Los Angeles International to San Francisco International LAX → SFO
293 nautical miles (338 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 320°, about 308° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 2 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 5-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:51 pm PDT (01:51 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now LAX is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots, gusting to 15; SFO is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 15 knots, gusting to 23. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 25,783 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Near the route, 20 nm along the route.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from LAX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- C172 at 1,400 ft, 12 nm southeast, 3:53 pm PDT (22:53 UTC): remarks: base 3,400 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOA UA /OV 4 E KTOA/TM 2253/FL014/TP C172/RM BASE 034
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOA
- Where
- 4 east KTOA
- Time
- 22:53 UTC
- Height
- at 1,400 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Remarks
- base 3,400 ft
- B757 at 4,000 ft, 9 nm east, 3:38 pm PDT (22:38 UTC): remarks: reduced visibility below the ceiling ILS25L. At the departure end, 9 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX070010/TM 2238/FL040/TP B757/SK TOPS050 BASES040/RM REDUCED VISIBILITY BELOW THE CEILING. ILS25L
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- 10 nm east (070°) of LAX
- Time
- 22:38 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B757
- Sky
- TOPS050 BASES040
- Remarks
- reduced visibility below the ceiling ILS25L
- B737 at 4,000 ft, 0 nm east, 3:37 pm PDT (22:37 UTC): a broken layer from 4,000 ft to 5,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KLAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 2237/FL040/TP B737/SK BKN040-TOP050
- Report
- a routine report filed through KLAX
- Where
- over KLAX
- Time
- 22:37 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,000 ft, tops 5,000 ft
- B737 at 5,000 ft, 17 nm southeast, 3:30 pm PDT (22:30 UTC): a broken layer from 3,300 ft to 5,000 ft. At the departure end, 17 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGB UA /OV KLGB180005/TM 2230/FL050/TP B737/SK BKN033-TOPS050
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGB
- Where
- 5 nm south (180°) of KLGB
- Time
- 22:30 UTC
- Height
- at 5,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,300 ft, tops 5,000 ft
- A320 at 3,500 ft, 1 nm southwest, 3:13 pm PDT (22:13 UTC): a broken layer above 3,500 ft, remarks: during the descent RY25L. At the departure end, 1 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX/TM 2213/FL035/TP A320/SK BKN-BASE035/RM DURD RY25L
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over LAX
- Time
- 22:13 UTC
- Height
- at 3,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- BKN-BASE035
- Remarks
- during the descent RY25L
- E75L , 0 nm east, 2:20 pm PDT (21:20 UTC): a broken layer from 3,700 ft to 4,700 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KLAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 2120/FL2125/TP E75L/SK BKN037-TOP047
- Report
- a routine report filed through KLAX
- Where
- over KLAX
- Time
- 21:20 UTC
- Height
- at 212,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,700 ft, tops 4,700 ft
- B738 at 3,800 ft, 0 nm east, 1:40 pm PDT (20:40 UTC): a broken layer above 3,800 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
KLAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 2040/FL038/TP B738/SK BKN038
- Report
- a routine report filed through KLAX
- Where
- over KLAX
- Time
- 20:40 UTC
- Height
- at 3,800 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,800 ft
- C172 at 1,900 ft, 12 nm southeast, 1:39 pm PDT (20:39 UTC): scattered clouds above 2,100 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TOA UA /OV 4 E TOA/TM 2039/FL019/TP C172/SK SCT021 /WX 7SM
- Report
- a routine report filed through TOA
- Where
- 4 east toa
- Time
- 20:39 UTC
- Height
- at 1,900 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 2,100 ft
- Weather
- 7SM
- M20P at 2,500 ft, 23 nm east, 1:38 pm PDT (20:38 UTC): a broken layer above 5,000 ft. At the departure end, 23 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
EMT UA /OV EMT110004/TM 2038/FL025/TP M20P/SK BKN050
- Report
- a routine report filed through EMT
- Where
- 4 nm east (110°) of EMT
- Time
- 20:38 UTC
- Height
- at 2,500 ft
- Aircraft
- M20P
- Sky
- a broken layer from 5,000 ft
- B737 at 3,200 ft, 7 nm east, 1:35 pm PDT (20:35 UTC): overcast above 3,200 ft, remarks: 9 mile visibility ils 25L. At the departure end, 7 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV LAX070008/TM 2035/FL032/TP B737/SK BASES OVC032/RM 9 MILE VIS / ILS 25L
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- 8 nm east (070°) of LAX
- Time
- 20:35 UTC
- Height
- at 3,200 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- bases OVC032
- Remarks
- 9 mile visibility ils 25L
- E55P at 3,000 ft, 10 nm east, 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 5,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY21. At the departure end, 10 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
SMO UA /OV SMO030008/TM 2200/FL030/TP E55P/SK BKN030-TOP050/RM DURD RY21
- Report
- a routine report filed through SMO
- Where
- 8 nm northeast (030°) of SMO
- Time
- 22:00 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 5,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent RY21
- C25M at 3,000 ft, 10 nm east, 1:50 pm PDT (20:50 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft, remarks: during the descent RY21. At the departure end, 10 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
SMO UA /OV SMO030008/TM 2050/FL030/TP C25M/SK BKN030-TOPUNKN/RM DURD RY21
- Report
- a routine report filed through SMO
- Where
- 8 nm northeast (030°) of SMO
- Time
- 20:50 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C25M
