San Francisco International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: California |
| San Francisco International Airport |
|
| Location | San Francisco, California |
| IATA code | SFO |
| ICAO code | KSFO |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.flysfo.com |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 120.5 269.1 |
| Ground | 121.8 |
| Clearance | 118.2 |
| Approach | 134.5 135.65 133.95 |
| Departure | 120.9 (NW-E) 135.1 (SE-W) |
| ATIS | |
| Departure | 122.95 |
Official Spotting Locations
Location
Other Spotting Locations
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is located at the end of Millbrae Ave. along Bayshore Hwy. It affords good views of all four runways, but it is somewhat distant (about one mile) from 10R/28L and 10L/28R, so you'll need a long lens for photos. 1R/19L and 1R/19R are closer, however a chain link fence was recently built next to the runways that limits photography.
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (1R departure, before the fence was built)
- Airliners.net sample photo: medium large (28L arrival)
To reach the park, take the Millbrae Ave. exit off US-101, and head north-east, towards the bay. At the end of Millbrae Ave., make a right turn. You will see the park on your left; the first left turn you can make takes you into the park's small, free parking lot. The large, divided section of the lot is a pay lot for the Marriott Hotel. Once you have parked your car, you may want to walk towards the airport to the end of the park for good views of 1L/19R and 1R/19L. If your objective is to watch 10R/28L and 10L/28R, you can go pretty much wherever you like in the park.
If you are traveling by BART or Caltrain, get off at Millbrae Station and walk east approximately one mile on Millbrae Ave. Use the south side of the street, as the north side has no sidewalk across the US-101 over-crossing; be cautious of traffic, this is not a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.
New Long Term Parking
The new long term parking lot (operated by SFO) is near the north end of 10/28. It offers good side views of heavy departures off the 28's. As you will be facing southwest, the lighting is best in the morning. This location is a long distance from the rotation point, but heavy aircraft will be very close when they're putting their gear up. With good binoculars or telephoto, it also offers a good overview of the north side of the airfield, including the United maintenance hangars and the cargo ramp.
Although the roof is covered in security cameras, the turret-style stairway is notably lacking. Being chased away by security in this blind spot is rare. If you feel guilty, park in the lot and pay the fee -- it is only a few dollars for an afternoon.
If you are traveling by air or BART, go to the arrivals level at SFO and board a free SFO long term parking bus. They run at a five minute frequency and they will drop you off right where you need to be. Use the same bus to return.
San Bruno Ave Overpass
Between McDonnell Road and San Bruno Ave, immediately east of US-101, there is a small grassy area that is well-positioned at the end of 10L/28R. This is the longest runway at SFO, so in good weather, it is the first choice for departing large aircraft. When 28R is in use, aircraft will pass very low above this spot; when 10L is in use (generally only in marginal weather), this spot has a good view of aircraft as they wait for the runway. Runway 28L/10R is also visible, but is significantly obstructed by the rental car facility and the end of AirTrain.
Unfortunately this location is spoiled for the good photography because of numerous fences and light poles.
- JAL 747 departing 28L shortly after rotation, from San Bruno Ave
- Closeup of JAL 747 departing 28L from San Bruno Ave
- Various aircraft waiting for 10, from San Bruno Ave
If you are traveling by car, take US-101 to the San Bruno Ave exit, go west of the freeway, and park on the street in the residential neighborhood, then walk over the freeway. If you are arriving by air or BART, take the free SFO long term parking bus from the arrivals level at SFO, get off at long term parking (see above), and walk south on Airport Blvd to San Bruno Ave, then west to the freeway overpass.
Within the airport
Various locations within the airport, but outside security, offer reasonable views:
- Parking lot, top level, terminal 3 -- 28 departures, and some ramp / taxiway A views.
- AirTrain station at the rental car facility (blue line) -- Very good views of runway 10 arrivals on bad weather days; however the windows are often very dirty.
- AirTrain approaching terminal 1 -- View of aircraft at the International A gates (Qantas, Virgin America, Air France, etc).
- AirTrain, Blue Line, between International G and West Field Road -- Views toward International G / United gates, and some parts of the cargo ramp (DHL, FedEx).
Locations to Avoid
Obviously, do not loiter on streets within the airport grounds. You will be stopped and questioned.
Spotting Locations Map
<googlemap lat="37.617427" lon="-122.37937" zoom="13"> 37.605265,-122.376661, Bayfront Park 37.635894,-122.400111, New Long Term Parking 37.631529,-122.401141, San Bruno Ave Overpass </googlemap>
Regular Traffic
Normal traffic flow has most departures using runways 1L/1R and arrivals using 28L/28R. European and trans-Pacific depart 28L/28R.
During times of winds out of the south or southeast, arrivals use 19R while departures use 10L/10R. When the crosswind component for 10L/R exceeds 20kts, departures use 19L/R.
Occasionally during strong northerly winds, aircraft will fly the approach to 28L/R and circle to 1R.
Facilities and Transportation
Public Transportation
The BART rapid transit rail system maintains a station at the terminals, and provides service to San Francisco and cities in the East Bay. It also provides connections to Caltrain commuter rail service to San Jose and Gilroy via the Millbrae Station.
Three samTrans bus routes serve the airport terminals. Route 292 servesw a route from San Mateo to downtown San Francisco. Route 397 and Express Route KX serve a route from Palo Alto to downtown San Francisco.