Soboba Flight Park

Basic Description: Soboba Flight Park is a mecca for speedflying the states. Soboba has launches from 200' up to 1650' and ATV rides to the 650' launch can be purchased for $6. All launches above 650' are accessed via the well maintained trail. Soboba is a unique site in that it is privately owned. Soboba requires a P3 for unrestricted flight but can issue temporary USHPA ratings for less experienced pilots and provide instruction as needed. Get in touch with Soboba Rich or Jerome Daust before heading out if you would like instruction. More information can be found at Soboba Soaring. Soboba is world famous for paraglider soaring.

Getting There: Soboba is located right down the road from the Church of Scientology's mega-prison/commune at 255 Soboba Road in San Jacinto, California. GPS: 33°49'4" (33.818)N; 116°57'43" (116.962)W. If you are flying in to Soboba, one can drive there in ~2 hours from San Diego or Los Angeles. There is also a closer airport in Ontario, CA.

Launch: There are a ton of launches available at Soboba. The best launches are at 800' (5 minute hike from the ATV drop off), 1200', 1400' (best for multiways) and 1500' (steepest).

Landing Zone: The LZ is all of the dirt area at the base of the mountain within the flight park. Please do not land on the grass, this will make Danny angry. The grass is reserved for folding, kiting, and recreation. It is recommended that you do not perform aggressive maneuvers near the hill on approach to landing as there is a substantial wind shear at the base of the mountain.

Exposure: Soboba faces Southwest and works best within 45 degrees of this. The mountain can be flown in light cross-winds but flight through the many valleys should be avoided due to rotor effects.

Weather: Soboba has its own meteorologist/soaring predictor in Jerome Daust. His predictor and a wealth of relevant weather information can be found at his Soboba Soaring Predictor.

Relevant Media: 

Dave Pearson is one of the pilots who really increased Soboba's popularity in the speedflying world. This video shows a great tour of the mountain:

Dave also created this sweet trailer for the flight park:



Harrison's video shows the speed soaring potential at Soboba.