san diego - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends into flights from san francisco to san diego to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from san francisco to san diego, if you are looking for a flight deal from san francisco to san diego, look for departures on wednesdays and avoid leaving on a monday, as it's usually the priciest day. when flying back from san diego, tuesday is the cheapest day to fly and friday is the most expensive., what is the cheapest month to fly from san francisco to san diego, the cheapest month for flights from san francisco to san diego is may, where tickets cost $255 on average. on the other hand, the most expensive months are december and march, where the average cost of tickets is $412 and $400 respectively., how far in advance should i book a flight from san francisco to san diego, to get a below average price on the flight from san francisco to san diego, you should book around 3 weeks before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 175 days before departure., which airlines provide the cheapest flights from san francisco to san diego, the cheapest return flight ticket from san francisco to san diego found by kayak users in the last 72 hours was for $173 on alaska airlines, followed by delta ($231). one-way flight deals have also been found from as low as $102 on alaska airlines and from $116 on delta., which airlines fly most frequently between san francisco and san diego, san francisco and san diego are connected by different airlines. the airlines that fly that route the most regularly are alaska airlines (47 flights per week), united airlines (41 flights per week), and southwest (27 flights per week)., which airlines fly direct between san francisco and san diego, there are 4 airlines that fly direct from san francisco to san diego. they are: alaska airlines, frontier, southwest and united airlines. the cheapest price of all airlines flying this route was found with frontier at $86 for a one-way flight. on average, the best prices for this route can be found at frontier., how many flights are there between san francisco and san diego per day, each day, there are between 14 and 18 nonstop flights that take off from san francisco and land in san diego, with an average flight time of 1h 34m. the most common departure time is 10:00 and most flights take off in the morning. each week, there are 122 flights. the most frequent day of departure is monday, when 15% of all weekly flights depart. the fewest flights depart on a saturday., which cabin class options are there for flights between san francisco and san diego, there are 3 cabin class options for the route. these are business, economy and prem economy. perform a search on kayak to find the latest prices and availability for all cabin fares, which differ across airlines., how long does a flight from san francisco to san diego take, direct flights from san francisco generally make it to san diego in 1h 37m. the flying distance between the two cities is 1,156 km., what’s the earliest departure time from san francisco to san diego, early birds can take the earliest flight from san francisco at 06:00 and will be landing in san diego at 07:38., what’s the latest departure time from san francisco to san diego, if you prefer to fly at night, the latest flight from san francisco to san diego jets off at 22:15 and lands at 23:55., good to know, when to book flights from san francisco to san diego, faqs for booking flights from san francisco to san diego, what if i just want to relax is there a quiet room at san francisco international airport.

What restaurants are close to the San Francisco International Airport?

Are there hotels close to the San Diego International Airport?

Is it easy to get around the San Diego International Airport?

What is the cheapest flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego was $69 for a one-way ticket and $117 for a return.

Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Francisco to San Diego?

Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the San Francisco to San Diego flight route.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San Francisco to San Diego?

The Boeing 737-800 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the San Francisco to San Diego flight route.

Which airline alliances offer flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between San Francisco and San Diego, with Star Alliance being the most commonly used for this route.

On which days can I fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

There are direct flights from San Francisco to San Diego on a daily basis.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Francisco to San Diego?

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to San Diego with an airline and back to San Francisco with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San Francisco to San Diego

Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $59 or less one-way.
Enjoy non-stop flights from San Francisco to San Diego with Alaska, Southwest, or United Airlines. These flights take off throughout both the day and evening and last about an hour and a half. You will depart from San Francisco International Airport and will land at San Diego International Airport.
Parking at San Francisco International Airport is abundant. There is long-term parking found both in a garage and lot. Parking costs around $25 per day and includes express entry and exit. Shuttle service to airport terminals is also provided 24/7.
Along with food and shopping, San Francisco International Airport offers a number of cultural and educational opportunities. Learn about the history of the airport through exhibits in international terminal hall. You might also read a book in the Christian Science Reading Room (Terminal 1, near Gate 40) or watch a short film in the screening room which is also in the international terminal hall.
San Diego International Airport, or SAN, is conveniently located off of I-5. It is a short drive from outdoor attractions like Windansea Beach and La Jolla Caves, and than 10 minutes from Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres) and the downtown area.
Getting to downtown or other communities in San Diego from the airport is quite convenient via Bus Route 992. It is only a 10-minute ride and the bus will pick you up just outside of baggage claim. If you don’t want to use public transportation, there are a number of transportation companies that provide shuttle service from the airport -- simply catch a shuttle at Transportation Plaza in either Terminal 1 or 2.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

Find which airlines fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Francisco to San Diego

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +16 more

ANA, Air Canada, +17 more

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +19 more

ANA, Air Canada, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, Air China, +19 more

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Direct returns

San Diego to San Francisco

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +18 more

ANA, Air Canada, +19 more

ANA, Air Canada, Air China, +20 more

Top airlines flying from San Francisco to San Diego

They had all the passengers running around the airport as they kept changing the gate (from B7 to C1 to B16). Then they were saying the flight would be delayed and then they immediately boarded it, almost standing passengers who'd wandered off thinking it was delayed.

They serve these supposedly healthy pretzels that are very bland. Also, two of the three flight attendants were sort of irritable and not very pleasant. Looks like they’ve been doing the job too long but the one lady who happened to be the oldest was very nice.at 1 point I had my foot out on the aisle briefly, and one of the attendants actually reprimanded me with a mini lecture about how she could’ve tripped and spilled drinks, it’s like I don’t need a lecture just tell me to be careful

The handle was broken on my rolling suitcase, and the leather name tag on my other case was torn off and missing. I was stuck in the middle seat even though there were many isle seats open.

I like the kindness and friendliness of the crew but not the long waits between flights

USB and power ports available in seats 💺. Inadequate snack options.

Good and easy. Seats are a bit crammed and plane was small.

Flying any other airline, even Frontier is better than Alaska

I had never flown Alaska Airlines before. I’ll definitely use them again. Seats were comfortable and roomier than expected.

The flight attendence were extremely rude and I am disabled

They wouldn’t let us on the flight even tho we were an hour early. No refund not even our bags that were prepaid

I strongly dislike Frontier. I find them barebones, the seats not particularly comfortable, the nickel and diming is maddening, the app is TERRIBLE - super confusing to navigate, and the last 4 frontier flights I have flown have been on AVERAGE 2 hours late, one ruining a fancy night out in Vegas with reservations made well in advance, which was nodded to with a measly 5000 miles, which translates to almost nothing. At least credit a free checked bag or something.

8 hr delay. had to buy another ticket with another airline

The agent at check-in was strident, unwelcoming, and condescending to customers ahead of me.

9hrs delay and didn’t provided anything until after flight landed $75 voucher for fiuture travel no meals or anything.

There were 3 leg for the trip and each leg was delayed by 90 minutes or more. The boarding process takes forever with people waiting on the jetway even though most folks do not have carry-on. The whole process is poorly managed.

They cancelled the flight then did nothing to help us rebook. It was awful - I won’t fly with them again

The process of buying the ticket and navigating all the hidden charges that Frontier throws at you was a terrible experience. The actual airport experience and flying was fine.

The truck that was refueling the plane drove away with the hose still connected to the plane and ripped part of the plane off with it

Book cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

San Francisco (SFO) United States

Destination:

San Diego (SAN) United States

Cabin classes:

Browse origins:.

Flights »
San Francisco

Browse destinations:

Worldwide »

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

$24 cheap flights from san diego (san) to san francisco (sfo).

Add a place to stay

Direct flights only

Featured airlines

trending down icon Be in the know Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
bex rewards loyalty icon Book smarter Save up to 30% on select hotels after you book a flight*
one key icon Earn twice Earn your airline miles on top of our OneKeyCash Learn about One Key

Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco (SAN-SFO)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $24 for one-way flights and $43 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

San Diego to San Francisco Flights

Whether you’re looking for a grand adventure or just want to get away for a last-minute break, flights from San Diego to San Francisco offer the perfect respite. Not only does exploring San Francisco provide the chance to make some magical memories, dip into delectable dishes, and tour the local landmarks, but the cheap airfare means you won’t bust your budget. So no matter whether your ideal itinerary involves flying one way, non-stop, or round trip, you’re bound to find flights that match your schedule on Expedia, and at prices that won’t shock your wallet.

Bagging a cheap flight from San Diego to San Francisco may mean more dollars to spend on for one-of-a-kind souvenirs when you arrive, but it doesn’t mean you have to skimp on your travel experience, as Expedia offers a sizzling selection of cheap airlines that’ll put you in your happy place on their planes, whether that’s getting lost in a hair-raising airport thriller, dreaming on the passing landscape over a glass of bubbly, or jotting down your vacation bucket list at 38,000 feet. There’s also bound to be plenty of opportunities to snap a few photos of the high life that will make your friends green with envy. After all, enjoying the journey is part of the fun.

With so many affordable flights and so many wonderful adventures awaiting you, there’s no reason to put off booking a fantastic flight from SAN to SFO today. So don’t leave it to the last minute to make your dream trip a reality: pack your bags with your go-to travel accessories, put together your list of must-see attractions and can’t-miss activities, and get ready to broaden your horizons – with Expedia, the wonders of San Francisco are only a plane trip away. Book your travel arrangements with us today!

If you would like to book flights to San Francisco more flexibly many prefer to purchase one-way tickets with options to take different airlines. A one way ticket to San Francisco is $24 now!

Frequently asked questions

Trending Routes
Trending Flights
Top Flights Destinations

More Popular Airlines

Nearby airports.

Flights From Other Airports
Expedia's Latest Trends

Top Routes from San Diego

San Diego to Chicago (SAN - ORD)
San Diego to Newark Liberty Intl. Airport (SAN - EWR)
San Diego to Phoenix (SAN - PHX)
San Diego to Miami (SAN - MIA)
San Diego to Portland (SAN - PDX)
San Diego to Honolulu (SAN - HNL)
San Diego to Boston (SAN - BOS)
San Diego to San José del Cabo (SAN - SJD)
San Diego to Denver (SAN - DEN)
San Diego to New York (SAN - JFK)
San Diego to Seattle (SAN - SEA)
San Diego to Kahului (SAN - OGG)

Top Routes to San Francisco

Chicago to San Francisco (ORD - SFO)
Newark Liberty Intl. Airport to San Francisco (EWR - SFO)
Phoenix to San Francisco (PHX - SFO)
Los Angeles to San Francisco (LAX - SFO)
Washington to San Francisco (DCA - SFO)
Boston to San Francisco (BOS - SFO)
New York to San Francisco (LGA - SFO)
Delhi to San Francisco (DEL - SFO)
Denver to San Francisco (DEN - SFO)
Washington to San Francisco (IAD - SFO)
New York to San Francisco (JFK - SFO)
Seattle to San Francisco (SEA - SFO)
Spirit Airlines San Diego to Chicago
Alaska Airlines San Diego to Newark Liberty Intl. Airport
Frontier Airlines San Diego to Phoenix
Alaska Airlines San Diego to Miami
Spirit Airlines San Diego to Portland
Alaska Airlines San Diego to Honolulu
JetBlue Airways San Diego to Boston
Alaska Airlines San Diego to San José del Cabo
Frontier Airlines San Diego to Denver
Alaska Airlines San Diego to New York
Alaska Airlines Chicago to San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Newark Liberty Intl. Airport to San Francisco
Frontier Airlines Phoenix to San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Los Angeles to San Francisco
Frontier Airlines Washington to San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Boston to San Francisco
JetBlue Airways New York to San Francisco
Air India Delhi to San Francisco
Frontier Airlines Denver to San Francisco
Alaska Airlines Washington to San Francisco

Top Flight Destinations

Flights to Las Vegas
Flights to New York
Flights to Orlando
Flights to Myrtle Beach
Flights to San Diego
Flights to Panama City Beach
Flights to Chicago
Flights to Los Angeles
Flights to Destin
Flights to Ocean City
Flights to Boston
Flights to Nashville
Flights to Miami
Flights to Atlantic City
Flights to San Francisco
Flights to San Antonio
Flights to New Orleans
Flights to Virginia Beach
Flights to Honolulu
Flights to Seattle
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Sun Country Airlines
British Airways
Hawaiian Airlines
Swiss International Air Lines
All Nippon Airways
Austrian Airlines
Montgomery Field Airport (MYF)
Gillespie Field Airport (SEE)
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
French Valley Airport (RBK)
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Catalina Airport (AVX)
Palm Springs Intl. Airport (PSP)
Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (TRM)
Bermuda Dunes Airport (UDD)
Fullerton Municipal Airport (FUL)

How to Travel From San Diego to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

AutumnSkyPhotography / Getty Images

San Diego and San Francisco, two of California's most popular coastal cities, are about 500 miles (806 kilometers) apart. You can make the trip by almost any common form of transportation, including train, bus, car, or plane. The fastest—and usually most affordable—way to get from San Diego to San Francisco is by flying. If several people are traveling together, driving may cost less, but it's a long trip that will take an entire day.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From San Diego to San Francisco?

