Help with SFO plane spotting

[njf520]

hello, folks.

i have been searching the web for plane spotting info for San Francisco International.  there is some info
but it seems that most of it is out of date.

i am new to san francisco and want to do some plan spotting at SFO.  not going to take photos, just want to watch.  can anyone help by telling me where to go?  is bayshore hwy an option?

thanks!

njf

[Fryy/Avocadoflight]

theres a really good spot where you can see planes on the 28's and 1's. If I remember correctly I think its off of the Bayshore fwy/airport blvd by bayside park. look it up on google maps I think you should be able to find it.

[keith]

This is going to sound strange, but the monorail (taking you between terminals and to/from the car rental and long term parking) has some pretty fantastic views. The disadvantage is that it's a moving platform over which you have no control. As long as you're ok with that, I recall getting some nice views of departing traffic from the 28's and 1's.

You would just hop off upon reaching the last terminal, then hop on a train going the other way...repeat until bored.

Another spot is the long term parking lot for heavy 28 deps. They come pretty much straight overhead.

There used to be a phenomenal spot at the 1R numbers that would blow your ears off when an MD-80 would leave but they discontinued access a while ago. It's a shame. When my gf (now, wife) and I were dating long distance, I would drop her off at the airport, hurry into that 1R viewing spot, fire up the scanner, and wait for her flight to leave.