If you are looking to see breathtaking views of San Diego whilst getting your adrenaline junkie fix on, I highly suggest paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport. What an experience! As I planned to have a relaxing day hike to Torrey Pines State Reserve, I decided to drive past Torrey Pines Gliderport and noticed how many para-gliders were in the air which meant the weather must be ideal!
My friend who was accompanying me is deadly afraid of heights and as I told him that paragliding does not involve being high in the air, he accepted his fate and coughed up the $150 to go on the 25 minute tandem paragliding adventure. The price may shock people but I say it was well worth it.
As I was the only girl jumping and screaming among the gang of cool paragliding guys, I could not wait to go. I even dressed the part with a full-body wind breaker suit. It was extremely cold in the air and I am glad I wore sunglasses, even with sunglasses my eyes could not stop watering.
The most thrilling part was standing up and walking off the edge of the cliff. As I looked down while the parachute took us up in the air I looked down thinking “I sure hope I don’t drop my iPhone in the Pacific Ocean.”
I felt extremely sorry for my instructor, Max, as I made him recite lines from “The Notebook” while I recorded it:
“Max! Say it! If I’m a bird, you’re a bird!” At least I did not throw up while we were twirling in circles over the cliffs of La Jolla and soaring over mansions appraised at $50 million dollars.
Some people may think paragliding is a scary adventure but it is a fun adventure and I got to see San Diego the way I have never imagined. If you think you may be scared of heights, just show up and the culture of paragliding and the great attitude of all the people at the Gliderport will persuade you.
