Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly like a bird? I think we all have some fascination with flying. Since I was a young girl I’ve always wanted to fly. I’ve explored adventurous activities like parasailing & bungee jumping, still have skydiving on the bucket list. But today was the day I would try paragliding in La Jolla.
I figured if I was going to jump off a cliff, it would be somewhere where they had a gorgeous beach and beautiful breathtaking sunsets. La Jolla is known for that and so much more. And I’m so glad I did because the view from Torrey Pines Gliderport was extraordinary! It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. Flying over the La Jolla canyons, enjoying spectacular views of San Diego coastal mansions, and taking in the beautiful blue pacific ocean air and warm sunshine was an unbelievable adventure. It’s definitely something to try if you’ve been thinking about it.
So now that I’m almost convincing you to jump off a cliff with me, here’s a few facts and tips I wish I’ve known about before I took the plunge:
Be prepared for a full day
This adventure will last more than a couple of hours. Plan to arrive early as there will be a wait the later you get there. Keep in mind there are no reservations at this location and it’s at first come, first serve. If I were you, get there early and arrange a picnic for lunch. If you’re on a date, you may want to plan to hang out all day to enjoy the beautiful sunset. How romantic!
Save the moment
You have the option of having Torrey Pines Gliderport capture the moment in video or photography from the sky. If this is an adventure you only plan to do once in your life, I would definitely recommend purchasing the video, but skip the photos, since you may have friends that can take pictures of you while you glide. Trust me, you will want to relive the adventure and capture what you didn’t recall at the moment. If you decide to bring your own camera, let the pilot know. I would suggest you bring an action camera, like the Sony ActionCam that you can attach to your helmet or hold it in your hands. You will get amazing angles and capture the whole experience in HD. Without a doubt, this will be a priceless moment you won’t regret capturing on video.
Protect your equipment
If you bring your camera to shoot a video be sure and have it attached to your body or hand. If you have an old name badge lanyard from a previous conference (or something like it), you can attach the camera and wear it over your neck. If you decide to bring a selfie stick, you may want to think twice about bringing it up with you. Unless you have a secure attachment to your body, I suggest you leave it behind. It’s a long way down if it falls from your hands.
What to wear
Ladies, this is not an adventure where you want to wear a skirt, platforms, heels, etc. Please, no, stop. Save that outfit for the club. I would strongly recommend you wear something you feel comfortable wearing, like a running gear. A windbreaker and activewear leggings can help keep you warm as you’re gliding in the wind and it helps keep you comfortable. Try to wear a windbreaker with pockets, it may come in handy for your camera, phone, etc; but make sure you zip up the pockets! The weather may not be as cold as you think, but I would be prepared in case you do get easily cold.
Awesome experience
I felt so free and had no worries as I was flying in the sky. The earth was quiet and peaceful. With so much going on in our lives, we get lost in the noise and forget how beautiful the earth is. It made me realize that I do need to make more time for myself, add balance in my life, make time for quiet moments, to stop, and actually enjoy mother nature.
The world really is a beautiful place.
Would I do this again? Most definitely.
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