Cheap flights to California from $28

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 4/23. 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.
WAS — LAX
Apr 3 — Apr 101

Flights to California in 2024

Find the latest flights to California in 2024, with up-to-date prices and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 3,228,805 searches and data was last updated on March 29, 2024.

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$356

Round-trip from

$106

One-way from

$70
High demand for flights, 7% potential price rise
Best time to find cheap flights, 3% potential price drop
Average for round-trip flights in March 2024
From New York to Los Angeles
One-way flight from New York to California

Find flights to California

Browse one-way and round-trip flights deals to California on Cheapflights. Flight deals are based on user searches and were last updated on March 29, 2024
Explore California

Cheap flights to California in March & April 2024

Search the best deals to popular California cities recently found by Cheapflights users
The following deals offer some of the lowest prices we've found on flights heading to California in March and April 2024. Check back soon for alternative prices as deals update often.
Cheap flights to Los Angeles, CA
Sat 4/272:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Sat 5/49:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$47
Sat 4/132:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Tue 4/239:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$48
Sat 4/272:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Sat 5/49:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$49
Sat 4/202:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Sat 9/289:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$53
Sat 4/202:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Mon 4/229:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$56
Fri 4/122:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Wed 4/179:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$57
Sun 4/142:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Tue 4/169:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$58
Sat 4/202:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Mon 4/229:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$59
Wed 4/102:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Sat 4/209:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$61
Cheap flights to San Francisco, CA
Wed 4/179:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Wed 4/172:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$43
Wed 4/249:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Wed 4/242:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$46
Wed 4/179:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Wed 4/242:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$48
Wed 4/177:58 amONT - SFO
Nonstop1h 27mFrontier
Fri 5/310:15 amSFO - ONT
Nonstop1h 29mFrontier
Deal found 3/29$48
Sat 4/279:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Mon 4/292:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$49
Sat 4/275:59 pmONT - SFO
Nonstop1h 28mFrontier
Mon 4/2910:10 amSFO - ONT
Nonstop1h 29mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$49
Sat 4/209:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Sat 4/202:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$51
Tue 4/237:53 amONT - SFO
Nonstop1h 27mFrontier
Wed 4/2410:15 amSFO - ONT
Nonstop1h 29mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$51
Tue 4/309:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Thu 5/22:40 pmSFO - LAX
Nonstop1h 25mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$52
Cheap flights to San Diego, CA
Fri 4/196:59 pmSFO - SAN
Nonstop1h 33mFrontier
Sat 4/204:05 pmSAN - SFO
Nonstop1h 36mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$56
Tue 4/236:44 pmDEN - SAN
Nonstop2h 31mFrontier
Tue 4/308:00 amSAN - DEN
Nonstop2h 25mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$58
Mon 4/156:59 pmSFO - SAN
Nonstop1h 33mFrontier
Wed 4/174:23 pmSAN - SFO
Nonstop1h 36mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$58
Sat 4/206:41 pmSFO - SAN
Nonstop1h 33mFrontier
Mon 4/224:23 pmSAN - SFO
Nonstop1h 36mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$59
Tue 4/1612:30 pmDEN - SAN
Nonstop2h 27mFrontier
Wed 4/179:24 amSAN - DEN
Nonstop2h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$60
Sat 4/136:41 pmSFO - SAN
Nonstop1h 33mFrontier
Wed 4/179:32 pmSAN - SFO
1 stop10h 11mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$63
Thu 4/256:30 amDEN - SAN
Nonstop2h 33mFrontier
Tue 4/308:00 amSAN - DEN
Nonstop2h 25mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$64
Tue 4/1612:58 amSFO - SAN
1 stop7h 26mFrontier
Wed 4/174:23 pmSAN - SFO
Nonstop1h 36mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$64
Wed 4/246:51 amDEN - SAN
Nonstop2h 33mFrontier
Mon 4/299:23 amSAN - DEN
Nonstop2h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$65

