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SNA → SJC
Which side of the plane to sit from John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport (Santa Ana) to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (San Jose)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the iconic California coastline, featuring the rugged Big Sur cliffs and the sweeping curve of Monterey Bay.
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Orange County Coastline
Immediately after the steep noise-abatement takeoff from SNA, view the beaches of Newport and Huntington.
Santa Monica Bay
Aerial perspectives of LAX, the South Bay, and the Santa Monica Pier as you head northwest.
Channel Islands
On clear days, see Catalina, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa islands dotting the Pacific horizon.
Big Sur & Santa Lucia Range
The dramatic meeting of the mountains and the ocean along the central coast's most famous stretch.
Monterey Bay
The deep blue waters of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary and the city of Santa Cruz during the descent.
Book an afternoon flight to have the sun behind the plane, illuminating the coast without glare. In spring, look for the greening of the coastal hills. Avoid early morning if coastal fog (marine layer) is predicted, as it can hide the shoreline completely.
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Anaheim & Disneyland
Catch a glimpse of the Matterhorn and the theme park complex shortly after departure.
Downtown Los Angeles
The skyline of DTLA and the dense urban sprawl of the San Fernando Valley.
The Grapevine
The winding Interstate 5 as it climbs through the Tejon Pass into the Central Valley.
San Joaquin Valley
The vast, geometric patchwork of California's agricultural heartland.
Lick Observatory
Perched atop Mount Hamilton in the Diablo Range, visible during the final approach into San Jose.
The right side is ideal for night flights to see the expansive light carpet of the LA Basin and the Bay Area. During the day, keep an eye out for the San Andreas Fault line which is often visible as a distinct scar through the Temblor Range.
Book Hotels in San JoseDistance: 550 km (342 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 55 min
Departure: SNA (33.67570114, -117.8679962)
Arrival: SJC (37.362598, -121.929001)
Route Type: Domestic
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