About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Mc Carran International (LAS) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Las Vegas to San Francisco. Right side wins at takeoff for the Strip and Red Rock views, but left side dominates the majority of the flight with views of the Sierra Nevada range, Central Valley, and the spectacular San Francisco Bay approach. If you can only pick one side for the whole flight, left gives you more sustained geographic interest.
What can I see during takeoff from Mc Carran International in Las Vegas?
During takeoff from Mc Carran International (LAS), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAS typically departs northwest on runway 26L/26R or south on 19L/19R. On a northwest departure toward SFO, the right side gives you the Las Vegas Strip running south along Las Vegas Boulevard, plus the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon escarpment to the west. Left side gets suburban sprawl and the flat desert toward Henderson. Notable sights include: Las Vegas Strip (southward along Las Vegas Blvd), Red Rock Canyon escarpment, Spring Mountains (Charleston Peak at 11,918 ft), Lake Mead visible to the east on left side but right side wins overall.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO typically lands on runways 28L/28R approaching from the east over the Bay, or 19L/19R from the north. On the standard east approach over the Bay, the left side gives you a direct view of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and downtown San Francisco skyline. Right side faces south toward the Peninsula suburbs. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco downtown skyline and Bay Bridge, San Mateo Bridge, Peninsula cities along Highway 101.
How long is the flight from Las Vegas to San Francisco?
The flight from Mc Carran International (LAS) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
What does the Las Vegas to San Francisco flight path pass over?
After departing Las Vegas the route crosses the Mojave Desert, then climbs over or skirts the southern Sierra Nevada. The Central Valley of California appears as a vast flat agricultural plain. Depending on routing, the Tehachapi Mountains or the southern Sierra foothills are visible. The Coast Ranges appear as a lower wrinkled ridge system before the Bay Area descent.