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LIH destination photo
SJC destination photo

LIHSJC

Our Recommendation
7.8

Left Side of the Plane

The left side is generally superior for the approach into San Jose, offering views of the iconic California coastline near Santa Cruz and the tech hubs of Silicon Valley before touchdown.

Left Side Highlights
7.8
🏝️

Kauai East Shore

Aerial views of Kauai's windward coast, including the lush greenery of Kapa'a and the Coconut Coast during initial ascent.

🌊

Pacific Expanse

Miles of deep blue ocean where you might spot unique cloud formations or 'white caps' during the 5-hour crossing.

🏖️

Santa Cruz Coastline

As the flight reaches the mainland, you will see the rugged cliffs and beaches of Santa Cruz and the famous Beach Boardwalk.

🌲

Santa Cruz Mountains

A scenic descent over the dense redwood forests and winding roads of the mountain range separating the coast from the valley.

🏢

Apple Park

During the final approach into SJC, look for the 'spaceship' campus in Cupertino, a massive circular architectural marvel.

Choose the left side for morning departures from LIH to keep the sun behind the plane, reducing glare on the ocean. For the approach into SJC, the left side provides the best angle to see the Santa Cruz coastline and the urban layout of the South Bay.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
⚓

Nawiliwili Bay

Excellent views of Lihue's main harbor and the southern cliffs of Kauai immediately after takeoff.

🐳

Monterey Bay

On approach, you can see the vast, deep blue curve of Monterey Bay, one of the nation's most spectacular marine sanctuaries.

🔭

Mount Hamilton

Views of the Diablo Range and the white domes of the Lick Observatory perched atop the ridge to the east of the city.

🌆

Downtown San Jose

A close-up view of the city's high-rises and the SAP Center as the plane aligns with the SJC runways.

The right side is ideal for seeing the southern tip of Kauai upon departure. During the arrival at SJC, it offers a great perspective of the East Bay hills and the Diablo Range. Note that on afternoon flights, this side may be quite sunny while flying east over the Pacific.

Top Activities in San Jose
Route Information

Distance: 3,965 km (2,464 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 40 min

Departure: LIH (21.97599983215332, -159.33900451660156)

Arrival: SJC (37.362598, -121.929001)

Route Type: Domestic

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