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BWI destination photo
SAN destination photo

BWISAN

Our Recommendation
8.8

Left Side of the Plane

The left side provides a breathtaking panorama of the desert Southwest and a superior angle for the final approach over the San Diego Bay and the city skyline.

Left Side Highlights
8.8
⛰️

Blue Ridge Mountains

Aerial views of the rolling Appalachian ridges shortly after departing the DC/Baltimore area.

🌊

Mississippi River

A crossing of the massive waterway, typically near the convergence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

🏔️

Sangre de Cristo Range

The southern-most subrange of the Rocky Mountains, often snow-capped through late spring.

🏜️

Painted Desert

Vibrant, multi-colored badlands stretching across northern Arizona's high plateau.

💧

Salton Sea

A massive, shimmering saline lake located in the Coachella Valley desert basin.

🏙️

San Diego Bay

A spectacular final view of the Coronado Bridge, naval ships, and the downtown skyline on landing.

Sit on the left side to avoid direct sunlight during the majority of this westbound journey. For the iconic San Diego arrival, the left side is essential for seeing the USS Midway and the harbor. Flights departing BWI in the morning will have the best lighting for photography over the mountains and desert regions.

Right Side Highlights
8.4
🛶

Ohio River Valley

Winding views of the industrial and agricultural heartland throughout the Midwest.

🏔️

Southern Rockies

High-altitude views of the Colorado-New Mexico border peaks and rugged wilderness.

☄️

Meteor Crater

The world's best-preserved meteorite impact site, clearly visible near Winslow, Arizona.

🏜️

Grand Canyon Edge

Depending on the flight corridor, the southern rim of the Grand Canyon may be visible in the distance.

🦒

Balboa Park & Zoo

An incredibly close-up view of the California Tower and the zoo during the final seconds of descent.

🏠

Bankers Hill

Low-altitude pass over the historic rooftops of San Diego's urban neighborhoods.

The right side offers a unique perspective of San Diego's urban center, as the plane flies remarkably close to buildings in Balboa Park. Be aware that you may face more glare from the sun on the right side during the mid-flight portion over the Great Plains. Look for Meteor Crater about 45-60 minutes before landing.

Top Activities in San Diego
Route Information

Distance: 3,686 km (2,290 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 20 min

Departure: BWI (39.1754, -76.668297)

Arrival: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)

Route Type: Domestic

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