California 2024 flight deals

Explore flight deals for California in 2024, offering the best prices and options to suit your preferences. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 3,228,805 searches and data were last updated on March 29, 2024.
These are some of the best deals we've found on flights to California in 2024 at this time. Check back in a little while for more flight options.
Tue 4/168:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 4/2310:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$78
Sat 4/208:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Sat 4/2710:30 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$79
Sat 4/138:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 4/1610:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$81
Tue 5/148:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 6/410:30 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 11mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$83
Fri 5/38:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 5/710:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/29$85
Mon 4/158:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 4/2310:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$86
Sat 4/278:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Wed 5/19:30 pmLAX - DFW
1 stop5h 15mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$87
Sat 4/208:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 4/2310:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$88
Sat 4/1310:52 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 26mSpirit Airlines
Wed 4/179:33 amLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 08mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 3/28$89

Flights to California departing soon

Discover available last-minute flight options to California, providing immediate availability and potentially lower prices. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 3,228,805 searches and data was last updated on March 29, 2024.
Browse some of the flights available to California departing last-minute. Make sure the flight you book matches the day, time, and destination you're looking for.
Wed 4/36:00 amOAK - LAX
Nonstop1h 26mSpirit Airlines
Fri 4/56:20 amLAX - OAK
Nonstop1h 22mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 3/28$75
Thu 4/48:40 amONT - SFO
Nonstop1h 33mFrontier
Thu 4/1110:15 amSFO - ONT
Nonstop1h 29mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$73
Mon 4/85:15 amOAK - SAN
1 stop15h 00mMultiple Airlines
Thu 4/115:20 pmSAN - OAK
Nonstop1h 33mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 3/28$84

One-way flights to California

Explore one-way flight options to California for greater flexibility in your travel plans. Find up-to-date pricing and availability for one-way flights. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 3,228,805 searches and data was last updated on March 29, 2024.
These are some of the best available deals on flights to California. If you're in need of a round-trip flight to California instead, make sure to update the search form at the top of page.
Mon 4/86:00 amOAK - LAX
Nonstop1h 26mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 3/29$30
Tue 4/239:30 amLAX - SFO
Nonstop1h 23mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$28
Sat 6/15:45 amDEN - SAN
Nonstop2h 29mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$32

Direct flights to California

Tue 4/168:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 4/2310:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$78
Sat 4/208:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Sat 4/2710:30 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$79
Sat 4/138:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 4/1610:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$81
Tue 5/148:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 6/410:30 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 11mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$83
Fri 5/38:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 5/710:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/29$85
Mon 4/158:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 4/2310:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$86
Tue 5/148:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 5/2110:30 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 11mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$87
Sat 4/208:13 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 27mFrontier
Tue 4/2310:40 pmLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 02mFrontier
Deal found 3/28$88
Sat 4/1310:52 pmDFW - LAX
Nonstop3h 26mSpirit Airlines
Wed 4/179:33 amLAX - DFW
Nonstop3h 08mSpirit Airlines
Deal found 3/28$89

Find flights to California within your budget

Locate flights to California that fit your budget, with regularly updated fares and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 3,228,805 searches and data was last updated on March 29, 2024.

Fly from

Any airport

Budget

$78 - $187

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Dallas/Fort WorthLos Angeles

