Torrey Pines Gliderport

Great walking trails. Loved this. Also access to the beach via stairs. It's a long walk down. Beautiful homes on the cliffs. It's not a difficult hike up and down, but a lot of fun.

Absolutely amazing experience! I was paired up with a very experienced and fun pilot, Alex. He made me feel completely comfortable and safe. But he did some tricks and let me take over for a few minutes as well. The view and the feeling of soaring with the birds is hard to describe. Try it, you won't be disappointed. Do call to check the winds or go early and sign up then hike around the area and come back when you see gliders going up. Brought my gopro and got great video. But they also will take pics of you. Tuesday and Thursday if you pay cash you get those free.

World class para gliding and hand gliding center. Amazing scenic beauty of stiff uneven cliffs and beach. Restaurants and Bar are available. Nice tourist spot. Almost crowded during sun set time. Enjoyed sun set at this beautiful point

The glider port is a friendly place. I'll be at a little difficult to navigate If it's your first time. Nothing beats the views where you get a up close experience with the pairagliders landing and taking off. Good food and libations can be found as well. There's plenty of trails along the cliffs around the Gliderport.

Visited this spot to watch the hang gliders and hike the dirt paths. We followed the winding dirt path down to Black’s Beach where we walked along the water averting our eyes from the nude sunbathers. If you aren’t aware, the nudity at Black’s Beach will catch you by surprise. Everyone was minding their own business though, so it was no big deal. The hike back up the cliff was exhausting with the many stairs and steep incline. We stopped by the cafe for some lemonade and then rested on the upper deck while the hang gliders came and went. Watching the whole process over and over made it look easy and very safe. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. The bathrooms were closed when we visited, but there were portapotties available. Mid-day on a Tuesday, the parking lot was pretty full, but I was able to find a spot close to the entrance. I don’t recommend visiting right after a car wash because the parking lot is very dusty and bumpy. The flights are $200-$275 per person for a 20 minute ride and I believe they offer free photographs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Otherwise, you have to pay for the photos they take. Might have to return soon to check “hang gliding” off of my bucket list!

Stunningl! It's a must whether you're visiting or living in California. It's still free to access this natural and stunningly beautiful area. There's a cafe/restaurant if you want to get a bite and relax or bring a picnic and beach chairs. Binoculars and CAMERAS. Sensible shoes as terrain is rough and slippery (if you want to walk around or hike) - I was terrified to see a few visitors in heels and clearly not prepared. Listen to the whoosh and watch the wonder of the hang gliders. Or, just soak in the peace of the scenery. Parking was plentiful, but I wasn't there on a weekend, nor was there any evidence of a special event. Enjoy this gorgeous area. Marvel.

The natural setting of this place is the big draw and should have 10 stars. A fantastic spot for watching otherwise sane individuals jump off a 300 ft cliff with a kite strapped on their back, high over the Pacific Ocean. And for $200 you can jump too, I tried it and it was AMAZING! There is a shop to buy hang gliding gear and a cafe with sandwiches and a pizza oven. Outdoor seating on the observation deck. There is a raptor program too. A great trail will lead you down to Blacks beach, but beware it’s clothing optional and a few swingin’ seniors take full advantage! A great surf break too!

I have absolute no shame admitting that I'm terrified of heights, but it was so amazing watching people gliding. Not sure how anyone does it, but they do it so well. There is a spot to also eat & have drinks watching. It will be windy, so bring something warm if you get cold easily!

This is a place where you make memories that you will be taking about for years to come. I went paragliding for the first time here and it was incredible! Very professional staff that make you feel comfortable and ready for anything, like running off a cliff. The area also had great hiking, a fantastic beach and tasty food. Amazing day!

We visited only briefly to take in the scenic views at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. The dirt parking lot here is fairly big but rocky and uneven. The sky was cloudy, but the view was still beautiful. While we were there, no one was paragliding at the time. We also didn't walk down the steep trail toward Black's Beach. There were a few benches to sit down and enjoy the views. There was the Cliff Hanger Cafe selling brunch dishes, but we weren't hungry yet. I'd definitely want to visit again during a clear and sunny day to watch and take pictures of the paragliders. The food from the cafe also sounded good and had reasonable prices.