Typically, the least expensive way to get between the two cities is to book a bus online in advance. Greyhound leaves from National Avenue near Commercial Street in San Diego and ends up at Mission and Fremont streets in San Francisco. Expect many stops along the way and a journey of 11 to 14 hours. Fares start at $63.

FlixBus buses pick up at many locations, including popular sights such as La Jolla and Balboa Park, arriving in the South Of Market area or Stonestown in San Francisco. This approximately 13-hour ride costs $49 and up.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From San Diego to San Francisco?

The quickest way from San Diego is flying to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which takes about 1.5 hours at a cost of $93 and up. Southwest Airlines is a popular option, with no baggage or change fees. You'll get the lowest rates if you reserve on their website at least a couple of weeks ahead of time. Alaska, Delta, American, United, and other airlines fly this route; compare airfares using Tripadvisor .

Passengers can also fly to nearby Oakland or San Jose , each of which has pros and cons, including more expensive ground transportation to San Francisco.

How Long Does It Take to Drive?

The distance between San Diego and San Francisco is approximately 500 miles (805 kilometers) and the fastest route takes about 8.5 hours. Before you head out, check the current traffic on your cell phone, or Los Angeles radio station KNX 1070 for updates . To make this long drive from San Diego in a single day, get to LA as quickly as you can, using Interstate Highway 15 north before returning to Interstate Highway 5 north. If you have time, it's fun to break the trip into more scenic parts on the U.S. Highway 101 or along the Pacific Coast Highway, CA Highway 1 .

Once you get there, parking in San Francisco is challenging: Spots are expensive and hard to find, and street meters have time limits. Try paid neighborhood parking garages or using public transportation from your accommodations when possible.

How Long Is the Train Ride?

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner goes from San Diego's Santa Fe Depot through Los Angeles and north in an approximately 16-hour scenic journey ranging from $88 to $132. But it doesn't go all the way into San Francisco. Instead, the trains go to Oakland across the bay, so Amtrak will take you from Oakland to San Francisco on a bus, or you can take BART public transportation. A more convenient option might be to get off Amtrak at the downtown San Jose station (starting at $86) after a 14-hour ride, where you can catch Caltrain directly to San Francisco.

Amtrak has two stations in San Diego: Old Town and the Santa Fe Depot (their website lists the latter as "SAN," not to be confused with the San Diego International Airport which uses the same initials).

When Is the Best Time to Travel to San Francisco?

The fall season from September through November is a nice time to visit San Francisco for milder weather and fewer crowds. Prices are typically lower in winter, but it's a chilly time of year, like the summer. If you would enjoy attending some of the city's popular events, the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia is held in February, the Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in April, and the San Francisco Pride Parade falls in June.

What’s the Most Scenic Route to San Francisco?

You can drive the very scenic CA Highway 1 beginning about 200 miles north of Los Angeles; the whole trip can take a full day with minimal stops. This memorable route includes tons of cliffside views, the famous Morro Rock at Morro Bay, and beautiful Big Sur.

Another option is along the U.S. Highway 101 from San Diego, which may save you a few hours but still usually takes an entire day to San Francisco, depending on traffic and the number of stops you make. You'll find plenty of ocean views, a chance to pass through Santa Barbara wine country, and charming towns to explore such as Solvang , with Danish restaurants and wineries galore.

Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport?

There are various ways to get to the center of San Francisco from the airport about 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of downtown San Francisco. Three or four BART trains ($8.50) per hour leave from SFO and take 30 minutes to downtown San Francisco. SamTrans ($2 and up) has frequent buses connecting SFO with parts of San Francisco, plus there are taxis ($47 and up), rideshares (prices vary), shared-ride vans ($17), and additional options, each usually taking 25 minutes or more. Prices vary so it is best to check with the individual company before traveling.

What Is There to Do in San Francisco?

San Francisco is a lovely hilly city with various neighborhoods filled with personality. It is known for great international restaurants and shopping, lovely beaches and parks, and beyond. There are world-famous sights to explore such as steep and curvy Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, the Haight-Ashbury district and its bohemian shops, touristy Fisherman's Wharf, the gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge, and much more.

The distance by car is about 500 miles, which takes about 8.5 hours, not including stops or traffic.

The quickest route is to take I-15 North to L.A. and then I-5 to San Francisco. For a scenic drive, plan a route that takes you along Highway 101 or the Pacific Coast Highway.

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner goes from San Diego, through Los Angeles, and arriving in Oakland. From there, take a bus or BART public transit to San Francisco.

How to Travel from Sacramento to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Get to California Wine Country

How to Travel From San Francisco to Lake Tahoe By Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Cross the Border From San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico

How to Travel from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Best of the West: Top Tourist Destinations

A Complete Guide to Train Travel in California

How to Travel from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel From Los Angeles to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel From Amsterdam to Venice by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel from Los Angeles to Denver by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel From Toronto to New York City by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel from San Francisco to Napa Valley by Car, Bus, and Ferry

How to Travel From Seattle to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel from San Diego to Los Angeles by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel From Zurich to Paris by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

All Articles
Los Angeles
Santa Barbara
San Francisco
Santa Monica
National Parks
Theme Parks

Itineraries

The perfect san francisco to san diego road trip.

If you’re looking for the quintessential California road trip then you cannot go wrong with the Pacific Coast Highway. Also known as Highway 1, this San Francisco to San Diego road trip will take you by some of the most iconic towns and jaw-dropping scenery in California. It is truly a trip to be remembered.

The drive along Highway 1 is about 570 miles total and it’s recommended that you plan to spend five to seven days (at least) enjoying the highlights of this iconic road trip. This will allow you to take your time and really experience the beauty of the California coast without feeling too rushed.

Pacific Coast Highway San Francisco to San Diego road trip

Our itinerary starts in San Francisco and ends in San Diego . The reason I recommend doing your Pacific Coast Highway road trip north to south is that you’ll be on the coastal side of the road. When you’re driving and can see the ocean the whole way, you’ll thank me.

You can do this road trip in your car, staying overnight at hotels or campsites, or you can rent an RV that you can camp overnight in.

The way we’ve laid out the itinerary is just one way to do it. There are dozens of possibly stops along the way, and you can really configure it however you want to suit your tastes. So just mix and match and have a good time!

» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco , Los Angeles , Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey , waterfalls in Southern California , and national parks.

Table of Contents

What is the Pacific Coast Highway?

This highway actually traverses the entirely West Coast, from the top of Washington all the way down to the Mexico border. It runs along two highways – US 101 in Washington, Oregon, and the northern part of California and US 1 from there until San Diego. In total, it’s 1,675 miles and it goes past some of the most beautiful parts of the United States.

The typical Pacific Coast Highway road trip is from Leggett, CA, in the north, to San Diego, but for most people that’s quite far, so we’ve decided to define ours as San Francisco to San Diego. You can save the northern part for a Northern California road trip later on.

Here are some different routes if you’re looking for other San Francisco road trips .

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Route

Distance: 571 miles Suggested Duration: 5-7 days

Suggested Stops on this San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip

Carmel-by-the-sea, pismo beach.

Malibu Beach

Some of the highlights of a PCH road trip include visiting the beautiful bay area and San Francisco, where you’ll also want to spend a few days exploring, taking time to see the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Alcatraz, and walk along the Pier at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Moving a little bit further south, the Monterey Bay area including the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and the gorgeous Monterey beaches both have a lot to offer travelers.

Another highlight of the PCH is visiting the incredible natural area of Big Sur and taking in it’s stunning scenery, from the dramatic Bixby Creek Bridge to dramatic cliffs, and the insane views.

Santa Barbara and the surrounding wine country is one of our favorite places to spend time. Then you’re off to the charming town of Ventura with untouched beaches and tons of local craft breweries . The beaches of Malibu, and all the dozens of sights to see in Los Angeles and San Diego.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

San Francisco is the starting point of this road trip itinerary. There are tons of things to do in this city , including the following. So you might choose to spend a few days here before you start your road trip. On your way out of town look for these places to see Redwood trees , they really are a sight to see.

One of the most vibrant and picturesque cities in the United States, San Francisco is known for its delicious seafood, world-famous attractions and glorious views. San Francisco offers a significant number of cultural attractions and world famous landmarks, all in the surroundings of impressive natural beauty. You will want to try a few of these San Francisco bakeries while you are there.

Golden Gate Bridge (visitor center with exhibits and guided tours)
Golden Gate Park is much more than just a park. It has lakes and hiking forests, even some bison live there. It’s a great place to spend a few hours and enjoy the scenery.
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the main attractions for visitors, though it is a little overly touristy in my opinion, you’ll still go there to see the sea lions and eat some seafood.
Take a boat tour out to Alcatraz – America’s most famous (now-closed) prison in an island.
Check out some of the city’s neighborhoods, like North Beach, Union Square, Mission, and Chinatown.

» Try this tour: San Francisco Love Tour

Our Recommended Hotel

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ InterContinental San Francisco ✔️ Indoor pool ✔️ Pet friendly

Monterey is a gorgeous place that you really shouldn’t miss on your road trip. You can stop on Cannery Row and take a walk from the Aquarium down to the other end, passing all kinds of shops along the way. If you stop in at the aquarium and eat lunch or dinner, you should expect to spend about 3-4 hours here.

Discover Old Fisherman’s Wharf with its great restaurants, seafood, and unique shops.
Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium with over 200 award-winning galleries and exhibits and approximately 550 different species of marine life.
Visit some of Monterey’s amazing beaches
Take one of the numerous whale watching boat cruises to see Grey and Killer whales, dolphins, turtles, porpoises, sea lions and more.
Take the incredibly scenic 17-mile drive past Pebble Beach

» Try this tour: Half-Day Whale Watching Tour From Monterey

17-Mile Drive

I think you can’t miss the 17 mile drive while you’re on a road trip in this area. It will take you a little bit out of the way, but you’re going down to Carmel anyways, so why not take the scenic route?

This short but super scenic drive goes through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, along the Monterey Peninsula, past beautiful beaches, the famous Pebble Beach golf course, and incredible mansions. There is a gate fee of $11.25 per vehicle.

» Try this tour: 17 Mile Drive Guided E-bike Tour Pebble Beach From Monterey

Just south of Monterey lies the beach city of Carmel , also known as Carmel-By-the-Sea. Although the city has a population of less than 4,000 people it has over 90 art galleries, numerous antique shops, 14 churches, more than 50 hotels, resorts and inns, 2 golf courses, several restaurants and outdoor cafes, over a dozen wineries and tasting rooms, and numerous souvenir and boutique shops.

Go wine tasting in nearby Carmel by the Sea , one of the cutest little towns you’ll ever visit.
Go shopping at the many high-end boutique shops.
Spend some time on the gorgeous beach – have a picnic, enjoy the weather.
Visit the Carmel Mission Basilica Museum.

» Try this tour: Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tradewinds Carmel ✔️ Breakfast included ✔️ Pet friendly

Point Lobos State Marine Reserve

Just a few miles south of Carmel is the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve . If you leave Carmel in the morning, you can take advantage of the things the park has to offer and get on to Big Sur as well.

Point Lobos has so much to offer, not just in amazing views, but in sheer number of things to do. You’re definitely going to want to have your camera ready because this jutted piece of land just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea is absolutely stunning.

Kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming are all permitted in Point Lobos. It’s a top spot for birding, hiking, and trail running. The Point Lobos trail is a 6.7 mile hike that takes about 3 hours to complete.

The reserve has eight beaches: Gibson Beach, Headland Cove, Hidden Beach, Moss Cove, Sea Lion Cove, Weston Beach, Whalers Cove, and China Cove.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

When you think of the Pacific Coast Highway road trip, you’re likely picturing Big Sur. Bixby Creek Bridge, also known as Bixby Canyon Bridge, on the Big Sur coast, is one of the most photographed bridges in the United States. You’re going to want to get there around midday to get the best light for pictures.

