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YVR → SFO
Which side of the plane to sit from Vancouver International Airport (Vancouver) to San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides an unparalleled view of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, featuring a parade of snow-capped peaks including Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, and Mount Shasta.
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Mount Baker
Visible shortly after departure, this massive ice-clad volcano sits just south of the Canadian border.
Washington Volcanoes
A stunning sequence featuring Mount Rainier, the shattered cone of Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams.
Mount Hood
Oregon's highest peak stands out as a sharp, triangular spire near the Columbia River Gorge.
Crater Lake
On clear days, the deep blue caldera of the deepest lake in the USA is visible in Southern Oregon.
Mount Shasta
A massive, double-peaked stratovolcano that dominates the landscape of Northern California for nearly 100 miles.
Book a seat on the left for morning flights to see the mountains illuminated by the rising sun. The sequence of volcanoes happens quickly in the first hour; look out for Mount Rainier about 20-30 minutes after takeoff. In winter, the snow coverage on the Cascades makes the terrain even more dramatic.
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Olympic Peninsula
Views of the rugged wilderness and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains across the Salish Sea.
Columbia River Mouth
The massive discharge of the Columbia River into the Pacific Ocean at Astoria is a distinct geographic landmark.
Oregon Coastline
Stunning views of the rugged, cliff-lined Pacific edge, featuring sea stacks and remote beaches.
Redwood National Park
The dense, ancient forests of the Northern California coast appear as a deep green carpet meeting the sea.
Golden Gate Approach
On the 'Bridge Visual' approach to SFO, you may see the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline.
The right side is ideal for afternoon or evening flights to catch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. During the final approach into SFO, keep an eye out for the Farallon Islands. Note that the California coast is often obscured by a marine layer (fog) during summer months, which can block the shoreline views.
Book Hotels in San FranciscoDistance: 1,289 km (801 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 43 min
Departure: YVR (49.193901061999995, -123.183998108)
Arrival: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Route Type: International
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