With world-class destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and more, California tops the list as the most visited state in the country year after year. But for those traveling from afar or working with a tight budget, pricey airfares can jeopardize any plans to visit the Golden State. Fortunately, there are proven strategies and great resources for finding inexpensive plane tickets to California.
Finding cheap airfare to California is a matter of using the right online flight search and booking engines like Google Flights and Momondo. But equally important is persevering and exercising flexibility as far as:
- Timing (when you travel)
- Itinerary (where you arrive and what you do from there)
With the right combination of patience and online savviness, planning a memorable trip to California without breaking the bank is a matter of when, and not if, you will go on the adventure of a lifetime. Read on to learn the best techniques for scoring the best ticket prices possible while avoiding common pitfalls.
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Key Tips for Finding Cheap Airfare to California
Although it is the top travel destination in the United States, inexpensive plane tickets to California can be found by formulating the right plan and executing it with patience. The process begins by recognizing the wealth of online resources that are available, selecting the best options, and deciding how best to utilize them.
Then, like the hunter stalking her prey, the traveler must wait for the right opportunity to act and do so decisively. Here are three key tips for finding the lowest fares for flying to California, starting with formulating a search strategy.
Setting up an Effective Search Strategy for Cheap Fares
As evidenced by the proliferation of travel-related websites, the internet has become the primary hub for information pertaining to air travel. In fact, most travelers not only conduct their research online, but they also purchase tickets through the internet as well.
But with so many seemingly similar options available, wading through site after site in the hope of finding the lowest airfares available can be a difficult task. And the penalty for using the wrong site can be costly (as in purchasing an overpriced fare). This is where having a solid search strategy comes into play, and ultimately it will pay big dividends in the form of a great deal.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when searching for inexpensive plane tickets to California:
- Perform price-based searches for possible destinations in California and sort through the most favorable results to determine your itinerary (in other words, let ticket price determine your destination options), as opposed to picking a destination and searching for the best-priced plane ticket that will take you there
- Utilize fare alert features that are now widely available on most travel sites so that you are promptly notified when a price matches your criteria
- Be aware that certain airlines (e.g., Southwest Airlines) do not list their flights with any online travel services and therefore must be contacted directly
While these utilizing these techniques are only part of an overall game plan, they are an excellent place to start.
Timing is Everything for Inexpensive Plane Tickets
As with many facets of life, timing is everything, and this is particularly true when it comes to finding inexpensive plane tickets to California. As any traveler who has flown during the Thanksgiving Holiday or during the peak summer travel season can attest, there are times when plane tickets are in very high demand and are therefore very expensive.
Just as important as avoiding certain travel periods is knowing when to start searching for good fares in earnest. The ideal window for hunting for inexpensive plane tickets is known to travel insiders as the “Goldilocks” period, as in not searching too early, and not searching too late, but timing the search just right.
For instance, according to one survey, on average the best time to begin searching for the cheapest domestic airfares, including California, is 64 days before the desired departure date. But rather than being a hard and fast rule, this recommendation is subject to the particular time of year. For instance, if looking at timing based on seasonality, the numbers are starkly different:
- The lowest fares on average can be found 67 days before a departure day occurring during the peak of summer
- For a winter trip, the sweet spot is 94 days
- Planning a trip in the fall? The number to keep in mind is 89 days
- And for spring travel, the cheapest plane tickets will likely be found 84 days before travel
Let us not forget that while it is wise not to place too much emphasis on the particular day of the week to purchase plane tickets (i.e., there is no particular day that correlates to guaranteed low fares), there are certain patterns to be aware of before clicking on that purchase button. Foremost among these are the following observations:
- Historically speaking, Sundays are a good day for buying cheap plane tickets (especially if several weeks before the departure date)
- Purchases made mid-week, such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to result in lower fares because there is traditionally less business travel occurring on these days
No single factor, including timing, will guarantee a low fare to California. But the more tools that can be utilized, particularly in conjunction with each other, the greater the chances of securing a great deal on plane tickets to the Golden State.
Harnessing the Power of Social Media to Find Great Deals
In some instances, it may be possible to find inexpensive plane tickets simply by checking your social media feeds. Businesses are finding new ways to connect with their customers and airlines are no different. One would be hard-pressed to find a national carrier that is not active on social media and it is the flying public that stands to benefit from this growing trend.