DFW - LAX

DFWLAX

Dallas/Fort Worth

Tue 4/16

Nonstop3h 27m

Los Angeles

Tue 4/23

Nonstop3h 02m

$78

Dallas/Fort WorthLos Angeles

DFW - LAX

DFWLAX

Dallas/Fort Worth

Sat 4/20

Nonstop3h 27m

Los Angeles

Sat 4/27

Nonstop3h 02m

$79

Dallas/Fort WorthLos Angeles

DFW - LAX

DFWLAX

Dallas/Fort Worth

Sat 4/13

Nonstop3h 27m

Los Angeles

Tue 4/16

Nonstop3h 02m

$81

Dallas/Fort WorthLos Angeles

DFW - LAX

DFWLAX

Dallas/Fort Worth

Sat 4/13

Nonstop3h 26m

Los Angeles

Wed 4/17

Nonstop3h 08m

$89

Dallas/Fort WorthLos Angeles

DFW - LAX

DFWLAX

Dallas/Fort Worth

Thu 4/25

Nonstop3h 26m

Los Angeles

Tue 4/30

Nonstop3h 02m

$91

Dallas/Fort WorthLos Angeles

DFW - LAX

DFWLAX

Dallas/Fort Worth

Tue 4/16

Nonstop3h 22m

Los Angeles

Thu 4/25

Nonstop3h 04m

$92

Seattle/Tacoma IntlLos Angeles

SEA - LAX

SEALAX

Seattle/Tacoma Intl

Sat 4/27

Nonstop2h 42m

Los Angeles

Wed 5/1

Nonstop2h 58m

$157

Seattle/Tacoma IntlLos Angeles

SEA - LAX

SEALAX

Seattle/Tacoma Intl

Wed 5/8

Nonstop2h 45m

Los Angeles

Wed 5/8

Nonstop2h 57m

$171

Seattle/Tacoma IntlLos Angeles

SEA - LAX

SEALAX

Seattle/Tacoma Intl

Sat 5/18

Nonstop2h 44m

Los Angeles

Mon 5/20

Nonstop2h 51m

$187

Flights are sorted by cheapest first

Deals found on 3/28

Average price of flights to California by month

Plan your trip to California by taking into account the cheapest months to travel. The average price of a one-way flight to California is currently $30 while a round-trip flight costs $114. Price data was last updated on March 24, 2024.

Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight to California (average of $238). Flying to California in July will prove the most costly (average of $327). There are multiple factors that influence the price of a flight so comparing airlines, departure airports and times can help keep costs down.

January

$242

February

$258

March

$297

April

$286

May

$277

June

$324

July

$327

August

$265

September

$238

October

$243

November

$263

December

$246

Peak Season:

California is blessed with pleasant weather most of the year, meaning the peak season is year-round. Flights to California can be expensive because of this, so make sure to book in advance to get the best savings on your flight tickets. If you’re a movie fan, you should book your flights to California around February, more specifically to Los Angeles, as it is home to the Academy Awards. You’ll find cheap flights to California are extremely difficult to find around this time of year, as well and in June and August.

Off Season:

The cheapest flights to California are best found around January. Parts of California class this as the rainy season so expect the best discounts on your flight tickets here. That said, cheap flights to California aren’t overly common, so plan in advance and book early to get the best savings.

Temperature and rainfall in California by month

Plan your trip to California by taking into account the average temperature and rainfall totals by month.

LAX

Temperature

57.2 - 73.4 °F

If weather is an important factor for your trip to California, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 73.4 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 57.2 F).

When is the best time to book a flight to California?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight to California. Price data was last updated on January 28, 2024.

To find the cheapest flights to California, it’s recommended to book your flight tickets as early as 6 months in advance. If you’re not flexible enough to plan that far ahead, aim for a minimum of 7 weeks before booking your flights to California. Take into consideration events like the Academy Awards when looking into flights to California as this will increase the price a lot. If you’re flying into Los Angeles try to sit on the right hand side of the plane to get spectacular views of the Hollywood sign, the L.A River and the San Gabriel mountains. Being flexible is the best way to secure the cheapest flights to California.

