San Diego from Des Moines, Oct 16–18: $1,813 for two, all in
The verdict
Our verdict
Not worth it this week
- Clear forecast all weekend, highs 85–90°F
- Samesun Ocean Beach scores 9 from 1,716 reviews, free cancellation
- Frontier gets you there in 5h 31m with one stop
The catch: At $784 per person the fare is $25 over the typical $759, there's one stop, and resort fees and a checked bag aren't in the total.
Worth it if you're fine with a shared dorm and one stop for a sunny weekend; skip it if you want a private room or a lower fare.
Not worth it this week: the fare is running above typical for a one-stop trip. The total for two is $1,813, which is $1,568 for flights plus $245 for the hotel, taxes and fees included. That covers Oct 16–18, 2026, 2 nights, on Frontier with one stop each way, not nonstop.
The total, before you go
$1,813 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, round trip | $1,568 |
| Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel, 2 nights, two guests, taxes in | $245 |
| The total, before you go | $1,813 |
| A checked bag each, round trip (not in the total) | about $240 |
Not in it: seat picks on basic fares and a checked bag (about $60 each way per bag on Frontier, $240 for two round trip); a resort fee, if the hotel has one, is collected at the desk. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
$784 per person, round trip
$1,568 for two, taxes and fees included · Frontier · 1 stop · 5h 31m
Out Fri, Oct 16, 8:25 PM – Fri, Oct 16, 11:56 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier | $784 | 1 stop | 5h 31m |
| Frontier | $788 | 2 stops | 34h 27m |
| Frontier | $829 | 1 stop | 21h 33m |
Prices checked Oct 13, 2026, 7:43 PM CDT. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Tweak this trip
Why now
The numbers come first. Frontier is at $784 per person, which is $25 above the typical $759 on this route, and recent checks went as low as $632 per person, with the lowest found on Oct 13. That's why we'd hold off this week. The weather is the good part: the forecast for Oct 16–18 is clear every day, with highs of 85–90°F and a rain chance no higher than 4%. The $1,813 total for two pairs the fare with two beds at Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel, breakfast included and free cancellation. It doesn't cover resort fees, a checked bag or spending money. We budget $520 for spending, which puts the full weekend at $2,333. If the fare drops back toward typical, this is a solid beach-and-tacos long weekend for two.
The kind of trip this is
A quick beach-and-city weekend: surf towns, fish tacos, a sunset over the cliffs and a morning at the zoo or on the water. It suits a couple or two friends who travel light, don't mind sharing a dorm, and are happy to fill two packed days. The pace is easy once you land, with warm, clear weather that keeps you outdoors from breakfast to sunset.
Weather in San Diego, Oct 16–18
Highs 85–90°F, little rain expected
| Day | High | Low | Rain chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 16 | 90 °F | 78 °F | 0% |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 86 °F | 77 °F | 4% |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 85 °F | 76 °F | 0% |
Where to stay in San Diego
Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel is the best value and the one in the $1,813 total: $245 for the stay ($123 a night) for two beds in a shared dorm, with breakfast, free cancellation and a 9 from 1,716 reviews. Kasa Little Italy San Diego is the top rated pick at 9.3 from 219 reviews. It's a queen studio with self check-in for $1,134 for the stay ($567 a night), room only and no free cancellation. Wyndham Garden San Diego near SeaWorld is the budget private room at $389 for the stay ($195 a night), scored 6.8 from 1,968 reviews, with free cancellation. For nightlife, Petco Park and the waterfront on foot, look at Gaslamp Quarter / Downtown. Mission Beach / Pacific Beach is the area for the boardwalk and surf.
Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel
$245 for 2 nights, two guests · $123 a night
See roomsKasa Little Italy San Diego
$1,134 for 2 nights, two guests · $567 a night
See roomsWyndham Garden San Diego near SeaWorld
$389 for 2 nights, two guests · $195 a night
See roomsAll hotels in San Diego for these dates
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Where in San Diego
- Gaslamp Quarter / Downtown: Nightlife, Petco Park and the waterfront on foot.