Awesome experience. Felt safe and in good hands for this tandem flight. Great scenic views and learned about places there seen and other sights to check out.

It was my first time paragliding, and what an incredible adventure it was! My tandem instructor was a Navy SEAL--how cool is that? He even let me take the controls and fly the paraglider myself! The rush of soaring through the sky while taking in the breathtaking views of the ocean and beach was just out of this world. I can't recommend it enough; everyone should try it at least once! I can't wait to seek out paragliding opportunities wherever my future travels take me because this experience was truly unforgettable and so much fun!

Pretty awesome prototypically California experience here at the Torrey Pines glider port. I'm not brave enough to strap in and push off but it was pretty awesome to watch others do so while sipping a beer and watching the sunset on my last day in SD.

I lovedddddd this place. It does get chilly so I'd recommend a light sweater. When you're driving up there is parking along the street but there are two different free parking lots located closer. One of which is a little bumpy so if you have a low car I'd be cautious. They have a trail you can take and suited for young kids and doggos or even strollers. They do have a bar with hot and cold beverages and of course beer!! Didn't have their food but a lot of ppl were devouring the sandwiches. They have a huge seating area and even a grassy area. You're also able to hitch a ride and fly above for about 200 bucks I believe.

We had a really beautiful lunch at the Gliderport yesterday. The view is spectacular, from the flyers take off, to the falcons, the gorgeous skyline, and the beach below. We were pleasantly surprised by the delicious wood-fired pizzas, especially the Bianca. The sandwiches were good as well. The drinks are served with a smile and the whole vibe here is friendly and laid back, it's super dog friendly too, which we and our long haired mini doxies love! We will definitely be back!

Due to the area, expect to bring a hoodie. The place is extremely busy. You will probably great entertainment as well watch the people glide through the sky! The breakfast burrito, margarita pizza, and beer on tap was great. I see myself visiting this spot again if I'm in the area. This is amazing spot to chill and hangout.

Honestly love coming here. You can't beat the view of all the gliders above the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant is updated with yummy sandwiches and there's also a bar. Super family and dog friendly. The sandwiches fall apart easily, be aware of that. The only reason why I knocked down one star is because of the bathroom situation. It would be nice to have bathrooms installed. There's only portapotties available to the public. Other than that, such a fun and cool spot to hangout at!

Amazing ... nothing shy of absolutely AMAZING! I lived in San Diego my whole life, and never visited the restaurant at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. The atmosphere, the views of the Pacific Ocean, and the amazing scenes of the Paraglider's was crazy great! The food selections has something for everyone and the bar has you covered too. Highly recommend a visit, however, plan to want to stay awhile ... as you will enjoy this experience.

After 40 years of growing up in San Diego this was my FIRST visit to the Gliderport and I am so glad I went to experience it all! I've always assumed it was simply a wide grass area where I'd stand around watching gliders come and go while trying to stay out of their way and after fighting for parking in Torrey Pines. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! We went on a Saturday afternoon and had no problem finding parking right there. Myself, my parents (locals) and my three kiddos were delighted to see many tables, covered and uncovered to sit and watch comfortably. There were many additional tables for those purchasing food (it smelled so good) and even more on the rooftop spot that was open to anyone. We parked ourselves at some hightop chairs and watched in awe as the gliders came in and out and many brave souls signed up to go for a ride. Even in the dead heat of August the Torrey Pines breeze was incredible and we were very comfortable in the dead of the day. I would definitely recommend coming to check this spot out - it's a must see for every local and of course a wonderful spot to bring your tourist friends. No one will be disappointed.

