Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to San Diego. Right side wins both the departure and arrival, and along the cruise portion it also keeps you oriented toward the California coast as the flight tracks south-southeast, with occasional views of the Central Valley and coastal ranges. Left side gets the Sierra Nevada on the eastern horizon during cruise but misses the two best moments of the flight.

During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. SEA typically departs south on runways 16L/16R, so a right-side seat faces west over Puget Sound and gives you a clear look at the Olympic Peninsula across the water. You also get a good angle on the Seattle waterfront and Elliott Bay as the aircraft climbs out. Notable sights include: Elliott Bay and Seattle waterfront, Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula mountains to the west, Vashon Island below.

When landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. SAN's runway 27 approach comes in from the east over Mission Valley and downtown San Diego, so right-side seats get the iconic low-altitude pass over downtown skyscrapers, San Diego Bay, and Coronado Island just before touchdown. It's one of the most dramatic urban approaches in the US. Notable sights include: Downtown San Diego skyline, San Diego Bay, Coronado Island and the Silver Strand, Point Loma peninsula.

The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

After leaving Puget Sound, the route passes over the Oregon Cascades including Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters visible to the east. Over northern California the Sacramento Valley and Coast Ranges are below. The flight then tracks over the Central Valley or coastal California depending on routing, with the Tehachapi Mountains and the transition into Southern California visible before descent into San Diego.