Tres Pinos, Hollister

Tres Pinos is a site that has been supporting hang gliding for a long time, through winch towing with Pat at Mission Soaring Center. This is a great place to learn if you want to try hang gliding. The site is in a huge flat field that is in a valley in the rolling hills near Hollister CA. Pat does towing on various pre-planned days (I think usually Sundays) and it is a great site for beginners to get the feel for flying, as well as experts who want to be able to winch up to altitude, and then land almost right where you winch from. There are some great beginner hills or ‘bunny slopes’ for training. The winch field is massive and flat. You can land almost anywhere, so wheels are definitely a plus if you need to walk your glider around. Pat also has almost anything you need there. Bend a downtube? Lose a clip or bolt? Need a new Vario (in my case, he had the one I wanted!)? Pat can probably take care of you. This guy has a crazy amount of experience and you can tell that he enjoys teaching. Be ready for a positive and fun day if you fly here. People are in a good mood and shared food and drinks at lunch when I went. Next time, I’m bringing a watermelon for everyone to share.

***Verizon cell service was good here for me***

What to do before you go:

  • Contact Mission Soaring Center to get site info and to set appointment: https://hang-gliding.com/ Phone #: (408)262-1055

  • Watch video’s of hang gliding at Tres Pinos and towing so you know a little bit about what to expect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWU1PgOVRbo (Pat will explain everything based on your skill level also, so don’t be worried)

  • Learn about and be aware of weather conditions leading up to your trip.

  • Look at routes getting there, and plan to be at the gate before the meeting time so you aren’t rushed or holding the group up

  • New pilots don’t need to bring much. H2’s-H4’s: be ready at the gate with all of you items ready to go on top of Mission Soaring’s vehicle. You will have to leave your vehicle at the gate. (It’s a safe area)

Where to go:

  • Go to the corner of Quien Sabe Rd and Hwy 25 near the town of Tres Pinos.

  • From there you will drive up Quien Sabe Rd a few hundred yards until you see the first main gate on the right.

  • Park your vehicle on the right side of Quien Sabe Rd. before or after the gate

  • Pat will meet you there, and load your equipment on his vehicle to drive to winch area

What to bring:

  • For H2-H4’s: Glider, Harness, Helmet

  • Bring wheels if you have them! You can land anywhere,

  • Gopro or some video system. It will help you see how you’re reacting while towing, and always a great way to improve.

  • Sunglasses/sunblock. There isn’t a ton of shade

  • Vario if you have one. Lift seems spotty (I only went once, so I’m not a pro on this topic)

  • Water, bring plenty (it goes fast and others might needs some)

  • If you have some cash, it wouldn’t hurt to tip Pat. It definitely isn’t expected, but he’s one guy paying to keep this site going, and it’s a pretty amazing site. Every little bit helps.