Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to San Jose. The left side delivers the more spectacular departure with San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the peninsula laid out clearly. Over the Pacific and Central America, both sides see similar terrain, but the left side also picks up Pacific coastline views of Mexico and Central America during the cruise portion as the route tracks southeast. The SFO departure alone makes left the stronger overall choice.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO typically departs south on runways 28L/28R heading west then turning south, or on runways 01L/01R heading north. On the dominant westerly departures, a left turn southbound puts the left side facing east toward the Bay, the San Francisco skyline, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Left seats get the full panorama of San Francisco Bay, the city, and the peninsula. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay and city skyline, San Mateo Bridge, Santa Cruz Mountains ridge, Silicon Valley sprawl in the South Bay.

When landing at Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Juan Santamaria International sits in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, with the Poas and Barva volcanoes to the north and the Talamanca Range to the south. Aircraft typically approach from the northwest on runway 07, meaning a right-side seat faces south toward the dramatic Talamanca Mountains and the Central Valley floor, while also catching the approach over the valley with San Jose visible ahead-right. Notable sights include: Talamanca Mountain Range to the south, Central Valley of Costa Rica, San Jose urban area, Poas Volcano visible to the north on the opposite side.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Juan Santamaria International (SJO) takes Approximately 6 to 6.5 hours.

After departing the California coast, the route tracks southeast over the Pacific Ocean staying offshore of Baja California and the Mexican Pacific coast. The Sierra Madre Occidental is visible inland to the left. Over southern Mexico, the route passes near the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Guatemala's volcanic chain — including Tajumulco and Santiaguito — becomes visible as the aircraft descends toward Costa Rica, with the Pacific coastal plain of Central America visible to the right and the volcanic highlands to the left.