Submit feedbackComplete travel information for your November journey
November at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a transitional month: mornings can be cool and foggy while afternoons clear. For travelers heading to San Diego International Airport (SAN), choose mid-morning departures to avoid the early marine layer and allow flexibility around the first-Sunday daylight saving time change. Expect frequent nonstop service across major carriers and typical one-hour flights that make weekend getaways and business trips simple. If you’re searching for cheap flights from San Francisco to San Diego in November, book 3–6 weeks in advance and monitor fares on Google Flights and airline fare alerts. Consider TSA PreCheck to shorten security lines, and pre-book parking or use public transit (BART/Caltrain + shuttle) for stress-free departure.
For domestic travel SFO recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before departure for non-peak lines, and 2 hours if you need to check bags or if you are traveling during holiday weekends in November (including the week of Thanksgiving). Early mornings often have shorter TSA lines, while late afternoons may see slightly longer waits due to commuter peaks. Check the SFO app or TSA PreCheck status before leaving to save time.
SFO offers domestic parking (Long-Term, Garage A, Garage G, and terminal garages) with discounted online prebooking often available in November. Expect lower demand and slightly cheaper rates in early November compared with peak holiday weekends; however, rates rise during Thanksgiving travel. Consider off-site parking shuttles near San Mateo or using BART/Caltrain to avoid parking fees and secure consistent arrival times.
Yes — San Francisco International Airport (SFO) typically offers many nonstop flights to San Diego International Airport (SAN) year-round, including November, operated by carriers such as Alaska Airlines, Southwest, United, and occasionally American. Frequency is high with multiple daily departures, making it easy to find direct service. Use fare calendars and airline pages to find the best nonstop times for your November travel dates.
Fog and the marine layer in San Francisco can occasionally cause ground delays or longer taxi times, especially in the early morning and late evening. However, the short route to San Diego is usually flown frequently and carriers build buffer time into schedules. For November travel, choose mid-morning departures to minimize fog-related cancellations or use airlines with flexible change policies.
Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November in the U.S., so clocks fall back one hour; flights operate on local times, but be sure to verify your departure and arrival times and set alarms accordingly. If you have tight ground transportation or a connection after deplaning, pad your schedule because ground services and shuttle schedules may shift. Always confirm times with your airline before leaving home.
SFO is served by BART, SamTrans buses, rideshare services, taxis, and hotel shuttles; BART offers a reliable option from downtown San Francisco and surrounding cities like Oakland and Daly City. In November, traffic tends to be lighter outside holiday windows, but allow extra time during Thanksgiving week. Consider pre-booking rideshares or airport hotel shuttles to guarantee punctual arrival for your SFO to SAN flight.
Arrivals at San Diego International Airport (SAN) from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in November benefit from mild weather and fewer summer crowds. November brings cultural events like Dia de los Muertos and local food festivals; expect slightly higher ground transport demand around event weekends. For quick transfers to La Jolla, Coronado, or downtown San Diego, rideshare or taxi is recommended; public transit options are economical but may require transfers. Travelers looking for cheap flights San Francisco to San Diego in November should secure bookings early and watch for mid-week fare dips to avoid holiday surcharges around Thanksgiving.
SAN offers shuttle services, rideshares (Uber/Lyft), taxis, and public transit connecting to downtown San Diego; the MTS bus and trolley network can take you to nearby neighborhoods, while rideshares are the fastest way to La Jolla or Coronado. November's mild weather makes car-free transfers comfortable, but expect higher demand during weekend events; pre-book rides or check real-time arrival information on the SAN app to minimize wait times.
November in San Diego is generally mild and comfortable for beach walks, whale-watching trips (seasonal migrations ramp up in December), and outdoor dining; air temperatures typically range from the mid-50s to mid-60s°F. While swimming may be brisk for some, many travelers enjoy La Jolla, Coronado, and Mission Beach in November for fewer crowds and pleasant daytime conditions. Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings.
For domestic flights arriving at SAN from SFO, baggage claim is typically quick—20–30 minutes on average depending on aircraft turn and time of day. There is no customs for domestic arrivals. If your bag is delayed or lost, contact your carrier's baggage service office in the terminal promptly. November travel volumes are moderate except for holiday weeks, so factor in extra time during Thanksgiving travel.
