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FLL → SFO
Which side of the plane to sit from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (Fort Lauderdale) to San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior sequence of views, starting with the expansive Everglades, moving through the stunning Gulf of Mexico coastline, and concluding with a breathtaking aerial approach over the San Francisco Bay salt ponds and Silicon Valley.
Search flights from FLL to SFO
Everglades National Park
Visible immediately after departure, watch for the vast 'River of Grass' and intricate wetland patterns.
Gulf Coast Shoreline
Sweeping views of the emerald waters and white sand beaches of the Florida Panhandle and Alabama.
Sonoran Desert
The rugged, arid beauty of southern Arizona featuring deep canyons and desert vistas.
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Dramatic southern ridges of the Sierra range as the flight crosses into California.
Silicon Valley
During the SFO approach, look for the headquarters of major tech giants and the South Bay salt ponds.
For westbound flights from Florida, the sun will be on the left side for much of the day. To avoid harsh glare and heat, choose a morning flight where the sun is higher and further south, or a late afternoon flight to catch a stunning Pacific sunset as you descend into San Francisco. On clear days, the descent over the Santa Cruz Mountains is particularly scenic.
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Lake Okeechobee
A massive freshwater lake in central Florida, often visible shortly after the climb out of FLL.
Permian Basin
Witness the industrial geometry of the West Texas oil fields stretching to the horizon.
Southern Rockies
Views of the high-altitude peaks and plateaus of New Mexico and southern Colorado.
Yosemite & High Sierra
If the flight path takes a more northerly route, you can spot the granite peaks of the High Sierra.
San Francisco Skyline
On specific approach patterns, the right side may see the downtown skyscrapers and the Bay Bridge.
The right side is ideal for avoiding direct sunlight during midday flights, providing better conditions for photography. If the wind is coming from the south at SFO, the plane may circle the city from the north, giving the right side a rare and spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the downtown skyline before landing.
Book Hotels in San FranciscoDistance: 4,151 km (2,579 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 53 min
Departure: FLL (26.072599, -80.152702)
Arrival: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Route Type: Domestic
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