Mfz From Germany, joined Aug 2004, 257 posts, RR: 3 Posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 2517 times:
Hi everybody!
I will be in San Francisco this weekend for some sightseeing. Thus, spotting will only be a minor issue (if one at all...), but I was still wondering if there's any kind of observation-terrace or viewing-area accessible from inside the terminal where I could just go for a little while prior to departure. We will leave on Lufthansa, so our departure will be from the International Terminal.
Any help is highly appreciated. Thank you!
Cheers, Michael
Extra Bavariam non est vita et si est non est ita! --- My flights: http://my.flightmemory.com/mfz
Skidmarks From UK - England, joined Dec 2004, 7121 posts, RR: 60 Reply 1, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 2498 times:
Michael,
I found a coffee shop/pizza place in Terminal 2 which gave a good view over part of the apron and of the hangars, albeit distant. Not sure if you could get any pics from there though. I think all I managed was an AA 737 at one of the stands, and that was through the glass.
Xpfg From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 629 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 2498 times:
The simple answer to this is "no" unfortunately. SFO has no observation decks from within the terminals, however, the international terminal itself is quite nice. Enjoy your stay by the bay!
Mfz From Germany, joined Aug 2004, 257 posts, RR: 3 Reply 3, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 2447 times:
Thanks for your help guys! I already feared something like that, but as I won't be spending too much time at the airport anyway it's no big deal.
I am much rather looking forward to fleeing -25 degrees C and mountains of snow here in Munich/Germany and trade that in for spring-like, sunny weather (hopefully...).
Anyway, thanks again! Cheers,
Michael
Extra Bavariam non est vita et si est non est ita! --- My flights: http://my.flightmemory.com/mfz
UA777222 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 3348 posts, RR: 13 Reply 4, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 2439 times:
Cameron is right. There is no real spotting area to view aircraft at SFO. You have to leave the airport to get to any good sites. The park is ok but I use the rental garage when I can. I'll be there Sunday probably (might go up in a friends 172 instead) so if you're around drop me a note and I'll show you around. If you have a car there are a few spots on SFO approach that you can grab a few good shots.
Mfz From Germany, joined Aug 2004, 257 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2405 times:
@ UA777222
Thanks for your offer. Depending on our planned schedule I'll email you the latest by Saturday evening. Otherwise we'll just be at the airport 2 hours prior to departure like an other traveller. Thing is: I'll be travelling with a friend who is nothing into planespotting, so spending half a day or so at the airport with only being in S.F. for three days is no option...
But thanks a lot anyway!
Cheers,
Michael
Extra Bavariam non est vita et si est non est ita! --- My flights: http://my.flightmemory.com/mfz
Xpfg From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 629 posts, RR: 7 Reply 7, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2402 times:
AKE0404AR From United States of America, joined May 2000, 2534 posts, RR: 50 Reply 9, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2376 times:
Michael,
there are a ton of spots inside the International Terminal where you can get some neat shots, depending on the time of day of course. Since you will be leaving around 2pm, there should be some heavis at the gates. SIA 777, ANA, lot's of UA planes etc.
Shooting thru the windows is an option. Not tinted at all.
Enjoy your stay. If I was around, we could have met up.
Xpfg From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 629 posts, RR: 7 Reply 10, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 2358 times:
Christian From Sweden, joined Oct 1999, 348 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (8 years 2 months 3 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 2331 times:
Xpfg: Thanks for that, looking forward to see the photos (if any).
But I think I didn't write quite good there, what I meant was that, if it was possible to take photos from the gate, through the window, on my plane, when I had arrived to SFO.
/Christian
If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough
Mfz From Germany, joined Aug 2004, 257 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 2220 times:
Hi all!
Being back from SFO I must admit that I didn't really take too many planepictures - but a lot of other photos in and around San Francisco. The best thing was that it was snowing at home in MUC while we had warm and sunny weather...
@Vasco G.
Thanks for your tips and so on... I actually got some nice shots through the windows before departure. However, they are all high ISO because they were taken in the dark. I didn't take the afternoon-LH to FRA but the 9.15 PM LH to MUC which was more convenient for me and gave us another complete day to enjoy the City by the Bay. I'll try to upload some of the nightshots when I get the time, maybe they pass the screening... Will you be back in MUC one day? I'd be honored to meet you there then!
Cheers,
Michael
Extra Bavariam non est vita et si est non est ita! --- My flights: http://my.flightmemory.com/mfz