About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to San Francisco. The left side wins overall because the Toronto departure view is genuinely spectacular — the CN Tower, the full skyline, Lake Ontario, and the islands all visible in one sweep. The SFO arrival on the right is excellent but the left side's departure advantage is stronger. During the cruise, the left side also faces slightly more southward, giving better views of the Rocky Mountains as the flight crosses over Montana and Idaho.
What can I see during takeoff from Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?
During takeoff from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Left side for the best views. YYZ typically departs westbound on runways 23/24, meaning a left-side seat faces south toward downtown Toronto and Lake Ontario. You get a clear view of the Toronto skyline including the CN Tower, and the broad expanse of Lake Ontario stretching east. Right side faces north into suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands, Hamilton Harbour to the southwest.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Right side for the best views. SFO primarily lands on runways 28L/28R approaching from the east, meaning aircraft fly over the Bay Area from the east before turning over the bay. Right-side seats face north and get views of the San Francisco Bay, the city of San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Left side looks south toward the peninsula suburbs. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco city and hills, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands across the bay.
How long is the flight from Toronto to San Francisco?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 45 minutes westbound.
What does the Toronto to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight typically tracks northwest over Lake Huron, then across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Wisconsin, before crossing Minnesota and South Dakota. Over Montana and Idaho the route passes near Glacier National Park and the northern Rockies, with the Bitterroot Range visible. The flight then crosses the Snake River Plain in Idaho before descending over Nevada's Basin and Range terrain and the Sierra Nevada into the Bay Area.