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KOA destination photo
SJC destination photo

KOASJC

Our Recommendation
7.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers an iconic departure view of the Kona coastline followed by a superior approach over the Santa Cruz Mountains and a clear view of the Silicon Valley landscape, including the Apple Park 'Spaceship' campus.

Left Side Highlights
7.5
🌋

Kona Lava Fields

Dramatic views of the dark basaltic lava flows contrasting with the turquoise waters of the Kohala Coast shortly after takeoff.

🌊

Pacific Expanse

Uninterrupted views of the deep blue North Pacific Ocean for the majority of the five-hour transit.

🏖️

Santa Cruz Coastline

As the plane makes landfall, enjoy views of the California surf spots and the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

🌲

Santa Cruz Mountains

A bird's-eye view of the dense redwood forests and winding mountain roads as the aircraft descends toward the South Bay.

🏟️

Silicon Valley Landmarks

Excellent views of Levi's Stadium and the distinctive circular Apple Park headquarters during the final approach into SJC.

Book a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. For daytime flights, the left side avoids the harshest direct sunlight when heading East-Northeast. During the final 10 minutes of flight, keep your camera ready for the unique architecture of tech campuses in Cupertino and Sunnyvale.

Right Side Highlights
7.0
🏔️

Mauna Kea Summit

Spectacular views of the world's tallest sea-mountain, often with snow at the summit and visible astronomical observatories.

⛰️

Kohala Mountains

The oldest volcanic ridges on the Big Island, featuring lush green valleys and steep sea cliffs.

🐋

Marine Life Spotting

During winter months (Dec-April), keep an eye out for humpback whale breaches in the shallow waters near the Hawaiian islands.

🛥️

Monterey Bay

A wide-angle view of the crescent-shaped Monterey Bay and the deep underwater canyon during the descent.

🏙️

Downtown San Jose

A close-up view of the San Jose city skyline and the Adobe headquarters if the plane approaches from the south.

Choose the right side for the best views of Hawaii's massive volcanic peaks immediately after departure. Afternoon flights may experience significant glare on this side as the sun moves south, so high-quality sunglasses are recommended. This side is also excellent for catching the sunrise on red-eye flights.

Top Activities in San Jose
Route Information

Distance: 3,834 km (2,382 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 31 min

Departure: KOA (19.738783, -156.045603)

Arrival: SJC (37.362598, -121.929001)

Route Type: Domestic

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