Hang Gliding in California: Best Spots and Companies

California’s diverse landscape makes it one of the top states for hang gliding, offering a wide range of launch points across beaches, mountains, and valleys. The state also hosts numerous companies providing lessons, tandem flights, and equipment rentals, making it accessible for gliders of all experience levels.

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Top Hang Gliding Locations in California

Alternator – Santa Barbara, California
Bates – Santa Barbara, California
Big Sur – Central Coast
Black Mountain – The Owens Valley
Blackhawk – Apple Valley, California
Burney Mountain – Hat Creek, California
Copper Mountain – Lee Vining, California
Dockweiler State Beach – Los Angeles, California
Dunlap – Dunlap, California
Eliminator – Santa Barbara, California
Elings Park – Santa Barbara, California
Elk – Mendocino County, California
Elsinore – Lake Elsinore, California
Flynn’s Launch – The Owens Valley
Fort Funston – San Francisco, California
Garlock – Garlock, California
Glacier Point Launch – Yosemite Valley
Gunther – The Owens Valley
Hat Creek Rim – Hat Creek, California
Horse Canyon – San Diego, California
Indian Valley – Greenville, California
Laguna Mountain – San Diego, California
Lake McClure – Whatchacallit County, California
Lee Vining Mountain – Lee Vining, California
Little Black – San Diego, California
Marina State Beach – Marina, California
Mattole – Humboldt County, California
McGee – The Owens Valley
Mission Ridge – Fremont, California
Mount Diablo – Walnut Creek, California
Mount Hull/Lake Pillsbury – Mendocino County, California
Mount Tamalpais – Marin County, California
Mussel Rock – Daly City, California
Sequoia Highlands – Dunlap, California
Shelter Cove – Mendocino County, California
Sick Rock – Porterville, California
St. John Mountain – Humboldt County, California
Sugar Hill Launch – Sugar Hill, California
Sweet Water – Bridgeport, California
Sylmar – Sylmar, California
Table Bluff – Eureka, California
Tollhouse – Tollhouse, California
Waddell Creek – Swanton, California
Walt’s Point – The Owens Valley

Hang Gliding Companies in California

Accelerated Flight Systems
Location: 435 S Cedros Ave #31, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Advanced Paragliding
Website: www.advancedparagliding.com
Airjunkies Paragliding
Location: 253 Rodney Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024
Angle of Attack Hang Gliding
Location: 5300 Claus Road, Riverbank, CA 95367
California Hang Gliding
Website: www.californiahg.com
Location: Various locations on the coastline near San Francisco
Chandelle San Francisco Hang Gliding School
Location: 1595 E. Francisco Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901
Crestline Soaring Society
Website: www.crestlinesoaring.org
Location: 5500 Ben Canyon Road, San Bernardino, CA
Eagle Wings Hang Gliding School
Location: 2175 Rockhoff Rd., Escondido, CA 92026-1125
Fly Above All Paragliding
Website: www.flyaboveall.com
Location: 2550 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Fly Away Hang Gliding
Website: www.flyawayhanggliding.com
Location: 2650 Cliff Dr., Santa Barbara
Hang Gliding Academy
Website: www.hangglidingacademy.com
Hang Glide Fort Funston
Website: www.flyfunston.org
High Adventure Hang Gliding
Website: www.flytandem.com
Location: Andy Jackson Airpark
Inland Paraflite
Website: www.paraplane.com
Location: 17100 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
John Heiney
Website: www.johnheiney.com
Location: P.O. Box 2819, San Marcos, CA 92079
Merlin Flight School
Website: www.merlinflightschool.com
Location: San Rafael, CA
Mission Soaring Center
Website: www.hang-gliding.com
Location: 1116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035
Murrietas Ultralight Flying
Location: 23999 Hayes Ave, Murrieta, CA 92562
Natural Flying
Location: 17506 Hoot Owl Way, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Sacramento Hang Gliding
Website: www.sachanggliding.com
Location: P.O. Box 594, Sloughhouse, CA 95683
San Diego Hang Gliding Center
Location: 7908 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa, CA 91942
San Francisco Hang Gliding Center
Website: www.sfhanggliding.com
Location: 116 Wrigley Way, Milpitas, CA
Skytimes Paragliding
Location: P.O. Box 687, Bolinas, CA 94924
Torrey Pines Gliderport
Website: www.sandiegofreeflight.com
Location: 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
Trike Buggy
Website: www.trikebuggy.com
Location: 315 Meigs Rd., Suite A374, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Ultimate High Aviation
Location: 15050 Pomerado Rd., Poway, CA 92064
Wills Wing Inc.
Website: www.willswing.com
Location: 500 West Blueridge Avenue, Orange, CA 92865
Windsports Soaring Center
Website: www.windsports.com
Location: 12623 Gridley Street, Sylmar, CA 91342
Wings of Rogallo
Website: www.wingsofrogallo.org
Location: P.O. Box 361885, Milpitas, CA 95036-1885

Safety Tips and Best Time to Visit

The best time for hang gliding in California is spring and fall, when conditions are optimal and weather is mild. Always check the local weather forecast and fly with a certified instructor if you’re new to the sport.

Conclusion

California offers an incredible range of launch sites and hang gliding companies, catering to both beginners and seasoned gliders. Whether you’re flying over the Pacific coast or taking off from a mountain ridge, the state’s unique landscape makes it one of the best destinations for hang gliding in the U.S.