To illustrate this point, virtually every major airline has a Twitter handle and it is not uncommon for special promotions or flash sales to be announced via a tweet or post. When planning a trip to California, it may not be a bad idea to follow a few airlines that regularly offer flights to various cities in the Golden State.
Is California Expensive to Visit?
California attracts millions of tourists each year despite the fact that it is an expensive destination to visit. While there are certainly ways for savvy travelers to save on lodging (discount motels), dining (fast food), and let us not forget airfare, the Golden State is not a cheap place to visit.
To illustrate this point, here are the average costs for a one-week visit to California:
- For a solo traveler, $144 to $314 per day ($1,011 – $2,201 total)
- For a traveling couple, $234 to $514 per day ($1,638 – $3,598 total)
- For a family of four, $466 to $972 per day ($3,263 – $6,806 total)
The high average costs of hotels, dining, and entertainment in California make it even more imperative that travelers secure the best deals possible on their plane tickets.
What’s the Cheapest Month to Fly to California?
Of all the bargain-hunting strategies at a savvy traveler’s disposal, knowing which month to travel to California may be one of the most reliable ways of securing a great deal on plane tickets. When viewing the data from multiple departure cities, it becomes abundantly clear that the best and cheapest month to fly to California is January. Several other months emerge as ideal travel times as well, namely:
- Departing from New York, the cheapest months to fly to California are January, May, and September
- Departing from Chicago, January, February, and September, are the cheapest months to fly to California
- Departing from Washington, the lowest airfares will be found in January, September, and October
It is important to note that while January may be the dead of winter for much of the country, with California’s mild climate, chances are that despite the time of year, the weather will not be a factor in planning a memorable itinerary.
What’s the Cheapest Airport to Fly into in California?
Being the most populous state in the nation means that California has a host of airports for travelers to choose from, which also means that with a bit of savviness and patience, cheaper airfares are likely to be had. There are over two dozen major airports throughout the Golden State and no less than nine of them handle international flights and several more are major regional hubs for domestic flights.
As far as correlating cheaper airfares with specific airports, it can be a complex calculation involving a myriad of factors including advance purchasing, the time of year, and even the day of the week. But generally speaking, these are the five cheapest airports in California to fly into:
- #5 San Francisco International Airport (Northern California)
- #4 Oakland International Airport (Northern California)
- #3 John Wayne Santa Ana Airport (Southern California)
- #2 San Diego International Airport (Southern California)
- #1 Los Angeles International Airport (Southern California)
One thing to keep in mind when flying into California, especially if multiple cities are on the itinerary, is that Los Angeles and San Francisco are roughly six hours apart by car (eight hours if you decide to take the more scenic route along the coastline). If your travel itinerary includes an adventure in Southern California and the Bay Area to the north, then flying into L.A. on a lower fare may be the way to go.
The Best Search and Booking Engines for Cheap Airfare to CA
The good news for would-be travelers to California is that there are a plethora of online travel sites to aid in the search and purchase of inexpensive plane tickets to the Golden State. But this wealth of options also presents a potential minefield of missteps and misguided decisions that can result in overpaying for airfare.
Fortunately, a handful of aggregator and OTA (online travel agency) sites have risen to the top as the best search and booking engines for inexpensive plane tickets to California. Here is a closer look at a few of them.
Search and Booking Engines for Plane Tickets
In the modern era of online flight searching and booking services, the one site that seems to come up time after time as the go-to resource for travelers and travel-related businesses alike is Google Flights. Its powerful toolset which includes a variety of search parameters and filters to narrow down travel options sorted by price, allows site visitors to cast a wide net and see a wide range of options.
But as even the most seasoned travel pros acknowledge, a good flight search strategy means not putting all your eggs in one basket, but rather, using multiple services to supplement each other and provide a comprehensive picture of your travel choices. These highly-regarded search and booking engines are worth considering:
- Skyscanner – its powerful search capabilities can yield an entire month’s worth of flight options but it is best utilized for advance planning for a trip to California versus last-minute travel plans
- Momondo – this is one of the most popular aggregator/OTA sites on the internet and with good reason with its ability to track down great ticket prices even on short notice
- Skiplagged – while its search parameters (e.g., having to enter an airport code instead of a city name) could use some work there is no disputing the bona fide results it produces that save travelers money
The right combination of online search and booking engines represents a traveler’s most powerful tool in the quest for inexpensive plane tickets to California (or anywhere for that matter), and these sites are the best place to start.
