California from the Clouds

Without the aid of radar, satellite GPS, or those nifty seatback maps, it can be difficult to calculate where in the sky you actually are while flying over the country towards SFO. Fortunately, a few big landmarks give away your location in California. Looking out the window, I spied what from a distance had to be Lake Tahoe.

Our flight plan was basically following I-80 into California flying directly over Immigrant pass…that treacherous entry into California for early travelers. Thankfully in the modern age, you can breeze right over it in minutes. The next big surprise in our route was given away by another landmark…the Sacramento river delta and northern San Francisco Bay. Most flights flying west towards SFO approaching from the south. On this trip, we were approaching from the north. With my landmark in place, I was able to easily recognize the Napa Valley…then the Sonoma Valley…then the coastal range in Marin County…and then finally the city and Golden Gate bridge battling the fog from the Ocean.

With a turn over the southern part of SF, we circled around to land smoothly in SFO. With my camera glued to the window during our flight over California, I was able to capture many of the sights described above for your viewing pleasure…enjoy!