Torrey Pines Gliderport

Torrey Pines Gliderport
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Gliderport, August 2014
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Location	Torrey Pines, San Diego, California
Coordinates	32°53′23″N 117°14′54″W / 32.88972°N 117.24833°W / 32.88972; -117.24833Coordinates: 32°53′23″N 117°14′54″W / 32.88972°N 117.24833°W / 32.88972; -117.24833
Built	1930
NRHP Reference #	93000578
Added to NRHP	July 12, 1993

The Torrey Pines Gliderport (FAA LID: CA84) is a city-owned private-use glider airport located in La Jolla, 11 nautical miles (20 km) northwest of the central business district of City of San Diego, in San Diego County, California.

It was first established as a soaring site in 1930 and is the home to hang gliding, paragliding, radio-controlled model sailplanes, and full-scale man-carrying sailplanes. It is listed as a National Landmark of Soaring of the National Soaring Museum, a San Diego City Historical Site (#315), a Model Aviation Landmark of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (#1 in the nation), and is listed on the California Register of Historic Places, and the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered by glider enthusiasts of all types to be the "Kitty Hawk of the West."

Full-scale sailplanes are operated by the Associated Glider Clubs of Southern California (AGCSC), only during special permit windows between February and April, while models, hang gliders, and paragliders fly any time the wind permits. The local Flight Director and Concessionaire maintains and enforces safety rules to protect both pilots and spectators.

The Torrey Pines cliffs have featured soaring aircraft since the 1930s with many famous aviators earning their wings on the strong ocean breezes.

Many aviation pioneers have flown at Torrey Pines. Charles A. Lindbergh flew along the coast from Mt. Soledad to Del Mar in a Bowlus sailplane on February 24, 1930. In 1936, Woody Brown became the first person to launch from the top of the Torrey Pines cliff and come back to land at the same place. Other notables include Hawley Bowlus, Bud Perl, Bill Beuby, John Robinson, Dick Essery, Bill Ivans, Helen Dick, Richard Johnson, and Paul MacCready.