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PDX → SAN
Which side of the plane to sit from Portland International Airport (Portland) to San Diego International Airport (San Diego)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range and the jagged Sierra Nevada, concluding with the iconic low-altitude pass over downtown San Diego during landing.
Cascade Volcanoes
Immediately after takeoff, witness the snow-capped peaks of Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, and the Three Sisters standing tall above the forest.
Mount Shasta
A massive, isolated stratovolcano in Northern California that dominates the horizon for a significant portion of the flight's mid-section.
Sierra Nevada Range
Breathtaking views of the high-altitude wilderness, including deep granite canyons and potentially Lake Tahoe depending on the specific flight corridor.
Mojave Desert
As you head south, the lush greens transition to the stark, beautiful geometric patterns and reddish hues of the high desert floor.
San Diego Skyline
On the final approach into SAN Runway 27, the left side provides an incredible close-up view of Balboa Park and the downtown skyscrapers.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. Keep your camera ready within the first 15 minutes for the Cascades and the last 10 minutes for the famous San Diego urban approach. If flying in winter, the snow-covered Sierras are particularly stunning from this side.
Pacific Coastline
Glimpses of the rugged Oregon and California coasts where the continent meets the vast blue of the Pacific Ocean.
San Francisco Bay Area
Often visible in the distance, you can spot the Golden Gate Bridge and the dense urban grid of the Peninsula during clear weather.
Monterey Bay
The distinct 'C' shape of Monterey Bay and the deep blue waters of the Marine Sanctuary are frequently visible from cruising altitude.
Channel Islands
Look out for the rugged, uninhabited islands off the coast of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles as you begin your descent.
Pacific Sunset
On late afternoon flights, this side offers an unobstructed view of the sun dipping below the horizon over the ocean.
The right side is the 'sunset side' for evening flights, offering a spectacular golden hour over the ocean. While you miss the close-up mountain peaks, you get a broader sense of the West Coast's geography. Use a polarizing filter on your camera to cut through the haze over the Pacific.
Distance: 1,503 km (934 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs
Departure: PDX (45.58869934, -122.5979996)
Arrival: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)
Route Type: Domestic
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