Now About Those Cookies…
A hotly debated topic among travel pundits is whether the airline industry tracks cookies and search histories on travelers’ devices and increases fares as search activity increases (this alleged practice is often referred to as dynamic pricing). The best defense, some sites urge, is to delete cookies and internet search histories after every session involving flight research.
But according to respected industry insiders, the airlines do not engage in cookie tracking and there is absolutely no need to take protective measures to deter predatory pricing practices. Their argument is that the top aggregator and OTA sites perform thousands of flight searches daily and would be the first to observe any suspicious pricing behaviors on the part of airlines.
So what is an unsure traveler to do? Go ahead and delete those cookies and erase that search history as there is no harm in doing so (but probably no benefit either).
What are the Most Popular Tourist Destinations in California?
With a great, affordable airfare secured, it is time for the fun part: planning the travel itinerary for your dream trip to California.
California is the most visited state in the country and it is easy to see why, as it is home to not one, but two world-class cities in Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as a number of popular natural attractions like beaches, forests, lakes, and mountains, and of course, theme parks and other attractions that draw millions of tourists from around the globe each year.
There are tourist destinations aplenty in California, but here are a few notable ones that top just about everyone’s list:
Destination Cities in California
California is home to several cities that rank among the world’s most cosmopolitan urban centers. With entertainment options galore, each offers a unique cultural experience to visitors that is certain to leave an impression that will last a lifetime. Here are the three most popular cities in California among tourists:
San Francisco – the City by the Bay may be the crown jewel of California, with its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, bustling Fisherman’s Wharf, and diverse dining options, drawing millions of visitors each year
Los Angeles – La La Land is home to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and of course its world-famous beaches, but it is also a cultural mecca with a collection of museums and performance venues that are without rival. Anaheim is right around the corner too with iconic Disney at its center. There are plenty of amazing hotels and boutique hotels in Anaheim you can choose from as well.
San Diego – a more lowkey destination than its glamorous counterparts to the north, San Diego is perhaps most famous for its world-class zoo, SeaWorld, and its vibrant Gaslamp Quarter
Whether your travel itinerary calls for a visit to just one of these dynamic cities or all three, rich and memorable experiences await.
Coastal Destinations in California
With its long coastline that meanders along the Pacific Ocean, California’s coast is dotted from top to bottom with popular tourist destinations including the following notable stops:
- Monterey Bay – aside from perhaps the world’s most famous aquarium, this seaside town also features the immensely popular Cannery Row with its collection of shops and restaurants
- Big Sur – as far as awe-inspiring natural scenery goes, Big Sur has few peers, which is why it is one of California’s most popular destinations
- Laguna Beach – the quintessential California beach experience whether the day’s plans include sunbathing, paddle boarding, diving, or bar hopping
Stretching over 800 miles in length, the Golden State’s coastline is not only a stunning palette of blue Pacific waters and white sandy beaches but also a treasure trove of memories in the making.
National and State Parks in California
When it comes to tourist destinations, California’s riches are not limited to its cities and coastal areas. This state is also blessed with national parks and wilderness areas that are so stunning that John Muir wrote about them, and Ansel Adams captured their beauty through his famous photographs. The list is long but here are a few of note:
- Yosemite National Park – in terms of sights and activities, Yosemite National Park is in a class all by itself with attractions like Half Dome and Glacier Point drawing over millions of visitors each year
- The Sierras – this mountain range that straddles the California-Nevada border is home to world-class ski resorts like Mammoth Lakes, the second-deepest body of fresh water in the U.S., Lake Tahoe, and world-class resorts
- Sequoia National Park – some of the tallest and largest trees in the world (including the famed General Sherman Tree that stands 275 feet tall and 36 feet wide) reside in this towering forest in central California
California’s wilderness areas are among the most beautiful in the world and offer a seemingly limitless variety of outdoor activities ranging from leisurely nature walks to extreme sports, all set against a backdrop of stunning natural scenery.
Final Thoughts
Planning a trip to California should be a time filled with excitement and anticipation. The reality, however, is that it is a stressful process for many travelers with the fear of overpaying for airfare causing the most worry.
But by committing to a flexible, price-based approach to scheduling, and utilizing the right combination of online resources, inexpensive plane tickets to California, and the trip of a lifetime, are a sure thing.