While the takeoff offers excellent Lake Ontario views on the right, the landing approach on the left provides more iconic and visually distinctive scenery with the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
Flown YTZ to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Toronto to San Francisco is 2,266 miles (3,647 km), a flight of about 5 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Great Lakes region (Lake Huron visible from altitude), then proceeds over the American Midwest with views of the Mississippi River valley, the Rocky Mountains (including the Continental Divide in Montana and Wyoming), the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada range in California, and finally the coastal ranges approaching the San Francisco Bay Area.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from YTZ
RIGHTRight-side seats offer views of Lake Ontario immediately after departure, with the Toronto waterfront and downtown skyline visible during the initial climb-out. The aircraft departs eastbound over the lake before turning west toward San Francisco, so right-side passengers see the most dramatic urban and water features in the first 10-15 minutes.
Landing at SFO
LEFTLeft-side seats provide the best views during approach to SFO. The aircraft descends over the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay from the west, and left-side passengers see the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and the San Francisco peninsula as the plane banks for final approach into the runway.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from City Centre (YTZ) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to San Francisco. While the takeoff offers excellent Lake Ontario views on the right, the landing approach on the left provides more iconic and visually distinctive scenery with the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
What can I see during takeoff from City Centre in Toronto?
During takeoff from City Centre (YTZ), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of Lake Ontario immediately after departure, with the Toronto waterfront and downtown skyline visible during the initial climb-out. The aircraft departs eastbound over the lake before turning west toward San Francisco, so right-side passengers see the most dramatic urban and water features in the first 10-15 minutes. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario, Toronto downtown skyline and CN Tower, Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto Islands.
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. Left-side seats provide the best views during approach to SFO. The aircraft descends over the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay from the west, and left-side passengers see the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and the San Francisco peninsula as the plane banks for final approach into the runway. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Marin Headlands, San Francisco Peninsula.
How long is the flight from Toronto to San Francisco?
The flight from City Centre (YTZ) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 5 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,266 miles (3,647 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Toronto to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Great Lakes region (Lake Huron visible from altitude), then proceeds over the American Midwest with views of the Mississippi River valley, the Rocky Mountains (including the Continental Divide in Montana and Wyoming), the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada range in California, and finally the coastal ranges approaching the San Francisco Bay Area.