Are you wondering how far is Hawaii from California? Depending on the California city that you’re coming from and the island that you’re flying to, the flight time varies. Keep reading for all the details!
Hawaii is an absolute dream destination and a very popular vacation spot for Californians. With California being the closest state to Hawaii, the temptation to book a flight for an island adventure is real!
While California is the closest state to Hawaii, it still takes a bit of time to get there. Fortunately, there are multiple airlines that fly direct from California to Hawaii. I’ve flown to each of the Hawaiian Islands from either San Francisco or neighboring Oakland, and I’ve flown on four different airlines!
Because Hawaii is made up of numerous islands, the only way to visit is to fly in or to take a boat there. Flying is the more popular choice.
Whether you live in California and are curious how long it takes to get to a particular island or stopping in California on your way to Hawaii, keep reading for all you need to know!
Key Takeaways
- The distance between the three major California airports – Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego – and each of the Hawaiian Islands is between 2,300-2,700 miles.
- Flying from California to Hawaii takes between 4 hours and 50 minutes to 5 hours and 50 minutes depending on your where you are coming from and traveling to.
- Of the three California airpots, San Francisco is the closest to Hawaii, Los Angeles is the second closest, and San Diego is the furthest.
Table of Contents
How Far is Hawaii from California?
The answer to the question varies. Firstly, Hawaii is numerous islands, and California is one of the biggest states in the country.
The way to get the most specific answer is to split it up by the major regions of both areas. I’ll break down the distance and flight times from each major region in California to each major region in Hawaii.
California regions and their airport codes:
- San Francisco: SFO
- Los Angeles: LAX
- San Diego: SAN
Hawaii regions and their airport codes:
- Oahu: HNL
- Maui: OGG
- Big Island: KOA
- Kauai: LIH
From San Francisco, California
San Francisco to Oahu
The distance between San Francisco and Oahu is 2,395 miles. The direct flight is about 4 hours and 54 minutes.
The miles are calculated from the San Francisco International Airport, SFO in San Francisco and Oahu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, HNL in Honolulu.
San Francisco to Maui
The distance between San Francisco and Maui is 2,335 miles. The direct flight is about 4 hours and 51 minutes, the shortest flight compared to the three other islands.
The miles are calculated from the San Francisco International Airport, SFO and Maui’s Kahului Airport, OGG, in Kahului.
Heading to Maui?
➡️ Read over my full Maui guide, including the best things to do, here!
San Francisco to Big Island
The distance between San Francisco and Big Island is 2,364 miles. The direct flight is about 4 hours and 55 minutes.
The miles are calculated from the San Francisco International Airport, SFO and Big Island’s Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, KOA, in Kalaoa.
NOTE: There is another airport on the other side of the island, Hilo (ITO), but it is much smaller and has fewer direct flights.
San Francisco to Kauai
The distance between San Francisco and Kauai is 2,443 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 4 minutes, the longest flight compared to the three other islands.
The miles are calculated from the San Francisco International Airport, SFO and Kauai’s Lihue International Airport, LIH, in Lihue.
Heading to Kauai?
➡️ Read over my full Kauai guide, including the best things to do, here!
From Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles to Oahu
The distance between Los Angeles and Oahu is 2,551 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 17 minutes.
The miles are calculated from the Los Angeles International Airport, LAX in Los Angeles and Oahu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, HNL in Honolulu.
Los Angeles to Maui
The distance between Los Angeles and Maui is 2,482 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 9 minutes, the shortest flight compared to the other three islands.
The miles are calculated from the Los Angeles International Airport, LAX in Los Angeles and Maui’s Kahului Airport, OGG, in Kahului.
Heading to Maui from Los Angeles?
➡️ Read over my full Maui guide, including the best things to do, here!
Los Angeles to Big Island
The distance between Los Angeles and Big Island is 2,504 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 11 minutes.
The miles are calculated from the Los Angeles International Airport, LAX in Los Angeles and Big Island’s Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, KOA, in Kalaoa.
NOTE: There is another airport on the other side of the island, Hilo (ITO), but it is much smaller and has fewer direct flights.
Los Angeles to Kauai
The distance between Los Angeles and Kauai is 2,610 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 27 minutes, the longest flight compared to the three other islands.
The miles are calculated from the Los Angeles International Airport, LAX in Los Angeles and Kauai’s Lihue International Airport, LIH, in Lihue.
Heading to Kauai from Los Angeles?
➡️ Read over my full Kauai guide, including the best things to do, here!
From San Diego, California
San Diego to Oahu
The distance between San Diego and Oahu is 2,609 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 32 minutes.
The miles are calculated from the San Diego International Airport, SAN in San Diego and Oahu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, HNL in Honolulu.
San Diego to Maui
The distance between San Diego and Maui is 2,536 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 25 minutes.
The miles are calculated from the San Diego International Airport, SAN in San Diego and Maui’s Kahului Airport, OGG, in Kahului.
Heading to Maui from San Diego?
➡️ Read over my full Maui guide, including the best things to do, here!
San Diego to Big Island
The distance between San Diego and Big Island is 2,551 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 25 minutes.
The miles are calculated from the San Diego International Airport, SAN in San Diego and Big Island’s Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, KOA, in Kalaoa.
NOTE: There is another airport on the other side of the island, Hilo (ITO), but it is much smaller and has fewer direct flights.
San Diego to Kauai
The distance between San Diego and Kauai is 2,671 miles. The direct flight is about 5 hours and 51 minutes, the longest flight compared to the three other islands.
The miles are calculated from the San Diego International Airport, SAN in San Diego and Kauai’s Lihue International Airport, LIH, in Lihue.
Heading to Kauai from San Diego?
➡️ Read over my full Kauai guide, including the best things to do, here!
Best Places to Stay in Hawaii?
I have been to each of the major Hawaiian Islands, and I have seen the amazing accommodations they all offer.
If you need some help on where to stay, here are my favorites on each island:
Best Hotels on Oahu
➡️ For beautiful, old-school Hawaiian vibes: check prices and book the The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort here!
➡️ For the most renowned North Shore hotel: check prices and book your stay at the Turtle Bay Resort
Best Hotels on Maui
➡️ For the best, most glamorous resort in all of Maui: check prices and book your stay at the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort here!
➡️ A condo resort for the best family-friendly stay (we LOVED it): check prices and book your stay at Honua Kai Resort and Spa here!
Best Hotels on Big Island
➡️ For the ultimate luxury stay: check prices and book your stay at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort here!
➡️ For a family-friendly resort that has it all: check prices and book your stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village here!
Best Hotels on Kauai
➡️ For the most popular family-friendly resort: check prices and book your stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
➡️ For a lush resort with an amazing pool: check prices and book your stay at Hanalei Bay Resort here!
FAQs: How Far is Hawaii from California
What city in California is closest to Hawaii?
San Francisco is the closest California city to Hawaii. It’s 2,335 miles away from Maui.
Can I drive to Hawaii from California?
Nope, you can’t. Hawaii is an island so you can only get there through the air on a plane, or on the water by boat. You CAN ship your car to Hawaii from California using a freight service though.
Is Hawaii closer to US or Japan?
The US is much closer. Hawaii is about 2,400 miles from California but over 4,000 miles from Japan.
Do you need a passport to go from Hawaii to California?
For US citizens, a passport is not required to visit Hawaii from California. You only need a valid government photo ID.
Wrapping up: How Far is Hawaii from California?
And there you have it! Now you know that Hawaii is roughly 2,300 to 2,700 miles away from California.
And whichever part of Hawaii you are visiting from California, you are sure to have a magical experience on the islands.
Aloha!
