Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta. Left side scores higher due to the exceptional scenic quality of San Diego's takeoff—one of the most visually distinctive departures in North America with bay, urban skyline, and coastal geography. While the landing favors the right side with Banderas Bay and Sierra Madre views, the takeoff advantage and overall variety of the left side throughout the flight path (coastal mountains of Baja California visible during cruise) outweighs the landing benefit.

During takeoff from San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left side captures San Diego Bay, downtown skyline, and the dramatic transition from urban harbor to the Pacific coastline during climb-out. Right side faces inland toward flat suburban sprawl and desert. Notable sights include: San Diego Bay with Coronado Island, downtown San Diego waterfront, Point Loma peninsula, Pacific Ocean horizon.

When landing at Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side offers the scenic approach over Banderas Bay with Puerto Vallarta's coastal development, Sierra Madre foothills, and the dramatic transition from open ocean to the mountainous Jalisco coastline. Left side faces open Pacific with minimal landmarks until final descent. Notable sights include: Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta beachfront and marina, Sierra Madre Occidental foothills, Río Cuale valley.

The flight from San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) to Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) takes 2h 15m.

Baja California coastline including Punta Banda and Todos Santos Bay, Sierra de San Pedro Mártir mountains inland, transition from Baja's rocky Pacific coast to Nayarit's tropical vegetation as flight approaches Puerto Vallarta