- La Jolla: Coves, sea lions and upscale village hotels.
- Coronado: Wide beach and the landmark Hotel del Coronado.
- Mission Beach / Pacific Beach: Boardwalk, surf and a young bar scene.
- Mission Valley: Chain hotels with easy freeway access to the zoo and parks.
What to do in San Diego
- Kayak the sea caves at La Jolla, where you'll also find coves and sea lions
- Swim at Coronado Beach beside the Hotel del Coronado
- Spend a morning at the San Diego Zoo and the Balboa Park museums
- Tour the USS Midway aircraft carrier on the downtown waterfront
- Eat fish tacos and drink craft beer in North Park
- Watch the sunset at Sunset Cliffs
Also worth it
- Visit the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park museums
Tours and tickets in San Diego
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Getting there and around
| Airports in Des Moines | Des Moines International (DSM) |
|---|---|
| Airports in San Diego | San Diego International (SAN) |
| Flight time | 5h 31m (1 stop) |
| Distance | 1,428 miles each way |
| Time difference | -2 hours |
What 2 nights in San Diego costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $1,568 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel) | $245 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 2 days for two | $520 |
| Total for two | $2,333 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for an upscale destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: Des Moines to San Diego
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $784 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $632 (Oct 13, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $759 |
| Price checks | 10 |
Good to know
- Passport: no passport needed for travelers from the United States: a government photo ID is enough for San Diego.
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- No passport needed, and you'll pay in US dollars.
- San Diego is 2 hours behind Des Moines.
- Frontier flies DSM to SAN with one stop in 5h 31m, covering 1,428 miles.
- Resort fees, a checked bag and spending money aren't in the $1,813 total.
- Samesun and Wyndham Garden offer free cancellation. Kasa Little Italy doesn't.
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Not this week. The weather and the hotel are good, but the fare is $784 per person, $25 above the typical $759, and recent checks found it as low as $632. We'd wait for a lower fare.
How much is the whole trip for two?
It's $1,813 for two, all in: $1,568 for the Frontier flights plus $245 for two nights at Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel. Resort fees, a checked bag and spending money aren't included. With our $520 spending budget, the total comes to $2,333.
Is the flight nonstop?
No. Frontier makes one stop each way, and the outbound takes 5h 31m from Des Moines International (DSM) to San Diego International (SAN). It leaves Friday evening, Oct 16.
What is the weather like?
The forecast is clear all three days, with highs of 85–90°F and lows in the upper 70s. The rain chance is 0% on Friday and Sunday and 4% on Saturday.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip, you pay in US dollars, and San Diego is 2 hours behind Des Moines.
Is 2 nights enough?
It's enough for a long weekend: a full Saturday plus Sunday for a beach, a kayak at La Jolla or the zoo, and the sunset at Sunset Cliffs. Keep in mind the Friday evening departure leaves little of that day for San Diego.
Also found for you
The newest finds from Des Moines.
Just found · from Des MoinesLowest in 30 days
Las Vegas
Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026 · 2 nights
- Nonstop on Allegiant, 3h 14m, $144 below the typical fare per person
- Harrah's scores 7.9 from 10,371 reviews, with free cancellation
- Highs of 73–76°F, good weather for the Red Rock Canyon loop
$915 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $658 + hotel $230 + resort fee $27, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $200
Allegiant · nonstop · 3h 14m
The catch: The outbound lands at 11:14 PM Friday, and a checked bag costs about $200 for two, which isn't in the $915 total.
Worth it if you want a packed weekend of shows, food and one desert drive; skip it if you want a slow, quiet getaway.
Tweak this trip
Just found · from Des MoinesWorth it, if
Yosemite
Oct 23–25, 2026 · 2 nights
- Fare is $497 per person, $32 below the typical fare
- Studio rated 8.4 from 26 reviews, with free cancellation
- Saturday forecast: 69°F, partly cloudy, 7% chance of rain
$1,822 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $994 + hotel $740 + resort fee $88, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $200
Allegiant · with a stop · 35h 47m
The catch: With one stop each way you spend 35h 47m traveling in total, landing Saturday at 10:17 AM and flying home Sunday at 8:51 PM.
