Torrey Pines Gliderport facts for kids

Torrey Pines Gliderport
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Gliderport, August 2014
Location in Northwestern San Diego Show map of Northwestern San Diego Location in San Diego County, California Show map of San Diego County, California Location in California Show map of California Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Torrey Pines, San Diego, California
Built	1930
NRHP reference No.	93000578
Added to NRHP	July 12, 1993

The Torrey Pines Gliderport is a special airport in La Jolla, San Diego, California. It is owned by the city and is used for flying gliders. It is about 20 kilometers (11 nautical miles) northwest of downtown San Diego.

This place first opened for soaring in 1930. Today, it is a popular spot for hang gliding and paragliding. People also fly radio-controlled model planes and large gliders here.

The Gliderport is a very important aviation site. It is listed as a National Landmark of Soaring. It is also a San Diego City Historical Site and a Model Aviation Landmark. Many people call it the "Kitty Hawk of the West." This name compares it to the famous place where the Wright brothers first flew.

Large gliders can only fly here at certain times, usually from February to April. Model planes, hang gliders, and paragliders can fly whenever the wind is good. There are safety rules to keep everyone safe.

History of Flight at Torrey Pines

The cliffs at Torrey Pines have been used for flying since the 1930s. Many famous pilots learned to fly here. They used the strong ocean winds to lift their aircraft.

Famous Flyers

Many important people in aviation have flown at Torrey Pines. Charles Lindbergh, a very famous pilot, flew here in 1930. He flew along the coast in a special glider. His wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, also flew here. She was the first American woman to get a top-level glider license.

In 1936, Woody Brown made history. He was the first person to launch from the cliff and land back at the same spot. Other notable flyers include Hawley Bowlus and Paul MacCready.

World War II and Records

During World War II, the Gliderport changed. It became Camp Callan, a training area for the U.S. Army. Soldiers practiced using anti-aircraft guns there.

After the war, the site became famous for setting records. Since 1946, many national and international soaring records have been set here.

Where is the Gliderport?

The Torrey Pines Gliderport is located on cliffs high above Black's Beach. It is right next to the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. From the Gliderport, you can see amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and the city of San Diego.

Nearby places include the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course and the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of California, San Diego are also close by. A trail to Black's Beach starts just south of the Gliderport.

What Can You Do There?

The Torrey Pines Gliderport has one runway. It is 457 meters (1,500 feet) long and 9 meters (30 feet) wide. The runway is made of asphalt, but it is quite worn down. Part of the Gliderport is owned by the University of California, San Diego. The rest belongs to the city of San Diego.

At the Gliderport, you can take lessons to learn paragliding and hang gliding. You can also try tandem flights. This means you fly with an experienced instructor.

If you get hungry, there is a place called the Cliff Hanger Cafe. You can buy sandwiches, snacks, and drinks there.

Images for kids

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  View of La Jolla from Torrey Pines Gliderport

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  Torrey Pines Gliderport

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  Torrey Pines Gliderport

See also

In Spanish: Torrey Pines Gliderport para niños