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SFO โ TUS
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Tucson International Airport (Tucson)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior perspective of the Sierra Nevada range during the first half of the flight and provides a stunning view of the Santa Catalina Mountains during the final descent into Tucson.
East Bay and Oakland
Immediate views of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the industrial waterfront of the East Bay.
Sierra Nevada Range
Distant but impressive views of the snow-capped High Sierra peaks to the east while cruising over Central California.
Mojave National Preserve
A vast expanse of desert floor, featuring cinder cones, lava flows, and the Kelso Dunes.
Lake Havasu
The bright blue waters of the Colorado River and Lake Havasu contrasting sharply against the red desert rock.
Santa Catalina Mountains
Dramatic granite cliffs and deep canyons as you descend directly past Mount Lemmon into the Tucson basin.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid direct glare from the southern sun. During the descent, keep your camera ready about 20 minutes before landing to capture the rugged ridges of the Coronado National Forest. In winter, look for snow on the peaks of the Sierras and the Catalinas.
Silicon Valley
A bird's-eye view of the South Bay, including tech campuses and the salt ponds of Redwood City.
Central Valley Agriculture
The intricate green and brown geometric patchwork of one of the world's most productive farming regions.
Tehachapi Pass
Thousands of wind turbines spinning across the mountain ridges where the Sierras meet the Tehachapis.
Joshua Tree Vicinity
Views of the high desert transition zones and the rugged wilderness areas north of Palm Springs.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
Sharp, jagged volcanic peaks and deep desert valleys characterizing the remote Arizona wilderness.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to witness the sunset over the desert horizon. Watch for the distinctive 'V' shape of the Tehachapi Loop if the flight path tracks slightly west. Polarized sunglasses are highly recommended to cut through the desert haze and see the geological layering in the mountains.
Distance: 1,208 km (751 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 37 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: TUS (32.116100311279304, -110.94100189208984)
Route Type: Domestic
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