San Diego, with its sunny climate, beautiful beaches, and stunning landscapes, is a haven for adventure seekers. Among the many thrilling activities it offers, skydiving stands out as an experience like no other. Whether you’re a seasoned skydiver or a first-time jumper eager to conquer fears, the city’s diverse skydiving spots cater to all levels of adventure. The feeling of free – falling through the sky, with the wind in your face and the world spread out beneath you, is both exhilarating and awe – inspiring. In this article, we’ll explore the best places to skydive in San Diego, so you can plan your next adrenaline – pumping adventure.
Pacific Coast Skydiving
Location and Accessibility
Pacific Coast Skydiving is conveniently located just 15 minutes south of downtown San Diego at Brown Field Municipal Airport. This prime location makes it easily accessible for both locals and tourists staying in the city center. Whether you’re coming from a hotel in downtown San Diego or elsewhere in the county, getting to the skydiving center is a breeze.
Scenic Views
One of the highlights of skydiving with Pacific Coast Skydiving is the incredible views you’ll experience. As your plane ascends, you’ll be treated to a bird’s – eye view of downtown San Diego, the iconic Coronado Bridge and Island, and even parts of Mexico. Just before your heart – pounding 120 mph free fall, which lasts approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute, you’ll have a front – row seat to these beautiful destinations. After the free fall, the canopy ride back to the landing area is equally serene, allowing you to soak in the coastal scenery at a more leisurely pace.
Services and Facilities
The team at Pacific Coast Skydiving is highly professional and experienced. They offer comprehensive safety briefings and pair you with a USPA – certified tandem instructor for your jump. This ensures that even if you’re a first – time skydiver, you’ll feel confident and secure throughout the process. The center is open 7 days a week, giving you plenty of flexibility to plan your skydive around your schedule.
Pricing: The cost of a tandem jump with Pacific Coast Skydiving is 169 per person on weekdays and 179 per person on weekends. While it may seem like an investment, the memories and experience you’ll gain are truly priceless.
GoJump Oceanside
Location and Setting
GoJump Oceanside is located in the charming city of Oceanside, which is known for its beautiful beaches and laid – back atmosphere. The skydiving center is based at Oceanside Municipal Airport, and it offers a unique skydiving experience with a focus on the ocean views.
Scenic Views
During your free fall at GoJump Oceanside, you’ll be treated to a full view of the vast Pacific Ocean. The 13,000 – foot free fall, which lasts about 1 minute, gives you ample time to take in the breathtaking scenery. The sight of the ocean stretching out as far as the eye can see is truly unforgettable. As you float back down under the canopy, you can also enjoy views of the coastline and the city of Oceanside.
Services and Facilities
Safety is a top priority at GoJump Oceanside. Their instructors are highly trained and experienced, and they provide thorough pre – jump training. After your jump, you’ll even receive a free comic book titled “2 much fun” as a memento of your exciting experience. The center also offers a friendly and welcoming environment, making it a great choice for solo jumpers, groups, or even those who are a bit nervous about their first skydive.
Pricing: The cost for a tandem skydive at GoJump Oceanside varies depending on the day. It’s 189 on weekdays,199 on weekends and holidays, and a gift certificate option is available for $179.
Skydive San Diego
Location and Ambiance
Skydive San Diego is located at 13531 Otay Lakes Road in Jamul. The facility has a laid – back and friendly atmosphere, with multiple training buildings, a bunkhouse, deluxe packing lofts, a grass landing area, a BBQ deck, and patio. It’s not just a place to skydive; it’s a community of like – minded adventure enthusiasts.
Scenic Views
From a height of 13,000 feet, you’ll have an amazing view of the ocean and southern California. During your approximately 1 – minute free fall, you’ll be hurtling towards the ground at 120 mph, feeling the rush of adrenaline. After the chute deploys at 5000 feet, you’ll have a 5 – 6 minute floating descent, during which you can take in the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Ocean, Baja California, and the surrounding landscapes. What makes Skydive San Diego even more special is that the Navy parachute team trains there. You can even go and watch them practice any time, adding an extra element of excitement to your visit.
Services and Facilities
Skydive San Diego offers a range of services. In addition to tandem jumps, they also have a flight school where you can learn or improve your skydiving skills. The instructors are experienced and passionate about sharing their love of skydiving. The facility is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day, providing you with a convenient time to plan your jump.
Pricing: For tandem jumps, the regular price is 219. However,they also offer various online specials. The online special tandem price is 199, the online special weekday tandem is 179, and for those who are early birds on the weekends ( jumping between 8 am to10 am ), there’s an early bird special for 159.
iFly Mission Valley (Indoor Skydiving)
Location and Concept
iFly Mission Valley offers a unique take on skydiving – indoor skydiving. Located at 2385 Camino del Rio N, it provides an opportunity to experience the feeling of free – falling without actually jumping out of an airplane. The facility features a 14 – foot wide, 48 – feet tall wind tunnel that simulates the sensation of skydiving.