Search Deals

Reviews of airlines servicing California

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to California. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to California. Reviews last updated March 29, 2024.
Read through reviews of airlines servicing California, such as Frontier, Spirit Airlines and American Airlines. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.2
Very good
6,327 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.4

Crew

8.8

Boarding

8.3

Overall

8.2

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

The flight attendant on the flight was extremely unprofessional and obnoxious. He treated the entire plane as if we were on a seventh grade camping trip. He thought he was funny but was actually rude to us while we were on the ground waiting to continue to our final stop. It was like being stuck with a bad comedian for four solid hours. We flew from Chicago to Long Beach to Reno over 5 hours and they did not have any food other then graham crackers. Because of being delayed no one had time to get food in the airport between flights. Terrible experience and Southwest should look into this crew member.

Southwest
8.2
Very good
6,327 reviews
Southwest
8.2
Very good
6,327 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.4

Crew

8.8

Boarding

8.3

Overall

8.2

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

The flight attendant on the flight was extremely unprofessional and obnoxious. He treated the entire plane as if we were on a seventh grade camping trip. He thought he was funny but was actually rude to us while we were on the ground waiting to continue to our final stop. It was like being stuck with a bad comedian for four solid hours. We flew from Chicago to Long Beach to Reno over 5 hours and they did not have any food other then graham crackers. Because of being delayed no one had time to get food in the airport between flights. Terrible experience and Southwest should look into this crew member.

8.1
Very good
9,127 reviews
Southwest
8.2
Very good
6,327 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.4

Crew

8.8

Boarding

8.3

Overall

8.2

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

The flight attendant on the flight was extremely unprofessional and obnoxious. He treated the entire plane as if we were on a seventh grade camping trip. He thought he was funny but was actually rude to us while we were on the ground waiting to continue to our final stop. It was like being stuck with a bad comedian for four solid hours. We flew from Chicago to Long Beach to Reno over 5 hours and they did not have any food other then graham crackers. Because of being delayed no one had time to get food in the airport between flights. Terrible experience and Southwest should look into this crew member.

8.1
Very good
11,402 reviews
Southwest
8.2
Very good
6,327 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.4

Crew

8.8

Boarding

8.3

Overall

8.2

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

The flight attendant on the flight was extremely unprofessional and obnoxious. He treated the entire plane as if we were on a seventh grade camping trip. He thought he was funny but was actually rude to us while we were on the ground waiting to continue to our final stop. It was like being stuck with a bad comedian for four solid hours. We flew from Chicago to Long Beach to Reno over 5 hours and they did not have any food other then graham crackers. Because of being delayed no one had time to get food in the airport between flights. Terrible experience and Southwest should look into this crew member.

7.7
Good
4,833 reviews
Southwest
8.2
Very good
6,327 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.4

Crew

8.8

Boarding

8.3

Overall

8.2

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

The flight attendant on the flight was extremely unprofessional and obnoxious. He treated the entire plane as if we were on a seventh grade camping trip. He thought he was funny but was actually rude to us while we were on the ground waiting to continue to our final stop. It was like being stuck with a bad comedian for four solid hours. We flew from Chicago to Long Beach to Reno over 5 hours and they did not have any food other then graham crackers. Because of being delayed no one had time to get food in the airport between flights. Terrible experience and Southwest should look into this crew member.

7.6
Good
4,098 reviews
Southwest
8.2
Very good
6,327 reviews

Comfort

8.1

Food

7.4

Crew

8.8

Boarding

8.3

Overall

8.2

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

The flight attendant on the flight was extremely unprofessional and obnoxious. He treated the entire plane as if we were on a seventh grade camping trip. He thought he was funny but was actually rude to us while we were on the ground waiting to continue to our final stop. It was like being stuck with a bad comedian for four solid hours. We flew from Chicago to Long Beach to Reno over 5 hours and they did not have any food other then graham crackers. Because of being delayed no one had time to get food in the airport between flights. Terrible experience and Southwest should look into this crew member.

California Travel Guide

Know this before booking California flights – if America is the land of opportunity, California is the state of chance. California showed great prospect as far as back as the 1800’s, when a settler struck gold at Sutter’s Mill and California quickly became the land of wealth. The effects of the California Gold Rush were monumental and today, the coastal state continues to welcome visitors booking airline tickets to California for a greater opportunity, or for just plain fun.

