Paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla

Mohamed IbrahimMay 13, 2020

0 4 minutes read

Have you ever wanted to fly like a bird? Let’s face it: passenger jets are wonderful things, but they don’t exactly allow you to experience the freedom of the open air. If you want a more visceral encounter with the sky, paragliding is the ideal way to do it.

For the uninitiated, the sport consists of flying without the use of an engine or a rigid vehicle of any kind. Sitting in a harness underneath a large fabric wing resembling a parachute, paragliders ride the wind in much the same way birds do. Not only does this get the adrenaline pumping, but it can also be a surprisingly peaceful experience.

In order to paraglide successfully, you need the right conditions. Predictable, clear weather is key. So is enough wind to keep the glider aloft. Finally, you need a spot to launch from. You’ll find all of those in La Jolla, California.

This oceanside town is blessed with plenty of high cliffs that make ideal launch pads for gliding. The wind coming off the Pacific Ocean rises up the cliff faces, providing the perfect lift for paragliders. And the clear skies and warm Californian weather mean that this is an activity you can take part in throughout the year.

This perfect storm of ideal paragliding conditions has made La Jolla one of the premier locations in the country for the sport. And Torrey Pines Gliderport is a well-renowned hub for gliding. This facility has been in operation since the 1930s when famed aviator Charles Lindbergh flew in the area.

Benefits of Paragliding

- Mindfulness. When you’re soaring above the land and the ocean, all the stresses and worries of life tend to melt away. When paragliding, it’s almost impossible to focus on anything except the present moment, making it a great stress relief.

Scenery. As spectacular as the beaches and cliffs of La Jolla are, they are even more impressive when seen from 4000 to 5000 feet up.

Adrenaline. Get your heart pumping. Once your feet lift off the ground and you’re fully airborne, you’ll experience an adrenaline rush like no other.

Achievement. Many people are afraid of heights. There’s nothing like the sense of achievement that comes from overcoming a common fear and realizing what you’re capable of.
Exercise. Paragliding engages the core and requires significant physical effort so that a 150-pound person can burn over 200 calories per hour.

Torrey Pines Gliderport

Torrey Pines sits outside the downtown district of La Jolla. The glider port is situated on top of the cliffs above Black’s Beach, a prime location to catch the winds that rise from the ocean below. As you’d expect, the views are incredible.

Thanks to its significant place in the history of aviation, Torrey Pines is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Places. As well as paragliding, it’s a center for hang gliding and model aircraft flying.

Torrey Pines caters to both novices and experienced flyers. If it’s your first time paragliding, you could hardly have picked a better spot. Trained instructors can take you out for your first flight so you can see whether paragliding is for you.

Typically, your first flight will be a tandem flight, where you will be strapped to an experienced instructor. This cozy arrangement is the safest way to learn how to handle the glider safely, and it allows you to focus on enjoying the experience knowing that you’re in safe hands.

If you enjoy your first flight, you may find yourself returning to this gliderport again and again. Torrey Pines puts on multiple clinics each year for more experienced gliders to hone their skills. They also offer certification courses that will allow you to fly powered paragliders and other recreational aircraft.

Torrey Pines is more than just a flight school. They offer a range of services for pilots, such as glider repair, equipment sales, and even equipment rental to qualified pilots with the appropriate licenses and certification.

And once your flight is over, or if you’re simply waiting for friends or family members, Torrey Pines is also home to the Cliffhanger Café. Here, you can have lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean 350 feet below and watch the gliders riding currents of air over the landscape. There’s even live music by local artists over the weekend.

Before heading to Torrey Pines Gliderport, you should familiarize yourself with the rules, which are in place to protect everyone’s safety. You should also ensure you don’t bring more than you need. If you’re driving down from Los Angeles for the day, you can find luggage storage facilities that can store your possessions safe until you’re back on solid ground.

La Jolla

Only 13 miles from downtown San Diego, La Jolla is essentially a suburb of this vibrant Southern Californian city. Paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla is only one way to enjoy your time here.

While you’re in San Diego, you can also visit Balboa Park, which houses the San Diego zoo along with restaurants, gardens, and museums. Alternatively, you could check out SeaWorld San Diego for a glimpse of the animals that call the California coast home. Seaport Village is a vibrant neighborhood full of restaurants, bars, and galleries to keep you entertained.

And of course, there’s the sea. Not far from Torrey Pines, you’ll find La Jolla Cove. This protected park, with its rocky cove and crystal clear waters, is an excellent place for swimming and snorkeling once your paragliding adventure is over.

With so much to see and do in San Diego, you can build an entire vacation around paragliding. And when you finally leave, you may well be going away with a new and thrilling hobby to indulge in.