Experience and Training
The friendly instructors at iFly Mission Valley will guide you through the entire process. First, you’ll receive personalized training on body positioning and how to move in the wind tunnel. Once you’re ready, you’ll step into the wind tunnel and feel the powerful air currents lift you off your feet. You can enjoy multiple flights, and the experience is suitable for people of all ages (participants must be 3 to 103 years old). If you’re interested in a more immersive experience, you can combine your flight with a VR experience (available for those between 6 and 70 years old, with a separate VR fee).
Services and Facilities
In addition to the flight experience, iFly Mission Valley offers conference and party rooms, making it a great venue for group events, birthday parties, or corporate outings. They also provide catering services and school education programs. All packages include safety gear such as a flight suit, helmet, earplugs, and goggles. The facility is open from 11 am to 7 pm on Wednesdays to Sundays and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Pricing: The pricing for iFly Mission Valley’s flights is as follows: a 2 – flight package costs 79.95 ,a3−flight package is
101.95, a 4 – flight package is 127.95,and a 5−flight package is149.95. There are also add – ons available, and they offer discounts for special categories such as teachers, first responders, military, and healthcare personnel.
Skydive Perris (Indoor Skydiving, Near San Diego)
Location and Reach
Skydive Perris is located at Perris Valley Airport in California. While it’s about an hour away from San Diego, it’s still a popular choice for those in the San Diego area looking for an indoor skydiving experience. The facility serves visitors from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County.
Experience and Training
At Skydive Perris, the strong winds in the wind tunnel keep you suspended in the air for several minutes of pure adrenaline – filled fun. If you’re up for an extra thrill, the flight instructor may help you go into a high – flight, sometimes at an extra fee. In high – flight, you’ll fly to the highest point in the chamber, adding an extra level of excitement to your experience. The facility offers training packages for those interested in competitive indoor skydiving as well.
Services and Facilities
The facility is open to participants aged 3 to 103 years old. It’s recommended to make reservations in advance to ensure you get a spot. The package includes flight training and safety flight gear, which even encompasses special character suits. There’s an in – house bar and restaurant on – site, so you can grab a bite to eat before or after your session. The working hours are flexible, and they can extend the hours for large groups, parties, and special events.
Pricing
Skydive Perris offers different pricing packages. The platinum package, which includes 5 flights + 1 high – flight, costs 150 per person. The gold package ( 4 flights ) is 130 per person, the silver package ( 3 flights ) is 105 per person, the bronze package ( 2 flights ) is 85 per person. There’s also a Friday special ( 2 flights ) for 65 per person.The family package (10 flights ) is 350 for 2 – 5 people, the party package ( 20 flights + video ) is 550 for up to 10 people, and the celebration package ( 20 flights + high − flight + 3 photos ) is 590 for up to 10 people. Any extra flights cost 25 per person, and a high−flight costs 17 per person. Skydive Perris is closed on Monday to Thursday.
iFly Indoor Skydiving Oceanside
Location and Access
iFly Indoor Skydiving Oceanside is located in Oceanside, CA, just 35 minutes from San Diego. It’s easily accessible and offers a convenient option for those in the San Diego area who want to try indoor skydiving.
Experience and Training
The facility is open to the public via online reservations or walk – ins. However, it gets busier on the weekend, so it’s advisable to book early. The chamber is safe, and you’ll have a professional instructor with you throughout the experience to ensure you have a wonderful time. If you’re over 250 lbs, the facility asks that you contact them in advance for planning purposes. The dress code requires long – sleeved pants, shirts, and lace – up shoes.
Services and Facilities
As with other iFly locations, you’ll be provided with a flight suit, helmet, goggles, and earplugs as part of the flight package. If you want a private flight party, you can make reservations, and they’ll customize the experience to suit your needs. The wind tunnel driver takes photos and videos of your session, which you can purchase before you leave to remember the experience.
Pricing: The pricing for flights at iFly Indoor Skydiving Oceanside is the same as the other iFly locations. A 2 – flight package costs 79.95,a 3−flight package is 101.95, a 4 – flight package is 127.95,and a 5−flight package is 149.95.
Conclusion
San Diego offers diverse skydiving options for enthusiasts, from traditional outdoor jumps with coastal/city views to indoor wind tunnel experiences. Key spots like Pacific Coast Skydiving, GoJump Oceanside, and Skydive San Diego provide stunning scenery and professional guidance, while iFly locations offer controlled indoor thrills. Pricing varies by jump type, day, and packages, with safety prioritized at all sites via certified instructors. Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned jumper, San Diego’s skydiving spots cater to all—just take the leap and enjoy the coastal adrenaline rush.