Big Sur is actually the whole stretch of coastline between Carmel and San Simeon. Highway 1 carves along the steep cliffs with dramatic views and the road is beautiful, but hazardous. It’s really only best to drive it in good weather conditions.

McWay Falls is an 80-foot waterfall created by McWay Creek that falls down off the cliff onto a beach below. The turquoise cove and wonderfully green cliffs make a stunning backdrop for the waterfall.
Pfeiffer Beach is a purple sand beach, created by particles of manganese garnet washing down onto the sand. It’s a very photographable beach, especially at sunset.
Sand Dollar Beach, about 30 miles south of the bridge is this great crescent shaped, gorgeous beach that’s great for a stop.

There are just dozens of other things to do that we won’t mention here. Go to this post to see more.

Overnight in Big Sur

If you’re camping or in an RV, stop at Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground on the north side or San Simeon Creek Campground to the south.

There are no large attractions, theme parks or crowds of people, just twenty three miles of beautiful sandy, uncrowded beaches and sand dunes surrounded by golf courses, wooded areas and small towns.

Lie on a white sand beach soaking up the sun during the day.
Go for long moonlit walks along the oceans edge at night.
Go whale watching for gray, humpback and killer whales. View dolphins, sea otters, sea lions, pelicans and seagulls.
See huge colonies of giant elephant seals up close.
Dig your own clams for lunch or dinner.
Visit one of the most spectacular Monarch Butterfly Groves in the country
Go hiking – there are 13 very scenic hiking trails in the area

Not far from Morro Bay is San Simeon , where the ranch home of William Randolph Hearst can be visited. Hearst Castle is a must-visit. And the nearby Hearst Ranch Winery is a great way to wrap up your stay. Then head onward to Cambria , another gorgeous beach town along the way.

» Try this tour: Guided E-Bike Tour of Morro Bay

San Luis Obispo

If you’re into wine tasting, a stop for the rest of the afternoon and an overnight in San Luis Obispo is just the thing. We love going wine tasting in San Luis Obispo. You can through town and down Orcutt Road to hit up wineries like Tolosa , Baileyana , Saucelito Canyon , and Edna Valley Winery .

This is also a great place to stop for the night if you’ve chosen to do some wine tasting. There are plenty of good hotels to choose from and we really highly recommend going to Firestone Grill for their super popular Tri Tip Sandwich, which is so very good. For me, it’s truly one of the highlights of this San Francisco to San Diego road trip itinerary.

The beaches offer a quiet spot to relax and unwind, a place to surf or kayak, and family-friendly beaches with plenty of activities.

» Try this tour: Taste of SLO – Downtown Walking Food Tour

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Courtyard by Marriott San Luis Obispo ✔️ Perfect location ✔️ Pool

If you’re up early, go for the short drive to Pismo Beach and head straight down to the beach for a morning walk. Visit the Monarch Butterfly Grove , which shelters monarch butterflies that migrate to Pismo State Beach in the cooler months. It’s really incredible. Trust me.

The historic Pismo Beach Pier extends 1,200 feet into the ocean and connects to downtown where you can find some of the area’s best clam chowder at Splash Cafe. Also be sure to see the Dinosaur Caves Park, which has some really stunning views.

» Try this tour: Pismo Beach, California, Surf Lessons

Located among the striking Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a coastal wonderland like no other. With deep turquoise waters dipped in a small-town feel, this city is a top choice for travelers seeking to enjoy adventures with some beautiful backdrops and amazing wine to go with it..

Whether you prefer sipping fine wine while the sun sets on the shimmering bay, want to go for a hike , or you’re looking to sail the seas for some whale watching, you’re in for a treat.

When time allows, we love spending a day in the Santa Ynez Valley which is chockful of wineries, especially in Los Olivos . Maybe even stop for dinner at the famous Hitching Post II.

Ready to embark on an island adventure? Santa Barbara is situated close to Channel Islands National Park . This network of five islands is filled to the brim with outdoor activities, such as kayaking and scuba diving.

» Try this tour: Do wntown Santa Barbara Food Tour

You might not have heard of Ventura before. Its not one of the regulars on the California travel list. Originally called San Buenaventura, this small city has been overlooked for a long time, and that’s probably just how the locals prefer it. But it’s changed quite a bit over the years and is now a destination not to miss.

Located halfway between Santa Monica and Santa Barbara, Ventura is one of the last remaining untouched beaches. There are very few resorts here, and the beach – which is almost always uncrowded – still very much belongs to the locals. If you’re looking for a quiet, peaceful and uncrowded place to hang out on the beach, this is definitely where you should go.

The Main Street has gone to pedestrian only and the number of great restaurants and shops that line the street are ever increasing. The old San Buenaventura Mission is an interesting place to visit. There are also 11 craft breweries in Ventura , which is perfect for a beer crawl.

Los Angeles, California is a place of beautiful beaches, sunny skies, and many popular attractions. Contrary to what most people think, Los Angeles is a melting pot of culture and history. There is always something to do in L.A. and its surrounds.

One of the most popular attractions in LA, Hollywood Boulevard was once home to the greatest studios and a milieu of popular celebrities and visitors. Now, it is a street lined with pricey souvenir shops and boutiques, as well as generic, expensive restaurants.
Universal Studios is a great place to come if you have kids. However, while the rides are amusing, are not as great as they’re made out to be.
If you have some time to kill, hike up to the Hollywood sign or find these places to catch a great view . It’s a somewhat strenuous hike, so be prepared.
One of LA’s most visited locations, Melrose Avenue boasts expensive dining and lots of shopping.
The grove is a small shopping center with a number of high end boutiques, good food, and an excellent place for people watching and window shopping.
The farmer’s market at the Grove is an excellent way to enjoy your trip to Los Angeles.

» Try this tour: Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza ✔️ Great location ✔️ Near downtown

Los Angeles to San Diego

After leaving LA, your first stop is the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Here, you can stroll along the pier, enjoy the amusement park rides, and take in the stunning ocean views.

Head to Manhattan Beach, a laid-back coastal town. Spend your time walking along the scenic Manhattan Beach Pier. Explore the local shops and enjoy a late lunch or early dinner at a beachside restaurant.

Drive towards Santa Cruz beach and boardwalk. This seaside amusement park offers a variety of attractions, from classic roller coasters to arcade games.

Head towards Oceanside. It’s a long drive, so consider stopping along the way for dinner. Visit the Oceanside Pier, one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast, and enjoy breakfast at a cafe with ocean views.

In 1769 a small Spanish colony became the first European settlement in California. It is often referred to as the birthplace of this great state. One of the most beautiful cities in California, the urban playground of San Diego is the perfect destination for travelers looking for a beach vacation with a twist.

Make your way through the intricate tapestry of San Diego’s neighborhoods and delve into a wide array of nooks and crannies to explore. That should include checking out the vibrant food scene either on your own or through a food tour . If you’re looking for the best things to see in California, Balboa Park is embellished with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and has up to 17 museums to explore.

Balboa Park has various famous attractions in the vicinity to experience and enjoy. A San Diego Zoo tour is a great experience for travelers who love animals. This walk on the wild side endeavor includes an interactive excursion with some of the cutest critters in the world.

See the USS Midway Museum and walk along the waterfront
Visit Balboa Park, where you’ll find the San Diego Zoo, more than 16 museums, and a performing arts venue.
Spend a day walking around La Jolla , eating at El Pescador Fish Market, seeing the sea lions , and the La Jolla Caves.
Do a brewery crawl to Ballast Point, Bolt, and Stone Brewing.
Visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego, and LEGOLAND California.

» Try this tour: Skip the Line: USS Midway Museum Admission Ticket in San Diego

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Downtown ✔️ Great views ✔️ Perfect location

How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to San Diego?

It takes roughly 10 hours to drive the full 570 miles of this road trip from San Francisco to San Diego, but that doesn’t take into account any stops or any traffic, and I’m sure there will be plenty of those two things in your trip. It is suggested that you take 5 to 7 days to complete this California road trip from San Francisco to San Diego.

Where should I stop on the road trip from San Diego to San Francisco?

I’ve included a lot of possible stops on this road trip itinerary. The reason I give options in each area is so that you can choose the things you want to do in each area. You can also skip a stop, or add in a stop that I didn’t include. There is a great amount of flexibility in your road trip. I do recommend at least venturing into each of the areas I’ve included because they are all very much worth a stop.

What is halfway between San Diego and San Francisco?

San Luis Obispo is about the halfway point on this road trip to San Diego from San Francisco. It’s a small town, but there are lots of great restaurants and bars to spend an evening while you rest up for the second leg of your trip.

How much would it cost to drive from San Diego to SF?

Gas prices will greatly dictate how expensive the drive itself is. With gas prices at around $5.50, you can expect it to cost around $120 to drive the whole trip.

Traveling on the Pacific Coast Highway is one of those momentous things that you’ll never forgot. It’s always one of the trips that people tell me they enjoyed the most of anywhere they’ve been. It’s easy to see why once you’ve done it. The sheer number of epic views you’ll come by are enough to cement it in your mind forever.

Start planning your San Francisco to San Diego road trip with this guide. You’ll be so glad you didn’t put it off. California has so much to offer in the way of scenery and views.

Like this article? Save it on Pinterest so you can find it again. FOLLOW US on Pinterest and Facebook for more California travel inspiration and tips!

Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.

You might also like:

How to travel from San Diego to San Francisco, United States

By: Author AnaMarija Mishachkovska

Posted on Published: November 27, 2019 - Last updated: April 28, 2024

Do you want to travel from San Diego to San Francisco? Find here the best travel options from San Diego to San Francisco, USA.

San Francisco is the cultural hub of Northern California. The city displays a laid-back vibe and is home to the well-known Golden Gate Bridge, the best cafes and galleries, and the freshest seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Tip: We offer detailed guides about transportation in the US .

Table of Contents

How far is San Francisco from San Diego?

The distance from San Diego to San Francisco is 501.8 miles or 807.6 kilometers.

Transportation Options from San Diego to San Francisco

The following table outlines all transportation options from San Diego to San Francisco:

How To Travel From San Diego To San Francisco United States2

How to get from San Diego to San Francisco

1. Flight San Diego San Francisco

Journey Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

The total flight time between these two cities is nearly one and a half hours. It is a fast way to travel between San Diego and San Francisco, even if you add some check-in and baggage clearance hours.

Southwest Airlines is a popular option for this trip, with no baggage fee and no change fees. You’ll get the lowest rates if you reserve at least a couple of weeks ahead of time, but you’ll have to go to their website to do it – they don’t participate in other websites’ fare searches.

For all other airlines, you can compare airfares using, for example, Tripadvisor or Skyscanner. You can identify the flights using the three-letter codes: SFO for San Francisco and SAN for San Diego.

How To Travel From San Jose To San Francisco2 1

2. San Diego to San Francisco Drive by car

Journey Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes

The distance between San Diego and San Francisco is nearly 500 miles. So, if you are lucky enough to find no traffic jams, it will take you around 8.5 hours to get there.

The California freeways have so many options to travel between San Diego and Los Angeles that it would take you the same time to select a route as it would take to drive it. I’ve made this trip many times and can help you narrow down the options to just a couple.

If you want to travel this long journey from San Diego in one day, you must reach Los Angeles as fast as possible.

Most online mapping sites will route you through Los Angeles on Interstate Highway 5, but that freeway can be frustratingly jammed up, adding more than an hour to your trip, even when it isn’t rush hour.

Traffic jams can happen anytime on any road, so it’s best to check the current traffic situation to ensure it’s the optimum route. If you don’t have a mobile device that provides traffic info, Los Angeles radio station KNX 1070 has frequent traffic updates.

3. San Diego to San Francisco Train

Journey Duration: 12 hours

The high-speed train system between San Diego and San Francisco that you might have heard about is doubtful ever to happen.

There is no path from Sacramento to San Diego; however, you can travel on the Amtrak train.

The train goes from San Diego’s Santa Fe Depot through Los Angeles and north. But it doesn’t go all the way into the city of San Francisco.

Instead, the train goes to Oakland, across the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you select this route for travel, Amtrak will take you from Oakland to San Francisco by bus.

A more practical option is to get off Amtrak in the center of San Jose, where you can take the CalTrain train that goes directly to San Francisco.

