California is home to some of the best paragliding spots in the country! While most of them are located around the Los Angeles and Malibu areas, there are some scattered about Central California as well. So, where exactly are these places!?
The top three place paragliders love to go paragliding in California are Big Sur, Monterey, and the Eastern Sierra. Each of these provide a glimpse of several types of terrain as you’re soaring through the air.
In this article, we’ll go a bit deeper into each location, so that you can get a feel for each area before you embark on your adventure.
1. Big Sur (LZ Launch Site)
Skill Level: Beginner
Big Sur is one of the most popular places to paraglide in California, as it offers stunning views and perfect winds, making the location ideal to practice the sport. However, you will need to contact the Los Padres National Forest to check if the roads to get to the launch site are open.
If you choose to paraglide in Big Sur the best time to do this would be between Fall and Spring, as the summer brings quite a bit of fog. Though, the more worrisome factor here is the trees nearby, so you need to ensure your launch is perfect.
What’s awesome, though, is that there is a campground here, so you can stay in the park and won’t have to worry about traveling too far to get to and from your flight, as the travel time can take longer than the flight itself.
Learn more about the launch site directions here on paragliding-lessons.com.
Raven Wolf Sky Sports
Raven Wolf Sports is a great company if you want to tandem paraglide over Big Sur! They offer a more direct approach and give you a mini lesson as you’re soaring to your destination, as long as the weather permits!
2. Monterey
Skill Level: Advanced / Expert
If you’re looking for a location a little bit closer to the beach, check out the coastal city of Monterey! You’ll get a glimpse of Monterey Bay, as well as the Del Monte Forest, and Seaside as you glide down to your landing spot on the beach.
There are a few different launch sites to choose from including Sand City, Reservation Road, and Lake Court. Sand City ( check out number six) is the most popular choice, and while it’s unregulated, you will need to check in with Marina State Beach for sign in if you are going to land North of here.
Reservation Road is probably the flattest launch site in the area. However, everyone is required to sign in and you must have a sheath knife as this site carries a higher risk of a water landing.
As far as Lake Court goes, this is a walk-up launch site and requires a USHPA membership to launch from here. It’s also worth mentioning that the area can experience some frequent wind gusts, so this site should only be used by experienced pilots.
FireFlight Paragliding
Enjoy a 20-to-30-minute tandem flight that takes you from the dunes to the sand! Be ready for a fun ride as the wind gusts can make for a safe, but wild one!
3. Dunlap
Skill Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Just east of Fresno is a place called Dunlap that is a favorite for paragliders. This area offers a vastly unique experience as the environment and winds are different. To launch or land at Dunlap you must be a USHPA member and have a rating of P3/H3 or higher.
Before you fly here, it’s best to get introduced by an experienced pilot as you’ll want to know the ins and outs of the area. Learning lessons the hard way in Dunlap can result in significant injury, or in extreme situations, death. Therefore, to be safe while paragliding, get a tour of this launch spot first!
4. Henninger Flats
@_valenzuela_3 Henninger Flats 🥾⛰️ #californiahikingtrails #hikingtiktok #losangeles #losangeles #beautifulviews #hikingadventures ♬ B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All) – Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal
Skill Level: Beginner
For those of you who are in the Los Angeles area, check out Henninger Flats as it’s a decent place to paraglide in the area, and it’s not too far out of the way as it’s close to Pasadena. The views of the trees and valleys you’ll get to experience will take your breath away.
The best place to land from here would be in the canyon where it’s not populated. This makes for an easy landing as there aren’t many obstructions, and you’ll have some sand that can offer a soft zone. However, the regulations in the area change quite a bit, so always check the updated rules before venturing off.
5. Soboba
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Soboba is a world-famous paragliding spot, but it also a privately owned site, so you will need to reach out and ensure you have permission before embarking on your paragliding journey.
There are several different launch sites here to choose from ranging from 200 feet to 1650 feet up. If you choose the 650-foot launch, you can purchase an ATV ride to the site for as little as $6.
For the sites above 650’ there is a trail that you can take to reach those points. If this feels too confusing to you, you can reach out to either Jerome Daust for instructions and a tour of the launch sites.
If you’re looking for unrestricted flight, you will need to have a P3 or higher. However, for those who are less experienced, Soboba can issue temporary ratings.
Soboba Flight Park
Technically, this is an instructional flight, but a flight none the less! While it’s not an actual ‘tour’ per se, you still get to hop on a paraglider, but the instructor will teach you how to fly it! The bonus? This is around the same price as a tandem paragliding tour, only, you’ll get to help control it.
6. Sand City
Skill Level: Beginner
Can you guess why Sand City got its name? Yep! Because it’s filled with sand, making it a popular place to go paragliding in California. However, the sand was formed during the Pleistocene era, so it’s not the same sand as the beach. The sand dunes formed in this area are the highest on the coast of Central California!
The winds in Sand City are perfect for paragliding, which is why you’ll see so many gliders in the air! Not to mention, seeing the massive sand dunes along with the gorgeous blue ocean from so high up is truly a remarkable sight. You don’t want to miss out on this location!
7. Tuna Canyon
Skill Level: Advanced
If you ever find yourself in Malibu, a wonderful place to paraglide is in Tuna Canyon. It’s friendly for paragliders of all levels, although, the area can be taken over by some nasty winds, so you want to make sure you’re up to speed on the weather in the area before your adventure.
This is also a different sort of topography than most of the other paragliding locations in Southern California, as this journey would be taking place through a canyon, with no real ‘flat’ surface to land. So, as always, it’s best to know your landing destination before you take flight.
8. Mount Lukens
Skill Level: Beginner
Mount Lukens is a suitable place to paraglide, and it’s where the Sylmar Hang Gliding Association goes for their flights. I don’t blame them! This mountain is gorgeous and provides amazing views of the town of Glendale as well as the San Gabriel Mountains. It’s even more gorgeous during sunrise or sunset!
This is also one of the higher elevations you can take off from, making it perfect to practice your paragliding skills and tricks. However, always remember to check the weather on the mountain beforehand as the weather between there and the valley is different.
9. BlackHawk
Skill Level: Beginner
As you can see, most of the best paragliding locations are near Los Angeles, and BlackHawk is no exception! It’s also only an hour away from San Bernardino.
This is a wonderful place for everyone, no matter your skill level, including beginners! The winds are calm here, and your launch point sits at a higher elevation which makes it perfect for practicing the basic maneuvers of paragliding.
But you can’t forget about the views! Go during sunset and you’ll see the gorgeously warm sunlight glare off Big Bear Lake, and echo off the hillsides. It’s a sight you don’t want to miss.
10. Marina
Skill Level: Beginner
Marina, just on the other side of the bay from Santa Cruz, is a paraglider’s paradise! The gentle wind makes it perfect for a smooth paraglide flight, however, the wind is the calmest in the morning. So, if you’re going for more of a tranquil trip as opposed to an adrenaline rush, go then!
There are two different launch points to choose from: Lover’s point or Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Lover’s Point is right on the beach. However, you’ll be able to view the ocean from both locations!
Join the Bay Area Paragliding Association Group on Facebook here.
11. Saddle Peak
Skill Level: Advanced / Expert
Our last on the list is Saddle Peak, which is in Malibu. Here, you have five different launch points from one location, which is the Malibu Paragliding Club. And no! You do not need to be a club member to launch from this location.
Saddle Peak is on the Pacific Coast, providing the perfect place to fly all year round. The winds are extraordinarily strong in the area, making it best for experienced paragliders only. However, it’s also known for having the strongest thermals, providing an amazing paragliding experience for all.
Paragliding in California FAQs
Is Paragliding in California Considered Safe?
Paragliding overall is a risky endeavor and doing it in California does not change this fact for better or worse. However, as with anything in life, you need to know what you’re doing before you embark on such a journey. So, having the right training and knowledge will help!
I highly suggest you enroll in a certified course to help train you and teach you about paragliding, especially if you are planning to fly solo. But another overlooked aspect as well is the condition of the equipment. If you have poor equipment, chances are higher for accidents.
And lastly, the weather! Be sure to always check weather conditions within an hour or so of takeoff to make sure it is optimal for your flight.
How Much Does It Cost to Paraglide in California?
The cost to paraglide in California changes depending on where you go. If you’re looking for a tandem session, this can range between $225 to $300 depending on the location. However, for solo lessons, this can run at about $300 to $350 per day.
Are There Any Paragliding Schools in California?
There are several different paragliding schools in California, including Atmosphere Paragliding School and Pg Golian Paragliding School which are two of the best in Southern California.
If you’re looking for a school that’s located more in Central California, Blue Sky Powered Paragliding is an okay school as well. There are no paragliding schools in Northern California.
Can I Take My Phone or Camera Paragliding?
You can take a small, compact camera with you on the paraglide. However, you will not be able to bring your phone as it can cause a distraction, and some people try to text or call while midair. If you do bring a camera, make sure it comes with an attachment so that you can attach it securely your person.
For a complete guide on what you should wear, check out this article!
Final Thoughts
California is a hotspot to many sports enthusiasts, from skydivers, paramotor, and even paragliders. Each location offers a different sort of experience for everyone no matter what spectrum of the sport you are on.
Just check the skill level of each place before embarking on your journey unless you’re an expert paraglider of course. And always remember to check the weather before you head out to your launch point, just to ensure that everything is good to go.
Read our related paragliding post “25 of the Most Famous Places for Paragliding in the World” here.
When Heather is not participating in extreme sports you can find her working the events across the country, or writing about these amazing adrenaline rushes. She loves to go skydiving, snowboarding, parasailing, hang gliding, dirt boarding, off-roading and hiking.
