Revision Date 2/16/24

Marina Site Guide

Before you can fly at Marina you need to read and agree to follow the USHPA site rules and guidelines. Every pilot needs to sign in everyday before flying, either online or at Reservation Road on the sign in board.
It's also important to read the State Park District Superintendent's Order (DSO). DSO rules broken are punishable by citation from State Park Ranger and threaten site access for everyone.

There are two main launches at Marina. Reservation Road and Lake Court Dune. There are two approved relaunch dunes that can be used if you land out. They are North Dune and South Dune. All other dunes are off limits to launch from. Below we will go into more detail on each launch zone as well as the site rules for flying at Marina.

Reservation Road

Reservation Road offers easy access to parking and restrooms. This is where you’ll find the sign-in board (required for all pilots) near the hang glider setup area, as well as a display case with site information next to the bathrooms.

Hang glider pilots must use the provided tie-downs when setting up and breaking down gliders.

  • Ideal wind direction: 270°–290°

  • Hang Gliders: Minimum wind 12 MPH; maximum 25 MPH

  • Paragliders: Minimum wind 10 MPH; maximum 18 MPH

  • Mini Wings: Permitted as of July 2025 with M1 sign-off on your USHPA rating.

As with all launch areas at Marina, protecting the site is critical. Please avoid activities that could damage the dunes, and fly responsibly to maintain our access through State Parks.

Lake Court Dune

Lake Court Dune is the highest launch at Marina, standing approximately 110 feet above sea level. The ideal wind direction is between 270° and 290°.

  • Hang Gliders: Minimum wind speed 12 MPH; maximum 25 MPH.

  • Paragliders: Minimum wind speed 10 MPH; maximum 18 MPH.

  • Mini Wings: As of July 2025, mini wings are permitted at Marina with an M1 sign-off on your USHPA paraglider rating.

  • Parakites: As of July 2025 parakites are allowed at Marina as they are recognized as a type of paraglider. Please fly them with extra caution and avoid flying them in high winds over 20 MPH.

  • Speed Wings: Speed flying and these type of wings are not allowed at Marina.

This launch is more suitable for paragliders due to the steep walk-up required to access the top and there are no tie-downs for hang gliders.

To protect the fragile dune ecosystem:

  • Dragging, skimming, or kiting up any dune face is strictly prohibited.

  • Flying low over the plover nesting area is not allowed.

We must be stewards of this unique site. Continued access depends on responsible use and compliance with California State Parks regulations.

Approved Relaunches

There are two approved dunes that can be used for relaunch should a pilot have to land on the beach between Reservation Road and Lake Court Dune. The access to these dunes is subject to seasonal closure due to the Snowy Plover restrictions. The ideal wind direction is between 270 and 290 degrees. For Hang Gliders the minimum wind speed is 12 MPH and max is 25 MPH. For Paragliders the minimum wind speed is 10 MPH and max is 18 MPH. Pilots must stay to the open dune face and not walk on dune ridge lines.

Marina Beach Site Rules

  1. Adhere to all USHPA, Coastal Condors, and State Park rules.

    See the District Superintendent Order posted at the Reservation Road and Lake Court launches, or [click the link on our website].

  2. You must be a current USHPA member and hold an H3 or P3 rating or higher. Mini-wings require M1 or M2 sign off. Foreign pilots must have temporary USHPA license.

    All pilots—club members and visitors—must show their USHPA card to any club member or State Park ranger upon request.

  3. Sign in is mandatory every day you fly.

    Sign in at the Reservation Road board—even if launching from Lake Court Dune—or use the online form via the website.

  4. Hang gliders must use the provided tie-downs.

    Use them even when setting up flat or crosswind. Never leave a glider unattended.

  5. Launch only from designated areas:

    • Reservation Road

    • Lake Court Dune

    • North Dune

    • South Dune

  6. Do not launch or land within 25 feet of any person on the ground.

    Ensure the launch zone is clear of pedestrian traffic before launching.

  7. Fly with a long-handled hook knife.

  8. Wear a helmet.

  9. Ceiling at Marina is 2,500 feet.

    Do not enter the Class C airspace above this altitude.

  10. Land safely if hazards exist in the main LZs.

    • Land on the beach if necessary

    • Lake Court is the only designated top landing area

    • If you land on the beach, walk to the North or South Dune to relaunch

    • Do not kite or walk your glider up non-approved dunes

  11. Under no circumstances should a pilot land in the water.

    If you land close, pick up your glider immediately and move away.

  12. Observe Snowy Plover nesting season.

    Stay out of closed areas at all times. Use caution in approved corridors and avoid disturbing eggs. Don’t fly low over nesting areas.

  13. In an emergency, call 911 and direct EMS to the Marina State Beach parking lot.

    Then provide the location of the injured pilot. Hang Glider pilots should clear setup area to allow beach access by rangers.

  14. Speed wings and speed flying are not allowed at Marina.

  15. Tandem flying requires prior approval from the Safety Director.

    • No compensation may be accepted

    • The pilot must hold a current USHPA tandem instructor or administrator endorsement

    • The pilot must be PASA certified

  16. No instruction of unqualified students is allowed.

    • Students must be current USHPA members with a minimum H3 or P3 rating

    • No compensation may be accepted

    • Instructors must have a current USHPA instructor endorsement and be PASA certified

  17. No commercial business is allowed at Marina State Beach without a CDPR special permit.

    This includes photography, filming, or any compensated service.

  18. Powered flight is not allowed.

Guidelines

These guidelines are part of our USHPA-approved Risk Mitigation Plan and are essential for maintaining access to Marina State Beach as a flying site. Please follow them—and help visiting pilots do the same—so we can all continue to enjoy safe and responsible flying here.

  1. Five-minute limit over the ramp dune if other pilots are waiting. After launch, clear the launch area to allow others to fly.

  2. Yield to returning pilots when soaring the low dunes just south of the setup area (between the setup area and the “dirty gap”).

  3. Pilots waiting to launch must yield to those landing.

  4. Paragliders kiting must ground their wing to clear landing approaches.

  5. Standard ridge rules apply:

    • Pass on the right

    • Low glider has the right of way

    • Clear all turns

  6. We fly low and slow—stay alert and fly predictably.

  7. Stay out of the ocean. Always leave yourself an option to land safely.

  8. Don’t assume you know the site. Check in with local pilots and ask a Coastal Condors club member for guidance if you’re new to Marina.

  9. Our future here depends on all of us. These guidelines are the result of the USHPA Site Risk Assessment. Following them—and helping others do the same—is the key to keeping Marina open for flying.

Let’s work together to protect this incredible coastal site.