Revision Date 4/10/26

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 (preferred) 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 approved 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 (see Snowy Plover page for site relaunch restrictions during that time). All other dunes are off limits to launch from or land on. Below we will go into more detail on each launch zone as well as the site rules for flying at Marina.

Table with wind speed and direction guidelines for airplane launches and relaunches, including wing types, wind strength (min, ideal, max, gust), and directions (left, right) for ideal and OK conditions.
Satellite image showing a coastline with sand dunes and residential neighborhoods. The dunes are marked as 'Reservation Road,' 'Approved Relaunch Dunes' with North and South Dunes, and 'Lake Court Dune.' There are also roads, parking areas, and a small waterway inland, with labels indicating locations such as Marina State Beach and nearby streets.

The map above shows in yellow the two approved launches and two approved relaunches.

Reservation Road

View of a parking lot near the ocean with a stop sign, several cars, benches, and people near the waterfront under a clear blue sky.

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. A pole with our windsock and club wind meter are here too.

As of April 2026 the hang glider setup is closed and roped off due to a temporary construction project. Hang glider pilots should be warned about the danger this creates to flying here until the project is complete. They are estimating it to be complete by mid April.

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.

  • Parakites: Are not allowed at any USHPA sites at this time until insurance issues are figured out. Parakite is defined as an "ultralight vehicle" that combines elements of paragliding and kiting, outfitted with control risers instead of traditional paraglider control risers. This definition includes both A) an "ultralight vehicle" described, labeled or marketed by its manufacturer as a parakite as well as B) a "paraglider" that has been fitted with parakite risers. For example, and not by way of limitation, the Mustache, made by Flare, is a model of the parakite wing class.

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. Be extra cautious at Reservation road of the public and respect their access to the beach.

Yellow / Blue Zone= Permitted Launch and Landing Zone.

Red Zone = Off limits to pilots. No launching, landing, kiting, walking, or skimming on these dunes.

Lake Court Dune

Beach with sand dunes and ocean waves, a paraglider flying in the sky over the dunes, a few cars and people on the beach.

Lake Court is the primary high launch at Marina. Pilots must use the designated access slot to travel between the top of the dune and the beach. The dune faces to the north and south of this access are not intended for foot traffic or repeated use. 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 P3+ rating with an M1 sign-off. Mini Wings are to be flown under the same wind advisory and similar wing loadings as paragliders and not as speed wings.

  • Parakites: As of March 2026 parakites are not allowed at any USHPA site. Parakite is defined as an "ultralight vehicle" that combines elements of paragliding and kiting, outfitted with control risers instead of traditional paraglider control risers. This definition includes both A) an "ultralight vehicle" described, labeled or marketed by its manufacturer as a parakite as well as B) a "paraglider" that has been fitted with parakite risers. For example, and not by way of limitation, the Mustache, made by Flare, is a model of the parakite wing class.

  • 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.

Dune and Wildlife Protection

The dune faces at Lake Court and all along Marina beach are what create the lift band that makes this site flyable. Protecting them is essential to maintaining the site. Marina’s coastal dunes support sensitive plant communities and habitat for protected wildlife, including shorebirds such as the Western Snowy Plover and rare coastal species like the Smith’s blue butterfly.

  • Walking, kiting, dragging, or skimming on dune faces is not allowed. See map below for allowed launching access.

  • Repeated contact with dune faces causes erosion and long-term damage

  • Flying low over designated nesting areas is highly discouraged.

Public Use vs. Pilot Responsibility

We understand that the general public may occasionally walk, run, or sled on dune faces. That activity is not part of a managed or permitted use, and it is not something State Parks encourages.

Paragliding and hang gliding at Marina operate under a specific agreement with State Parks and USHPA. As a permitted activity, pilots are held to a higher standard of use.

Repeated use of dune faces—whether by the public or pilots—contributes to erosion and long-term damage to the very features that make the site flyable. State Parks has expressed concern about this type of impact, and continued degradation could lead to increased restrictions or closure of affected areas.

Because of this, pilots must avoid all unnecessary contact with dune faces and use only designated access paths. Continued access to Marina depends on pilots operating within these standards.

Instruction and Tandem Activity

Marina is not a training site for beginner pilots.

• No commercial activity is allowed

• No structured instruction or student progression is permitted

• Tandem flights require prior approval from the club Safety Officer and must be strictly non-commercial

Any activity that resembles organized instruction or guided progression is not consistent with the intended use of the site

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed at Marina State Beach in accordance with State Parks regulations.

Pilots may not leave a dog on the beach or dunes while flying. Any dog present must remain under the direct control of its handler at all times and in compliance with State Parks rules. (see official State Park guidance here)

Please leave pets at home when coming to fly at Marina.

We must be stewards of this unique site. Continued access depends on responsible use and compliance with California State Parks regulations. Remember Marina is a managed site. Take the time to understand how it works. Respect the ratings and the system in place. Because that system isn’t there to limit you. It’s there so that all of us can keep flying.

Yellow Zone = Permitted Launch and Landing Zone

Red Zone = Off limits to pilots. No launching, landing, kiting, walking, or skimming on these dunes.

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.

Aerial view of a beach with dunes marked for access and no access areas, showing designated paths and dune features with annotations.

The map above shows in yellow the North Dune, South Dune relaunch, and Lake Court launch zones. The areas in yellow are not dune faces. They areas where the dune is open with no vegetation growing. That is why we are allowed to use them.

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 this link].

  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. Parakites are not allowed at any USHPA sites at this time.

    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 right away.

  14. Speed wings and speed flying are not allowed at Marina. Parakites are also not allowed at any USHPA sites at this time.

  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.