What a beautiful tourist spot! This is a perfect spot to watch the sunset! I loved the paragliders taking off the cliff (scary)! I came here several times with guests who were visiting California or new to the San Diego area. If you dare to glide, this is the perfect spot for you. Not for me, hahah! They do provide flight instructions. Check their website for details. This location only has one restaurant, Cliff Hanger Cafe. They provide limited menu: breakfast, lunch, snacks, ice creams, pizzas (weekend only) and drinks. There is also a bar. There is no restroom. They do have port-a-potties right before you enter the area. Make sure you go elsewhere before coming here. If you walk on the left side of this tourist spot, you can go down to the beach. Be aware: the parking lot is full of rocks and dirt. When I first drove in, my car was wobbling like a bobble head Hahaha. Drive slow as the road totally uneven. Watch for guests and small children. Check-in for a free sticker of your choice. Come visit this place soon!

What was supposed to be a touristy little pitstop with my dad ended up being one of the coolest experiences of my life thus far! Parking is atrocious and the port-a-potties are from hell, but once we got settled it was truly remarkable. There's food and drinks available and a bunch of seating along the railings to watch all the magic happen. Basically, we watched people jump off the side of the cliffs to paraglide and hang glide while we ate lunch. My chicken pesto sandwich was great! The chicken wasn't dry and the lettuce/tomato were super fresh. After sitting for a few hours listening to The Beatles on the speakers and watching countless people tandem paraglide, I decided it was my turn, which was NOT part of the original plan. But oh my gosh, it was infectious and I had to get up there. As someone who's pretty risk-averse and not at all a thrillseeker, this was super out of my comfort zone. Junior, who I think is the manager, was incredibly inviting and helped me get set up. He was intentional about the way he spoke about paragliding to keep me from being afraid, and he set me up with a pilot named Giuseppe. Giuseppe was exceptional -- he seamlessly brought us up into the sky and proceeded to share a little history, tell me the fancy homes we flew over, cracked jokes, and adjusted speed based on my comfort level. Being up there was magic; it was much quieter and calmer than I expected, and it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen. I would 100% recommend this to anyone who visits San Diego moving forward. Whether you want to get up in the sky or not. Wow, wow, wow. Big thank you to the staff for being so friendly and helpful!

I can't speak to actually utilizing the glider port for paragliding but I can say that this place is one of my favorites in all of Southern California. It's just....magical. I don't know if any other way to say it. I've left a review for the restaurant here and the impression is the same- just an incredible place to go out and chill. I'd love to go back around sunset for some drinks but that's for another time.

This review is for the location/views and not the businesses here. Parking is in a dirt and gravel lot adjacent to the glider port. There generally are a lot of people using the parking area as a starting point for hiking down to the beach. I recommend coming for the views. There is a cafe there with limited options and I saw porta potties for general public use. It is a great place for a picnic with views of La Jolla, but can get busy on the weekends.

Great paragliding experience at one of the most picturesque glider ports on the west coast. Highly recommend getting a tandem paraglide ride if your in the area and can spare the time. Great outdoor deck to grab a beer afterwards and share your experience with friends.

My husband and I had an amazing experience! What a beautiful and serene place! We worked with Dana and her team from Adaptive Impact to give my husband Michael an experience he will never forget. He said I can barely walk, but I was able to soar like an eagle Thank you all for this wonderful experience! God Bless!

Decided to take our sailor here for a new experience while in San Diego. This was our second attempt, as the first time in December, did not have enough wind to fly. The place was very busy, but we filled out the waiver and starting parasailing within about 20 minutes. My son had a blast and we got a couple videos out of it. Would highly recommend, just ensure they will be able to fly, as it takes a minute to get there.

I gave them a called to find out about hand gliding and both young ladies who answered the phone where very knowledgeable, professional, and charming. They answered all my questions and I am look forward to call them soon to find out if the winds are strong enough for this fun adventure

It had been years since I wandered over to Torrey Pines Gliderport for lunch and a view and I almost expected it to be overrun, but I'm happy to report that this hidden gem is still exactly that, a hidden gem. The type of place that you bring folks from out of town to have an affordable bite to eat and to catch maniacs jumping off of a rocky cliff for entertainment. A true San Diego-only experience. Well, the parking lot still sucks but perhaps that's the last line of defense keeping the masses away. By sucks I mean that it's rocky, uneven, and hard to navigate if you don't have a truck or vehicle that sits higher off of the ground. I'm sure this terrain was only amplified by our recent rains making in worse than usual. Hey, this place is still worth it. The pizza was awesome and I suggest ordering it. For about $11.00 you'll be served a nice little artisan pie, perfect for one person, straight out of their pizza oven sitting in clear view. It's safe to say that I'd travel for this pizza and the view (date lunch, anyone?) as the price was perfect for the quality of product you'll be chowing down on. It's safe to say I'm glad I didn't order the breakfast burrito, but I'm sure that's pretty good too. See you sooner than later, TPGP!

