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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.
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.
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.