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LMT destination photo
SFO destination photo

LMTSFO

Our Recommendation
8.5

Right Side of the Plane

The right side offers a more direct perspective of the majestic Mount Shasta and the rugged Trinity Alps, followed by a scenic descent into the Bay Area that often reveals the California coastline and iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.

Right Side Highlights
8.5
🏔️

Mount Shasta (West Flank)

Provides an incredibly close and imposing view of one of California's most famous volcanoes.

🌲

Castle Crags State Park

Distinctive 6,000-foot tall granite spires that look like a medieval fortress rising from the pine forests.

⛰️

Trinity Alps

Rugged, glacier-carved peaks of the Klamath Mountains visible to the west throughout the first half of the flight.

🍷

Napa and Sonoma Valleys

The geometric patterns of world-famous vineyards and rolling hills appear as the plane nears the Bay Area.

🌉

Golden Gate Bridge

On clear days, if the flight follows the Point Reyes arrival, the iconic orange bridge and San Francisco skyline are visible on the right.

The right side is generally the 'money side' for this route. For the best photography of Mount Shasta, book an afternoon flight when the sun illuminates the western faces of the peaks. During the SFO landing approach, the right side often provides stunning views of the Pacific coastline and the Marin Headlands before turning into the bay.

Left Side Highlights
7.2
🌋

Mount Shasta

The massive 14,179-foot volcanic peak dominates the landscape shortly after takeoff from Klamath Falls.

🏔️

Lassen Peak

The southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range, visible as a prominent white dome to the southeast.

⛰️

Sutter Buttes

Known as the 'World's Smallest Mountain Range,' these ancient volcanic remnants rise sharply from the flat Sacramento Valley floor.

🏙️

Sacramento Skyline

The capital city of California and its surrounding sprawl are visible as the flight traverses the Central Valley.

🌉

Oakland and East Bay

Approaching SFO, views of the Port of Oakland, the Bay Bridge, and the dense urban landscape of the East Bay.

Choose a window seat on the left for morning flights to avoid direct glare from the sun. The left side is superior for spotting the Sacramento River delta system and the unique circular formation of the Sutter Buttes. Keep an eye out for the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge during the final descent into SFO.

Top Activities in San Francisco
Route Information

Distance: 507 km (315 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 51 min

Departure: LMT (42.156101, -121.733002)

Arrival: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)

Route Type: Domestic

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