San Diego has no shortage of beautiful lookouts- places to admire the sunset and basque in the views of the coast. Standing atop the cliff, I watched a surfer paddle out with dolphins to the side of him! Majestic. What's special about this area is that the parking lot at the glider port typically has open space in it and there isn't a charge to park there. There are so many beautiful look outs and we saw a number of couples enjoying a picnic and bringing blankets to sit and lounge. There was even a large group of kids taking photos for their winter formal. There's also a cafe at the top of the cliff where you can order bar bites to enjoy. Above all, the coolest thing about this area is getting to see the gliders taking flight. You can do a tandem paraglide ride by making a reservation and taking flight with a professional pilot. It's wild to see these people floating through the air, but what a view to take in!

Even if you don't have the time (or the inclination, and/or the cojones) to go gliding, the Torrey Pines Gliderport is a must-visit spot anytime you're in the neighborhood. While this is a beautiful place pretty much anytime, it's especially worth seeing at sunset! When you're here, you should also strongly consider taking the hike down to Black's Beach.  Black's is one of the more infamous nude beaches in Southern California.  The beach is an exceptionally beautiful spot, and the trail down to it from the Gliderport isn't particularly tough (if the numerous stairs don't give you trouble).  Tip: There's no problem visiting the beach even if you're not (un)dressed for an all-over tan ;-)

After years living in San Diego, I have finally found the perfect spot to capture the Sunset. I have been looking for years different areas in San Diego to capture the best Sunset. When I discovered Torrey Pines Gliderport, I feel as if I was in Heaven. The place is a bit far, There are so much people there to capture the sunset, it was pretty difficult to walk on the areas where there were gaps, I had to walk slowly in order to not fall or break an ankle, the view there for a sunset is phenomenal. There are also para-gliders flying in the air which was very cool In my opinion. If you want to capture an amazing sunset, This is the place for you.

I did NOT paraglide on this visit but this is a great place to visit and watch the sunset. Friendly folks and good vibes. Maybe one day, I will do the tandem paragliding.

A great place just to hang out for some great vibes, especially when they have live music! There were tons of people just eating lunch and watching the paragliders take off and land. There's a huge free lot but the day I came it was super full, though I was lucky to snag a spot way in the back. I had a gift certificate for paragliding, so luckily got to experience this for free--not sure if I could shell out the money personally to do this as normally I'm terrified of heights. There's no sort of reservation system as they can't predict the wind conditions. You call the day you want to go and they'll tell you the outlook for the day and if it's not currently great they'll add you to a texting list and send updates on when they accept certain weights given the wind. When the weight you qualify for comes up, you can go fill out the waivers (which takes a while), sign your life away and then wait for them to call you up--after that it's easy. They have a pretty smooth system where as soon as one paraglider lands with a passenger, you switch out with that guest and go off on your journey. We went north up past the golf course and it was beautiful! If you get motion sick, I would definitely let your pilot know because they can control how much turbulence you experience, which in hindsight I'd highly recommend because I had to sit at one of the tables for half an hour after to get my bearings. My pilot was super nice and knowledgeable, I felt very comfortable and safe and he told me everything there was to know about paragliding.

Very cool place to watch people paraglide! I did the tandem paragliding ($175) with photos ($35), and I really enjoyed the experience. If you have the courage (and $$) to paraglide, I definitely recommend it! It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tips: I recommend paragliding on a clear day for the better views of La Jolla. If you opt for photos, they will look much better than on an overcast day.

Went paragliding for my birthday and had so much fun! Also a great place to grab a drink and watch the various activities.