The third-largest state in the United States is a place of enormous diversity. From the Redwood forests in the north to the sunny beaches of the Pacific Coast, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Central Valley, visitors will be spoiled for choice. The question travelers should ask themselves before booking a cheap flight to California is not what to do, but where to start? The four biggest cities in California are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. Each of these cities have more than enough to occupy visitors, between museums, galleries, shopping, world-class dining and exciting nightlife.

In LA, travelers have the chance to experience some of the West Coasts’ most famous streets. The rich and luxurious charter their own California flights to Beverly Hills and to shop the swank stores along Rodeo Drive. In Hollywood, see the Mann Chinese Theater and be on the lookout for celebrity A-listers. Gold stars grace the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard, marking the achievements of Hollywood’s greatest artists. Just outside of Los Angeles, visitors would be remiss if they didn’t visit one of California’s beautiful beaches in Malibu or Santa Monica before boarding the California flight home. In San Fran, people will be awed by the hilly streets and views of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge which spans the Golden Gate strait, a channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Fisherman’s Wharf and the former prison on Alcatraz Island also are big reasons why many take flights to California. San Diego is famous for its beaches, parks like the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, and warm weather. You can also catch a Padres game if you’re a sports fan, or grab some food and drinks in the famous Gaslight district. Lastly, San Jose is known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley” and is major technology hub, home to many high tech and electronics companies. Many business conferences are held in the area as well each year.

Outside these bustling metropolises, natural wonders are in abundance. For the outdoor traveler going to California, open parks and hiking trails at Big Sur, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Park contrast with the beaches of Orange County and are a nature-lover’s dream come true. One of the best-kept secrets in California is the Shasta Cascade region in the far north of the state. Covering 20 percent of California, this uncrowded region of national forests, parks, lakes, rivers and waterfalls offers the chance to refresh and recharge before heading back to the work-a-day world. For the wine connoisseur, be sure to visit the Sonoma and Napa Valley regions which reaches into the Redwood forests and trails of the North Coast. Wine country draws large crowds of tourists each and every year, and there are numerous vineyards to visit where you can sample a glass if you desire.

People traveling to California are bound to be busy during their visit and the options for activities are endless. However, in the land of opportunity, what better state to take a chance in?

How to get around the city of California

Los Angeles International:

Downtown LA is located around 18 miles from LAX airport. The easiest and cheapest option is to get a free shuttle bus from the airport. Outside of arrivals you should take either shuttle G or C. C takes you to the Metro bus center and from there you can either continue on your way to downtown LA or if you’re staying in Hollywood or Santa Monica, you can find means of transport from here.  You can also jump in a taxi if you want convenient and fast travel from the airport, however the price won’t be cheap and it is expected that you tip your driver. This is a good option if there are a few of you to split the fare.

San Francisco International:

The easiest and most convenient way to travel from the airport to the city is from the BART station. It’s located in the International Terminal, and you can take a free AirTran from all terminals to the BART station. You will need to buy a ticket from the BAET station before you travel, or you can book in advance and exchange your voucher for the correct ticket, which is kind of like a debit card which you keep for your time in San Francisco. Another option is to get a taxi from outside of the airport, although this can be costly if you’re travelling alone. You can also take a shuttle or shared van from the airport, simply tell the driver where you want to go and he’ll add you to his route and tell you the price.

In general, driving is the best way to cover short distances in California, or if you enjoy long drives, for covering the entire state. If you’re booking flights to California and then planning on driving the state, make sure to carry a map as not all road signs indicate a direction, just town or city names. If you’re headed into the mountains, make sure to get antifreeze and tire chains

Many freeways have carpool lanes called “diamond” lanes or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations regarding the use of these lanes as some of them are monitored even during non-rush hour and fines can be quite high.

