Top Places to Go Skydiving in California

Picture sitting in an airplane seat, soaring through the clouds, enjoying the views, and preparing for the adventure of a lifetime. For some, this is usually enough. But for others, flinging that window open and jumping out at 120 miles per hour sounds like much more fun. If you’re not a self-proclaimed daredevil, you might be wondering why would anyone choose to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? Well, turns out there are plenty of reasons why—freedom of thrill, sky therapy, an item crossed off that proverbial bucket list… Whatever the reason is, the Golden State has got you covered with the most adrenaline-fueled places to go skydiving ever. Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up!

How Much Is It To Go Skydiving in California?

Since skydiving isn’t a standardized practice yet, you can get a different answer to this question depending on the company. And while the average prices for the sport loom around $230 per person, there’s a myriad of different offers, packages, and opportunities affecting your ticket price. Tandem skydiving—the most common package you’ll get as a novice—typically includes gear, plane and instructor fees, video, and photography services.

As mentioned, ticket prices are likely to vary from company to company—some charge according to altitude, via freefall time; others count tandems per flight or the number of safety and facilities included in their experience. However, there are certain prices that are nearly the same across the board. Here’s a brief roundup.

The Height of the Jump

The logic with this one is simple. The higher you are, the longer your flight will last—you’ll have more time to revel in the views before reaching the ground. The average tandem jumping prices in the Golden State range from $180 for 10,000 feet, $220 for 15,000 feet, and $280 for 18,000 feet. For these prices, expect the last 5,000 feet to be accompanied by a parachute.2

Discounts 

If you’re looking to save money, cash payment and military personnel discounts usually cut out around $10. However, there are group discounts that can really save you a significant amount—groups of four and more can expect to get an additional $10 discount per person and even free gifts in certain cases. Moreover, groups that can count more than 12 may even get a discount ranging anywhere from 10 to 30 percent.

Low Prices Aren’t Always Better 

Low ticket prices might seem enticing at first, but in the world of skydiving, they’re never a good sign. Cheap packages may mean poor aircraft maintenance, untrained personnel, old facilities, and other negative aspects that may put your life in danger. And while this doesn’t mean that higher prices are necessarily the right ones, the point here is to try and avoid rock bottom prices; like you would with standardized services and products. Make sure to compare your ticket price with other companies and skydiving centers to double-check if yours aren’t suspiciously low.

Best Places to go Skydiving in California

The Bay Area

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Skydive California is one of the best places to go skydiving in NorCal. The tandem skydiving packages are perfect for first-timers, as they pair you with a certified U.S. Parachute Association instructor. This company’s jumps are incredible—they let you leap from a dizzying 13,000 feet above the ground and reach speeds of up to 120 miles per hour on your way down. After your parachute opens, you’ll have about five to seven minutes to bask in the breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay.

If you’re looking to take your skill to the next level, then enroll in Skydive California’s student program, which teaches you how to become licensed and fly without an instructor.

The Central Coast 

The Golden State’s beautiful Central Coast stretches from Santa Cruz—just outside of the Bay Area—all the way down to Santa Barbara; a couple of hours north of Los Angeles. And on this long stretch of land, Skydive Monterey Bay boasts one of the most unforgettable experiences state-wide. You’re exposed to sparkling views, unbelievably long falls, and all that jazz.

In case you were still wondering where to go skydiving, this company offers the world’s highest tandem skydive, dropping from 18,000 above the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day, the dive is nothing short of breathtaking—you get to see the Golden Gate Bridge on the north and Big Sur on the south.

The Los Angeles Area 

One of the largest skydiving destinations in the world, Skydive Perris is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. This company offers tandem skydiving from 12,500 feet, reaching a woozy 120 miles per hour speed. There’s also an accelerated free-fall program that’ll help you become licensed if you ever want to dive on your own. Skydive Perris even provides an indoor skydiving simulator for those who aren’t ready to jump off the plane—you won’t find this anywhere else on the West Coast.

Best Beach Skydiving in the Golden State 

Santa Cruz 

Santa Cruz is a little bit of a skydiving superstar. I mean, when you take into account the sunny climate and the ever-so-unfolding vistas, it's not hard to see why adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers flock to the area in large numbers.

Go Jump Santa Cruz features tandem jumps that overlook gems such as San Jose and San Francisco. It doesn't get as sunny and oceanic as this fast-blowing free-fall—it’s one of the highest in California. 

San Diego

Renowned for its temperate climate and near-eternal sunshine, San Diego is sure to be remembered as that one getaway you want to come back to again and again. But amidst all that neighborhood cruising and splashing around, there's another activity that's really worth your time—going skydiving. 

Skydive San Diego pairs you with a licensed professional tandem instructor. Complete their simple training program and you'll be good to soar 13,000 feet in the air. Expect a freefall of nearly a minute and then a five-minute parachute flight over SoCal's finest—Pacific vistas, San Diego metropolitan area, and Baja California. We’re soarin’, flyin’!