Stopped by here at the insistence of my daughter. She has plans of doing a tandem ride in the near future. Pretty cool place to stop and watch the Gilders or indulge in your own adventure. It was a beautiful day and there were plenty of gliders out. We came simply to observe and enjoy the setting. I was disappointed that food and spirits were not being sold, it looks like that capability exists but was not available on this day. I did see people who brought their own food and drink. Pro tip: bring your breakfast or lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Had a great time! Enjoyed the Chicken Acapulco Sandwich with a Cali Squeeze and my girlfriend's Frozen Margarita. Perfect lunchtime meal with an amazing show. A must do in San Diego.

Once a lifetime experience! Heard it's the only spot along west coast where can paraglide along the beach/coast. First come first serve, quite busy on Sat for tandem paragliding. Wait was over 30 min. People who went before me all came back so excited. However, I didn't think that one could get motion sick from paragliding so it was less enjoyable for me (there should be a warning) :/ Thankfully the instructor tried his best to keep it a smooth-ish ride and we safely landed (my friend landed on beach and had to hike steep trail back up!) Call day of to check wind conditions. Usually good to fly between 12-4pm. You can bring your own phone or GoPro to take pics/videos.

Y'know, sign away your soul and everything, BUT YOU CAN (tandem) PARAGLIDE! Quite the unique experience that's worth the while, but since it's heavily dependent on the weather can be a bit unpredictable in availability (you'll need to call everyday to see if they're flying and can sign up for text notifications). The gliderport is pretty accessible and they generally make it pretty straightforward a process (considering it can be a pretty dangerous sport). Costs about $200 for the base experience plus a pilot tip, and a bit more if you want to buy their photographer photos and renting a go-pro (you can bring your own or hold your phone if you're confident). Cash discount available. Expect a lengthy process of waivers (including a video recorded statement acknowledging the full extent of what you're agreeing to). After that you just need to queue up when they call your name as you anxiously wait for your 20 minute round of aerial glory. Felt like quite the well-managed experience and although there were a couple of minor hiccups in my own ride my tandem pilot had pretty full control the whole way through, never felt like anything was amiss (helps that he's been doing it longer than I've been alive). Pictures don't quite do the experience justice and it's really quite the serene experience (even with the roaring winds rushing past your face). Absolutely recommend this place!

Worth the 1.5 hour drive!!!! Amazing experience! Highly recommended. Beautiful weather and wonderful views!

Paragliding at Torrey Pines was an absolutely incredible experience! I have spent over ten years as a military pilot, and I can say without question that gliding here was one of the most amazing​ aviation experiences I have ever had. Charlie was a fantastic pilot, his expertise, skill and pure love of paragliding made the experience just that much better. I would recommend everyone give it a try, the feeling of flying paired with the coastal views is a memory that will last forever!

GREAT Family fun used a groupon and was not disappointed! My family and I were nervous but they did an amazing job of explaining the "flight" to us and every thing we need to know. We got amazing photos and memories to last a lifetime :).

Had the most amazing time paragliding here!! It was such an easy process. The paperwork beforehand took a bit of time but once when that was over it was a quick process to get over to the tandem area. The video is entirely worth the price because you get to hold the go pro the whole time. We were in the air for about 20 minutes I think but it felt longer. Super fun experience at one of the best places to paraglide!!

My wife did this last weekend and absolutely loved it. The staff was great and explained everything she needed to know. beautiful surroundings

Great venue, amazing views. However, the restroom situation is absolutely terrible. There are only porta-potties and they are disgusting and a health hazard. Not having toilette paper is the least of the problem. No handwashing station either. With that many visitors spending good money, keeping the porta-potties clean and sanitary is not too much to ask.

