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SFO → SNA
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport (Santa Ana)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers iconic views of the California coastline, Monterey Bay, and the Pacific Ocean, ending with a stunning approach over the Orange County beaches.
Search flights from SFO to SNA
SF Peninsula
Aerial perspectives of the San Mateo coast and the tech hubs of the Silicon Valley coastline.
Monterey Bay
The massive blue crescent of the bay, often with views of Santa Cruz and Monterey.
Big Sur Coast
Depending on the flight path, the rugged cliffs where the Santa Lucia Range meets the sea.
Port of Long Beach
The massive infrastructure of one of the world's busiest ports and the historic Queen Mary.
Huntington Beach
Clear views of the iconic pier and surfers during the low-altitude descent into Orange County.
The right side is the premier choice for sunset flights, as the sun dips below the Pacific horizon. It offers the most consistent scenic views of the ocean and the famous California shoreline. On the descent into SNA, you will get a perfect view of the Pacific Coast Highway and the luxury coastal enclaves of Newport and Huntington Beach. Sit behind the wing for the best unobstructed photos of the coastline.
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Apple Park
The massive ring-shaped 'Spaceship' headquarters in Cupertino is often clearly visible after takeoff.
Central Valley
Intricate geometric patterns of California's agricultural heartland stretching toward the horizon.
Tehachapi Pass
The rugged mountain range that separates the Central Valley from the Mojave Desert and SoCal.
LA Basin
A vast expanse of urban sprawl framed by the San Gabriel Mountains to the east.
Disneyland Resort
Look for the Matterhorn and Guardians of the Galaxy tower during the final approach into SNA.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid the harsh glare of the Pacific sun. This side is superior for viewing the high-density urban geography of the Inland Empire and the San Gabriel Mountains, especially beautiful when snow-capped in winter. Keep an eye out for the distinct circular shape of Apple Park shortly after leaving the Bay Area.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 598 km (372 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: SNA (33.67570114, -117.8679962)
Route Type: Domestic
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