Worth it if you'll trade long travel days for a packed Saturday among granite and sequoias; skip it if you want a relaxed weekend.
Tweak this trip
Just found · from Des Moines26% below typicalNot worth it this week
Chicago
Oct 16–18, 2026 · 2 nights
- $504 per person, $185 below the typical fare on this route
- United and American nonstops at $587 per person, 96 to 101 minutes
- Club Quarters in The Loop, rated 8.2 from 5,335 reviews
$1,928 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $1,008 + hotel $794 + resort fee $126, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $240
Frontier · with a stop · 27h 59m
The catch: The $504 Frontier fare has one stop and takes 27h 59m, landing at 12:24 AM on Sunday, Oct 18, the day the trip ends.
Worth it if you switch to a $587 nonstop and want a walkable Loop weekend; skip the Frontier fare entirely.
Tweak this trip
More trips
Just found · from Des Moines
Las Vegas
Oct 23–25, 2026 · 2 nights
- Nonstop on Allegiant, 3h 14m, leaving Friday at 10:00 PM
- $268 per person below the highest fare we saw for these dates
- Horseshoe on the Strip: 7.9 from 8,089 reviews, free cancellation
$1,393 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $876 + hotel $462 + resort fee $55, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $200
Allegiant · nonstop · 3h 14m
The catch: A checked bag is about $200 for two and resort fees aren't in the total, and you land at 11:14 PM Friday.
Worth it if you want shows, food and the Strip in mild weather; skip it if a late Friday arrival will drag you down.
The weekend after · from Des Moines26% below typicalWorth it, if
Asheville
Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026 · 2 nights
- $452 per person, $166 below the typical fare on this route
- The Asheville Inn: 7.8 from 374 reviews, free cancellation
- Peak fall foliage on the Blue Ridge Parkway, highs 59–62°F
$1,193 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $903 + hotel $260 + resort fee $30, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $200
Allegiant · with a stop · 41h 23m
The catch: There's one stop each way and 41h 23m of travel in all: you land at 11:04 PM Friday and fly out at 6:00 AM Sunday.
Worth it if one full Saturday of foliage, breweries and bluegrass is enough for you; skip it if you want a slow, unhurried weekend.
A week away · from Des MoinesWorth it, if
San Francisco
Nov 14–21, 2026 · 7 nights
- Royal Pacific Motor Inn in Chinatown: 8 from 1,943 reviews, free cancellation
- One stop, 5h 59m, landing at SFO by 9:29 AM day one
- Highs of 58–62°F for the Golden Gate walk and cable cars
$2,400 for two · 7 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $686 + hotel $1,490 + resort fee $224, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $160
United. Operated by SkyWest DBA United Express · with a stop · 5h 59m
The catch: One stop and 5h 59m out, leaving at 5:30 AM; a checked bag is about $160 for two, not in the total.
Worth it if you want a walkable food-and-views week for two; skip it if you need sun or a nonstop.
Just found · from Des MoinesLowest in 30 days
Las Vegas
Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026 · 2 nights
- Nonstop on Allegiant, 3h 14m, $144 below the typical fare per person
- Harrah's scores 7.9 from 10,371 reviews, with free cancellation
- Highs of 73–76°F, good weather for the Red Rock Canyon loop
$915 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $658 + hotel $230 + resort fee $27, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $200
Allegiant · nonstop · 3h 14m
The catch: The outbound lands at 11:14 PM Friday, and a checked bag costs about $200 for two, which isn't in the $915 total.
Worth it if you want a packed weekend of shows, food and one desert drive; skip it if you want a slow, quiet getaway.
All trips from Des Moines · San Diego from every city · Prices on this route · Trips in October 2026 · Home
San Diego in pictures
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. We use AI tools to draft the text of each page from the data on it; code checks every number in the draft against that data and rejects what does not match, and the team reviews pages and fixes or removes what readers report. How we pick · Report a mistake.
Image credits
- Photo: Kindel Media / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Stephen Leonardi / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Soly Moses / Pexels, Pexels License