Traveling from San Diego to San Francisco takes just over 12 hours by train.

How To Travel From San Diego To San Francisco1

4. San Diego to San Francisco Bus

Journey Duration: ~11 hours

The Greyhound buses travel from San Diego to LA. Expect many stops, each lasting ten minutes to an hour. The fastest time is slightly more than eleven hours, and fares are somewhat less than flying.

Once you get to Los Angeles, you’ll have more options, including a couple of luxury buses.

How To Travel From San Diego To San Francisco3

Best day tours in San Francisco

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

The following widget shows some of the best tours in San Francisco .

How To Travel From San Diego To San Francisco2

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to take a train from san diego to san francisco.

The train from San Diego to San Francisco usually costs around USD 86.

Is there a direct train from San Diego to San Francisco?

No, there isn’t a direct train between San Diego and San Francisco.

How much is a bus from San Diego to San Francisco?

On average, a bus ticket from San Diego to San Francisco costs around USD 81.

How long is a car ride from San Diego to San Francisco?

The drive from San Diego to San Francisco will take at least 8 hours if you drive directly, not counting stops.

Can you fly to San Francisco from San Diego?

There are daily nonstop flights from San Diego to San Francisco, so flying is always an option.

More Routes in the United States

Los Angeles to Las Vegas

San Francisco to Las Vegas

Seattle to San Francisco

Los Angeles to San Francisco

San Diego to Las Vegas

Seattle to Vancouver

San Jose to Las Vegas

San Diego to San Francisco

Author: AnaMarija Mishachkovska

AnaMarija is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand. Experience: AnaMarija began her academic journey by pursuing a bachelor's degree at AUE FON University in Macedonia. Following her education, she delved into the world of travel writing, focusing on crafting comprehensive transportation guides for diverse regions such as Latin America and Southeast Asia. As of 2021, AnaMarija has been employed as a transportation expert travel writer at Universal Traveller. Additionally, in 2022, she extended her expertise to become a travel writer for Guatemala Transport Service and Mexico Transport Service. Since 2023, AnaMarija has been sharing her extensive knowledge in Transport in Thailand as a contributor to Bangkok Insiders. Expertise: AnaMarija possesses extensive expertise in transportation across multiple countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Thailand. She knows the best routes like the back of her hand and writes about them in a way that's easy to read and even easier to find online! Education: AnaMarija's educational foundation comprises her studies in Design and Multimedia at AUE FON University in Macedonia. Building upon this academic background, she expanded her...

About the Author

AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica , Transportation in Mexico , Transport in Guatemala , Transport in Peru , and Transport in Thailand .

Expertises: Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand

Change Location

Find awesome listings near you.

United flights from San Diego to San Francisco from $ 92 *

Changed bag rules and optional services Cruise open_in_new Packages open_in_new

Featured daily fares for flights from San Diego (SAN) to San Francisco (SFO)

*Prices have been available for round trips within the last 48 hours and may not be currently available. For Economy class, fares listed may be Basic Economy, which is our most restrictive fare option and subject to additional restrictions . Additional baggage charges and fees for other optional service may apply. Other terms and conditions may apply.

More United deals on San Diego (SAN) to San Francisco (SFO) flights

Explore more United flights

From Chicago
From Los Angeles
From Hong Kong
From Beijing
From Denver
From Honolulu
From Houston
From Washington, D.C.
From Boston
From Taipei
From Manila
From Singapore
From London
From Shanghai
From Vancouver
From Las Vegas
From Frankfurt
From Mexico City
From San Diego
From Toronto
From Seattle
From Barcelona
From Baltimore
From Orange County
From Phoenix
From Orlando
From Austin
From Sydney
From Burbank
From Dallas
From Philadelphia
From Indianapolis
From Atlanta
From Raleigh
From Amsterdam
From Pittsburgh
From Cancun
From Cleveland
From Brisbane
From Zurich
From Munich
From Portland, OR
From Mumbai

Explore United Airlines's Top-Pick Destinations

To San Francisco
To Washington, D.C.
To Honolulu
To Vancouver
To Singapore
To Cleveland
To Frankfurt
To Las Vegas
To Barcelona
To New Orleans
To Nashville
To Portland, OR
To Los Angeles
To Milwaukee
To Philadelphia
To Baltimore
To New York/Newark
To Columbus
To Sacramento
To Fort Lauderdale
To Montreal

San Diego celebrates Fourth of July: Big Bay Boom, packed beaches, parades & more

Large crowds flocked to San Diego's coasts to spend this year's Fourth of July relaxing in the summer sun.

Locals and visitors from all over the world showed up early to get a spot. By noon, San Diego police said all city beach parking lots had reached capacity .

Throughout the day, NBC 7 was spread out across the county, capturing the packed beaches, parades and people camping out waiting to experience one of the biggest fireworks shows in California — the Big Bay Boom on San Diego Bay.

A roundup of our coverage is below:

People camp out for hours to watch Big Bay Boom on San Diego Bay

The annual Big Bay Boom is the largest fireworks show on the West Coast, drawing an estimated attendance of up to half a million people, according to its website. Yelp ranked the Big Bay Boom No. 2 in a list of best places to watch Fourth of July fireworks in the nation last year.

NBC 7's Shelby Bremer was at one of the prime viewing spots on Harbor Island, where people camped out for hours grilling and chilling while they waited for the show.

Pyro-show producer Sam Bruggema is the person behind the Big Bay Boom. He has put in many hours to make the entire show spectacular.

"I don't want the finale to be the only thing people walk away remembering," he said.

Crowds pack Mission Beach for Fourth of July

Mission Beach is one of San Diego's most popular Fourth of July spots. NBC 7's Shandel Menezes was there and explained that lifeguards were on high alert on Thursday due to the risks of rip currents.

San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Jacob Magness expected more than 100 rescues on July 4. By 2 p.m., there had been 105 rescues across San Diego beaches.

Menezes explains that the best thing to do in a rip current is to stay calm and move with the flow of the water until a lifeguard can get to you. If you can swim, do so parallel to the shore.

Fiesta Island reaches capacity

The Fourth of July is the one day out of the year when the population of Fiesta Island — nestled in the center of east Mission Bay — looks to be the size of a small city.

San Diego police said the island reached capacity and closed it to vehicle traffic by 2 p.m. Any cars that left were not allowed to return.

NBC 7's Dave Summers shows us what makes Fiesta Island on July Fourth so popular.

Imperial Beach 4th of July Fireworks

The Big Bay Boom isn't the only fireworks show in town. In the South Bay, thousands of people are expected to line the beach to watch the most southwestern fireworks show in the country.

NBC 7's Jeanette Quezada got a behind-the-scenes look as the city of Imperial Beach got ready to host its fireworks show.

For the past six years, Thomas Sanders has been putting on the Independence Day fireworks in Imperial Beach. His show includes more than 550 fireworks, all of which are choreographed to music.

"What I hope that everybody feels is the emotion of that song," Sanders said.

Those who headed out to Imperial Beach to celebrate the holiday were met with the usual water closures due to the sewage crisis in Mexico.

Some people told NBC 7 they weren't that concerned, while others said they weren't aware of the warning.

The county says the Tijuana Slough Shoreline and the Silver Strand Shoreline are also closed due to high bacteria levels.

Coronado's Fourth of July Celebration

Coronado's Fourth of July celebration truly is a city-wide event, with events starting as early as 7 a.m.

Festivities began with a 12K run, followed by the big Independence Day parade, which turned 75 years old on Thursday.

NBC 7 photojournalist Paul Makarushka captured the sights and sounds of the parade.

Scripps Ranch 4th of July Parade

The Fourth of July parade returned to Scripps Ranch for its 54th year. This year's theme was "Scripps Ranch: America's Cul-De-Sac," and the parade featured local dignitaries, girl and boy scout troops, decorated vehicles, school groups and even some rodeo queens.

NBC 7's Monica Dean and Steven Luke emceed the parade.

The Big Bay Boom fireworks show lights up San Diego’s sky on July 4, 2024.

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

San Diego to Australia: Flights, Visa Requirements & Culture

Australia. The world’s sixth-largest country holds endless possibilities and untold wonders for anyone answering the distant call from the Land Down Under. But considering it’s over 7,000 miles away, and it takes about a day to fly from San Diego to Australia - you’ve got to have your wits about you and a bit of true grit to take this epic trip. Not to worry. Whether you’re visiting friends, or compelled to explore the wild magic of Oz, this guide will cover essential aspects of your journey, travel doc requirements, trip planning, and direct flights from San Diego to Australia.

Direct Flights from San Diego to Australia

Tips on Flights From San Diego to Australia

Airlines and Routes

Sorry to disappoint, but direct flights from San Diego to Australia are limited. These flights also often require a layover in major hub cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Honolulu. Major airlines like Qantas, United Airlines, and American Airlines offer flights to various Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Flight Duration and Tips

The flight duration from San Diego to Australia can vary depending on the layover but typically ranges from 15 to 20 hours. Of course, that’s an educated estimate, and it could take longer depending on the airline, flight conditions, weather, etc.

Even if you get there in a snappy timeframe, 15 hours is still a long haul. Therefore, make your flight more comfortable by considering booking a seat with extra legroom, wearing comfortable clothing, and staying hydrated. Bringing snacks and a travel pillow can also make the long journey more bearable. Keep medications handy in carry-on luggage in case you need them during the flight.

And we can’t emphasize this enough - bring stuff to keep you entertained! Download movies, e-books, audiobooks, music, podcasts - whatever - on your devices before you go. This way, you’ll have plenty of ways to chill during the flight without worrying about dicey (or pricey) in-flight wifi.

Arrival and Customs

Once you touch down in Australia, you will go through customs and immigration. Ensure you have all necessary documents ready, including your completed Incoming Passenger Card. Australia has strict biosecurity laws, so declare any food, plants, or animal products to avoid fines.

Transportation from the Airport

Ideally, you’ve cleared customs, now what? You’ll need to arrange transportation to your accommodations. Options include taxis, ride-sharing services like Uber, airport shuttles, and public transportation. Many major airports also offer car rental services if you plan on driving during your stay.

Australia Travel Insurance - Is It Worth It?

San Diego to Australia Flight Travel Insurance

We think it is. Travel can be a roll of the dice, and travel insurance can give you a layer of protection to avoid risks inherent in traveling abroad. Therefore, we definitely encourage anyone planning a trip from San Diego to Australia to obtain travel insurance.

It's a super-helpful safeguard that can protect travelers from unexpected expenses. You never know what can happen while traveling. Medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unforeseen incidents - travel insurance can help you breathe easier on your trip. And given the long distance and potential for varied activities in Australia, having comprehensive travel insurance ensures peace of mind.

If you wisely opt to get travel insurance, start by researching reputable insurance providers online. Many airlines and travel agencies also offer insurance packages at the time of booking flights. Compare different plans, and consider factors such as coverage limits, exclusions, and the specific needs of the trip. Also, think about consulting with an insurance agent who provides tailored advice and helps you choose the A+ Australia travel insurance policy.

Visa Requirements

San Diego to Australia Flight Travel Visa Info

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling to Australia for recreational (tourism) purposes, you're going to want to get an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa. An ETA gives you permission to stay in Australia for up to three months per visit within a 12-month period from the date of issue. It is an electronic visa, so there is no need for a physical stamp or label on your passport. Not sure how to get one? It’s easy. Just click over to iVisa , and they’ll handle all the paperwork and details so you can get your travel docs in order quickly and effortlessly.

Travel Check Boxes to Tick Before You Go

Check Your Travel Docs : There's nothing worse than checking in on a flight only to discover your passport is expired. Avoid this travesty by making sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in Australia. Furthermore, make sure you get your visitor visa processed and buttoned up before you go so you’re ready to rock.
Get Peace of Mind With Health and Travel Insurance : No, it's not mandatory for flying from San Diego to Australia. However, having current health insurance and a solid travel insurance policy in place is a great way to prepare (and give you peace of mind) for your trip.
Educate Yourself About Customs and Biosecurity : Be aware of Australia's strict customs and biosecurity regulations. Declare any food, plant, or animal products you bring into the country to avoid penalties.

Culture: Australia vs. San Diego

San Diego:

Both SD and Oz share some common denominators like being a mecca for surfers, a love for beach fun, a passion for fabulous entertainment and an affinity for super good food. Even so, San Diego and Australia exhibit notable cultural differences despite sharing similarities as coastal regions with a laid-back vibe. In San Diego, a blend of Mexican-American and Californian influences shapes the culture, evident in its vibrant surf culture, emphasis on outdoor activities, and diverse culinary scene featuring fish tacos and craft beer. The lifestyle is relaxed, with a strong focus on wellness and outdoor fitness.

