Sacramento Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Sacramento Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

June 16, 2021 - last modified on December 5, 2023

Sacramento International Airport (SMF/KSMF) is the main airport in the heart of California and it`s capital city. The airport opened October 21, 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport (the airfield itself was Sacramento Metropolitan Field), with one 8600-foot runway. It serves the Greater Sacramento Area, and it is run by the Sacramento County Airport System. The initial runway was on the west side of the airfield, and is now named to the headings of 17R/35L.

Even it is the capital city of California, SMF is served by almost non international airline except by Canadian and Mexican. There is a good mix of US carriers flying to SMF. The biggest player is Southwest airlines, followed by the legacy carriers American, Delta and United. There is also a decent amount of freight traffic from FedEx and Prime Air with the Boeing 767s to Airbus A300, ATR 42, Cessna 208, DC-10/MD-10, and the MD-11. SMF can be busy and interesting due to its operation, military traffic and airline diversions. However, the stunning Northern California scenery and variety of different aircraft is rather the reason to come here.

Written by Nabil Ajam. Last Update: March 2022

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
17R/35L	2,621m – 8,600ft
17L/35R	2,623m – 8,605ft
Terminals
Terminal A	United, Delta, Air Canada, and American. It is able to accommodate expansion to 22 gates.
Terminal B	Aeromexico, Alaska, Boutique, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and Volaris are located in the nineteen gates in Terminal B. The Terminal B complex is three times the size of the original Terminal B with the two parts of the complex – airside and landside – connected by the SMF Automated People Mover.
Spotting Information
Ladder	No ladder required.
Car/Public Transport	Car is definitely needed at and for all locations.
Drinks/Food	Only Inside terminals and the ARCO Gas Station at the entrance but nothing around the airports boundaries.
Hotels	Lots of hotels in different price categories near Natomas and Sacramento Downtown but nothing close to the airport.
Season	In summer you have better weather and longer days. However, there are few spots where there is more heat distorion.
Security	Spotting is not a problem here, however security/Airport Ops may patrol around the airport, roads and garage. Do NOT spot near the fence of the airport perimeter. They may ask for the reason you take pictures. So, always have any form of ID with you and just be friendly all the time saying this is your hobby. Otherwise, most of them understand your intention and move on.
Runway Usage
17L/35R	17L/35R is used in both directions depending on the wind. Tend to handle most flights located at Terminal A.
17R/35L	17R/35L is used in both directions depending on the wind. Tend to handle most flights located at Terminal B as well as the cargo movements.

	Spot #1 – Airport Blvd – 35L/R Arrivals and 17L/R departures
WHERE	Take the airport exit from I-5 and go towards South, near Bayou Way and once the Airport Blvd ends in a field and makes kind of a u-turn you reached the spot. There are a few spots where you can park your vehicle and then go down to the field with a perfect sight of the 35 arrivals.

WHAT	You can catch 35L/R arrivals but they are very far. 17L/R departures are possible too but sometimes already too high. There can is an effect of heat haze on image quality during summer due to high distances.

TIME	Spotting is possible all day long except around noon when the sun is over the runway axis. 35L is possible in the morning hours whilst 35R from afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	Usually the road is calm and there are always some cars parking there. Do not block other vehicles on the road.

FOCAL LENGTH	300-400mm B738 = 330mm

	Spot #2 – Cell Phone Waiting Lot – 17R Departures + 35L Arrivals
WHERE	Take the airport exit from I-5 and take the first exit pass the gas station from Airport Blvd on Crossfield Drive and follow the signs to the Cell Phone Lot. Then search your favourite position in there simply.

WHAT	This location is great for 17R/35L arrivals and departures.

TIME	From sunrise to early noon.

MISC.	Free waiting area, but nothing around otherwise. Due to security reasons, do not stay near the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	55-250mm B738 = 170mm

	Spot #3 – Terminal A Parking Garage – 17L/35R Movements
WHERE	The best postion at SMF is located on top of the main parking garage. Follow the signs to the top level and just position yourself along the front.

WHAT	This location is great for 17L/35R arrivals and departures.You can also see the ramp in front partly.

TIME	From early afternoon to sunset.

MISC.	Check the airport website for the parking rates. Security may patrol the garage occasionally and ask what you do here. Always stay friendly and have your ID with you.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-400mm B738 on runway = 240mm / E175 on ramp = 185mm

	Spot #4 – Amazon Warehouse – 17L/35R movements
WHERE	Take the airport exit from I-5 and turn toward Bayou Way and make a left on Power Line Rd. Drive until the Amazon warehouse, park on the shelter of Power Line Rd (limited) and take the pictures from there.

WHAT	This location is great for 35R arrivals and departures, latter through the fence.17L departures are possible too.

TIME	From sunrise to early noon.

MISC.	There are “No Parking” signs throughout the road. Do not go close to the fence. We generally try to make these quick stops as Airport Ops regularly patrol this road. This may cause alarm so I would time your arrival to this location appropriately.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm CRJ9 = 190mm

	Spot #5 – Elverta Rd – 17R Arrivals + 35L Departures
WHERE	Take the airport exit from I-5 and take the first exit pass the gas station from Airport Blvd on Crossfield Dr and drive towards N Bayou Rd. Then make a right on Garden Hwy and drive straight towards Elverta Rd. There is a small lay by directly at the junction where you can take the pictures from.

WHAT	This spot is perfect to capture 17R arrivals. 35L departures are possible but sometimes too high.

TIME	From early afternoon to sunset.

MISC.	Keep a low profile as Airport Police have told other spotters to leave this area, even though it is off of their property.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm B737 = 160mm

	Spot #6 – Elkhorn Blvd – 35L arrivals and departures
WHERE	Take the main Sacramento International Airport offramp and follow the signs to Garden Highway. Take North Bayou Way to Garden Highway. Make a right turn and go to West Elkhorn Blvd. Turn right on West Elkhorn Blvd and drive to the end. Park and stay on the road and don’t enter nearby fields which are private propterty! Don’t leave any rubbish at this place! Respect it, otherwise the owner will call the police.

WHAT	Best option whe 35L is active as you can get both, landings and takeoffs. Some 17R landings use the full runway length but most will exit earlier.

TIME	From early afternoon to sunset.

MISC.	No food or drink or restrooms anywhere nearby. Airport Security and Sacramento County Sheriff may interact with you but if you share with them your reasoning (Plane Spotting) and have an ID, you should be good.

FOCAL LENGTH	B737 = 70mm