San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta flight pathSFOPVR

Sit on the right side of the plane

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Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time3h 30m
Distance1,556
Heading134° → 142°

San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta is 1,556 miles (2,504 km), a flight of about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Best side
RightMostly right

Right side wins at takeoff with the best views of San Francisco Bay and the city skyline. During the cruise south over Baja California and the Pacific coast, right side also gets glimpses of the Pacific Ocean and coastal terrain. Left side is better for landing, but the takeoff spectacle from the right is the highlight of this route.

Takeoff · SFORIGHTSan Francisco Bay, SF city skyline and downtown, San Mateo Bridge
Landing · PVRLEFTBanderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta city and Malecon waterfront, Sierra Madre Occidental mountains

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The flight tracks roughly south-southeast over the California Central Valley briefly, then crosses the Transverse Ranges near Los Angeles, continues over the Baja California Peninsula with its arid desert spine visible, crosses the mouth of the Gulf of California near Cabo San Lucas, then follows the Mexican Pacific coast of Jalisco and Nayarit states southward toward Banderas Bay. The Sierra Madre Occidental becomes visible on the left as you approach PVR.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from San Francisco (right side) — San Francisco Bay, SF city skyline and downtown, San Mateo Bridge, Peninsula cities

Takeoff from SFO

RIGHT

SFO typically departs south on runways 28L/28R or north on 01L/01R. On southbound departures, the right side gets San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Peninsula. On northbound departures, right side still captures the bay and city. Either way, right side consistently faces the bay and downtown SF.

San Francisco BaySF city skyline and downtownSan Mateo BridgePeninsula cities

Landing at PVR

LEFT

PVR typically lands on runway 04 heading northeast, or runway 22 heading southwest. On the common runway 22 approach from the north, the left side faces the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains and the city of Puerto Vallarta along Banderas Bay. The bay and the dramatic mountain backdrop are on the left.

Banderas BayPuerto Vallarta city and Malecon waterfrontSierra Madre Occidental mountainsCabo Corrientes headland

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta. Right side wins at takeoff with the best views of San Francisco Bay and the city skyline. During the cruise south over Baja California and the Pacific coast, right side also gets glimpses of the Pacific Ocean and coastal terrain. Left side is better for landing, but the takeoff spectacle from the right is the highlight of this route.

What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Right side for the best views. SFO typically departs south on runways 28L/28R or north on 01L/01R. On southbound departures, the right side gets San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Peninsula. On northbound departures, right side still captures the bay and city. Either way, right side consistently faces the bay and downtown SF. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, SF city skyline and downtown, San Mateo Bridge, Peninsula cities.

What can I see when landing at Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International in Puerto Vallarta?

When landing at Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVR typically lands on runway 04 heading northeast, or runway 22 heading southwest. On the common runway 22 approach from the north, the left side faces the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains and the city of Puerto Vallarta along Banderas Bay. The bay and the dramatic mountain backdrop are on the left. Notable sights include: Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta city and Malecon waterfront, Sierra Madre Occidental mountains, Cabo Corrientes headland.

How long is the flight from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta?

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,556 miles (2,504 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta flight path pass over?

The flight tracks roughly south-southeast over the California Central Valley briefly, then crosses the Transverse Ranges near Los Angeles, continues over the Baja California Peninsula with its arid desert spine visible, crosses the mouth of the Gulf of California near Cabo San Lucas, then follows the Mexican Pacific coast of Jalisco and Nayarit states southward toward Banderas Bay. The Sierra Madre Occidental becomes visible on the left as you approach PVR.