Tips for Your Stay in California

  • Los Angeles covers desert basin, mountain canyons, and coastal beaches. With its rich cultural diversity, LA offers countless attractions—catch a glimpse of the stars, hike the Hollywood sign, visit the La Brea Tar Pits, walk the boardwalk at Venice Beach, spend like a celebrity on Rodeo Drive, and enjoy free attractions like the Watts Towers or Getty Museum.
  • The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Castro, Mission District, and Haight Ashbury just skim the surface of San Francisco’s diversity and charm. The city also cherishes its past, restoring and reusing its historic buildings. The surrounding areas—Marin County, Oakland, and Berkeley—are as popular as the city itself.
  • John Sutter’s trading post became the main supply point for gold miners, then western headquarters of the transcontinental railroad. Today Sacramento is growing, offering affordable homes to those seeking California weather. The capital city is known for its natural parkland and streets lined with fruit-bearing trees. Once the Gateway to Gold Country, Sacramento is now a gateway to the wine country.
  • Most of California’s wineries are in Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. Hundreds of wineries invite you to enjoy their tours, tastings, restaurants, and spas. Napa Valley has more wineries and a higher volume of tourism, with more commercial tours and attractions such as hot-air ballooning. Sonoma Valley is lower key, with family-run wineries, fewer tourists, and relaxed ambience. Book flights to California’s wine region and join a tour of the wineries.
  • Anaheim is home to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. The Orange County coast offers miles of beaches, and the California Riviera is the stretch between Seal Beach and San Clemente. The area’s eccentric beach towns, Santa Ana Artists’ Village, Laguna Beach boardwalk, San Juan Capistrano Mission, and Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace attract tourists year-round.
  • Costa Mesa, located in the heart of Orange County in Southern California, is within close proximity to Disneyland, major beaches, museums, nightlife and recreation and is home to internationally-renowned South Coast Plaza, an award-winning performing arts district as well as the Orange County Fairgrounds.
  • Some ambitious travelers book vacations to California and then drive the coastline to the state’s northern most cities. While the drive and landscape is beautiful, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time for the long drive north. It’s advisable that you book outbound California flights from your destination point.

Finding Flights from California

If you’re looking to extend your trip outside of California, let Cheapflights help you get there in a convenient and affordable fashion. LAX accommodates all of the major U.S. carriers including American Airlines, Jet Blue, Delta and Virgin America, and Sun Country offers charter flights within the U.S and to Mexico, so booking your outbound flight should be a breeze. LAX also serves several international carriers for outbound flights, including Air Canada, Scandanavian Airlines and British Airways.

Check out these popular U.S. flight routes from California, along with some great flight deals:

Cheap flights from Los Angeles to Minneapolis

Cheap flights from Los Angeles to Boston

Cheap flights form Los Angeles to London

If you need transportation to the airport, there are several options available ranging from public transportation to shuttle services such as Super Shuttle, Airport Shuttle and Prime Time Shuttle. United Taxi offers flat rates to the airport, and ride-sharing services such as Lyft and Uber are authorized to both drop off and pick up at LAX.

The LA Flyaway located in Van Nuys provides regular shuttle services for passengers heading to the airport from the San Fernando Valley, and  Metro Red Line city buses pick up passengers at multiple locations throughout the state. If you plan to take public transportation, it’s always a good idea to catch a bus at least four hours before your flight, as traffic in Los Angeles can lead to delays, especially if you’re traveling during rush hour. LAX requires passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure for security purposes, so you’ll also want to make sure to incorporate this into your overall travel time.

When booking a shuttle van, taxi or shared transportation service such as Uber, scheduling your ride at least 24 hours prior will help to ensure a timely arrival at the airport. However, most taxis and ride-sharing services can also pick you up with a 15 minute notice if you’re strapped for time.

For additional information about navigating the Los Angeles International Airport, take a look at our detailed airport guide.

Top Destinations in California

  • What’s the weather like in California?