Australia:

Conversely, Australia's culture reflects its unique blend of Indigenous heritage, British colonial influence, and multiculturalism. Australians prioritize a "mate" culture of egalitarianism and sportsmanship, deeply embedded in their love for rugby, cricket, and beach culture. The cuisine leans towards hearty pub fare and seafood, reflecting its maritime identity. Australians also value a balanced lifestyle, with a relaxed approach to work-life balance and a strong connection to nature, evident in their extensive outdoor recreational activities and conservation efforts. Despite their differences, both San Diego and Australia share a love for coastal living and outdoor pursuits that define their respective cultural identities.

Are You Still Here?

Traveling from San Diego to Australia is a thrilling experience you’re not likely to forget. It’s also a big event that requires thorough preparation. By following our tips, choosing the right accommodations, planning your trip itinerary, and understanding the flight process, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a wicked-awesome adventure in the Land Down Under. Happy travels!

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling from San Diego to Australia

Can you fly nonstop from San Diego to Australia? Sadly, no. At the time of this writing, there are no non-stop flights from San Diego to Australia. Most flights from the United States to Australia typically have layovers in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or other major hubs.

How far is San Diego from Australia by plane? The distance between San Diego and Australia varies depending on the specific city in Australia you're flying to. For example, from San Diego to Sydney, Australia, the approximate distance is around 7,400 miles (11,900 kilometers).

What is the cheapest time of year to travel to Australia? Generally speaking, you can get into the cheap seats when traveling to Australia during the Aussie winter months, which are June through August. Then again, this estimate could change depending on consumer demand, holidays, and specific events in Australia.

How many days does it take to travel from San Diego to Australia? As you might expect, the San Diego to Australia flight time is kind of an unknown factor. Why? Consider layovers, connecting flights, weather, and overbooking - just to name a few snafus that might alter your ETA. That said, we can give you a rough estimate and say that travel time ranges from 15 to 20+ hours or more, depending on the specific route and airline chosen.

Sandy Smith

13 Things to Do in San Diego, CA if You’re New to the City

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Nestled along the stunning coastline of Southern California, San Diego is a vibrant city with an endless array of activities to enjoy. From the world-famous San Diego Zoo to the beautiful beaches and bustling Gaslamp Quarter, there’s never a dull moment in this sun-soaked city.

Whether you’re considering a move to this coastal paradise or are already fortunate enough to rent an apartment or own a home in San Diego , this Redfin guide is for you. Here is Redfin’s list of the top 13 things to do in San Diego, for both newcomers and long-time locals alike.

1. Visit Balboa Park

Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban cultural park in San Diego. It is home to 15 major museums, several performing arts venues, beautiful gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. Visitors can explore the park’s stunning architecture, lush landscapes, and diverse cultural institutions. San Diego local Craig Blaine of JCB Music recommends new residents check out Balboa Park. “It is a cultural oasis.” Whether you’re interested in art, history, science, or nature, Balboa Park has something for everyone.

“Balboa Park is a artistic haven in San Diego,” raves Dylan Mitchell, Marketing Director of the San Diego Air & Space Museum . “Its array of museums offer everything from aerospace wonders to fine arts. With its historic theaters hosting acclaimed performances and its renowned venues attracting top-tier talent, San Diego stands as a cultural powerhouse on the West Coast.”

Deciding between renting or buying your next home?

Cabrillo National Monument is located at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay. “The Cabrillo National Monument offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, from its historic lighthouse providing panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean,” says SD Downtown Transportation , a luxury car service in San Diego. “Whether you’re interested in history, photography, or simply enjoying stunning coastline views, this iconic spot offers something memorable for every visitor to San Diego.” The monument also commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States.

3. Take a hot air balloon ride

For a unique and fun experience in San Diego, consider taking a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Temecula Valley Wine Country. “Just a short drive from San Diego, this adventure offers breathtaking views of vineyards, mountains, and rolling hills from a bird’s-eye view. You can float peacefully in the sky as the sun rises or sets, making it a perfect romantic getaway or a memorable outing with friends and family,” says Aziz Nazarov from MagiCleanMaid , a local home and office cleaning service. “It’s an opportunity to see Southern California’s beauty in a whole new way and create lasting memories high above the gorgeous landscape.”

4. Explore the San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is a world-renowned attraction and home to over 3,700 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies. It offers a rare opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife in a beautiful and naturalistic setting. Visitors can take guided bus tours, watch animal shows, and even have up-close animal encounters. The zoo is committed to conservation and education, making it a must-visit for animal lovers of all ages.

communal coffee shop in north park san diego

5. Relax at La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is a picturesque beach and a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving in the stunning La Jolla neighborhood . The crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life make it a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the coastline, explore the nearby sea caves, or simply relax on the sandy shores.

6. Visit USS Midway Museum

The USS Midway Museum is a maritime museum located in downtown San Diego . It features the aircraft carrier USS Midway, which served in the United States Navy for 47 years. Visitors can explore the ship’s flight deck, hangar deck, and engine room, as well as a collection of 29 restored aircraft. The museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of naval aviation and the experiences of the sailors who served aboard the USS Midway.

7. Enjoy the Gaslamp Quarter and other unique neighborhoods

The Gaslamp Quarter is a historic district in downtown San Diego known for its vibrant nightlife, shopping, and dining. Visitors can explore the area’s Victorian-era buildings, enjoy live music and entertainment, and sample a wide variety of cuisine. The Gaslamp Quarter neighborhood is also home to numerous art galleries, theaters, and cultural events, making it a lively destination.

Johan Engman, a San Diego local and owner of the Fig Tree Cafe , recommends taking tours and scavenger hunts as a way to get acquainted with San Diego’s many neighborhoods. “Not only will you know your way around the city, but you’ll also learn a number of fun facts that will make you appreciate the area even more.”

8. Take a Harbor Cruise

A harbor cruise is a great way to see San Diego from a different perspective. Visitors can take a narrated tour of the city’s waterfront, passing by landmarks such as the Maritime Museum, Seaport Village , and the Coronado Bridge. Some cruises even offer the chance to see marine wildlife such as sea lions and dolphins. Whether it’s a daytime sightseeing cruise or a romantic sunset cruise, exploring the harbor by boat is a memorable experience.

Emily Patterson from Flagship Cruises & Events highly recommends embarking on a harbor cruise. “Savor a fresh meal aboard a dinner or brunch cruise. Witness majestic whales on their annual migration aboard a seasonal whale watching excursion. Or skip the traffic and take the ferry from Downtown to enjoy a day in picturesque Coronado .”

North Park neighborhood sign in San Diego

9. Explore Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Old Town San Diego is considered the “birthplace” of California and is home to many historic buildings and museums. Visitors can explore the preserved adobe buildings, visit the Whaley House Museum, and experience the rich history and culture of early San Diego. The park also hosts various events and demonstrations, offering a glimpse into the past of this vibrant and diverse city.

10. Relax at Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a popular beach and boardwalk area known for its lively atmosphere and recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball, as well as biking, rollerblading, and people-watching along the boardwalk. The area also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and amusement park rides, making it a fun destination.

11. Catch a concert at the Rady Shell

Any music lovers in San Diego are gonna want to visit the Rady Shell. Located in Jacobs Park, the venue opened in 2021 and hosts all kinds of events and concerts. The Rady Shell features a covered stage and can seat up to 10,000 people.

“The centerpiece of the 3.7-acre public Jacobs Park developed and managed by the San Diego Symphony on the city’s scenic Embarcadero, The Rady Shell is the first permanent outdoor venue in the San Diego Symphony’s century-long history, designed to host more than 100 concerts and events year-round,” says the Symphony’s John Velasco. “Concerts on this year’s season will include performances with the San Diego Symphony and Music Director Rafael Payare, artists like John Legend and Jason Mraz, jazz virtuosos like San Diego’s own Gilbert Castellanos, and more.”

12. Visit the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

The Birch Aquarium is a public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It features more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can learn about marine life, ocean conservation, and ongoing research at Scripps, making it a fascinating and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

House hunting made easy

13. check out some of san diego’s breweries.

According to Anna Brigham of Thorn St. Brewery , “San Diego is full of places to grab some food and drinks while hanging out with friends. Take a walking tour through historic North Park hitting up local craft breweries along the way.” Thorn Street Brewery was the first craft brewery in North Park . Today, there are more than ten breweries and tasting rooms within walking distance through this vibrant neighborhood. Since Thorn sits at the southern end of North Park it’s the perfect place to start your brewery crawl. From Thorn, you can wander up 30th Street, hitting up Modern Times, Black Plague, North Park Beer Co, Belching Beaver, Fall Brewing, and more.

Bivouac Ciderworks , a women-powered San Diego craft beverage company, is another popular spot to grab drinks in San Diego. According to CEO Lara Worm, the recently expanded space “brings Bivouac’s outdoor-adventure ethos to life, allowing for greater fermentation experimentation and significantly increased production – all to further stoke San Diego’s burgeoning cider culture.”

Marissa works on Redfin’s stellar Content Marketing team as a Content Marketing Specialist. She’s been with Redfin for 3 years, also dipping into real estate support operations along the way. Living in California, Marissa relishes outdoor activities whenever she can. Her dream home? A modern cottage-style abode with a lush garden, blending comfort with style.

Find the right loan for the home you love

Homes for sale in.

Browse homes you'll love

Explore popular neighborhoods in the area.

Bankers Hill

Carmel Valley

East Village

Gaslamp Quarter

Golden Hill

Kearny Mesa

Little Italy

Mission Hills

Mission Valley

Normal Heights

Ocean Beach

Pacific Beach

University Heights

Relevant articles.

Top 9 Cities Near Bakersfield, CA to Buy or Rent Your Next Home

Top 10 Cities Near Santa Ana, CA to Buy or Rent Your Next Home

Top 10 Cities Near Irvine, CA to Buy or Rent Your Next Home

10 Pros and Cons of Living in California

Top 10 Cities Near Stockton, CA to Buy or Rent Your Next Home

view of chula vista in san diego california

Top 10 Cities Near Chula Vista, CA to Buy or Rent Your Next Home

What is Anchorage, Alaska, Known For? 10 Things to Help You Get to Know the City

8 Fun Facts about Anchorage, AK, to Help You Get to Know the City

Exploring the 6 Top Luxury Home Features in San Diego that Define Luxury Living

Renting vs Buying in Orlando, FL: Which is Right for You?

Renting vs Buying in Austin, TX: Which is Right for You?

10 Reasons to Move to Nashville, TN: Why You’ll Love Living Here

5 Most Affordable Places to Live in Oklahoma in 2024

13 Most Affordable Places to Live in Michigan in 2024

4 Most Affordable Places to Live in Kansas in 2024

12 Most Affordable Places to Live in Arizona in 2024

welcome to las vegas sign with palm trees

5 Most Affordable Places to Live in Nevada in 2024

idaho falls buildings and waterfall_Getty

5 Most Affordable Places to Live in Idaho in 2024

Follow redfin, connect with a redfin agent.

