There are numerous great spots for slope soaring in Northern California. This article has links to other sites with more info

These are locations we have had the privilege to fly. Some may have access restrictions.
Check with local flyers for information.

Northern California

Davenport is about 15 miles north of Santa Cruz just off HWY 1. The flying site is just across the highway from Big Creek Lumber. You’ll see a small hanger with a windsock on top and the runway at the cliffs edge. ( Imagine crosswind landings in a 310 or Baron! ) Find a parking place on the ocean side and follow the trail to the cliff’s edge.

Sunset State Beach is a few miles south of Santa Cruz near Watsonville. Wind normally builds in the afternoon. Not really a morning spot. Go here for directions:
http://udel.edu/~lisansky/sunset.html

There are many places near San Francisco. Check out this site for more info.
http://www.geocities.com/soaringbythebay/

or Axel’s Bay Area Soaring Information at:
http://home.comcast.net/~axelb/start.html

If you are in the East Bay area try:
http://www.soarheads.com

Around Trukee, Tahoe and Grass Valley try Rob Crockett’s Gold Country R/C Soaring site:
http://www.ncws.com/rcrock/sites.htm

Southern California boasts some of the most famous slopes in our sport. This article includes links to other sites with more information.

These are locations we have had the privilege to fly. Some may have access restrictions.
Check with local flyers for information.

For Torrey Pines info:
http://www.torreypinesgulls.org/

List of the best sloping spots in SoCal:
http://www.sloperacing.com/sites/locations.htm

Jon Paul sent this link with info on sites in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Malibu and Playa del Rey:
http://www.geocities.com/jpberti/rc.htm

Southern California Soaring Clubs:
http://www.sc-2.org/

Inland Slope Rebels
http://www.inlandsloperebels.com/index.htm

Eric Hvinden sent in this story.

My Weekend at Glider Point

Having previously been hooked by the slope flying bug, I had gotten away from flying after an incident several years ago involving R/C Sailplanes, Pellet Guns and a Homeowners association. Needless to say, I needed a new place to fly. Living in Southern California, with the building of new homes occurring at an all time rate, and flying sites being bulldozed, I looked for a place that was relatively close, relatively accessible, and fun to fly. Looking on the Internet, I found Glider Point in Chino Hills State Park. It is located in the Chino Hills State Park, but access is from a residential neighborhood, where they have built homes right against the park boundary. The residential neighborhood has posted signs of no parking from 7PM to 8AM. The park officially closes at dusk, but the parking is only allowed until 7PM (A problem in Summer hours).
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Allan Carstensen sent in this story.

Hi Greg. I noticed that you don’t have many flying sites listed in Northern California. Well I’ve got a great site for you. I’m usually the only RC’er there and once in a while I get to fly along with an occasional hang glider or paraglider, as well as hawks, osprey and gulls.

The spot is Goat Rock State Park on the Sonoma County coastline, where the Russian River empties into the Pacific. You can fly in winds from  the north-west to the south.

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Nice site with local Santa Barbara slope info, picture gallery, movies and more.
[Visit the Website]

Bill sent this in from his home slope in Pacifica, California.