Flights to San Diego County (SAN)

Cheap flights to San Diego

Laid-back, relaxed and sun kissed: that’s the San Diego way. With year-round sunshine and cooling breezes washing in off the Pacific, it’s easy to let it all go and relax. Which is why San Diego is perennially popular with tourists.

When to book flights to San Diego

Drenched in sunshine for most of the year, San Diego is blessed with near perfect weather. Temperatures average around 70 degrees but. thanks to the cooling effect of the ocean, it rarely gets uncomfortable, even in summer. The only time of year when it’s not glorious is during May and June, when a unique weather pattern nicknamed the ‘June Gloom’ means things are a little cloudy.

Summer can get very busy, when the crowds head for the city’s big family attractions. But, with miles of stunning beach to go around, you can generally find your own bit of space on the sand.

There are also several big events throughout the year, most notably Comic-Con in July, when people from all over the world descend on the city to get dressed up. Book flights early if you’re planning on attending.

How to find the best flight deals to San Diego

If you’re flying to the city, there are plenty of departure airports to choose from. And when you search for flights with Orbitz there are several ways to increase your chances of getting cheap flights to San Diego.

Try and be flexible when you book, and you’ll boost your chances of saving. After you’ve conducted your initial search, use the ‘Nearby Airports’ option to explore deals from alternative locations.

Another smart way of getting bargain plane tickets to San Diego is to be flexible on the dates of your flight. Click in the ‘My Dates Are Flexible’ tick box and you can browse tickets to San Diego over several days for both outbound and return journeys.

To filter and sort your results, use the options on the left-hand side of the page or the ‘Show Options’ drop-down. This lets you sort your flights by price or duration, filter by airline and airport, limit your results to refundable flights, or look for flights at certain times.

US departures to San Diego

There are numerous departures to San Diego from all over the US.

San Diego flights include:

• Seattle to San Diego – 2 hours 50 minutes
• Chicago to San Diego – 4 hours 25 minutes
• Dallas to San Diego – 3 hours 15 minutes
• Boston to San Diego – 6 hours 35 minutes
• Atlanta to San Diego – 4 hours 55 minutes

San Diego International

San Diego International Airport is located close to the downtown area, at just three miles from the city center. It’s a hub for Southwest and Alaska Airlines, but is small and easily navigable. From here, you can get cheap flights from San Diego to multiple US and global destinations.

Links to the city are good. There’s a private shuttle service to multiple locations, taxis are readily available outside the terminal, and the 992 is the main bus route. You’ll also find a dedicated hire car center with a varied choice of agencies.

Which airlines fly to San Diego?

Direct flights to San Diego are available from a number of different carriers.

These include:

• Delta
• Southwest
• JetBlue
• Alaska
• American Airlines
• Spirit

How to get around in San Diego

Being in Southern California, the best way to get around is by car. This is especially true if you’re going to be traveling large distances. Things tend to be quite spread out so taking public transport can be time consuming and taxi fares soon mount up.

The Metropolitan Transit System does operate a good service through much of the wider area. Many of the main tourist attractions are well served, including the zoo and neighborhoods such as North Park and Hillcrest. And, there’s also a trolley system in the south and east of the city.

What are the must-sees in San Diego?

San Diego is big on open spaces, especially parks and beaches. The Cabrillo Park and National Monument lets you stand on a piece of history, marking the spot the first Europeans set foot on the West Coast. There are also stunning views of the harbor and skyline.

Another major draw is the San Diego zoo, located in Balboa Park. Covering an area greater than 100 acres, it’s home to more than 3,000 rare animals and half a million exotic plants.

One of the city’s most popular tourist areas is the historic Gaslamp Quarter, where you’ll find a huge selection of bars, restaurants and cafes.

Tips for traveling in San Diego

Think carefully about what kind of vacation you want, as this will affect where you stay. Don’t go for a luxury beachfront location if you’re going to spend most of your time shuttling back and forth to the zoo and SeaWorld. And if you want a beach break, downtown is not your best bet, as getting from place to place can take some time.

No matter what time of year you visit San Diego, you’re likely to be drenched in sunshine. With perennial near-perfect weather, the city averages temperatures in the 70sJanuary is the coolest month, with highs hovering in the mid-60s and humidity measuring around 63 percent. Thanks to the Pacific Ocean’s cooling effect, July’s temperatures remain comfortable; the high temperatures average 76 degrees and humidity stays around 74 percent.

The one time of year you may not be able to count on sun is May through June, when a meteorological anomaly known as the “June Gloom” darkens the sky. Rain is still rare, and there are sunny days, but visitors in early summer should be aware that that famous California sunshine might not be as plentiful then.

The crowds come on strong in late summer, when visitors will see higher hotel rates and longer lines at San Diego’s top family attractions, such as SeaWorld and Legoland. Still, with 70 miles of beautiful beaches and a variety of summer street fairs, concerts, and arts and other cultural events, San Diego offers plenty of other options, many of which are budget-friendly.

In late July, costumed sci-fi characters take the town by storm for the annual Comic-Con conference, which attracts thousands of artists, celebrities, and fans. Other top summer celebrations include the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon in June, Humphrey’s Concerts By the Bay from June through October, La Jolla Festival of the Arts & Food Faire in June, Port of San Diego’s Big Bay Boom fireworks extravaganza on July 4, and La Jolla Music Society SummerFest and Hillcrest CityFest in August.

If your plans are flexible, consider September through mid-October, when temperatures are still pleasant but beaches and other attractions are devoid of the summer hordes.  There are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local flavor, too, as San Diego Restaurant Week and the Festival of Sail both fall in September. The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival takes place in October.

During low season—November through March—businesses lure visitors with discounts. You can still count on sunny skies though it’s cool in the evenings. Low-season isn’t without festivals, either. There are San Diego Beer Week in November, Balboa Park December Nights and the Holiday Bowl in December, a PGA golf event at Torrey Pines in January, and the San Diego Crew Classic Regatta in April.

* Savings based on all holiday package bookings with Flight + Hotel on Orbitz.com from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.