Albuquerque Real Estate
Alexandria Real Estate
Anchorage Real Estate
Arlington Real Estate
Ashburn Real Estate
Atlanta Real Estate
Aurora Real Estate
Austin Real Estate
Bakersfield Real Estate
Baltimore Real Estate
Baton Rouge Real Estate
Beaverton Real Estate
Bend Real Estate
Birmingham Real Estate
Boca Raton Real Estate
Boise Real Estate
Boston Real Estate
Boulder Real Estate
Bowie Real Estate
Brentwood Real Estate
Buffalo Real Estate
Burlington Real Estate
Cape Coral Real Estate
Chandler Real Estate
Charleston Real Estate
Charlotte Real Estate
Chattanooga Real Estate
Chicago Real Estate
Cincinnati Real Estate
Colorado Springs Real Estate
Columbia Real Estate
Columbus Real Estate
Dallas Real Estate
Denver Real Estate
Des Moines Real Estate
Detroit Real Estate
El Paso Real Estate
Elk Grove Real Estate
Eugene Real Estate
Fairfax Real Estate
Flagstaff Real Estate
Fort Collins Real Estate
Fort Lauderdale Real Estate
Fort Myers Real Estate
Fort Worth Real Estate
Frederick Real Estate
Fremont Real Estate
Fresno Real Estate
Frisco Real Estate
Gilbert Real Estate
Glenview Real Estate
Henderson Real Estate
Honolulu Real Estate
Houston Real Estate
Indianapolis Real Estate
Irvine Real Estate
Jacksonville Real Estate
Jersey City Real Estate
Kansas City Real Estate
Knoxville Real Estate
Lake Tahoe Real Estate
Las Vegas Real Estate
Little Rock Real Estate
Long Island Real Estate
Los Angeles Real Estate
Louisville Real Estate
Madison Real Estate
Manhattan Real Estate
Manteca Real Estate
Memphis Real Estate
Mesa Real Estate
Miami Real Estate
Milwaukee Real Estate
Minneapolis Real Estate
Modesto Real Estate
Myrtle Beach Real Estate
Naperville Real Estate
Naples Real Estate
Nashua Real Estate
Nashville Real Estate
New Orleans Real Estate
New York Real Estate
Newton Real Estate
Oakland Real Estate
Oklahoma City Real Estate
Omaha Real Estate
Orland Park Real Estate
Orlando Real Estate
Palm Springs Real Estate
Philadelphia Real Estate
Phoenix Real Estate
Pittsburgh Real Estate
Plainfield Real Estate
Plano Real Estate
Portland Real Estate
Providence Real Estate
Quincy Real Estate
Raleigh Real Estate
Rancho Cucamonga Real Estate
Reno Real Estate
Richmond Real Estate
Riverside Real Estate
Rochester Real Estate
Sacramento Real Estate
Salem Real Estate
Salt Lake City Real Estate
San Antonio Real Estate
San Diego Real Estate
San Francisco Real Estate
San Jose Real Estate
San Luis Obispo Real Estate
Santa Clarita Real Estate
Santa Fe Real Estate
Sarasota Real Estate
Savannah Real Estate
Schaumburg Real Estate
Scottsdale Real Estate
Seattle Real Estate
Silver Spring Real Estate
Sioux Falls Real Estate
St. Louis Real Estate
Stamford Real Estate
Stockton Real Estate
Tacoma Real Estate
Tampa Real Estate
Temecula Real Estate
Tucson Real Estate
Tulsa Real Estate
Virginia Beach Real Estate
Washington, DC Real Estate
West Palm Beach Real Estate
Wilmington Real Estate
Woodbridge Real Estate
Worcester Real Estate
Alabama • Homes for sale
Alaska • Homes for sale
Arizona • Homes for sale
Arkansas • Homes for sale
California • Homes for sale
Colorado • Homes for sale
Connecticut • Homes for sale
Delaware • Homes for sale
Florida • Homes for sale
Georgia • Homes for sale
Hawaii • Homes for sale
Idaho • Homes for sale
Illinois • Homes for sale
Indiana • Homes for sale
Iowa • Homes for sale
Kansas • Homes for sale
Kentucky • Homes for sale
Louisiana • Homes for sale
Maine • Homes for sale
Maryland • Homes for sale
Massachusetts • Homes for sale
Michigan • Homes for sale
Minnesota • Homes for sale
Mississippi • Homes for sale
Missouri • Homes for sale
Nebraska • Homes for sale
Nevada • Homes for sale
New Hampshire • Homes for sale
New Jersey • Homes for sale
New Mexico • Homes for sale
New York • Homes for sale
North Carolina • Homes for sale
Ohio • Homes for sale
Oklahoma • Homes for sale
Oregon • Homes for sale
Pennsylvania • Homes for sale
Rhode Island • Homes for sale
South Carolina • Homes for sale
South Dakota • Homes for sale
Tennessee • Homes for sale
Texas • Homes for sale
Utah • Homes for sale
Vermont • Homes for sale
Virginia • Homes for sale
Washington • Homes for sale
West Virginia • Homes for sale
Wisconsin • Homes for sale
Albuquerque apartments for rent
Alexandria apartments for rent
Arlington apartments for rent
Atlanta apartments for rent
Augusta apartments for rent
Austin apartments for rent
Bakersfield apartments for rent
Baltimore apartments for rent
Barnegat apartments for rent
Baton Rouge apartments for rent
Birmingham apartments for rent
Boston apartments for rent
Charlotte apartments for rent
Chattanooga apartments for rent
Chicago apartments for rent
Cincinnati apartments for rent
Cleveland apartments for rent
Columbia apartments for rent
Columbus apartments for rent
Dallas apartments for rent
Dayton apartments for rent
Denver apartments for rent
Detroit apartments for rent
Durham apartments for rent
Fayetteville apartments for rent
Fort Worth apartments for rent
Fresno apartments for rent
Greensboro apartments for rent
Houston apartments for rent
Huntsville apartments for rent
Indianapolis apartments for rent
Irving apartments for rent
Jacksonville apartments for rent
Kansas City apartments for rent
Knoxville apartments for rent
Las Vegas apartments for rent
Los Angeles apartments for rent
Louisville apartments for rent
Macon apartments for rent
Marietta apartments for rent
Melbourne apartments for rent
Memphis apartments for rent
Mesa apartments for rent
Miami apartments for rent
Milwaukee apartments for rent
Minneapolis apartments for rent
Mobile apartments for rent
Murfreesboro apartments for rent
Nashville apartments for rent
New York apartments for rent
Norfolk apartments for rent
Oklahoma City apartments for rent
Omaha apartments for rent
Orlando apartments for rent
Pensacola apartments for rent
Philadelphia apartments for rent
Phoenix apartments for rent
Pittsburgh apartments for rent
Plano apartments for rent
Portland apartments for rent
Raleigh apartments for rent
Reno apartments for rent
Richmond apartments for rent
Riverside apartments for rent
Rochester apartments for rent
Sacramento apartments for rent
Saint Louis apartments for rent
Saint Petersburg apartments for rent
San Antonio apartments for rent
San Diego apartments for rent
Savannah apartments for rent
Seattle apartments for rent
Springfield apartments for rent
Tampa apartments for rent
Tempe apartments for rent
Tucson apartments for rent
Tulsa apartments for rent
Virginia Beach apartments for rent
Washington apartments for rent
Abilene houses for rent
Albany houses for rent
Amarillo houses for rent
Arlington houses for rent
Atlanta houses for rent
Augusta houses for rent
Austin houses for rent
Bakersfield houses for rent
Birmingham houses for rent
Charlotte houses for rent
Chesapeake houses for rent
Chicago houses for rent
Clarksville houses for rent
Columbia houses for rent
Columbus houses for rent
Concord houses for rent
Dallas houses for rent
Dayton houses for rent
Denver houses for rent
Destin houses for rent
Dothan houses for rent
El Paso houses for rent
Eugene houses for rent
Fayetteville houses for rent
Fort Wayne houses for rent
Fresno houses for rent
Greensboro houses for rent
Greenville houses for rent
Griffin houses for rent
Hampton houses for rent
Henderson houses for rent
Houston houses for rent
Huntsville houses for rent
Indianapolis houses for rent
Jackson houses for rent
Jacksonville houses for rent
Kissimmee houses for rent
Knoxville houses for rent
Lafayette houses for rent
Lakeland houses for rent
Lancaster houses for rent
Lansing houses for rent
Lawton houses for rent
Macon houses for rent
Marietta houses for rent
Memphis houses for rent
Mesa houses for rent
Mobile houses for rent
Montgomery houses for rent
Murfreesboro houses for rent
Nashville houses for rent
Orlando houses for rent
Pensacola houses for rent
Phoenix houses for rent
Port Saint Lucie houses for rent
Portland houses for rent
Raleigh houses for rent
Reno houses for rent
Richmond houses for rent
Riverside houses for rent
Roanoke houses for rent
Sacramento houses for rent
Saint Petersburg houses for rent
Salem houses for rent
San Antonio houses for rent
Savannah houses for rent
Spokane houses for rent
Springfield houses for rent
Stockton houses for rent
Tampa houses for rent
Toledo houses for rent
Tucson houses for rent
Tyler houses for rent
Valdosta houses for rent
Vancouver houses for rent
Waco houses for rent
Warner Robins houses for rent
Wichita houses for rent
Wilmington houses for rent

Updated January 2020: By searching, you agree to the Terms of Use , and Privacy Policy .

REDFIN IS COMMITTED TO AND ABIDES BY THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT. READ REDFIN’S FAIR HOUSING POLICY .

REDFIN and all REDFIN variants, TITLE FORWARD, WALK SCORE, and the R logos, are trademarks of Redfin Corporation, registered or pending in the USPTO.

California DRE #01521930

NY Standard Operating Procedures

TREC: Info About Brokerage Services , Consumer Protection Notice

If you are using a screen reader, or having trouble reading this website, please call Redfin Customer Support for help at 1-844-759-7732.

Carefree Vacations a Frosch Company

Review Highlights

“ Diana Shirey was our wonderful travel agent. ” in 2 reviews

“ Highly recommend him if you don't want to deal with all the stress of getting it yourself. ” in 3 reviews

“ Nicole is very approachable so any questions or concerns we had, were always addressed by her quickly. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Located in:

Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center

10089 Willow Creek Rd

San Diego, CA 92131

Businesspark Ave

Scripps Ranch

You Might Also Consider

Sweet & EZ Rentals

At Sweet & EZ Rentals, we aim to be more than just a car rental platform. Our mission is to offer you an unparalleled rental experience that's both, "Sweet" and "EZ" from start to finish. Allow us to demonstrate our unwavering… read more

in Car Rental

Daisy’s Auto Registration Services

Here at Daisy's we specialize in DMV services and take pride in our customer service , Our services include: *Renewals *Transfers CA or Out of state *Vin Verifications *Lien sales *Credential Replacement *Duplicate title *Release of… read more

in Registration Services, Fingerprinting, Passport & Visa Services

Amenities and More

2 More Attributes

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Carefree Vacations a Frosch Company .

People also searched for

Passport Services

Passport Office

Things To Do

Afternoon Tea

Agencias De Viajes

Recommended Reviews

1 star rating Not good
2 star rating Could’ve been better
3 star rating OK
4 star rating Good
5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

We have booked 3 trips with Nicole Fitzpatrick and they have exceeded our expectations. All we have to do is tell her what we would like to see and do and she sets it all up for us. Our most recent trip was to SanDiego, Monterey, Carmel, and Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Nicole booked us lodgings that were always very nice and comfortable, whether it was a beautiful inn in Carmel, a condo in Yosemite, or an airport hotel. She is very detail oriented so everything flows smoothly on the trips. We have no worries and can focus on the sights we are seeing. She planned fantastic trips to Belize and the Canadian Rockies for us that were dreams come true. We told her what we liked to do and she arranged for local tours for us. She made sure we were able to get to the airports comfortably and on time. Nicole is very approachable so any questions or concerns we had, were always addressed by her quickly. She spends a lot of time helping us plan our itinerary and gives us valuable feedback and suggestions from her wealth of experience. She has a lot of patience and stays cool, calm, and collected when faced with travel challenges like weather or changes in laws. We look forward to many more trips put together by Nicole. She makes all of our trips special.

I have been using this company for a while for my trips the person I use it's Donna but with COVID-19 was laid off am sad she always went out of her way was not there. I had someone else take care of me I highly recommend this business

Diana Shirey was our wonderful travel agent. We told her our plans to travel to Europe and she suggested a few different tour companies and even quoted us for boutique hotels and tours. She explained the differences between the tour companies and we ultimately chose the Insight Road to Rome tour which was fabulous. Diana was very helpful in arranging our flights and tour and made the whole process easier. Would highly recommend Diana and Carefree vacations.

Tony Cummings rocks! And is the ONLY person I would use for getting difficult Visa's. We have used him twice now and this time he caught that my passport had no more blank pages. I had a new one by the end of the week. Highly recommend him if you don't want to deal with all the stress of getting it yourself. He knows his stuff and is the BEST!

We used this travel agency for our honeymoon, I have to say I was impressed with their customer service. We were referred to this agency from a friend who take a cruise with a group of friends once a year. We purchased the Mexican Riveira cruise and she hooked us up big time!! We spent for the entire cruise $1200 awesome and it was a full weeks vacay!! We will definetly us this company again when we decide to go on another cruise. Two-thumbs up!!!

