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DEN → SFO
Which side of the plane to sit from Denver International Airport (Denver) to San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the iconic Great Salt Lake, the Bonneville Salt Flats, and the magnificent Lake Tahoe, ending with a high probability of seeing the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge on typical approach patterns.
Longs Peak
The dominant 14,000-foot peak of Rocky Mountain National Park visible immediately after departure.
Great Salt Lake
A massive shimmering expanse of water with a distinct line separating the blue and pink halves.
Lake Tahoe
The deep sapphire blue of the largest alpine lake in North America, nestled in the mountains.
SF Skyline
The Salesforce Tower, Transamerica Pyramid, and the dense urban grid of downtown San Francisco.
Golden Gate Bridge
On the 'Point Reyes' arrival route, you get a world-class view of the bridge spanning the strait.
Sit on the right for the most iconic landmarks. To see the Golden Gate Bridge, hope for a northern approach. Afternoon flights can be stunning as the sun sets over the Pacific while you descend into the Bay Area.
Southern Front Range
Spectacular views of Pikes Peak and the rugged southern Colorado Rockies shortly after takeoff.
Canyonlands
Aerial glimpses of the winding Colorado River and the red rock canyons of southern Utah.
Yosemite National Park
Look for the granite monoliths of Half Dome and El Capitan as you cross the high Sierra Nevada.
South Bay Salt Ponds
Vibrant, multicoloured evaporation ponds that create a patchwork quilt effect during descent.
Silicon Valley
Clear views of major tech campuses in San Jose, Mountain View, and Palo Alto.
Morning flights are best for this side to keep the sun behind the plane, illuminating the Utah canyons. During the winter, the snow-covered Sierra Nevada peaks are particularly dramatic from this side.
Distance: 1,553 km (965 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 4 min
Departure: DEN (39.861698150635, -104.672996521)
Arrival: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Route Type: Domestic
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