About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Portland International (PDX) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to San Francisco. The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight — Mount Hood and the Columbia River gorge on departure — and also captures the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta during the cruise portion as the route tracks south through northern California. The right side wins at SFO landing, but the Cascade views during the bulk of the flight give the left side the overall edge.
What can I see during takeoff from Portland International in Portland?
During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX typically departs south on runway 28L/R or north on 10L/R. For southbound departures, the left (east) side gives you a direct view of Mount Hood rising to about 11,249 feet just 50 miles east, plus the Columbia River gorge cutting through the Cascades. The right side faces west toward the Tualatin Valley with far less drama. Notable sights include: Mount Hood to the east, Columbia River and its gorge, downtown Portland grid along the Willamette River, Mount St. Helens visible to the north-northeast.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Right side for the best views. SFO typically lands on runways 28L/28R approaching from the east over the Bay, or on 19L/19R from the north. On the standard approach from the north, the right (west) side gives you San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, the city skyline, and Alcatraz. The left side faces the East Bay hills and suburban sprawl of the peninsula. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, San Francisco city skyline, Alcatraz Island.
How long is the flight from Portland to San Francisco?
The flight from Portland International (PDX) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the Portland to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly south along or just west of the Cascade Range. Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters volcanoes are visible to the left (east) in central Oregon. Crater Lake may be glimpsed to the east-southeast in southern Oregon on clear days. Crossing into California, Mount Shasta at 14,179 feet is a dominant landmark visible from both sides but especially prominent on the left. The Sacramento Valley opens up as a broad flat agricultural plain in the final descent phase, with the Coast Ranges to the right and the Sierra Nevada foothills to the left.