Over the years, the Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego has become a mecca for paragliding and hang gliding, largely because the unique structure of the Torrey Pines cliffs above the ocean produces wind conditions that make flying possible over 300 days a year. The Gliderport also employs some of the world’s best paragliders as instructors—the port’s Max Marien holds the world record for most end-over-end revolution loops in a paraglider—and it’s likely the busiest paragliding school in the world. Best yet, the Gliderport offers tandem flights, meaning any person of any age, no matter their experience in the air, can go up in a paraglider or hang glider to float above the water and gaze at sights like Black’s Beach, Scripps Pier, and downtown La Jolla.
Paragliders experience a rare juxtaposition of adrenaline and a feeling of … Great pictures and more