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$55+ Cheap flights from Des Moines (DSM) to California

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 3/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — LAX
Jan 11 — Jan 181
Sat 1/11
Sat 1/18
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to California

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to California (USCA). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated January 6, 2025.

Round-trip from

$114
(Mytrip)

One-way from

$55
(Frontier)
From Des Moines to California
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One-way flight from Des Moines to California
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Find flight deals from Des Moines to California

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to California
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to California. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on January 6, 2025.

This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/6. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 2/26:30 amDSM - SNA
Nonstop3h 55mAllegiant Air
Thu 2/136:17 pmSNA - DSM
Nonstop3h 16mAllegiant Air
Deal found 1/6$114
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/6. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/56:30 amDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 29mAllegiant Air
Sat 3/85:26 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 52mAllegiant Air
Deal found 1/6$139
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/5. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 3/187:48 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop25h 30mFrontier
Wed 3/266:30 amLAX - DSM
1 stop10h 47mFrontier
Deal found 1/5$140
This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/5. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 4/78:17 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop5h 57mFrontier
Thu 4/107:39 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop21h 38mFrontier
Deal found 1/5$142
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/6. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 2/173:44 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 23mMultiple Airlines
Sun 2/2312:59 amLAS - DSM
1 stop16h 42mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/6$147
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/6. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 5/22:15 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop12h 18mFrontier
Mon 5/56:00 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 24mFrontier
Deal found 1/6$150
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/6. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 2/178:41 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop5h 13mFrontier
Sun 2/2312:59 amLAS - DSM
1 stop16h 42mFrontier
Deal found 1/6$152
This Gotogate deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/6. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Gotogate is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 3/38:41 pmDSM - SNA
1 stop16h 49mMultiple Airlines
Sun 3/99:22 amSNA - DSM
Nonstop3h 18mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/6$153
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/6. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 5/22:15 pmDSM - ONT
1 stop11h 44mFrontier
Sun 5/412:59 amONT - DSM
1 stop10h 25mFrontier
Deal found 1/6$210
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/6. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 2/32:41 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop9h 37mMultiple Airlines
Thu 2/61:31 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop7h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/6$217
This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/5. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 5/192:15 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop12h 12mMultiple Airlines
Fri 5/236:30 amLAX - DSM
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/5$238
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/5. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 2/102:41 pmDSM - SMF
1 stop7h 24mMultiple Airlines
Wed 2/197:33 pmSMF - DSM
2 stops14h 50mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/5$256

Find flights from Des Moines to California within your budget

Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to California that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated January 6, 2025.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesSanta Ana

DSM - SNA

DSMSNA

Des Moines

Sun 2/2

6:30 am-8:25 am

Nonstop3h 55m

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Thu 2/13

6:17 pm-11:33 pm

Nonstop3h 16m

$114

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Tue 3/18

7:48 pm-7:18 pm

1 stop25h 30m

Los Angeles

Wed 3/26

6:30 am-7:17 pm

1 stop10h 47m

$140

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Sat 3/1

3:04 pm-4:25 pm

Nonstop3h 21m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Sun 3/9

12:59 am-7:17 pm

1 stop16h 18m

$141

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Sun 2/2

3:35 pm-5:03 pm

Nonstop3h 28m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Sun 2/9

5:53 pm-10:56 pm

Nonstop3h 03m

$142

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Wed 5/7

2:15 pm-9:39 am

1 stop21h 24m

San Diego

Sun 5/11

10:39 am-1:24 pm

1 stop24h 45m

$160

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 2/17

8:41 pm-1:33 pm

1 stop18h 52m

San Francisco

Mon 2/24

6:00 am-7:41 pm

1 stop11h 41m

$162

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Fri 2/21

8:41 pm-6:33 pm

1 stop23h 52m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Sun 2/23

12:59 am-7:41 pm

1 stop16h 42m

$166

Des MoinesOntario

DSM - ONT

DSMONT

Des Moines

Fri 5/2

2:15 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop11h 44m

Ontario

Sun 5/4

12:59 am-1:24 pm

1 stop10h 25m

$210

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Mon 2/3

2:41 pm-10:18 pm

1 stop9h 37m

San Diego

Thu 2/6

1:31 pm-10:56 pm

1 stop7h 25m

$217

Des MoinesSanta Ana

DSM - SNA

DSMSNA

Des Moines

Mon 2/3

2:41 pm-9:44 pm

1 stop9h 03m

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Sun 2/9

9:15 am-2:45 pm

Nonstop3h 30m

$217

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 1/6

Showing 1-10 of 60 results
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Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to California

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to California from Des Moines with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Travel insights for flights from Des Moines to California

Get recent, data-driven insights about flights from Des Moines to California including ideal travel times, pricing trends, and more.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to California?

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to California (average of $246). Flying from Des Moines to California in March is currently the most expensive (average of $344). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from DSM to CA?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to California. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated January 6, 2025.

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from Des Moines to California as you normally would.

Rainfall in California by month

Plan your trip to California by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in California ranges from 0.0 - 3.4 inches per month. February is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 3.4 in. July is typically the driest time to visit California when rainfall is around 0.0 in.

Temperature in California by month

Plan your trip to California by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to California, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 73.4 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 57.2 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing California

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to California. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to California. Reviews last updated January 6, 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Frontier, Southwest and American Airlines from Des Moines to California by reading reviews from past customers. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,663 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Reviews

1 / 10

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,663 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,663 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Reviews

1 / 10

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,617 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,663 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Reviews

1 / 10

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Delta
8.0
Very good
8,513 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,663 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Reviews

1 / 10

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,940 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,663 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Reviews

1 / 10

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Allegiant Air
7.4
Good
801 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,663 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Reviews

1 / 10

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to California. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airport do you fly from for flights from Des Moines to California?

    Des Moines (DSM), located 3.6 mi from the city center, is the airport you fly out of when you book flights from Des Moines to California.

  • How popular is this Des Moines to California flight route?

    Within the past month, 19 users have taken a look at flights from Des Moines to California.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Des Moines to California one-way?

    The cheapest airline one-way is Frontier, with whom users have recently found tickets for as low as $55. However, be on the lookout for offers from Allegiant Air and American Airlines, as they are both options that can get you from Des Moines to California for a low price.

  • What are the most popular routes from Des Moines to California?

    The most popular route from Des Moines to California is Des Moines - Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl. You may also consider Des Moines - San Francisco or Des Moines - Palm Springs.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Des Moines to California that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Des Moines to California flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to California?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Des Moines to California.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to California?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to California by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to California?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to California (average of $246). Flying from Des Moines to California in March is currently the most expensive (average of $344). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

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Alternative routes for Des Moines to California

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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Top 6 airlines flying from Des Moines to California

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to California. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated January 6, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
FrontierCheapest$112Average$230FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Allegiant AirCheapest$117Average$220FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
American AirlinesCheapest$250Average$434FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
DeltaCheapest$285Average$434FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$286Average$494FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
SouthwestCheapest$323Average$460FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
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