About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Juan Santamaria International (SJO) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Jose to San Francisco. The right side delivers the dramatic volcanic scenery of Costa Rica's Central Cordillera on departure, which is the most visually spectacular moment of the flight. The landing view on the left is excellent, but the right side also picks up the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley of California during descent, making it competitive throughout. The volcanic takeoff view tips the balance.
What can I see during takeoff from Juan Santamaria International in San Jose?
During takeoff from Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Right side for the best views. SJO's primary departure runway is 07, heading northeast, which puts the volcanic Central Cordillera on the right side as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. You get a direct look at Poás and Barva volcanoes rising above the Meseta Central before the aircraft heads over the Pacific coast. Notable sights include: Volcán Poás (2,708m), Volcán Barva, the Meseta Central urban sprawl of San José, Alajuela valley farmland.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO's most common arrival from the south is runway 28L/28R, approaching from the east over the Bay. A left window seat gives you the San Francisco Peninsula, the city skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge as you cross the bay on final approach. Right side faces Oakland and the East Bay hills. Notable sights include: San Francisco city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge.
How long is the flight from San Jose to San Francisco?
The flight from Juan Santamaria International (SJO) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 7 to 7.5 hours.
What does the San Jose to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over the Pacific Ocean, passing well offshore of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and southern Mexico. The Yucatán Peninsula may be distantly visible to the right in clear conditions. The aircraft crosses the Mexican coastline near Manzanillo or Mazatlán, then tracks over the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sonoran Desert before entering California airspace over the Central Valley, with the Sierra Nevada visible to the right on descent.