Lynn Rodriquez at Carefree Vacations in San Diego has been our Travel Agent for years. She is awesome and has always provided excellent Customer Service. She has arranged many family trips contacting our family all over the USA and bringing us together for trips that have provided memories that can never be replaced. We would never think of using anyone, except Lynn, for our Travel Agent as long as she is in the business. She has traveled all over the world herself, so she can give you lots of advice on those little details that will make your trip very special.

I have used care free in the past and the experiences were quite good. In my last go around unfortunately I was very let down. I felt that I was burdening "my" agent and she was bothered that I would not accept a proposal she initially made. The agent made a stink and accused me of not being able to make up my mind or changing the plan on them. Never read any business books i see. In one moment a very nice and helpful conversation in seconds later being treated with a complete lack of professionalism, self control, patience or customer service oreintation. Extremely let down by the experience.. I just do not get it.. Carefree, your in the hospitality business.

Business owner information

Business Owner

Jun 9, 2017

Hi John, Thanks for speaking with me today about your experience. I am so happy that you ended up booking your trip through our Carefree Vacations Carlsbad office and that you had a positive experience with our agent, Laura there. Sometimes it's a personality clash - but in the end it all worked out and I'm glad you and your family will go to Europe and I hope you have a wonderful journey. Thanks for giving us another try. All the Best, Nancy Kivlen, Director of Leisure for Carefree Vacations.

Lynn may have been a good travel agent at one time, but I think she is currently overwhelmed and exhibits poor judgement. I call her to say I'm coming in on a Wednesday afternoon to book a first class trip around half the world. I physically walk into Carefree Vacations on Carmel Mountain Road office and she has me wait while she talks to a colleague in the office, and then takes a long phone call while I'm left waiting in front of her! Her desk is piled high with disorganized papers and she clearly doesn't know how to prioritize...let's see: staff member, phone call or customer standing in front of me! Overwhelmed with poor judgement and poor time management skills. Methinks not!

Jul 19, 2016

Dear Bill H. Feedback from our clients is invaluable, perhaps even more so when it's constructive criticism rather than praise. That's how we learn. It's impossible for me not to appreciate your comments and your stated sense of chagrin. I suspect I would have felt the same. Ours is a service critical business and customers, like you, are our lifeblood. We clearly did not get the job done and, for that, I apologize; sincerely. There are no excuses, only course corrections. I've owned the company since 1988 and, by my nature, am very customer-centric. I've received your message, loud and clear. Fortunately, your indictment of our service is the exception rather than the rule. Nonetheless, I take it very seriously and have already taken steps to address each of your points. My sincere thanks to you for being so direct in your Yelp commentary. In the end, I have little interest in being a good company, as I aspire to be a great company. We must do better. I commit to you that we will make that happen. If you'd like to speak on the phone, it would be my pleasure to do so. With Appreciation, Tim Smith President Carefree Vacations 858 824-2400

Tony is the best for obtaining China visas, informative, prompt ! Thank you..

Diana Shirey from Carefree Vacations helped my boyfriend and I book our 6 night stay at the Paradisus La Perla in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico for a wedding that we were attending in April. We like to be pampered at resorts so she found a great room for us in Royal Service and we had the time of our life! She was easy to get a hold of by E-mail and all payments were done over the phone. Even though we live on the East Coast, it was still easy to make payments and be in contact with her. Thanks Diana!

7 other reviews that are not currently recommended

TravelStore - San Diego

5.3 miles away from Carefree Vacations a Frosch Company

PLEASE NOTE: We only sell airline tickets or transfers when booked as part of a package, tour or cruise. Our San Diego location specializes in planning and arranging the best vacations, whether by land, sea or air! We also offer… read more

in Travel Services

Stay Classy Airport Car Service of San Diego

2.5 miles away from Carefree Vacations a Frosch Company

Vince C. said "Don't normally take the time to write a review but I have to let you know that I had the best customer service I've ever had. If you're happy with a cab... you'll be ecstatic with a Stay Classy car! I was taking a girl downtown and…" read more

in Town Car Service, Airport Shuttles

Best of San Diego

Things to do in San Diego

People found Carefree Vacations a Frosch Company by searching for…

Yosemite Tours San Diego

Travel Agency Cruises in San Diego, California

Top 10 Cruise Travel Agent in San Diego

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Airport Shuttles

Transportation

Other Travel Services Nearby

Find more Travel Services near Carefree Vacations a Frosch Company

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

Crashes and Disasters | Oakland firefighter known as ‘rising star’ in…

Breaking News

Crashes and disasters | guards, bolden and bronny: takeaways from day 1 of the california classic, crime and public safety, crashes and disasters, crashes and disasters | oakland firefighter known as ‘rising star’ in department drowns in ocean off san diego, caeden laffan, 25, graduated from the oakland fire department’s academy in 2019; his father also died in the line of duty.

Oakland firefighters were mourning the death of Caeden Laffan on Thursday after the 25-year-old drowned in San Diego.

Authorities confirmed firefighter Caeden Laffan, 25, died early Thursday while in Southern California for the California Firefighter Summer Games. He graduated from the Oakland Fire Department’s academy in 2019, according to a statement from the agency Thursday.

Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington at a news conference Thursday said Laffan was at a San Diego beach with other people, but it was unknown if the others were also firefighters. San Diego fire officials notified their counterparts in Oakland after the incident.

Laffan’s mother traveled to San Diego after the death was reported.

“He was out having a nice time, and tragedy struck,” Covington said. He added about the department: “We’re all devastated. There’s no other way to put it.”

The young firefighter’s father, Oakland Fire Department Assistant Chief Sean Laffan, was 42 when he died after suffering a heart attack in the line of duty in November 2020.

Firefighters and family members, including sons Caeden, a probationary Oakland firefighter, front right, and Cooper, rear center, take the casket of their father, Oakland interim Assistant Fire Chief Sean Laffan, from Summit Medical Center to a waiting hearse in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. Laffan, 42, died in the hospital around 10:15 p.m. Monday night after going suffering cardiac arrest. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Covington said Laffan was a third generation firefighter, following his maternal grandfather and his father. His brother, Cooper, is currently in the department’s fire academy and is scheduled to graduate on Aug. 2. Laffan’s mother, Sabrina, is a volunteer peer-and-grief support counselor in the same department.

“He was very anxious to learn about every aspect of the fire department to becoming the best firefighter he could be,” Covington said. “He always had a smile and was very energetic.”

Laffan worked out of Station 3 in the 1400 block of 14th Street in West Oakland, a few blocks from a three-alarm warehouse fire that ripped through the building late Wednesday. Covington said some of the firefighters at that scene had to stay with the fire battle after hearing the news about Laffan.

“This is bigger than most of us can handle. We’re using peer support professionals,” Covington said. He later added: “People think firefighters are superheroes, but we are just regular people.”

Connor Laffan, with baseball cap, his uncle Johnny Cooper, to the left, grandfather Jim Cooper to the right, and brother Caeden, far right, and an Oakland firefighter console each other as the casket of Connor and Caeden's father, Oakland interim Assistant Fire Chief Sean Laffan, is taken from Summit Medical Center to a waiting hearse in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. Laffan, 42, died in the hospital around 10:15 p.m. Monday night after going into a prolonged cardiac arrest. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Report an error
Policies and Standards

More in Crashes and Disasters

Its western edge was within a mile of the former Michael Jackson Neverland Ranch, as well as several prominent wineries.

Crashes and Disasters | Map: Lake Fire explodes in Santa Barbara County mountains

The forecast calls for the heat to let up starting Sunday, though not by much. "If it goes from 115 to 110 ... can you really tell?" one meteorologist asked.

Weather | Bay Area braces for 76-year high temperatures, fire danger in scorching heat wave

Trailers, boxes of books and wooden pallets were burned at the North 7th Street location.

Crashes and Disasters | Fire breaks out at Goodwill location in San Jose

Amid brutal heat wave, California fires have burned nearly five times as much land so far this summer than average

Crashes and Disasters | Wildfire closes highway to Yosemite National Park, rages near historic downtown Mariposa

Sunrise view of famous Golden Gate bridge from Mill Valley side looking towards city shows traffic lights crossing bridge

Filed under:

Staycation Guides

How to Plan the Ultimate San Francisco Staycation

It’s always cool in San Francisco. Here’s how to play like a tourist without leaving town, and where to find dumplings and tacos between the museums and massages.

If you buy something from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy .

Share this story

Share this on Facebook
Share this on Twitter
Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: How to Plan the Ultimate San Francisco Staycation

A TikToker who shall not be named recently quipped she has to get out of San Francisco in the summer because the weather is “so bad.” And to this, we say — they’re missing out. Why would you ever leave a breezy season by the bay to sweat through a heat wave across the country, or fight crowds around the world? San Francisco empties out deliciously in July when it’s possible to snag a hotel deal, splurge on a massage, and feast on the finest dumplings, tacos, and cioppino around town. Here’s how to staycation like you mean it in the city by the bay.

FRIDAY EVENING

Check into the jay hotel.

The lobby of The Jay Hotel in San Francisco

For a cool new hotel, pretend to be a luxury traveler at the Jay Hotel (433 Clay Street). No offense to the scene in Union Square, but it’s in a much more serene spot near historic Jackson Square. The hotel just got a multi-million dollar renovation and reopened in 2023. So now the striking Brutalist exterior architecture reveals stunning modern interiors by design firm Avroko. Oh, and in-house dining is all courtesy of the Omakase Restaurant Group , the team behind Niku Steakhouse and Dumpling Time , among others.

Oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co.

Oysters on a bed of ice from Hog Island Oyster Co. in San Francisco

Staycation doesn’t officially start without postcard-perfect oysters, french fries, and a glass of bubbles, slurped right by the water. Down a dozen Sweetwaters at the one and only Hog Island (1 Ferry Building), while watching the ferry boats drift by and the bridge lights twinkle on.

Nightcap at the Third Floor Terrace

Are you still shaking off work? On the elevator ride upstairs to your room, stop off at the Third Floor Terrace for one last cocktail on the deck. There are plenty of firepits to stay cozy despite the fog, and in the evenings sometimes wild parrots chatter nearby.

Croissants at Maison Nico

First things first: coffee and croissants. Any true San Franciscan knows that pastries are a competitive sport, and the current king of layers is Maison Nico (710 Montgomery Street). Wake up over a cafe au lait and your pastry of choice — seasonal quiche, pain au chocolat, or the serpentine brioche feuilletée.

Browse the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

The farmers market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco

Head back to the waterfront for the farmers market (1 Ferry Building). It’s easy to fall into a neighborhood market routine, but the Ferry Building on a Saturday morning is still a dazzling destination. Snack on samples of seasonal fruits and veggies and see how many star chefs you can spot picking up produce for the day’s menu.

Dim sum lunch at City View Restaurant

Climb toward the Dragon Gate (Grant Avenue and Bush Street) to visit Chinatown. Head north on Grant Avenue toward City View (33 Walter U Lum Place), which moved to a new location last year, swapping the white tablecloths and classic carts for a modern space with jade green booths. It’s still some of the best dim sum in the city, with explosive soup dumplings, juicy shrimp har gow, and crispy crab claws.

Wander through Chinatown and North Beach

Continue strolling under the colorful lanterns along Grant Avenue and start ducking into shops. Highlights include eating your fortune at Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (56 Ross Alley), experiencing tea traditions at Red Blossom Tea Company (831 Grant Avenue), or upgrading your wok at the Wok Shop (718 Grant Avenue).

The exterior of Molinari Delicatessen with its blue and white awning in San Francisco

Then spill out into the checkered tablecloths and Italian pride of North Beach. Now’s the moment to restock on salami at Molinari Delicatessen (373 Columbus Avenue), seriously consider a hand-painted espresso mug at Biordi Art Imports (412 Columbus Avenue), or pick up a new book at City Lights Bookstore (261 Columbus Avenue).

Irish coffee at the Buena Vista

If you’re fading in the afternoon, it’s fair to stop for a classic cappuccino at Caffè Greco (423 Columbus Avenue) or bohemian beer at Vesuvio Cafe (255 Columbus Avenue). But as long as we’re playing tourist, keep rolling down the hill to the Buena Vista (2765 Hyde Street) and belly up to the bar for an iconic Irish coffee.

Dinner at Scoma’s

The Lazy Cioppino at Scoma’s in San Francisco

Real ones know how to dodge all the tourist traps in Fisherman’s Wharf and skip straight down the dock to Scoma’s (1965 Al Scoma Way). The “Lazy Man’s” Cioppino is brimming with shellfish yet completely free of shells. Nobody has to crack their own crab on staycation.

