Your commute this morning probably cost more thought than this flight will cost you money. Return flights from London to California start from just £371, non-stop, with United Airlines and British Airways splitting the route between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Pick your city, pick your dates: both stay open right through to next July.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London, UK
- To: Los Angeles or San Francisco, California, USA
- Airline: United Airlines / British Airways
- Stops: Non-stop
- Price: £371–£399 return
- When: September 2026 - July 2027
London to San Francisco
Example dates:
24/09/2026 – 08/10/2026
28/09/2026 – 13/10/2026
01/10/2026 – 13/10/2026
08/10/2026 – 18/10/2026
03/11/2026 – 14/11/2026
11/11/2026 – 28/11/2026
09/12/2026 – 25/12/2026
07/01/2027 – 23/01/2027
03/02/2027 – 17/02/2027
15/03/2027 – 25/03/2027
06/05/2027 – 22/05/2027
09/06/2027 – 23/06/2027
02/07/2027 – 17/07/2027
London to Los Angeles
Example dates:
23/09/2026 – 17/10/2026
09/10/2026 – 29/10/2026
04/11/2026 – 22/11/2026
11/11/2026 – 28/11/2026
10/12/2026 – 24/12/2026
07/01/2027 – 18/01/2027
05/02/2027 – 23/02/2027
09/03/2027 – 20/03/2027
08/04/2027 – 19/04/2027
06/05/2027 – 20/05/2027
10/06/2027 – 24/06/2027
07/07/2027 – 23/07/2027
Check dates on Kiwi
💰 How Far Does Your Money Go?
A flat white in London runs you about £3.50, a pint £6.50, and a Zone 1-2 day travelcard £8.90. In Los Angeles, a coffee is closer to £4.70 and a local beer £6.30, but street tacos at Grand Central Market go for £2.50-£4. San Francisco is pricier at the till, a latte is £5, a pint £6.90, but the Muni day pass covers the whole city for about £4.30. Either way, your flight costs less than three nights out at home.
☀️ The Weather
Los Angeles barely changes its mind. Expect highs around 24-27°C through autumn, dropping gently to a still-mild 20°C by late November, with sunshine most days and rain a rare inconvenience. San Francisco runs cooler and moodier, highs of 18-21°C with morning fog that usually burns off by lunchtime and lows dipping to single digits at night, so pack a jumper even in summer.
🏨 Where to Stay
In Los Angeles:
Samesun Venice Beach Hotel & Hostel - 9.3/10 · From £36/night Dorm beds two minutes from Venice Beach, built for travellers who'd rather spend on tacos than thread count.
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel - 8.1/10 · From £147/night A reliable 4-star base by LAX with an airport shuttle, solid for first and last nights.
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection - 9.4/10 · From £1,290/night The pink palace itself. Once-in-a-lifetime money for a once-in-a-lifetime stay.
In San Francisco:
ITH San Francisco Pacific Tradewinds Backpacker Hostel - 8.8/10 · From £30/night A Financial District hostel with a 9.8 for value for money, hard to beat for the location.
Hotel G San Francisco - 8.4/10 · From £159/night Union Square, walking distance to everything, boutique feel without the boutique price tag.
The Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square - 9.2/10 · From £625/night Full residences by the bay, steps from the chocolate factory that gives the square its name.
🎯 What to Do
In Los Angeles:
Griffith Observatory - Free entry, best at sunset, with the Hollywood Sign and the whole city laid out below you. Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk - Beach culture, street performers and a Pacific sunset that never gets old.
In San Francisco:
Walk the Golden Gate Bridge - Free, 1.7 miles, bay and skyline views the whole way across. Alcatraz Island ferry tour - Book weeks ahead, it sells out fast, especially in summer.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
California is a starting point, not a dead end.
Napa Valley - An hour from San Francisco, wine tastings and rolling vineyards. Big Sur - A coastal drive between the two cities that's worth the detour on its own. San Diego - Two hours south of LA, beaches and a laid-back pace to close the trip.
Two cities, one price tag, and dates open for the best part of a year. This one won't sit around.
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