Learning to fly an aircraft is generally regarded as a leisurely pastime for the uber-wealthy, or a tough career path that involves hundreds of hours of practise and studying. For most, it may seem like a fanciful pipe dream, but did you know it’s possible to have a flying lesson in one day, with no experience necessary, and over some of the most scenic spots in California? That’s right; from Cessna 172’s in Salinas to Citabrias in San Jose, you’ll find the best California Flying Lessons right here, making for the ultimate experience gift. Chocks away!

Flight Lesson in Monterey Bay

See the beauty of Monterey Bay from the air during this hands-on introductory flying lesson with AeroDynamic Aviation, a fabulous combination of scenic sightseeing and flying tuition. The coastline around Monterey is truly stunning, but that’s only part of what makes this experience so special. You’ll receive tuition on logistics, safety, and pre-flight checks, plus get to help the pilot prepare for take-off. With an hour in the air, there’s plenty of time to take control of the plane to experience first-hand the thrill of flying – or you can choose to sit back and enjoy the view! Whether you’ve always dreamt of flying or are looking for a thoughtful experience gift to mark a special occasion, the Monterey Bay Discovery Flight Lesson is not to be missed.

Warbird Flight Experience in Sonoma

Learning to fly a light aircraft is a cool enough experience, but a vintage North American SNJ-4 “Texan” Warbird? Now that’s a flying lesson to write home about! Run by Vintage Aircraft Company out of Sonoma Valley Airport, the professional pilot is full of knowledge about the history of the plane and what it was used for during the War. They’ll show you all the controls and pre-flight checks, before you take to the skies over the beautiful Sonoma landscape. Have a go at flying or simply enjoy the scenery; the twenty minute flight time is yours and yours alone! Experiencing 1940s era flying and admiring California from the air is a day out that will never be forgotten, so don’t miss this amazing opportunity to tick off an epic bucket list item.

Helicopter Flight Training in San Luis Obispo

Planes aren’t the only aircrafts you can learn to fly, so if helicopters are more appealing to you then an introductory flight with Helipro in San Luis Obispo is your best way forward. We’ve narrowed down the best places to learn to fly a helicopter in California based on location, duration, and course content, and think this thirty or sixty minute lesson is the best of the bunch! Receive a comprehensive ground school session covering aircraft controls, signals, and safety checks, plus a SFAR 73 endorsement that allows you to take charge of the helicopter in the air. A truly addictive experience, a helicopter flying lesson is the ultimate gift for aviation enthusiasts and California thrill seekers.

Flight Simulation Experiences in Anaheim

Want to experience the thrill of air combat in a fighter jet? Or get a feel for landing a Boeing 737 at an airport of your choice? The Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center in Anaheim provides all this and more, allowing guests the opportunity to experience ultra-realistic aircraft piloting in the safety of a professional simulator. If it’s adrenaline-pumping action you’re after, compete against your friends in the Fighter Jet Experience and duck, dip, soar and swoop to avoid being hit – a great bachelor party experience idea! The Boeing 737 Commercial Airline experience is ideal for those wanting to test their nerve, getting a feel for exactly what qualified pilots go through when flying internationally. A fantastic Father’s Day gift experience in California!

Introductory Glider Flight Near Los Angeles

An hour’s drive from LA at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains is Crystalaire Airport, where SoCal’s top rated glider flying school, Southern California Soaring Academy, teaches students how to soar over the California desert in a top-of-the-range Schleicher glider. With no engine, these aircrafts allow a sense of freedom that doesn’t come with regular aeroplanes; once the glider is released from the tow plane you’ll drift over the desert landscape and control the descent back to earth, admiring the incredible scenery stretching for miles around. A gift certificate for the best glider flying lesson in California is a truly unique way to tell someone you care, and could even be the start of an exciting new hobby!

… that concludes our round-up of the best flying lessons in California! We hope you’ve found a great flying gift on our list, but if you’re still searching, you can browse our full selection of flying experience gifts here. Treat a lucky someone to the unforgettable gift of flight!