    Due to its topographical extremes California’s weather depends on where you are. Along the coast, the climate is mostly mild. Los Angeles is high desert, and the low humidity keeps the city comfortable year-round. About 28 miles south of LA, Anaheim can go up into the 80s or 90s in the summer, with cool evenings. Anaheim winters are mild with little rain. San Francisco is foggy with cool winds. Summer temperatures occasionally go above 70; fall tends to have clear skies and temperatures in the 80s. Winter rarely goes below freezing. Sacramento’s summer days can reach 100 degrees, but then drop as much as 40 degrees at night. The rainy season runs from late fall into spring, and winters are cold and foggy.

  • How long is the flight to California?

    Los Angeles International Airport, also referred to as LAX, offers both domestic and international flights to multiple destinations around the world. Within the US, non-stop flights to California are approximately five and a half hours from New York, three and a half hours from Minneapolis, six hours from Boston and five and a half hours from Miami. If you’re flying internationally, flights from both London and Japan are approximately 11 hours. It’s important to keep in mind that flight times can vary due to delays such as weather conditions and unforeseen issues, so it’s always best to get to the airport a few hours early to ensure you’re properly informed of any changes to your flight. Once you arrive in Los Angeles, head to the baggage claim area and out the automatic airport doors to access transportation to your lodging destination. If you’ve booked a ride in advance, there are shuttle guides along the walkway to ensure you catch your ride on time. Taxis and ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are also waiting at LAX for travelers without pre-booked transportation.

  • Which airlines fly to California?

    California is an extremely popular travel destination thanks to its beautiful weather and world-famous attractions, and Los Angeles International Airport accommodates over 50 airlines for arrivals from all over the globe. Major U.S. carriers that fly into LAX include American Airlines, Jet Blue, Delta and Virgin America. Sun Country Airlines offers charter flights from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, while International carriers include British Airways, Scandanavian Airlines, Air Canada and Virgin Australia.

  • What should you pack for a flight to California?

    While its well-known that California offers nice weather pretty much year-round, there are dips in temperature during the winter months, so you’ll want to be sure to pack accordingly. A good way to gauge the upcoming California temperatures is to go online and check the weather forecasts for your travel dates. During the spring and summer months, you’ll want to pack sunscreen, light clothing and beachwear if you’re planning to spend a lot of time on the beach or lounging poolside by your hotel.

  • What are some things to do in California?

    From visiting national landmarks to spending the day with Mickey and the gang at Disneyland, California offers visitors something for everyone. If you’re staying in the Los Angeles area or the San Fernando Valley, a variety of attractions are just a 20-minute drive away. Take in a Laker game or a music concert at the Staples Center, or visit Universal City Walk in Universal City, where you can take a tram tour of Universal Studios or enjoy a meal at one of several restaurants in the City Walk promenade. If you’re visiting Santa Monica or Venice, head over to the Venice Beach boardwalk to check out the wares from local merchants, or take a leisurely boat ride through the Venice canals. The Santa Monica Pier is also a can’t-miss national landmark in this area, complete with restaurants, carnival rides and paddle boats for rent. For a fun-filled day of sports and food, visit the  world-famous Dodger Stadium during baseball season, where you can cheer for the boys in blue during baseball season and sample a tasty “dodger dog.” If you’re hoping to learn about Hollywood history and maybe even snap a few celebrity photos, head over to Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood and visit Mann’s Chinese Theater, where you’ll find hundreds of celebrity handprints immortalized in cement. Disneyland is one of California’s most popular tourist attractions for “kids” of all ages. Located in Anaheim, Disneyland is approximately 25 miles from Los Angeles and definitely worth the 45-minute drive. Spend the day walking through the park and riding some of the old classics such as “It’s a Small World” and the “Space Mountain,” then visit Disneyland’s partner park California Adventure and hop on “California Screamin” for the ultimate roller-coaster ride.

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