Once in a lifetime experience to do paragliding over the ocean in an absolutely beautiful setting across from the UCSD campus. It costs $175 with credit card or $165 with cash to do paragliding with an expert (they handle all the flying). They make you sign a waiver releasing liability at the beginning and even record you doing so. TIPS: 1) bring cash, so you can save $10 2) it's very cold paragliding up high, bring warm clothing +\- gloves 3) the winds vary, and sometimes they impose a weight limit, so call and check in beforehand to make sure you can fly. 4) there is a little cafe next to the place you buy the gliding tickets to get a small bite to eat or coffee if desired

Great view. Hours on yelp show 9am-6pm daily. I went on a Monday around 1pm-2pm. I wasn't there to actually paraglide myself, but wanted to watch other people do this. It didn't look like the place was actually open. Since I wasn't planning on paragliding, I don't think that I can give a true rating. There is still a breath-taking view to enjoy from the top of the cliff the paragliders jump from. Off to the left side below the deck, there's 2 benches surrounded by succulents and you can just sit, relax, and enjoy the view. A little more towards the left, there's a dirt/sand hill area that you can walk down and look over the coast. Walk a little more towards the left, past the dirt/sand area and there is a path I think you can follow and leads you to stairs that you can use to walk down to the beach. When I checked in on Yelp, I received a Deal that I could clip or save for later. It was for 1 Free sticker. I didn't see any open shops from the back area where we were enjoying the view from.

Great way to spend a portion of the day. They have a little bar with noshes and good music playing. It's very relaxing watching the gliders do their thing.

Highly recommended place. You can wash the beach from a good viewpoint. Unfortunately, the the wind was not blowing fast so I couldn't take the glider. So it was a good experience.

So much fun!! Highly recommend! Tandem flight instructors were great! Beautiful views.

The Gliderport staff hosted and catered an amazing event for a conference that I organized. Genesis and Chyna were amazing and our guests got so much out of the event. This is a phenomenal place to host visitors. Thank you Torrey Pines Gliderport!

This place is a hidden gem! The views are spectacular and the food is awesome! They have been remodeling/expanding recently so I know this place will only grow in popularity. Food seems a bit pricy but it fills you up and the view of the ocean and gliders is unreal.

I had by far the BEST experience ever flying with Torrey Pines Gliderport. Everything was so quick and easy, the waivers only took a few minutes and we were off in about 30 minutes after waiting! All the pilots we flew with were so amazing and fun. I was nervous about the launching and landing, but they made it soooo easy that I don't know what I worried for. We were in the air for what seems so long, the pilot told me all about the area and the sights we were seeing. He even did some cool acrobatic tricks at the end! This was truly an amazing experience and he definitely made me feel safe and less nervous in the air. My mom was flying nearby and when I told him which one it was, he raced us to catch up to her. I got to say hi to her so close in the air! How cool!! I highly recommend them and will definitely be back to fly with my friends again. An epic experience that is way worth the price and more. Thanks so much to the great pilots for making this experience unforgettable!

We did this (tandem paragliding with a pilot) for my wife's birthday. If you call the phone number at the glider port desk they will let you know if it's windy enough to fly well and how busy the line is. We were up in the air for about 20 minutes and each had our own pilot but they flew close enough together that we could smile and see each other in the air! My guide was very skillful and went closer to the cliffs while my wife's stayed high in the sky since she was more nervous. We landed back on the same spot we took off from right by the desk and bathrooms. During the flight there was a photographer that took these awesome photographs.

What an awesome spot this is! My wife and I wandered over to see how close we could get to the Razor House (the one Alicia Keys bought for $21 million last year). After hiking up and down a bunch of ridges, and scrambling over some rocks, we had a pretty good view of the place. Along the way, there were lots of great views of the cliffs below the gliderport and Black's Beach below. Really beautiful. A definite must if you're in town for a visit, or even if you're a local. Just do it!

Great hidden spot for lunch and a beautiful view. Went for a hike and found this place. I ordered the BALT sandwich... Delicious!!! And the customer service was just SUPERB!!! if you love bacon... you will love this sandwich. Will definitely be returning. Oh, and the amazing view of the ocean!!! so relaxing .

First time here! It's another great San Diego vista with the added bonus of watching the gliders take off! We didn't eat because we had just come from a late lunch, but the pizzas looked delicious. Brian the bartender was very kind and attentive and they have a great selection of beer and alcohol! This place would make a great location for a corporate event or private party. We'll be back.