On the West Coast variations/permutations of SAN-LAX-SBN-SFO-SMF have worked well (but you've got the SFO factor)
Midwest/East coast I've used MKE-ORD-XXX-IAD-RIC where XXX can be any number of cities depending on the fare. You can also terminate at several other cities other than RIC.
Even premeger, the segment fares have been astronomical. YMMV.