Torrey Pines Glider Port
A fun family outing in La Jolla is a trip to the Torrey Pines Glider Port. High above the sandstone bluffs north of La Jolla, between the Salk Institute and the Torrey Pines Golf Course, is a designated glider port. The spot is ideal for gliders because strong updrafts of westerly winds meet the 360-foot coastal cliffs, creating ideal air currents for gliding. Spectators gather at the port to watch the colorful gliders take off from the cliffs and soar over the ocean. Other admirers watch from the beach below. For the adventurous, glider lessons are available or you can hitch a ride with an experienced flyer on a tandem flight. The spot is also a favorite area for launching radio controlled model sailplanes.