Ride the cable car

Go full tourist and hop on the cable car at the corner of Hyde and Beach streets. It’s possible to tag your usual Clipper card. Yes, it costs $8, but look, it’s a special treat for staycation. Ride over the hill and back to that pillowy soft hotel bed.

Brunch at Zazie

An eggs Benedict dish at Zazie in San Francisco.

For some people, it’s not a staycation without eggs Benedict. Slide into the sunny back patio at Zazie (941 Cole Street), where there are no hard decisions before breakfast. It’s possible to get one, two, or three eggs, stacked on Dungeness crab or smoked salmon. And add on a single buttermilk pancake, for good measure.

The de Young Museum and Golden Gate Park

Take a stroll into Golden Gate Park , that playground full of gardens and museums. Hit any attractions you haven’t ticked off your SF bucket list yet. Or it’s always worth revisiting the de Young (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) for special exhibitions. At the time of writing, there’s a fabulous fashion exhibit exploring 100 years of style by the bay.

Tacos at Nopalito

A quesadilla from Nopalito in San Francisco

If the pancake has worn off, it might be time for a taco, or at least a place to sit down with a cold margarita. The best option nearby is Nopalito (306 Broderick Street), where chef Gonzalo Guzmán grinds his own masa, deep fries carnitas, and smashes fresh salsa. The covered back patio offers a shady spot to chill for a minute.

Soak at Kabuki Springs & Spa

Okay, enough with the walking: Staycation calls for a trip to the spa. Soak tired feet in the springs at Kabuki Springs & Spa (1750 Geary Boulevard), the city’s longtime favorite public bathhouse. There are hot pools, cold plunges, steam rooms, and saunas. Make sure to check the schedule for men’s, women’s, and all-gender days, and book ahead for eastern or western massages.

Sourdough from Jane the Bakery

Like any good tourist visiting San Francisco, the souvenir of choice is sourdough. Thankfully, whenever you stagger out of the spa, you’ll only be a couple of blocks away from one of the best bakeries in the city. Swing by Jane the Bakery (1881 Geary Boulevard) for a loaf of classic sourdough, and savor the staycation memories on toast all week.

Detroit-Style Pizzas and Cocktails Make a Big Splash on the Embarcadero

3 bay area restaurants and bars that closed in july, 7 new bay area restaurant and bar openings to know this july.

IMAGES

San Diego to San Francisco: All the Ways to Travel
10-Day California Itinerary: San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip
San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip: 10 Days in California
The Best 9 Routes From San Diego to San Francisco
San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip: 10 Days in California
San Diego to San Francisco Road Trip: Best Stops Along the Way

VIDEO

San Francisco Bay Bridge
Travel San Francisco Coastline

COMMENTS

San Francisco to San Diego
Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and two other airlines fly from San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego (SAN) hourly. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from San Francisco Bus Station to San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop twice daily. Tickets cost $55-120 and the journey takes 12h 35m. Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital ...
$34 Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO
The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from San Francisco to San Diego are Alaska Airlines and Delta. With an average price for the route of $252 and an overall rating of 8.0, Alaska Airlines is the most popular choice. Delta is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $244 and an overall rating of 8.0.
San Diego to San Francisco
Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and two other airlines fly from San Diego (SAN) to San Francisco (SFO) hourly. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop to Oakland twice daily. Tickets cost $55-120 and the journey takes 11h. Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global ...
San Francisco to San Diego Train
The average price for a train ticket from San Francisco to San Diego is $65.00, By booking your trip at least 13 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $14.27 more.
Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San Diego
Flights from San Francisco to San Diego. Use Google Flights to plan your next trip and find cheap one way or round trip flights from San Francisco to San Diego.
Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San Diego
KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from San Francisco to San Diego.
$17 Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego (SAN)
Direct. from $17. San Diego.$18 per passenger.Departing Tue, Oct 1.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Frontier Airlines departing from San Francisco International on Tue, Oct 1, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $18, select. Tue, Oct 1 SFO - SAN with Frontier Airlines.
$24 Cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO to SAN ...
1 traveler. Book one-way or return flights from San Francisco to San Diego with no change fee on selected flights. Earn your airline miles on top of our rewards! Get great 2024 flight deals from San Francisco to San Diego now!
$24 Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco (SAN
Which airlines provide the cheapest flights from San Diego to San Francisco? In the last 72 hours, the cheapest one-way ticket from San Diego to San Francisco found on KAYAK was with Frontier for $24. Frontier proposed a round-trip connection from $38 and Delta from $156.
C$ 94 Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO
Which airlines provide the cheapest flights from San Francisco to San Diego? In the last 72 hours, the cheapest one-way ticket from San Francisco to San Diego found on KAYAK was with Alaska Airlines for C$ 94. Alaska Airlines proposed a round-trip connection from C$ 132 and Delta from C$ 213.
$104 Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO
The cheapest return flight ticket from San Francisco to San Diego found by KAYAK users in the last 72 hours was for $167 on Alaska Airlines, followed by Delta ($234). One-way flight deals have also been found from as low as $104 on Alaska Airlines and from $117 on Delta.
San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Diego
Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and two other airlines fly from San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego (SAN) hourly. Alternatively, Tufesa operates a bus from Santa Clara / S 24th St - San Jose to San Ysidro once daily. Tickets cost $80-110 and the journey takes 9h 50m. Airlines. Southwest Airlines.
$24 Cheap flights from San Diego to San Francisco (SAN to SFO ...
Roundtrip. One-way. Multi-city. 1 traveler. Book one-way or return flights from San Diego to San Francisco with no change fee on selected flights. Earn your airline miles on top of our rewards! Get great 2024 flight deals from San Diego to San Francisco now!
How to Get From San Diego to San Francisco
Typically, the least expensive way to get between the two cities is to book a bus online in advance. Greyhound leaves from National Avenue near Commercial Street in San Diego and ends up at Mission and Fremont streets in San Francisco. Expect many stops along the way and a journey of 11 to 14 hours. Fares start at $63.
The Perfect San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip
She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California's cities, beaches, and national parks. March 11, 2024. The Perfect San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip. This San Francisco to San Diego road trip will take you by some of the most iconic towns and jaw-dropping scenery in California.
Cheap Flights from San Diego International (SAN) to San Francisco
Compare prices from hundreds of major travel agents and airlines, all in one search. Skyscanner. Help; English (US) EN United States $ USD USD ($) Flights. Hotels. Car Rental. Cheap Flights from San Diego International (SAN) to San Francisco International (SFO) Roundtrip. ... Compare flight deals to San Francisco from San Diego from over 1,000 ...
Cheap Flights from San Francisco to San Diego
Enjoy a San Francisco to San Diego modern flight experience in premium cabins with Wi-Fi. ... Select travel class. keyboard_arrow_down. From. To. Fare Type. Dates. Price. From San Francisco (SFO) To San Diego (SAN) Roundtrip | Economy: 10/09/24 - 10/09/24: from. $ 92* Viewed: 1 day ago.
San Francisco to San Diego
Board the train in San Francisco and glide down the golden coast of California as you watch through the windows. Finish your trip in San Diego for two nights! ... Our Rail Vacation Consultants or a local Travel Advisor will assist you in making any adjustments to fit your travel style.
San Diego To San Francisco
A more practical option is to get off Amtrak in the center of San Jose, where you can take the CalTrain train that goes directly to San Francisco. Traveling from San Diego to San Francisco takes just over 12 hours by train. 4. San Diego to San Francisco Bus. Journey Duration: ~11 hours.
Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco
Enjoy a San Diego to San Francisco modern flight experience in premium cabins with Wi-Fi. ... Select travel class. keyboard_arrow_down. From. To. Fare Type. Dates. Price. From San Diego (SAN) To San Francisco (SFO) Roundtrip | Economy: 10/25/24 - 10/27/24: from. $ 137* Viewed: 1 day ago.
San Diego celebrates Fourth of July: Big Bay Boom, packed beaches ...
NBC 7 was spread out across San Diego County on the Fourth of July to capture the packed beaches, parades and people camping out to experience the Big Bay Boom, one of the largest fireworks shows ...
San Diego to Australia: Flights, Visa Requirements & Culture
Therefore, we definitely encourage anyone planning a trip from San Diego to Australia to obtain travel insurance. ... San Francisco, or other major hubs. How far is San Diego from Australia by plane? The distance between San Diego and Australia varies depending on the specific city in Australia you're flying to. For example, from San Diego to ...
13 Local Things to Do in San Diego, CA for Newcomers
Here is Redfin's list of the top 13 things to do in San Diego, for both newcomers and long-time locals alike. 1. Visit Balboa Park. Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban cultural park in San Diego. It is home to 15 major museums, several performing arts venues, beautiful gardens, and the San Diego Zoo.
$24 Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco Bay Area
Flights to San Jose, San Francisco Bay Area. $137. Flights to Santa Rosa, San Francisco Bay Area. Find flights to San Francisco Bay Area from $24. Fly from San Diego on Frontier, Spirit Airlines and more. Search for San Francisco Bay Area flights on KAYAK now to find the best deal.
Carefree Vacations a Frosch Company
16 reviews and 10 photos of CAREFREE VACATIONS A FROSCH COMPANY "We used this travel agency for our honeymoon, I have to say I was impressed with their customer service. We were referred to this agency from a friend who take a cruise with a group of friends once a year. We purchased the Mexican Riveira cruise and she hooked us up big time!!
Find train tickets from San Diego to San Francisco
Commuters on trains from San Diego to San Francisco can conveniently board trains from the two major stations in Santa Fe Depot 0.5 miles and Old Town Transportation Center 3.6 miles from the city. The arrival time for passengers with luggage is 45min to allow luggage checking and 30min for those without luggage.
Oakland firefighter drowns in San Diego
A Bay Area firefighter whose chief called him a "rising star" in his department drowned in the ocean waters off San Diego, authorities said, the second tragedy to hit his family in 3½ years.
How to Plan the Ultimate San Francisco Staycation
San Francisco empties out deliciously in July when it's possible to snag a hotel deal, splurge on a massage, and feast on the finest dumplings, tacos, and cioppino around town. Here's how to ...

Flight search

Cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

Popular airports near San Diego

Frequently asked questions about flying from San Francisco to San Diego

Find flights from San Francisco to anywhere

C$ 53 Find cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO-SAN)

What restaurants are close to the San Francisco International Airport?

Are there hotels close to the San Diego International Airport?

Is it easy to get around the San Diego International Airport?

What is the cheapest flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Francisco to San Diego?

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San Francisco to San Diego?

Which airline alliances offer flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

On which days can I fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Francisco to San Diego?

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San Francisco to San Diego

Prefer to fly non-stop from San Francisco to San Diego?

San Francisco to San Diego

San Diego to San Francisco

Top airline flying from San Francisco to San Diego

Book cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

Destination:

Return flight deals:

Cabin classes:

Browse destinations:

$102 Find cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to San Diego (SFO-SAN)

What restaurants are close to the San Francisco International Airport?

Are there hotels close to the San Diego International Airport?

Is it easy to get around the San Diego International Airport?

What is the cheapest flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Francisco to San Diego?

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from San Francisco to San Diego?

Which airline alliances offer flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

On which days can I fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Francisco to San Diego?

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Francisco to San Diego?

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco to San Diego?

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from San Francisco to San Diego

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to San Diego?

San Francisco to San Diego

San Diego to San Francisco

Top airlines flying from San Francisco to San Diego

Book cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego

Destination:

Cabin classes:

Browse destinations:

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Featured airlines

Cheap Flights from San Diego to San Francisco (SAN-SFO)

San Diego to San Francisco Flights

Frequently asked questions

More Popular Airlines

Top Routes from San Diego

Top Routes to San Francisco

Top Flight Destinations

How to Travel From ​San Diego to San Francisco​ by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From San Diego to San Francisco?

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From San Diego to San Francisco?

How Long Does It Take to Drive?

How Long Is the Train Ride?

When Is the Best Time to Travel to San Francisco?

What’s the Most Scenic Route to San Francisco?

Can I Use Public Transportation to Travel From the Airport?

What Is There to Do in San Francisco?

Itineraries

What is the Pacific Coast Highway?

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Route

Suggested Stops on this San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Our Recommended Hotel

17-Mile Drive

Point Lobos State Marine Reserve

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Overnight in Big Sur

How to Travel From San Diego to San Francisco by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane