Torrey Pines Gliderport

The Torrey Pines Gliderport is one of the best places to go flying in California. They offer options for people of all experience levels, so whether you’ve been before or are just starting out, you can learn to fly in a safe environment with expert guides.

The Torrey Pines Gliderport is where you want to go for all things glider in San Diego. Watch the brave souls fly over Blacks Beach & Torrey Pines State Beach or rent gear and give it a go yourself. While not for the faint of heart, flying over Torrey Pines can be the highlight of any trip to San Diego.

Torrey Pines Gliderport Main Office and Snack Shack

Equipment Rentals and Repairs

If you’re taking a tandem flight, all equipment will be provided for you. For pilots taking a solo flight, the gliderport offers rentals under special circumstances. We recommend contacting them ahead of time to see what your rental options are.

They also offer repairs on hang gliding and paragliding equipment. This can range from a basic inspection to a full part replacement. They also have a full shop of flying equipment, which you can demo before you purchase.

Torrey Pines Gliderport Cliffhanger Cafe

Cliffhanger Cafe

The Cliffhanger Cafe is the gliderport’s on-site restaurant, and it’s a great place to enjoy a meal before or after your flight. The open-air cafe has stunning views of the ocean, and you’ll be able to watch all of the gliders as they launch into the air.

The cafe has a light menu of sandwiches, soups, and salads, as well as fruit and other snacks. You can also pick-up water, coffee, energy drinks, or any other drink you might need. The cafe is open from approximately 9 AM to 4 PM every day.

Hiking Trails Just next to the Torrey Pines Gliderport

Maximize Your Day with Other Great Area Adventures & Attractions

Torrey Pines is one of the most beautiful areas in all of San Diego and well worth a visit for it’s beautiful vistas, amazing sunsets and proximity to some of the best beaches in all of San Diego.

While on your day at the gliderport, consider picking up a Go City San Diego Card in advance and take advantage of our exclusive additional discount on top of their already highly discounted rates for top area attraction and gear rentals.

You’ll save big on all of your gear rentals such as surfboard rentals, bike rentals and snorkeling gear rentals.

The Go City San Diego Card offers significantly discounted rates for many of the top tours and attractions that are great to pair with a day at the gliderport including whale watching tours that leave from the San Diego Bay and the San Diego Zoo, which is not far from the gliderport, located alongside many museums in Balboa Park.

Consider a Luxurious Stay at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

For an unforgettable experience in San Diego, enhance your trip by staying at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Nestled in the lap of luxury, this exquisite resort complements your Torrey Pines Gliderport adventure with its elegance and comfort.

Four Paragliders at the Torrey Pines Gliderport

For most people, hang gliding or paragliding is a completely new experience. It’s one you’re likely to remember for years to come, so you’ll want to make sure you’re appropriately prepared. Here are some tips to help you have the best flying experience.

Call Ahead

You should always call the gliderport ahead of time to see if the weather is appropriate for flying that day or not. However, you can check the winds online to get a general idea of what to expect.

You’ll need winds blowing between 240 and 280 degrees, west to east. For paragliding, you’ll need speeds of 7 to 15 MPH, and for hang gliding, you’ll need speeds of 10 to 18 MPH.

What to Wear to Go Paragliding

It’s important to dress comfortably for your paragliding adventure. Make sure you’re wearing something you can move around in without too much restriction. You’ll need either athletic sneakers or hiking boots, as your shoes will need to have a good grip. If the weather is on the cooler side, you’ll also want to make sure you have a jacket.

Weight and Size Limits

Before you sign up for your first tandem flight, you’ll want to make sure you fit the gliderport’s requirements. There’s no official weight limit, but on most days the wind restricts flyers to 225 pounds or under.

If you’re over this weight, call ahead - they have been able to take passengers up to 350 pounds in the past. The gliderport is generally very accommodating, so if you have any concerns at all, you can talk to their team ahead of time to see if they can set up a flight for you.

How to Get to the Gliderport and Parking

The gliderport is located in the Torrey Pines area of La Jolla, just north of the University of California, San Diego. This area is about a 20-minute drive north from downtown San Diego. They have a parking lot available for those driving by car.

Although there are buses in the area, the fastest way to get to the gliderport without a car is to use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft.

Feeling Nervous? You’re Not Alone!

If you’re feeling nervous beforehand, talk to your pilot during the instructional session. They can answer any questions you may have and help you feel more comfortable in the air. The pilots have worked with people of all experience levels and will be happy to walk you through each step of the process before you get into the air.

Sunset Flights

If the weather is good, consider going at sunset. San Diego has some of the most stunning sunsets in the US, and the view will look even better from the air.