La Salina

La Salina is a well-known ridge soaring and thermal site on Baja California's Pacific coast, just south of Ensenada, launching from close to sea level along a stretch of ridge that draws serious cross-country flying. It's possible to fly out over the plateau behind launch, and experienced pilots sometimes fly the entire ridge from Cantamar all the way to Ensenada, passing through La Salina along the way — a typical flight here runs 1 to 2 hours, though flights past 3 hours aren't unusual. Two launch areas are set up with artificial turf, and the site has windsocks, an outhouse and maintained switchback trails down to the landing zones. There's no formal flight regulation here, but the ridge itself is privately owned by the Ejido La Misión — visiting pilots need to check in at the Ejido office in La Misión, and a site fee applies. Camping isn't allowed without separate permission. Landing is on dirt and sand; watch for cactus around the edges of the LZ. Pilots who gain enough height over the ridge sometimes continue down to land at the beach instead.

Launch & conditions

Two launch areas set up with artificial turf, plus windsocks, an outhouse and maintained switchback trails down to the landing zones.

Getting there & local rules

The ridge is privately owned by the Ejido La Misión — check in at the Ejido office in La Misión before flying, and expect a site fee. Camping isn't allowed without separate permission.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to La Salina, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open La Salina with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.