Yes — November features events such as Dia de los Muertos celebrations in Old Town and various food and wine festivals that can increase ground-transport demand and local traffic, particularly on weekends. If you’re arriving during a major festival or special event, allow extra time for transit and consider rideshares as they can be more direct than public transit. Check local event calendars before travel to adjust arrival plans.
From SAN, top nearby destinations include downtown San Diego (Gaslamp Quarter), La Jolla, Coronado Island, Carlsbad (north county beaches), Escondido, and even Tijuana for cross-border visits. Travel times vary: downtown is 5–15 minutes by car, La Jolla about 20–30 minutes, and Carlsbad roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. November’s lighter summer tourist crowds make day trips more manageable.
November brings a number of notable events near both airports. In San Diego, Dia de los Muertos celebrations in Old Town and neighborhood cultural events, plus regional food and wine events, can boost hotel and local transit demand. San Francisco starts holiday markets and seasonal cultural programming in late November, including Thanksgiving-related parades and tree-lighting events downtown. If your travel dates overlap these festivals, book rides and hotels early and plan for extra time on arrival and departure days. CTA: Check event calendars and book early for November dates to avoid price surges.
For November travel, the optimal combination of price and punctuality is usually mid-week departures (Tuesday or Wednesday) in the mid-morning (08:30–11:30). Early morning flights can be affected by the San Francisco marine layer while late-afternoon flights face commuter traffic at SFO. Avoid flying the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or the Sunday afterward if possible, as those days typically have higher fares and heavier traffic. Use flexible date search tools to compare nearby days and capture lower fares.
Because San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) are close geographically, nonstop flights are the norm and are recommended for most travelers in November: they save time, reduce risk of missed connections, and often match or beat the price of connecting itineraries. Connecting flights might be considered if a traveler is maximizing mileage redemptions, seeking a significantly lower fare on a creative routing, or coming from a different origin that routes through another city. For SFO-origin passengers specifically, nonstop is typically the best combination of cost, speed, and reliability.
Key carriers for SFO to SAN in November: Southwest (often offers competitive fares and two free checked bags), Alaska Airlines (strong regional connectivity and Loyalty program benefits), United Airlines (multiple daily departures from SFO with strong schedule ties), and American Airlines (limited service but option for connections). For budget-focused travelers, Southwest's free checked bags and frequent sales can be compelling; business travelers may prefer Alaska or United for schedule consistency and loyalty perks. Compare total trip cost (fare + bags + seat selection) and use carrier apps to monitor schedule changes and check-in quickly.
Pack layers for November: mornings at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can be cool and foggy while San Diego International Airport (SAN) typically has mild afternoons. Remember the daylight saving time change in early November — set alarms and double-check flight times. For smoother travel, enroll in TSA PreCheck, arrive early during holiday weekends, and carry a small jacket for San Diego breezes after sunset. If you want the best fares and fewer crowds, avoid the Thanksgiving peak and target early-to-mid November mid-week travel.
Average scheduled flight time between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes block time with roughly 1 hour 5–15 minutes of airborne time. In November, carriers typically operate multiple daily nonstops with higher frequency in the morning and early evening to serve business travelers and weekend leisure flyers. To reduce the risk of weather-related delays tied to San Francisco fog, consider mid-morning departures that balance on-time performance and passenger convenience. Check airline schedules for specific flight times and plan connections with at least a 90-minute buffer when possible.
Typical one-way fares between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) in November range from about $49–$150 depending on advance purchase and day of week. For the best prices: (1) book 3–6 weeks out for non-holiday travel, (2) target mid-week outbound flights (Tues/Wed) and return on Tuesdays/Wednesdays, (3) sign up for fare alerts and watch flash sales from carriers serving the route. Low-cost and leisure carriers often run weekend sales; if flexibility exists, use flexible-date search tools to identify sub-$100 one-way options. Call-to-action: Sign up for price alerts now and search “cheap flights San Francisco to San Diego November” to lock savings.
