Planespotting Oakland — KOAK
Oakland International sits on reclaimed land on the east shore of San Francisco Bay and is really two airports in one. The South Field has a single long runway, 12/30, built out into the bay and used by all airline and cargo traffic; the North Field, across the road, handles business aviation and general aviation on runways 28L/28R and 15/33. Westerly winds off the Pacific mean runway 30 is in use almost all of the time, so arrivals come in from the southeast over the San Leandro and Hayward shoreline and departures climb out towards the Bay Bridge. Because the runway is surrounded by water on three sides, the best spots are along the San Francisco Bay Trail — ideal by bike. Southwest dominates the passenger side, FedEx runs a major West Coast hub with 777Fs, and every October the North Field becomes the base for Fleet Week performers, including the Blue Angels.
- KOW372 SR22 13 600 ft
- UAL2 B789 5 850 ft
- SWA3194 B38M 3 400 ft RWY 29
- N734BN C172 2 825 ft
- N915CM C172 2 200 ft
- N525KY C25A 1 575 ft RWY 27L
- SWA3738 B38M 1 125 ft RWY 27L
- N66VG S22T 875 ft
Conditions right now
Runways
- 11/29 3,211 × 46 m · 10,535 × 151 ft asphalt
- 12/30 3,211 × 46 m · 10,535 × 151 ft asphalt
- 09R/27L 1,893 × 45 m · 6,211 × 148 ft closed
- 10R/28L 1,891 × 46 m · 6,204 × 151 ft asphalt
- 09L/27R 1,662 × 45 m · 5,453 × 148 ft closed
- 10L/28R 1,660 × 46 m · 5,446 × 151 ft asphalt
- 15/33 1,029 × 22 m · 3,376 × 72 ft asphalt
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 07:00
Typical traffic mix
- Narrowbody58%
- Cargo14%
- Bizjet12%
- GA8%
- Turboprop6%
- Widebody2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
San Leandro Marina (Mulford Point and Bay Trail)
The best-known Oakland spot, under the final approach to runway 30. At the end of Mulford Point Drive a small park gives a side-on view; walking south on the Bay Trail past the marina to a bench on a low hill puts arriving aircraft closer and more overhead.
- Getting there
- From I-880 take Marina Boulevard west. Turn right on Mulford Point Drive for the end-of-peninsula lot, or continue onto Monarch Bay Drive to the roundabout lot (restrooms) and walk about half a mile south on the Bay Trail. Restaurants at the marina.
- Best time
- Runway 30 arrivals. From March to late October, sunrise to mid-morning; later it is backlit.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Hayward Regional Shoreline
Further down the same approach, a network of levee paths through the marshes. From a hill near the parking lot you need a long lens; a 15–20 minute walk north brings you to a bench by a bridge right under the approach, with quiet surroundings and an open bay backdrop.
- Getting there
- From I-880 take Winton Avenue west past Hayward Executive Airport and the rail crossing to the gravel lot at the end. Outhouses at the paved lot past it; no food. A bike makes the gravel paths much faster.
- Best time
- Runway 30 arrivals. From mid-morning to sunset in spring and summer; all day in winter.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm at the bridge; 250–500 mm from the hill.
Harbor Bay Parkway, Bay Farm Island
The departure spot. Runway 30 departures climb out over Harbor Bay Parkway with the Bay Bridge and San Francisco skyline to the north; heavy freighters pass lowest. The grassy strips along the parkway give either belly shots or, a block east, more side-on angles.
- Getting there
- From I-880 exit 98th Avenue, follow signs to Ron Cowan Parkway and continue onto Harbor Bay Parkway. Use the public grass strips and sidewalk rather than private business lots — security patrols even at weekends. The Harbor Bay ferry from downtown San Francisco docks nearby.
- Best time
- Runway 30 departures, March to late October from sunrise to mid-morning.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm.
Bay Trail by the FedEx cargo ramp
The Bay Trail along Ron Cowan Parkway passes the FedEx ramp, where the hub's 767s, 757s and smaller feeders sit on stands. Lots of ground equipment in the way, but several angles along the path.
- Getting there
- Bike or walk only: from Harbor Bay Parkway follow the Bay Trail south along Ron Cowan Parkway. It is a busy bike path, so keep your kit off the trail. No toilets or food.
- Best time
- Morning is best, but aircraft park at various angles so something works most of the day.
- Lens
- 20–200 mm.
Bay Trail by Metropolitan Golf Links
A quiet stretch of trail under the approach to North Field runways 28L and 28R — bizjets, turboprops and, in October, Fleet Week performers arriving. Because you can stand on either side of the approach, the light works all day.
- Getting there
- Foot or bike only on the Bay Trail; start from Bay Farm Island or from Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline (end of Neptune Drive, San Leandro). No facilities or benches.
- Best time
- North Field arrivals at any time of day; Fleet Week is the highlight.
- Lens
- 70–300 mm, wide-angle when close.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
Southwest provides the bulk of airline flights with 737-700s, -800s and MAX 8s to California, the Mountain West, Hawaii and Mexico. Alaska, Delta, Allegiant, Volaris and Hawaiian add variety, though widebody passenger service is rare. FedEx is the other headline: its West Coast hub sees 777Fs, 767s and 757s, plus FedEx Feeder turboprops linking smaller Northern California towns. The North Field is busy with bizjets, Kaiser Air, flight schools and charters. In October Fleet Week brings the Blue Angels and military support aircraft to the North Field.
FAQ
What's that plane over Oakland?
Spotterra's live map shows every ADS-B aircraft over the East Bay in real time — including the traffic into SFO and San Jose — with type, registration and route a tap away.
Which runway does Oakland use?
Runway 30 almost all the time, because of the prevailing westerly wind. Arrivals come in from the southeast over San Leandro and Hayward; runway 12 is used only during occasional southerly storms.
Can I see the Blue Angels at Oakland?
During San Francisco Fleet Week in October the performers usually operate from Oakland's North Field. Harbor Bay Parkway near the golf course and the Bay Trail get crowded with people watching departures — bring ear protection.
Is a bike useful here?
Very. The San Francisco Bay Trail links most Oakland spots, from Bay Farm Island down to San Leandro Marina and Hayward Shoreline, and some positions can only be reached on foot or by bike.
Spotterra watches the sky over Oakland
A live ADS-B map of your area and smart alerts on military transports, warbirds and rare types — with 10–30 minutes lead on long-haul arrivals. Free forever, no card.
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