San Francisco International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: California |
San Francisco International Airport is an international airport located in Northern California. It is located 13 miles south of San Francisco near the cities of San Bruno and Millbrae. It is a hub for United Airlines and is their gateway to Asia. It is the largest airport in Northern California and the second busiest airport in California, after Los Angeles International Airport. It features 4 runways, configured in pairs, perpendicularly.
| 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 |
| Plane Spotting Hotels guide | |
Official Spotting Locations
International Terminal G Observation Terrace
In February 2019, an outdoor observation terrace opened at the end of Concourse G of the International Terminal. It is airside and easily accessible to passengers flying out of that concourse as well as Terminal 3. Passengers with a same day boarding pass for a flight from another terminal should be able to access the terrace as well, though it will require clearing security a second time to reach the gate for the departing flight. Open daily from 7:00am to 11:30pm.
The terrace located at the end of the concourse, atop the boarding lounges for gates G99 and G101. It also provides a good view of aircraft as they enter and exit the ramp for Concourse G and odd-numbered gates 81-89 in Terminal 3. The entrance is next to Joe & The Juice. Be aware that you will be shooting through glass if you're taking photos.
Terminal 2 SkyTerrace
This observation deck atop Terminal 2 is landside and open to the public with no boarding pass required. The terrace offers close views of the 10/28 runways, which in normal weather are used for most arrivals as well as heavy departures. the 1/19 runways are also visible. The entrance is behind the Starbucks in Terminal 2. Access is up two floors via staircase or a dedicated elevator. A security screening is required to access the terrace, but TSA restrictions on liquids don't apply.
For Winter 2021/2022, the SkyTerrace is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 10am until 6pm.
For more information, see https://www.flysfo.com/skyterrace
Aviation Library
The San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum is within International Terminal A. It is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm except Saturday. Their collection is surprisingly extensive, though not all of it is on display. It's worth stopping in if you're there when it's open. Also, temporary rolling exhibitions exist security within the International Terminal as well as air-side Terminal 2 and 3. Public art from the San Francisco Arts Commission is on display throughout the terminals.
Other Spotting Locations
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is by far the most iconic spot SFO has to offer. The spot is located at the end of Millbrae Ave., along Bayshore Hwy. It affords great views of all four runways, but it is somewhat distant (about one mile) from 28L/10R and 28R/10L, so you'll need a long lens for photos (about 700mm to get close to regional jets, 450mm should be good for the heavies). 1R/19L and 1R/19R are closer, however, a chain link fence was recently built next to the runways that limits photography.
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 most reliable parking lot is the Marriott parking lot, first 15 minutes are free then paid by the hour.
Once you have parked your car, you may want to walk towards the airport to the north end of the park for good views of 1L/19R and 1R/19L. If your objective is to watch 28L/10R and 28R/10L, 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 (about 15 minutes walk). 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.
Sample photos:
Eva Air B777-300ER taxiing next to runway 1R
Lufthansa B747-8 touching down on Runway 28R
Long Term Parking
SFO's relatively new long term parking lot is near the north end of the 28/10 runways. 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, the afternoon will be very backlit. 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 a long telephoto camera lens, 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 spot is rare. If you feel guilty, park in the lot and pay the fee.
If you are traveling by BART, get off at the SFO BART station, and catch the SFO AirTrain. They run at a four minute frequency and the parking lot has its own dedicated AirTrain station to get off at.
Sample photos:
British Airways B777-300ER rotating out of runway 28L
Avianca A320neo roaring out of runway 28L
Within the airport
Various locations within the airport, but outside security, offer reasonable views:
Parking Garage G -- Great views of the south side of International Terminal G. Take AirTrain to Garage G/BART and take the elevator up to parking level 9.
Parking Garage A -- Great views of the west side of International Terminal A.
- Sample photo - Aeromexico B737 MAX 8 "Pride" livery resting at gate A5.
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 Atlantic, Air France, Emirates, 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).
Terminal 2 Air Train stop -- Good rotation shots of the 28s, although there will be no warning-bring a scanner. At each end of the stop there is an opening so you do not have to shoot through glass. The opening on the north side of the station gives good shots of rotation and the SFO water towers. The south side will give shots of the thresholds of the 28s (with a long lens), the beginning of the 1s, and Terminal 2 ramp shots.
Fisherman's Park
Fisherman's Park is a small area on the coast of the bay under the 28 approach path. The so-called "park" is really a gravel parking lot with small area by the water, used regularly by fishermen. This location is very similar to the popular Coyote Point Recreation Area location; the only differences being it is slightly closer to the threshold, but slightly farther south of the approach path. It is located on Airport Blvd. in Burlingame. A 400mm lens (full frame) will be more than sufficient for heavies, but a longer lens is needed for regionals. It is not the best area at mid-day times, due to the fact that you are shooting above you, but mornings and afternoons will yield great photos.
Locations to Avoid
Obviously, do not loiter on streets within the airport grounds -- you will be stopped and questioned. Occasionally police may interfere at San Bruno Ave and Garage G, but it has never been severe. Also some reports of being harassed in the Signature FBO area, even if you have real business there. Be discreet.
Spotting Locations Map
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. This is most often during rainy winter weather, but also occurs on the day just after rainy weather.
Occasionally during strong northerly winds, aircraft will fly the approach to 28L/R and circle to 1R. This happens approximately twice a year, so don't hold out hope.
Airlines
Harvey Milk Terminal 1
Terminal 2
| Airline | Aircraft | Destinations |
| Air Canada | Airbus A320, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Bombardier CRJ-900 | Vancouver International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Edmonton International Airport |
| Breeze Airways | Airbus A220-300 | Provo Airport, San Bernardino International Airport, Richmond International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Louisville International Airport |
Terminal 3
International Terminal A
International Terminal G
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 serves 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.
The Airport Express provides transportation to Sonoma County, including Petaluma, Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa.
The Marin Airporter provides transportation to multiple locations in Marin County including San Rafael, Mill Valley, and Sausalito.