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops unknown
- Remarks
- during the descent RY21
- B739 at 33,000 ft, 40 nm northeast, 4:01 pm PDT (23:01 UTC): remarks: mountain wave 10 knots zlawc. 20 nm along the route, 40 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
SDB UA /OV PMD/TM 2301/FL330/TP B739/RM MTN WAVE /- 10 KT /ZLAWC AWC-WEB
- Report
- a routine report filed through SDB
- Where
- over PMD
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Remarks
- mountain wave 10 knots zlawc
- GLF4 at 3,500 ft, 9 nm east, 1:52 pm PDT (20:52 UTC): remarks: reported by A GLF4 on 6 mile final on ils to 16R. 20 nm along the route, 9 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
VNY UA /OV VNY/TM 2052/FL035/TP GLF4/RM REPORTED BY A GLF4 ON 6 MILE FINAL ON ILS TO 16R
- Report
- a routine report filed through VNY
- Where
- over VNY
- Time
- 20:52 UTC
- Height
- at 3,500 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Remarks
- reported by A GLF4 on 6 mile final on ils to 16R
3 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 4 forecast points nearest it (WJF, SBA, FAT, SFO). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 200° at 10 kt | −4 kt | 8 °C | 124 kt | 2 h 22 min | 6:52 pm PDT (01:52 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 200° at 11 kt | −5 kt | 6 °C | 125 kt | 2 h 21 min | 6:51 pm PDT (01:51 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | −1 kt | 4 °C | 121 kt | 2 h 25 min | 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 20 kt | 0 | 0 °C | 120 kt | 2 h 26 min | 6:56 pm PDT (01:56 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | +1 kt | -3 °C | 119 kt | 2 h 28 min | 6:58 pm PDT (01:58 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | +3 kt | -8 °C | 117 kt | 2 h 30 min | 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 23 kt | +5 kt | -11 °C | 115 kt | 2 h 33 min | 7:03 pm PDT (02:03 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 23 kt | +7 kt | -14 °C | 113 kt | 2 h 36 min | 7:06 pm PDT (02:06 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 250° at 28 kt | +8 kt | -22 °C | 112 kt | 2 h 37 min | 7:07 pm PDT (02:07 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 35 kt | +2 kt | -28 °C | 118 kt | 2 h 29 min | 6:59 pm PDT (01:59 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 36 kt | −1 kt | -34 °C | 121 kt | 2 h 25 min | 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 41 kt | +1 kt | -44 °C | 119 kt | 2 h 28 min | 6:58 pm PDT (01:58 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WJF | used from 0 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 220/30 8° | 240/28 5° | 230/34 -2° | 220/34 -13° | 220/48 -20° | 220/47 -29° | 210/48 -34° | 220/52 -44° | |
| SBA | used from 49 nm out; 36 nm from the line | L/V | 170/13 7° | 220/23 4° | 220/30 -2° | 230/26 -14° | 230/34 -20° | 220/38 -28° | 220/37 -35° | 220/43 -44° |
| FAT | used from 147 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 180/7 | 170/9 7° | 200/20 3° | 210/27 -3° | 240/27 -14° | 230/38 -24° | 220/57 -27° | 230/42 -33° | 230/41 -44° |
| SFO | used from 196 nm out; 73 nm from the line | 220/11 | L/V 5° | 280/7 1° | 270/15 -3° | 290/23 -14° | 310/29 -24° | 280/26 -28° | 250/30 -34° | 250/36 -43° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAX Los Angeles, CA | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,200 feet, a broken layer at 4,400 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | 4,400 ft | 127 ft | 3:53 pm PDT (22:53 UTC) |
| VNY Van Nuys, CA | 20 nm out, 9 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 11,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 802 ft | 22:51 UTC |
| PRB Paso Robles, CA | 147 nm out, 16 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,900 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 15 knots, gusting to 24 | 10+ mi | 3,900 ft | 838 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| KIC King City, CA | 196 nm out, 12 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 374 ft | ||||
| SNS Salinas, CA | 225 nm out, 11 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-northwest (290°) at 16 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 84 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| PAO Palo Alto, CA | 274 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 6 ft | 22:47 UTC |
| SFO San Francisco, CA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 15 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 13 ft | 3:56 pm PDT (22:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 838 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SFO when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:51 pm PDT (01:51 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 16 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for SFO
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 16 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 pm PDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for LAX, the departure
- From Sun 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 am PDT (07:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): light rain showers
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 23 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
- 6/7231 Santa Clara, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 5 nm from the route, 274 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZOA
- 6/7455 SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 11 October · ZOA
- 6/6741 SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Thursday, October 8, 2026 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 Local 7 nm from the route, at the destination end · air shows/sports · until 11 October · ZOA
Daylight
Sunset at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC), at SFO 6:36 pm PDT (01:36 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm PDT (02:02 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SFO is after sunset there (6:38 pm PDT (01:38 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Los Angeles International, San Francisco International.