Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Melbourne to San Francisco. The right side wins overall due to the spectacular Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne CBD departure views. The landing approach on the left is excellent, but the takeoff scenery is more dramatic and the right side also picks up better Pacific Ocean views during the long overwater cruise at altitude.

During takeoff from Melbourne International (MEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Melbourne's main departure runway 34 (northward) puts the right side facing east toward Port Phillip Bay and the CBD skyline. You get a clear view of the bay's broad expanse and the city grid as the aircraft climbs and banks northward before turning toward the Pacific. Notable sights include: Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne CBD skyline, Dandenong Ranges to the east, Mornington Peninsula.

When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO's typical approach on runway 28L/28R comes in from the east over the bay, putting the left side facing south toward the San Francisco Peninsula and the city itself. You get a prolonged view of the San Francisco Bay, the peninsula, and the city grid on final approach. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco Peninsula and city grid, San Mateo Bridge, Santa Cruz Mountains.

The flight from Melbourne International (MEL) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 16 to 17 hours nonstop.

The route tracks northeast across the Tasman Sea, passes north of New Zealand's North Island (visible as a distant landmass), then crosses the vast central Pacific Ocean with no significant landmasses for roughly 8,000 miles. The Hawaiian Islands may be visible far to the south depending on the exact routing. The flight crosses the North Pacific and descends toward the California coast, where the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley become visible on the final approach sector.